Compare the2024 BMW X4VS 2023 Infiniti QX50

The X4’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 X4 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 QX50 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The X4 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 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 X4. But it costs extra on the QX50.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the X4’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The QX50 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The X4’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 X4 and the QX50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, 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 and available around view monitors.

The X4’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the QX50’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 X4’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 second among compact premium suvs in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The QX50 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. With 20 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW 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 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 X4 M40i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid produces 114 more horsepower (382 vs. 268) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 280) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Regenerative brakes improve the X4’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 X4’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 X4 has 1.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX50 (17.2 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the X4 M40i’s brake rotors are larger than those on the QX50:

The X4 stops much shorter than the QX50:

For better traction, the X4 has larger standard tires than the QX50 (245/50R19 vs. 235/55R19).

The X4’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 X4’s optional 245/40R21 front and 275/35R21 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the X4 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The QX50’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The X4 offers an optional 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.

The X4 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 X4 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the X4’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the QX50 (112.8 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the X4 is 1.2 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the QX50.

The X4’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.2% to 50.8%) than the QX50’s (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the X4 more stable handling and braking.

The X4 M40i handles at .89 G’s, while the QX50 AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The X4 M40i executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the QX50 AWD (25.6 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

The front grille of the X4 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.

The engine in the X4 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 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.

The power windows standard on both the X4 and the QX50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the X4 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 X4’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 X4’s optional Parking Assistant Plus 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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the X4 first among compact 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.