Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2022 Infiniti QX80

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The BMW X5 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 QX80 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The X5 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The QX80 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The QX80 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X5’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 QX80 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the X5 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The QX80 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the X5 and the QX80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 BMW X5 is safer than the Infiniti QX80:

	X5	QX80
OVERALL STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	2 Stars
HIC	209	384
Neck Injury Risk	34%	36%
Neck Stress	308 lbs.	439 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	636/584 lbs.	983/651 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
Chest Compression	.8 inches	1.2 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	37%
Leg Forces (l/r)	527/418 lbs.	452/534 lbs.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the BMW X5 is safer than the Infiniti QX80:

	X5	QX80
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	16 inches
HIC	308	437

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the X5, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 6% to 7.8% less likely to roll over than the QX80, which received a three-star rating.

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 “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the X5 the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 151 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The QX80 has not been tested, yet.

Warranty

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the QX80’s (12 vs. 7 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the X5 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Infiniti doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the QX80.

There are over 73 percent more BMW dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X5’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the X5’s reliability 21 points higher than the QX80.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The QX80 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 39 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Infiniti is rated below average.

Engine

The X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 123 more horsepower (523 vs. 400) and 140 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 413) than the QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Infiniti QX80:

	X5	QX80
Zero to 60 MPH	4.8 sec	6.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.5 sec	17.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.8 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.5 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	103 MPH	94 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the X5 gets better mileage than the QX80:

			MPG
X5
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Hybrid	21 city/25 hwy
		4.4 turbo V8	16 city/22 hwy
QX80
	RWD	5.6 DOHC V8	14 city/20 hwy
	AWD	5.6 DOHC V8	13 city/19 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The QX80 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the X5’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. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (M50i only). The QX80 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW X5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the QX80.

The X5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The QX80 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the X5 M Sport’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the QX80:

	X5 M Sport	QX80
Front Rotors	15.6 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	14.6 inches	13.8 inches

The X5 stops much shorter than the QX80:

	X5	QX80
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	185 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	139 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	142 feet	155 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The X5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the QX80 Luxe’s standard 60 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the QX80 Premium Select/Sensory’s 50 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The QX80 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The X5 M50i offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The QX80 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 has a standard 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 QX80’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The X5 xDrive40i handles at .89 G’s, while the QX80 AWD pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.8 seconds quicker than the QX80 AWD (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

Chassis

The BMW X5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 850 pounds less than the Infiniti QX80.

The X5 is 1 foot, 3.9 inches shorter than the QX80, making the X5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The X5 is 7.1 inches shorter in height than the QX80, making the X5 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the X5’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The QX80 uses body-on-frame design instead.

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The QX80 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The X5 has .8 inches more front headroom and .2 inches more front legroom than the QX80.

The front step up height for the X5 is 2.9 inches lower than the QX80 (19.5” vs. 22.4”). The X5’s rear step up height is 2.8 inches lower than the QX80’s (20” vs. 22.8”).

Cargo Capacity

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume than the QX80 with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 16.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the X5 easier. The X5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 30.8 inches, while the QX80’s liftover is 35.8 inches.

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The QX80’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the X5’s tailgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The QX80 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Infiniti. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 4% lower rating, Infiniti is ranked 9th.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the QX80, the X5 M50i has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The X5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning 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 QX80 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The X5’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The QX80’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the X5 and the QX80 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X5 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The QX80 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The QX80 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the X5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The QX80 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The X5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the QX80.

The X5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The QX80 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the X5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the X5 with a number “1” insurance rate while the QX80 is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Infiniti QX80 isn't recommended.

The BMW X5 outsold the Infiniti QX80 by over four to one during the 2021 model year.

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