Forget The Updated 2016 Infiniti QX60, Lease The 2015 Instead

Infiniti just released details of their revamped 2016 lineup. In addition to new powertrain options for the Q50 sedan, they've also refreshed the three-row QX60 SUV. The changes aren't easy to spot, but Infiniti says the 2016 offers slightly revised styling and minor tweaks to the suspension. See for yourself:

We suspect the vast majority of people will hardly notice the changes. And with deals on the current car being so good, we'd get the 2015 now instead of waiting for the 2016, which is due early next year.

Why should I consider the QX60?

Because a luxury SUV is the essential device for any upwardly mobile suburbanite. With seven seats, the QX60 will do the school run as well as any minivan, while its huge Infiniti badges and lashings of chrome, wood, and leather will provide warm, comforting assurances to its driver that he or she has truly made it.

In the school drop-off line, the QX60 will hold its own against more recognized three-row behemoths like the Mercedes-Benz GL, Volvo XC90, and Acura MDX, but at a fraction of the cost. In fact, the big Infiniti can be cheaper to lease than humdrum seven-seaters like the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander, despite being more expensive on paper.

2015 Infiniti QX60 (the one in blue, not red)

How good are the deals?

Let's start with a 2015 QX60 FWD with an MSRP of $43,395. According to our analysis of recent transaction data, a selling price of $35,175 is possible if you live in a competitive region. (There are a number of California dealers on a popular car buying site promising $8,000 off MSRP.) Add the $700 acquisition fee, and the net capitalized cost is $35,875.

Assuming 10,000 miles per year, the QX60 has a 39-month residual value of 57% of MSRP, or $24,735. This amounts to a total depreciation expense of $11,140, or $286 per month.

The QX60 has a money factor rate of .00055 (1.3% APR). Five security deposits will bring it down to .00005 (0.1% APR). The monthly finance charge? $3 per month.

Add the monthly depreciation expense and the monthly finance charge, and you get your monthly payment: $289.

Here's what you should expect when all is said and done. We've added in Los Angeles County sales tax (9%), license/registration, and fees. Current lease program valid through January 4, 2016.

Total Drive-Off
First month's payment (after 9% tax)	$315
DMV license/registration	$400
Dealer document fee ($80 max. in CA)	$80
Down payment	$0
Security deposit (refundable)	$1,750
TOTAL DUE AT SIGNING	$2,545

Leasehackr Score: 12.5 years

Thanks to Leasehackr reader cpak for sharing this deal!

Three-rows of seating (source: infinitiusa.com)

Did you recently lease an Infiniti QX60? Share your deal below.

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e.g., cash-back offers, loyalty cash, bonus cash. Most states treat customer cash rebates as a capitalized cost reduction, which is subject to sales tax.

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e.g., manufacturer-to-dealer cash rebate or if you live in a state where customer cash rebates are not taxed.

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Not recommended

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I want to pay my acquisition fee upfront.

Acquisition fee, a.k.a. "Bank Fee," is set by the leasing company. Some dealers mark up this fee to make additional profit for themselves. You can negotiate the fee back to its original that we are showing here.

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The number of years it would take for the accumulated monthly payments to exceed the MSRP. The higher the number, the better it is to lease as opposed to buy.

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Fee the leasing company charges at the end of the lease to cover the cost of selling your car. If you purchase the car or lease another car from the same manufacturer, you usually do not have to pay the disposition fee.

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The total cost of leasing over the lease term, including applicable taxes but excluding registration/license fee and the refundable MSD payment.