Compare the2024 Infiniti QX80VS 2023 Mercedes G-Class

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Infiniti QX80 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes G-Class has only front height-adjustable seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the QX80 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The G-Class doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The QX80 has standard Active Head Restraints (AHR), which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the AHR system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The G-Class doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX80 has standard Backup Collision Intervention that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The G-Class doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The QX80 has a standard Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The G-Class only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the QX80 and the G-Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 all wheel drive.

The QX80 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The G-Class’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the QX80 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the G-Class. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the G-Class ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The QX80’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the G-Class’ (7 vs. 5 years).

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX80 for 3 years and 45000 miles. Infiniti will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the G-Class.

On the EPA test cycle the QX80 gets better mileage than the G-Class:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Infiniti QX80 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The G-Class requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Infiniti QX80 higher (5 out of 10) than the Mercedes G-Class (3). This means the QX80 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the G-Class every 15,000 miles.

The QX80 stops much shorter than the G-Class:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX80 Luxe has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the G 550.

The Infiniti QX80’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mercedes G-Class only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The QX80 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The G-Class doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For superior ride and handling, the Infiniti QX80 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mercedes G-Class has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The rear suspension of the QX80 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the G-Class, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The QX80 Sensory has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The G-Class doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX80’s wheelbase is 7.3 inches longer than on the G-Class (121.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the QX80 is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 3.1 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the G-Class.

The QX80 AWD handles at .74 G’s, while the G 550 pulls only .61 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The QX80 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the G 550 (28.3 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 30.7 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the QX80’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the G-Class’ (41.3 feet vs. 44.6 feet).

The design of the Infiniti QX80 amounts to more than styling. The QX80 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .367 Cd. That is significantly lower than the G-Class (.55). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the QX80 get better fuel mileage.

For excellent aerodynamics, the QX80 has standard flush composite headlights. The G-Class has recessed headlights that spoil its aerodynamic shape and create extra drag.

The QX80 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the G-Class can only carry 5.

The QX80 has 45.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the G-Class (152.5 vs. 107).

The QX80 has .9 inches more front legroom, 6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 6.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the G-Class.

The QX80’s cargo area provides more volume than the G-Class.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the QX80 Sensory’s second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The G-Class doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The QX80’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The G-Class’ swing out door blocks loading from the driver’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the QX80 has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The G-Class doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

The QX80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the G-Class’ (8500 vs. 7000 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

The QX80’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 G-Class does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the QX80 has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the G-Class 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 QX80 has standard extendable sun visors. The G-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The QX80 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the G-Class.

The QX80 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The G-Class doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Infiniti QX80 outsold the Mercedes G-Class by 188 units during 2022.