Compare the2019 Infiniti QX60VS 2018 Ford Explorer

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The QX60 Luxe’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Explorer doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front, middle and rear seat shoulder belts of the Infiniti QX60 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Ford Explorer doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle or rear seat belts.

The QX60 has a standard Intelligent Brake Assist, which uses forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Explorer offers an available collision warning system without the automated brake feature that would prevent or reduce the collision if the driver fails to react.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX60 Luxe offers an optional Backup Collision Intervention that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Explorer doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The QX60 offers an optional Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Explorer only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the QX60 and the Explorer have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all-wheel drive and lane departure warning systems.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Infiniti QX60 is safer than the Explorer:

	QX60	Explorer
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	39	93
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Steering Column Movement Rearward	3 cm	13 cm
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Max Chest Compression	15 cm	23 cm
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	2.3/.1 kN	3.7/2.2 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	1%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Tibia index R/L	.52/.37	.87/.61
Tibia forces R/L	.8/.1 kN	2.2/.6 kN

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Infiniti QX60 is safer than the Ford Explorer:

	QX60	Explorer
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	120 G’s	159 G’s
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	101	144
Hip Force	557 lbs.	713 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	338	407
Spine Acceleration	42 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	661 lbs.	909 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the QX60 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 140 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Explorer was not even a “Top Pick” for 2016.

Warranty

The QX60 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Explorer’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 24,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the QX60 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Ford covers the Explorer. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Explorer ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The QX60’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Explorer’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Ford is ranked 16th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Ford vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 8 places higher in reliability than Ford.

Engine

The QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 15 more horsepower (295 vs. 280) than the Explorer’s optional 2.3 turbo 4 cyl. The QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 5 more horsepower (295 vs. 290) and 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 255) than the Explorer’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the QX60 gets better fuel mileage than the Explorer:

		QX60	Explorer
2WD		n/a	19 city/27 hwy	2.3 4 cyl./Auto
	3.5 V6/Auto	20 city/27 hwy	17 city/24 hwy	3.5 V6/Auto
4WD		n/a	18 city/25 hwy	2.3 4 cyl./Auto
	3.5 V6/Auto	19 city/26 hwy	16 city/22 hwy	3.5 V6/Auto

The QX60 has almost a gallon more fuel capacity than the Explorer (19.5 vs. 18.6 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Infiniti QX60 higher (5 out of 10) than the Ford Explorer (3). This means the QX60 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Explorer every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The QX60 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Explorer doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The QX60 stops much shorter than the Explorer:

	QX60	Explorer
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX60’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the Explorer (114.2 inches vs. 112.8 inches).

For better maneuverability, the QX60’s turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the Explorer Base/XLT/Limited’s (38.7 feet vs. 38.9 feet). The QX60’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the Explorer Sport’s (38.7 feet vs. 40 feet).

Chassis

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the QX60 has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The Explorer uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Passenger Space

The QX60 has 2.2 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more third row hip room and 6.3 inches more third row shoulder room than the Explorer.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the QX60’s middle and third row seats recline. The Explorer’s third row seats don’t recline.

Towing

The QX60’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Explorer’s (5000 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The QX60 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Explorer uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Ford. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 65% lower rating, Ford is ranked 24th.

Ergonomics

The QX60’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Explorer’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the QX60 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Explorer can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The QX60 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The Explorer doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

When the QX60 Luxe is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Explorer’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The QX60 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning costs extra on the Explorer and isn’t available on the Explorer Base.

The QX60’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Explorer Base doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the QX60 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the QX60 with a number “8” insurance rate while the Explorer is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the QX60 is less expensive to operate than the Explorer because typical repairs cost much less on the QX60 than the Explorer, including $229 less for a water pump and $119 less for a muffler.

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