Compare the2022 Infiniti QX55VS 2021 Toyota Highlander

The Infiniti QX55 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Highlander doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the QX55. But it costs extra on the Highlander.

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. Only the Highlander LE/XLE/XSE/Limited/Platinum offers a blind spot warning system.

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. Only the Highlander LE/XLE/XSE/Limited/Platinum has a cross-path warning system.

Both the QX55 and the Highlander have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, 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 Highlander’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 24,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the QX55 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Highlander. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Highlander ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The QX55’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Highlander’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 15th in initial quality. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 19th.

The QX55’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 17 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 263) than the Highlander’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Infiniti QX55 higher (6 out of 10) than the Toyota Highlander (5). This means the QX55 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Highlander every 15,000 miles.

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 Highlander doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the QX55 has larger tires than the Highlander (255/45R20 vs. 235/65R18).

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 Highlander L/LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The QX55’s tires are lower profile than the Highlander XSE/Limited/Platinum’s 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 Highlander L/LE/XLE.

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 Highlander doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The QX55 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Highlander doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better maneuverability, the QX55’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Highlander’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the QX55 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander (8.6 vs. 8 inches), allowing the QX55 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The QX55 is 8.6 inches shorter than the Highlander, making the QX55 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The front step up height for the QX55 is 1.6 inches lower than the Highlander (17.4” vs. 19”). The QX55’s rear step up height is 1.4 inches lower than the Highlander’s (17.8” vs. 19.2”).

The QX55 has a much larger cargo volume than the Highlander with its rear seat up (26.9 vs. 16 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the QX55 easier. The QX55’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.9 inches, while the Highlander’s liftover is 31.2 inches.

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

The QX55 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Highlander 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 Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti third in service department satisfaction. With a 41% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

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 Highlander doesn’t offer a remote starting 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 Highlander doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The QX55’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 Highlander’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.