Compare the2022 Infiniti QX55VS 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback

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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the QX55 and the Q5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning 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 Q5 Sportback’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 Q5 Sportback. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q5 Sportback ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the QX55 has a 130-amp alternator. The Q5 Sportback’s standard 110-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the QX55 has a standard 720-amp battery. The Q5 Sportback’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 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 21st in initial quality. With 70 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 7 more horsepower (268 vs. 261) and 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 273) than the Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Infiniti QX55 higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi Q5 Sportback (5). This means the QX55 produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q5 Sportback 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better traction, the QX55 has larger tires than the Q5 Sportback (255/45R20 vs. 235/55R19).

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 Q5 Sportback’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX55 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Q5 Sportback.

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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For better maneuverability, the QX55’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Q5 Sportback’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.7 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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The QX55 has .2 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q5 Sportback.

The QX55 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q5 Sportback with its rear seat up (26.9 vs. 24.7 cubic feet). The QX55 has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (54.1 vs. 51.9 cubic feet).

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 Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 Q5 Sportback only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the QX55 (except Luxe) offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Q5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights.