Compare the2019 Infiniti QX60VS 2019 Nissan Pathfinder

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 Pathfinder doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 Pathfinder doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The QX60 Luxe’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

Both the QX60 and the Pathfinder 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all-wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 Pathfinder’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 Nissan covers the Pathfinder. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Pathfinder ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the QX60’s reliability 16 points higher than the Pathfinder.

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 Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 10th.

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

The QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 11 more horsepower (295 vs. 284) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 259) than the Pathfinder’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

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

The QX60 stops much shorter than the Pathfinder:

The QX60 AWD handles at .76 G’s, while the Pathfinder Platinum 4x4 pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The front step up height for the QX60 is .8 inches lower than the Pathfinder (18.2” vs. 19”). The QX60’s rear step up height is 2.1 inches lower than the Pathfinder’s (18.7” vs. 20.8”).

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

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

The QX60 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Pathfinder 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 Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 52% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 20th.

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 Pathfinder’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Pathfinder SV/SL/Platinum’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

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 Pathfinder S’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The QX60 Luxe’s optional wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Pathfinder SV/SL/Platinum’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Consumer Reports rated the QX60’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Pathfinder’s headlights, which were rated “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 automatic headlight on/off feature is not available on the Pathfinder S.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the QX60 Luxe detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Pathfinder doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

The QX60’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Pathfinder and aren’t offered on the Pathfinder S.

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 Pathfinder offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder because it costs $351 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the QX60 than the Pathfinder, including $248 less for a water pump, $20 less for front brake pads, $126 less for a starter, $12 less for fuel injection and $109 less for a fuel pump.

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