Compare the2023 Mercedes GLEVS 2023 Infiniti QX50

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

Safety

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The GLE’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The QX50 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The GLE’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 QX50 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the GLE and the QX50 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, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Mercedes GLE weighs 428 to 1431 pounds more than the Infiniti QX50. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Mercedes GLE is safer than the Infiniti QX50:

	GLE	QX50
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	84	236
Neck Injury Risk	24%	26%
Neck Stress	208 lbs.	245 lbs.
Neck Compression	17 lbs.	42 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	209	333
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	31%	31%
Neck Stress	125 lbs.	161 lbs.
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	48 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	401/438 lbs.	504/622 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 Mercedes GLE is safer than the Infiniti QX50:

	GLE	QX50
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	40	98
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	151 lbs.	151 lbs.
Hip Force	287 lbs.	306 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	17 inches
HIC	264	333
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	39 G’s

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, with its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the GLE its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 114 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The QX50 has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

There are over 89 percent more Mercedes dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the GLE’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. With 15 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes 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 Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti With 33 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Infiniti.

Engine

The GLE 450’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 94 more horsepower (362 vs. 268) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 280) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The GLE 580’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 215 more horsepower (483 vs. 268) and 236 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 280) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the GLE 450 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Infiniti QX50:

	GLE	QX50
Zero to 30 MPH	2.3 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6 sec	7.2 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.3 sec	4.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.4 sec	15.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100 MPH	94 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the GLE 450/580’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The QX50 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the GLE’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. The QX50 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The GLE has 6.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX50 (22.5 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the GLE 450/580’s brake rotors are larger than those on the QX50:

	GLE 450/580	QX50
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	13.6 inches	12.1 inches

The GLE stops much shorter than the QX50:

	GLE	QX50
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the GLE has larger standard tires than the QX50 (255/50R19 vs. 235/55R19). The GLE’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX50 (F:275/45R21 & R:315/40R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The GLE’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 QX50’s standard 55 series tires. The GLE 450’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GLE 450 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The QX50’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The GLE has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the QX50; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The GLE has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The QX50’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The GLE 450 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Infiniti doesn’t offer an active suspension on the QX50.

The GLE offers an available 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 QX50’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The GLE has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The GLE’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The QX50 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The GLE’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The QX50 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the GLE’s wheelbase is 7.7 inches longer than on the QX50 (117.9 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the GLE is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the QX50.

The GLE’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the QX50’s (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the GLE more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the GLE Airmatic has a greater minimum ground clearance than the QX50 (9.2 vs. 8.6 inches), allowing the GLE to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The design of the Mercedes GLE amounts to more than styling. The GLE has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the QX50 (.32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the GLE get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The GLE offers optional seating for 7 passengers; the QX50 can only carry 5.

The GLE has .7 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 2.2 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the QX50.

Cargo Capacity

The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the QX50 with its rear seat up (33.3 vs. 31.4 cubic feet). The GLE has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the QX50 with its rear seat folded (74.9 vs. 65.1 cubic feet).

The GLE’s cargo area is larger than the QX50’s in every dimension:

	GLE	QX50
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/76.5”	39”/71.7”
Min Width	43.7”	41.5”
Height	35.5”	31.2”

Towing

The GLE’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the QX50’s (5950 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Infiniti QX50 AWD is only 3000 pounds. The GLE offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

Optional Trailer Stability Assist on the GLE uses the Electronic Stability Program sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The QX50 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the GLE is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the QX50. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the QX50 Luxe/Sport/Sensory/Autograph, the GLE offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The GLE’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The QX50 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The power windows standard on both the GLE and the QX50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the GLE is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The QX50 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The GLE’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The QX50’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The GLE’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the QX50’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the GLE has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The QX50 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

The GLE offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the QX50.

The GLE offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The QX50 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The GLE’s Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The QX50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the GLE owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the GLE with a number “8” insurance rate while the QX50 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the GLE is less expensive to operate than the QX50 because typical repairs cost much less on the GLE than the QX50, including $441 less for a timing belt/chain and $133 less for a power steering pump.

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