Compare the2023 Subaru AscentVS 2023 Infiniti QX60

The Ascent has standard Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash-Reducing Front Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The QX60 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

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, 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Subaru Ascent is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

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

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.

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 Ascent’s reliability 14 points higher than the QX60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Subaru vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. With 13 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Subaru higher than Infiniti.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 With 2 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Subaru higher 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.

As tested in Motor Trend the Subaru Ascent is faster than the Infiniti QX60:

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 fuel mileage than the QX60 AWD (20 city/26 hwy vs. 20 city/25 hwy).

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.

The Ascent stops much shorter than the QX60:

The Ascent Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the QX60 Sensory AWD (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Ascent’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the QX60’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

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.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Ascent Limited is quieter than the QX60 Autograph AWD (64 vs. 67 dB).

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

The Ascent has 12.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX60 (153.2 vs. 140.6).

The Ascent has .4 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, .5 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.

The Ascent has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The QX60 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Consumer Reports rated the Ascent’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the QX60’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Insurance will cost less for the Ascent owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Ascent will cost $1855 to $3615 less than the QX60 over a five-year period.

The Ascent will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Ascent will retain 52.78% to 54.99% of its original price after five years, while the QX60 only retains 43.55% to 44.5%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Ascent will be $18694 to $22358 less than for the Infiniti QX60.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Subaru Ascent, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Infiniti QX60 isn't recommended.

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Infiniti QX60 by almost four to one during 2022.