Compare the2023 Lexus UXVS 2023 Infiniti QX55

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the UX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The QX55 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the UX deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The UX’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The QX55’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

The UX has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Front Seatbacks, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Front Seatbacks system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The QX55 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The UX has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The QX55 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.

The UX’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 UX 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, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus UX 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 “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the UX the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2022, a rating granted to only 162 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The QX55 has not been tested, yet.

There are over 20 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the UX’s warranty.

The battery on the UX is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the UX’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The QX55’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the UX second among small premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The QX55 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 Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 47 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 Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Infiniti is rated below average.

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 overall reliability. Infiniti is ranked 11th.

On the EPA test cycle the UX gets better mileage than the QX55:

Regenerative brakes improve the UX’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 stoplights the UX’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.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus UX uses regular unleaded gasoline. The QX55 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus UX higher (7 out of 10) than the Infiniti QX55 (6). This means the UX produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the QX55 every 15,000 miles.

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

For better maneuverability, the UX’s turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the QX55’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.4 feet).

The Lexus UX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 600 pounds less than the Infiniti QX55.

The UX is 9.3 inches shorter than the QX55, making the UX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Lexus UX amounts to more than styling. The UX has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the QX55 (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the UX get better fuel mileage.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Infiniti. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 35% lower rating, Infiniti is ranked 9th.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The UX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The QX55 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The UX’s optional 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.

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

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

Insurance will cost less for the UX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the UX will cost $930 to $2990 less than the QX55 over a five-year period.

The UX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the UX will retain 50.29% to 53.08% of its original price after five years, while the QX55 only retains 44.12% to 44.72%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus UX will be $18304 to $21618 less than for the Infiniti QX55.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus UX, based on reliability, safety and performance.