Compare the2019 Infiniti QX60VS 2019 Lexus GX460

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX60 Luxe offers an optional Backup Collision Intervention that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The GX460 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the QX60 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX460 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the QX60 and the GX460 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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.

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 154 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GX460 has not been tested, yet.

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 GX460’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

The QX60’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GX460’s (7 vs. 6 years).

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the QX60’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the GX460’s camshafts. If the GX460’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the QX60 has a standard 150-amp alternator. The GX460’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

On the EPA test cycle the QX60 AWD gets better fuel mileage than the GX460 (19 city/26 hwy vs. 15 city/18 hwy).

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Infiniti QX60 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GX460 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

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 GX460 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The QX60 stops shorter than the GX460:

The QX60 Luxe’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX460’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX60 Luxe offers optional 20-inch wheels. The GX460’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Infiniti QX60 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX460 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX60’s wheelbase is 4.4 inches longer than on the GX460 (114.2 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the QX60 is 3.3 inches wider in the front and 3.3 inches wider in the rear than on the GX460.

The QX60 AWD handles at .76 G’s, while the GX460 pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the QX60’s turning circle is 2.4 feet tighter than the GX460’s (38.7 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

The Infiniti QX60 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 750 pounds less than the Lexus GX460.

Unibody construction lowers the QX60’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The GX460 uses body-on-frame design instead.

The design of the Infiniti QX60 amounts to more than styling. The QX60 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the GX460 (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the QX60 get better fuel mileage.

The QX60 has 19.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GX460 (149 vs. 129.7).

The QX60 has 2.7 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front hip room, 4.9 inches more front shoulder room, 7.6 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more rear hip room, 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.3 inches more third row headroom, 1.5 inches more third row legroom and 2.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the GX460.

The front step up height for the QX60 is 3.5 inches lower than the GX460 (18.2” vs. 21.7”). The QX60’s rear step up height is 3.3 inches lower than the GX460’s (18.7” vs. 22”).

The QX60’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX460.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the QX60 easier. The QX60’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.6 inches, while the GX460’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

The QX60’s cargo area is larger than the GX460’s in almost every dimension:

The QX60’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX460’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the QX60 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or, optionally on the QX60 Luxe, by just kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The GX460 doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Lexus. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 5% lower rating, Lexus is ranked third.

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 GX460’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The QX60’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX460’s power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

The QX60 is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The GX460 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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 GX460 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

The QX60 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the QX60 will retain 54.7% to 54.76% of its original price after five years, while the GX460 only retains 50.63% to 53.31%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the QX60 is less expensive to operate than the GX460 because typical repairs cost much less on the QX60 than the GX460, including $216 less for a water pump, $44 less for a muffler, $280 less for a starter, $16 less for fuel injection, $112 less for a fuel pump and $173 less for a timing belt/chain.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Infiniti QX60 will be $7522 to $14337 less than for the Lexus GX460.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Infiniti QX60, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lexus GX460 isn't recommended.

The Infiniti QX60 outsold the Lexus GX460 by 77% during 2018.