Compare the2023 Infiniti QX55VS 2023 Porsche Cayenne

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX55 has standard Rear Automatic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Cayenne doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The QX55’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Cayenne.

The QX55 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Cayenne’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the QX55’s standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the QX55 and the Cayenne 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, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The QX55 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Cayenne’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the QX55 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Porsche covers the Cayenne. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Cayenne ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX55 for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Porsche pays for maintenance for the Cayenne (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

On the EPA test cycle the QX55 gets better mileage than the Cayenne running its gasoline engine:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Infiniti QX55 higher (6 out of 10) than the Porsche Cayenne (3 to 5). This means the QX55 produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Cayenne every 15,000 miles.

The QX55 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 Cayenne doesn’t offer a CVT.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The QX55 has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The QX55’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Cayenne’s standard 55 series front and 50 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX55 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the Cayenne.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the QX55 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Cayenne doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For greater off-road capability the QX55 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Cayenne (8.6 vs. 8.2 inches), allowing the QX55 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Infiniti QX55 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 1550 pounds less than the Porsche Cayenne.

The QX55 is 7.4 inches shorter than the Cayenne, making the QX55 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The QX55 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Cayenne doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The QX55 has .9 inches more front headroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Cayenne.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the QX55 easier. The QX55’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.9 inches, while the Cayenne’s liftover is 31 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the QX55’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Cayenne doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The QX55 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Cayenne doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

If the windows are left open on the QX55 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Cayenne can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The QX55’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Cayenne’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the QX55 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Cayenne only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the QX55 has standard extendable sun visors. The Cayenne doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the QX55 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the QX55 will cost $690 to $10670 less than the Cayenne over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Infiniti QX55 will be $16818 to $82556 less than for the Porsche Cayenne.