Compare the2023 BMW X5VS 2023 Infiniti QX60

The X5 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The QX60 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X5 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The QX60 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.

Both the X5 and the QX60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the BMW X5 is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

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 BMW X5 is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

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

The X5’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the QX60’s (12 vs. 7 years).

There are over 73 percent more BMW dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the X5’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 X5’s reliability 30 points higher than the QX60.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X5 third among upper midsize premium suvs in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The QX60 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 BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 39 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 BMW vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Infiniti is rated below average.

The X5 40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 40 more horsepower (335 vs. 295) and 61 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6. The X5 M50i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 228 more horsepower (523 vs. 295) and 283 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the X5 40i 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Infiniti QX60:

On the EPA test cycle the X5 xDrive40i gets better fuel mileage than the QX60 AWD (21 city/25 hwy vs. 20 city/25 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the X5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The QX60 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The X5 has 3.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX60 (21.9 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The X5 has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks The fuel filler door is not lockable on the QX60. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

The X5’s 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 QX60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the X5 M Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the QX60:

The X5 stops shorter than the QX60:

For better traction, the X5 has larger standard tires than the QX60 (265/50R19 vs. 255/50R20). The X5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX60 (F:275/40R21 & R:315/35R21 vs. 255/50R20).

The X5’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 QX60 Pure’s standard 60 series tires. The X5’s optional 275/35R22 front and 315/30R22 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the QX60 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X5 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the QX60 Pure. The X5’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the QX60 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the X5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The QX60 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The X5 M50i 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 QX60 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The X5 M50i 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 QX60.

The X5 has a standard 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 QX60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X5’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the QX60 (117.1 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The X5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.2% to 49.8%) than the QX60’s (55.1% to 44.9%). This gives the X5 more stable handling and braking.

The X5 xDrive40i handles at .89 G’s, while the QX60 Autograph AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The X5 xDrive executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.2 seconds quicker than the QX60 Sensory AWD (25.8 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the X5 has a 2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the QX60 (8.7 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the X5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The X5 is 3.9 inches shorter than the QX60, making the X5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the X5 uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The QX60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the X5 xDrive40i is quieter than the QX60 Autograph AWD (64 vs. 67 dB).

The X5 has a much larger cargo volume than the QX60 with its rear seat up (33.9 vs. 14.5 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the X5’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The QX60 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The X5’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The QX60’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The X5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the QX60’s (5952 vs. 3500 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Infiniti QX60 is only 6000 pounds. The X5 offers up to a 7209 lbs. towing capacity.

The engine in the X5 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.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Infiniti. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 4% lower rating, Infiniti is ranked 9th.

If the windows are left open on the X5 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the QX60 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the X5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The QX60 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The X5’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The QX60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The X5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the X5 will retain 47.3% to 48.55% of its original price after five years, while the QX60 only retains 43.55% to 44.5%.

Consumer Reports® recommends the BMW X5, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Infiniti QX60 isn't recommended.

The BMW X5 outsold the Infiniti QX60 by almost five to one during 2022.