Compare the2022 Subaru AscentVS 2022 Infiniti QX60

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Ascent. But it costs extra on the QX60.

Both the Ascent and the QX60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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 standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Ascent its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 73 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The QX60 has not been tested, yet.

There are over 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ascent’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Subaru 17th in reliability. With 12 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is ranked 23rd.

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

The Ascent’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 lbs.-ft. more torque (277 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The QX60 doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Ascent gets better mileage than the QX60:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Ascent uses regular unleaded gasoline. The QX60 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Ascent 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 QX60 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the QX60 (8.7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ascent has standard seating for 8 passengers; the QX60 can only carry 7.

The Ascent has 12.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX60 (153.5 vs. 140.6).

The Ascent has .5 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, .5 inches more front shoulder room, 2.5 inches more rear headroom, .9 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear hip room, .6 inches more rear shoulder room, .6 inches more third row headroom, 3.7 inches more third row legroom, .7 inches more third row hip room and 1.6 inches more third row shoulder room than the QX60.

The Ascent’s cargo area provides more volume than the QX60.

The engine in the Ascent is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the QX60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Ascent’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Ascent Base). The QX60 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Infiniti Connection can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Ascent to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The QX60 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Infiniti QX60 by over six to one during the 2021 model year.