Both the QX50 and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.
Compare the2024 Infiniti QX50VS 2024 Lexus RX
Safety
Warranty
The QX50 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The RX’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.
The QX50’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the RX’s (7 vs. 6 years).
Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX50 for 2 years and 14,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RX (3/24,000 vs. 1/10,000).
Reliability
To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the QX50 has a standard 720-amp battery. The RX’s 603-amp battery isn’t as powerful.
Engine
The QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (268 vs. 246) and 47 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 233) than the RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.
As tested in Motor Trend the Infiniti QX50 is faster than the Lexus RX:
|
QX50 |
RX 350h |
RX 350 |
Zero to 30 MPH |
2.3 sec |
2.4 sec |
n/a |
Zero to 60 MPH |
6.3 sec |
7.4 sec |
7.6 sec |
Zero to 80 MPH |
10.5 sec |
12.6 sec |
n/a |
Passing 45 to 65 MPH |
3.3 sec |
4 sec |
n/a |
Quarter Mile |
14.8 sec |
15.7 sec |
15.8 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
93.6 MPH |
89.2 MPH |
89.9 MPH |
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the QX50 gets better mileage than the RX running its gasoline engine:
|
|
|
MPG |
QX50 |
|||
|
FWD |
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. |
23 city/29 hwy |
|
AWD |
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. |
22 city/28 hwy |
RX |
|||
|
FWD |
350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. |
22 city/29 hwy |
|
AWD |
350 2.4 turbo 4-cyl. |
21 city/28 hwy |
The QX50 has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the RX 450+’s standard fuel tank (16 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.
Brakes and Stopping
The QX50 stops much shorter than the RX:
|
QX50 |
RX |
|
60 to 0 MPH |
121 feet |
139 feet |
Motor Trend |
60 to 0 MPH (Wet) |
130 feet |
149 feet |
Consumer Reports |
Tires and Wheels
For better traction, the QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RX (255/45R20 vs. 235/60R19).
The QX50’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RX’s standard 60 series tires. The QX50 Sport/Sensory/Autograph’s tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RX’s optional 50 series tires.
The QX50 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 RX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.
Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the QX50 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.
Suspension and Handling
The QX50 AWD handles at .84 G’s, while the RX 350 AWD pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.
The QX50 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the RX 350h (26.7 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).
For greater off-road capability the QX50 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350 (8.6 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the QX50 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The QX50’s minimum ground clearance is .4 inch higher than on the RX 350h (8.6 vs. 8.2 inches).
Chassis
The Infiniti QX50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 600 pounds less than the Lexus RX.
The QX50 is 7.8 inches shorter than the RX, making the QX50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
The design of the Infiniti QX50 amounts to more than styling. The QX50 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the RX (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the QX50 get better fuel mileage.
The QX50 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The RX doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.
Passenger Space
The QX50 has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.
Cargo Capacity
The QX50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the RX with its rear seat up (31.4 vs. 29.6 cubic feet). The QX50 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (65.1 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).
A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the QX50 easier. The QX50’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 26.6 inches, while the RX’s liftover is 31 inches.
Ergonomics
Consumer Reports rated the QX50’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the RX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”
Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the QX50 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.
To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Infiniti QX50 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the RX.
Recommendations
Consumer Reports® recommends both the Infiniti QX50 and the Lexus RX, based on reliability, safety and performance.