Compare the2025 Ford ExplorerVS 2025 Infiniti QX60

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

Safety

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The Explorer has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Explorer 4WD’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The QX60 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Explorer and QX60 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Explorer has Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The QX60’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Explorer and the QX60 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, 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 Ford Explorer is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

	Explorer	QX60
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	125	150
Neck Injury Risk	26.3%	31%
Neck Stress	167 lbs.	348 lbs.
Neck Compression	26 lbs.	53 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	29.2%	45.1%
Neck Stress	187 lbs.	216 lbs.

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 Ford Explorer is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

	Explorer	QX60
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	65	84
Chest Movement	.9 inches	.9 inches
Hip Force	224 lbs.	244 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	86	88
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches

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 Ford Explorer is safer than the QX60:

	Explorer	QX60
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	86	125
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	134 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	5 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	982 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Ford Explorer has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The QX60 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024, though it hasn’t yet been rated in the updated moderate overlap frontal test, a requirement for the “Top Safety Pick Plus” award.

Warranty

There are over 14 times as many Ford dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Explorer’s warranty.

Reliability

The Explorer has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The QX60 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Explorer second among midsize suvs in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The QX60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is rated lower.

Engine

The Explorer’s standard 2.3 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (300 vs. 268) and 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (310 vs. 286) than the QX60’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Explorer’s optional 3.0 turbo V6 produces 132 more horsepower (400 vs. 268) and 129 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 286) than the QX60’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Explorer uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The QX60 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Explorer V6 Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX60 (20.2 vs. 18.5 gallons).

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Explorer, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the QX60.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Explorer ST’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the QX60:

	Explorer ST	QX60
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	13 inches

The Explorer stops much shorter than the QX60:

	Explorer	QX60
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	113 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	150 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Explorer’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX60 (275/45R21 vs. 255/50R20).

The Explorer’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the QX60 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Explorer offers optional 21-inch wheels. The QX60’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the Explorer can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The QX60 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Explorer’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The QX60 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Explorer’s wheelbase is 4.9 inches longer than on the QX60 (119.1 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Explorer’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50% to 50%) than the QX60’s (54.9% to 45.1%). This gives the Explorer more stable handling and braking.

The Explorer ST 4WD handles at .86 G’s, while the QX60 Autograph AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Explorer ST 4WD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the QX60 Sensory AWD (26.4 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Explorer has a greater minimum ground clearance than the QX60 (7.6 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the Explorer to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Explorer Platinum’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the QX60 (8.2 vs. 6.7 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Explorer 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.

Passenger Space

The Explorer has 12.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX60 (152.9 vs. 140.6).

The Explorer has .9 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, 3 inches more rear headroom, 1.3 inches more rear legroom, 2.4 inches more rear hip room, 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.2 inches more third row headroom and 4.2 inches more third row legroom than the QX60.

Cargo Capacity

The Explorer’s cargo area provides more volume than the QX60.

	Explorer	QX60
Behind Third Seat	16.3 cubic feet	14.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	46 cubic feet	41.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	85.8 cubic feet	75.4 cubic feet

The Explorer has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The QX60 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Towing

Trailer Sway Control is standard on the Explorer, using the AdvanceTrac® sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the QX60.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Explorer is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the QX60. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Explorer’s available exterior PIN entry system. The QX60 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Infiniti Connection can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

Consumer Reports rated the Explorer’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the QX60’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Economic Advantages

The Explorer will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Explorer will retain 49.94% to 56.18% of its original price after five years, while the QX60 only retains 47.06% to 47.83%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Explorer will be $7898 to $14272 less than for the Infiniti QX60.

Recommendations

The Ford Explorer outsold the Infiniti QX60 by over six to one during 2023.