Compare the2025 Infiniti QX55VS 2024 Audi Q3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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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 QX55 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 Q3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the QX55 and the Q3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available 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 Infiniti QX55 is safer than the Audi Q3:

	QX55	Q3
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	36%	39%
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	285	346
Neck Compression	78 lbs.	83 lbs.

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Infiniti QX55 is safer than the Q3:

	QX55	Q3
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	141	190
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	335 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Force	178 lbs.	290 lbs.
Pelvis Force	1316 lbs.	1406 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	57	329
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	112 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.67 in	2.01 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.42 in	1.73 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	402 lbs.	1049 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

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 Q3’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 Audi covers the Q3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX55 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. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q3.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the QX55 has a standard 720-amp battery. The Q3’s 680-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti above average in initial quality. With 55 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 56 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Infiniti higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 6 places higher in reliability than Audi.

Engine

The QX55’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 84 more horsepower (268 vs. 184) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 221) than the Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The QX55’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (268 vs. 228) and 29 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 251) than the Q3 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Infiniti QX55 is faster than the Q3 45 TFSI:

	QX55	Q3
Zero to 60 MPH	6.9 sec	8.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.4 sec	16.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.2 MPH	85.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the QX55 gets better fuel mileage than the Q3 45 TFSI (22 city/28 hwy vs. 20 city/28 hwy).

Transmission

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 Q3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The QX55 stops shorter than the Q3:

	QX55	Q3
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	125 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the QX55 has larger tires than the Q3 (255/45R20 vs. 235/55R18).

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 Q3’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX55 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q3.

The QX55 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 Q3 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 QX55 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q3 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX55’s wheelbase is 4.7 inches longer than on the Q3 (110.2 inches vs. 105.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the QX55 is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 1.9 inches wider in the rear than on the Q3.

The QX55 Essential handles at .87 G’s, while the Q3 pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The QX55 Essential executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the Q3 (27 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the QX55’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Q3’s (36.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

For greater off-road capability the QX55 has a 3.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q3 (8.6 vs. 5.5 inches), allowing the QX55 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The design of the Infiniti QX55 amounts to more than styling. The QX55 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .35 Cd. That is lower than the Q3 (.38 to .39). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the QX55 get better fuel mileage.

The QX55 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Q3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The QX55 has 16.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Q3 (100.2 vs. 84).

The QX55 has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.6 inches more rear legroom and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q3.

Cargo Capacity

The QX55 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q3 with its rear seat up (26.9 vs. 23.7 cubic feet). The QX55 has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q3 with its rear seat folded (54.1 vs. 48 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the QX55’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q3 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 28% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

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 Q3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The QX55’s standard Entry/Exit Assist raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Q3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The QX55 Sensory has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The QX55 has standard Infiniti Intelligent Key that allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. The Audi Advanced Key costs extra on the Q3.

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 Q3’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 Q3 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Q3 Premium Plus’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The QX55 Essential/Sensory’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

When the QX55 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Q3’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the QX55 and the Q3 have standard heated front seats. The QX55 Sensory also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q3.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the QX55 Essential/Sensory keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the QX55 Essential/Sensory’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Q3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Infiniti QX55 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Q3.