Compare the2022 Infiniti QX55VS 2021 Audi Q3

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX55 has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Q3 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The QX55 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Q3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the QX55 has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the Q3.

Both the QX55 and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The QX55 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Q3’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the QX55 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the QX55 has a standard 720-amp battery. The Q3’s 680-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 15th in initial quality. With 52 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 3 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The QX55’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 84 more horsepower (268 vs. 184) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 221) than the Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The QX55’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (268 vs. 228) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The QX55 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 Q3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the QX55 has larger tires than the Q3 (255/45R20 vs. 235/55R18).

The QX55’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q3’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX55 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q3.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the QX55 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX55’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the Q3 (110.2 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the QX55 is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Q3.

For better maneuverability, the QX55’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Q3’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The QX55 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Q3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The QX55 has 16.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (100.2 vs. 84).

The QX55 has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

The QX55 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q3 with its rear seat up (26.9 vs. 23.7 cubic feet). The QX55 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (54.1 vs. 48 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the QX55’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti third in service department satisfaction. With a 25% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The QX55 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the QX55 Essential/Sensory, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle. The Q3 doesn’t offer a memory system.

The QX55 Essential/Sensory’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 Q3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The QX55 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The QX55’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q3’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the QX55 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The QX55 (except Luxe)’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the QX55 Essential/Sensory 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 Q3’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the QX55 Essential/Sensory keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the QX55 Essential/Sensory’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.