Compare the2022 Lexus RXVS 2022 Infiniti QX55

The RX has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The QX55 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The RX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The QX55 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus RX is safer than the Infiniti QX55:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RX the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 145 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The QX55 has not been tested, yet.

There are over 19 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RX’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium SUVs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The QX55 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is ranked 21st, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 56 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is ranked 23rd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in reliability. Infiniti is ranked 11th.

The RX 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 27 more horsepower (295 vs. 268) than the QX55’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The RX 450h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (308 vs. 268) than the QX55’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the RX 450h 3.5 V6 Hybrid CVT AWD gets better fuel mileage than the QX55 (31 city/28 hwy vs. 22 city/28 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the RX Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The QX55 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the RX Hybrid’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. The QX55 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The RX Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX55 (17.2 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The RX’s standard fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX55 (19.2 vs. 16 gallons).

The RX has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the QX55; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The RX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The QX55’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The RX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The QX55’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The RX has 4.5 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front hip room, 2.2 inches more rear headroom, 2.3 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the QX55.

Optional Trailer Sway Control on the RX uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The QX55 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Infiniti. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With an 8% lower rating, Infiniti is ranked third.

The power windows standard on both the RX and the QX55 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the RX is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The QX55 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The RX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The QX55’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the RX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The QX55 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The RX’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Infiniti only offers heated mirrors on the QX55 Essential/Sensory.

The RX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The QX55 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the RX and the QX55 offer available heated front seats. The RX also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the QX55.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus RX offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The QX55 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The RX offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The QX55 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The QX55 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus RX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.