Compare the2023 Porsche CayenneVS 2023 Infiniti QX50

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

Safety

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The Cayenne has a standard Multi-collision Brake System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The QX50 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Cayenne. But it costs extra on the QX50.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Cayenne helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The QX50 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the Cayenne and the QX50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Porsche Cayenne weighs 402 to 1826 pounds more than the Infiniti QX50. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

The Cayenne’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the QX50’s (12 vs. 7 years).

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. With 4 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Porsche 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 Porsche vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche above average in long-term dependability. With 30 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Infiniti is rated below average.

Engine

The Cayenne’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 67 more horsepower (335 vs. 268) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (332 vs. 280) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne S’ standard 2.9 turbo V6 produces 166 more horsepower (434 vs. 268) and 125 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 280) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne GTS’ standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 185 more horsepower (453 vs. 268) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (457 vs. 280) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 187 more horsepower (455 vs. 268) and 236 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 280) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 402 more horsepower (670 vs. 268) and 383 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 280) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Porsche Cayenne turbo V6 is faster than the Infiniti QX50:

	Cayenne	QX50
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.7 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100.7 MPH	91.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Cayenne running on electricity gets better mileage than the QX50:

			MPGe
Cayenne
	AWD	E-Hybrid Electric Motor	45 city/48 hwy
		Turbo S E-Hybrid Electric Motor	40 city/44 hwy
QX50
			MPG
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy

The Cayenne can travel with zero emissions for 15 to 17 miles (dependent on model). The QX50 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Cayenne’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 Cayenne’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 Cayenne E-Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX50 (19.8 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Cayenne’s standard fuel tank has 7.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX50 (23.7 vs. 16 gallons).

Transmission

The Cayenne’s optional 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 QX50 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Cayenne’s brake rotors are larger than those on the QX50:

	Cayenne E-Hybrid	Cayenne CCB	QX50
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	17.3 inches	13 inches
Rear Rotors	14.1 inches	16.1 inches	12.1 inches

The Cayenne offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The QX50 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Cayenne Turbo has standard air brakes, which adjust the spoiler automatically during high-speed braking in order to shorten stopping distances. The QX50 doesn’t offer air brakes.

The Cayenne stops much shorter than the QX50:

	Cayenne	QX50
60 to 0 MPH	100 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Cayenne has larger standard tires than the QX50 (F:255/55R19 & R:275/50R19 vs. 235/55R19). The Cayenne’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX50 (F:285/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Cayenne’s standard 275/50R19 rear 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 Cayenne’s optional 285/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph’s 45 series tires.

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

The Cayenne has a standard space-saver spare (not available on E-Hybrid) 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 Cayenne 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 Cayenne 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 QX50 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The Cayenne 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 Cayenne offers an optional 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 Cayenne has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Cayenne’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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Cayenne’s wheelbase is 3.8 inches longer than on the QX50 (114 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Cayenne is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the QX50.

The Cayenne Turbo handles at .98 G’s, while the QX50 AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Cayenne Turbo executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3 seconds quicker than the QX50 AWD (23.9 seconds @ .83 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Cayenne w/Rear Wheel Steering’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the QX50’s (35.1 feet vs. 36.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Cayenne Air Suspension has a greater minimum ground clearance than the QX50 (9.6 vs. 8.6 inches), allowing the Cayenne to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Cayenne uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The QX50 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Cayenne has 1.5 inches more front legroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.6 inches more rear legroom than the QX50.

The front step up height for the Cayenne is .4 inches lower than the QX50 (16.75” vs. 17.2”). The Cayenne’s rear step up height is 1.7 inches lower than the QX50’s (16” vs. 17.7”).

Cargo Capacity

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

	Cayenne	QX50
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	39.6”/74.9”	39”/71.7”
Max Width	42”	54.5”
Min Width	42”	41.5”
Height	30.4”	31.2”

Towing

The Cayenne’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the QX50’s (7700 vs. 0 pounds).

Standard trailer sway control on the Cayenne uses the Porsche Stability Management 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 Cayenne 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Porsche service is better than Infiniti. J.D. Power ranks Porsche third in service department satisfaction. With a 17% lower rating, Infiniti is ranked 9th.

Ergonomics

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

The Cayenne’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 Cayenne and the QX50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Cayenne 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 Cayenne’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Cayenne offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The QX50 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the Cayenne’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The QX50 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The Cayenne 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 Cayenne’s optional Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The QX50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

The Cayenne will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Cayenne will retain 47.75% to 53.12% of its original price after five years, while the QX50 only retains 43.84% to 45.08%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Porsche Cayenne and the Infiniti QX50, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Cayenne third among upper midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The QX50 isn’t in the top three.

The Porsche Cayenne outsold the Infiniti QX50 by 31% during 2022.

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