Compare the2019 Infiniti QX60VS 2018 Volkswagen Atlas

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 Atlas 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 Volkswagen Atlas doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle or rear seat belts.

Both the QX60 and the Atlas have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The QX60 comes with free roadside assistance for 4 years unlimited miles. Infiniti will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Volkswagen doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Atlas.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 14th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 24th, below the industry average.

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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 37 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 19th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 9 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 60 more horsepower (295 vs. 235) and 12 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 258) than the Atlas’ standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 19 more horsepower (295 vs. 276) and 4 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 266) than the Atlas’ optional 3.6 DOHC V6.

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

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

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 Atlas doesn’t offer a CVT.

The QX60 stops much shorter than the Atlas:

The QX60 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the QX60 flat and controlled during cornering. The Atlas’ suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

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 Atlas uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The QX60 has .7 inches more front legroom, 4.1 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more third row shoulder room than the Atlas.

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

The QX60 has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The Atlas doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a switch automatically raises the QX60’s optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Atlas doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 48% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 16th.

The QX60 Luxe’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Atlas doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Atlas can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

The QX60’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Atlas’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the QX60 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Atlas only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The QX60 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Atlas has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the SE/SEL/SEL Premium.

The QX60’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Volkswagen only offers heated mirrors on the Atlas SE/SEL/SEL Premium.

The QX60 Luxe offers optional automatic dimming rear and side view mirrors which automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Atlas offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Atlas and isn’t available on the Atlas S.

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 Atlas S doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the QX60 is less expensive to operate than the Atlas because typical repairs cost much less on the QX60 than the Atlas, including $495 less for a water pump, $206 less for a muffler, $58 less for front brake pads, $233 less for a starter, $106 less for fuel injection, $130 less for front struts and $325 less for a timing belt/chain.

The Infiniti QX60 outsold the Volkswagen Atlas by 49% during 2017.