Compare the2025 Lexus NXVS 2025 Infiniti QX50

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Infiniti QX50 has not been tested.

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

Both the NX and QX50 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the NX has Parking Support Brake (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The QX50’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

The NX’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 NX and the QX50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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.

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 Lexus NX is safer than the QX50:

The Lexus NX 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 an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The QX50 is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

There are over 21 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the NX’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus NX’s reliability 22 points higher than the QX50.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 84 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is ranked 22nd.

The NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (275 vs. 268) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 280) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The NX 450h+ AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 36 more horsepower (304 vs. 268) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the NX 450h+ AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Infiniti QX50:

On the EPA test cycle the NX 450h running on electricity gets better mileage than the QX50 (93 city/75 hwy MPGe vs. 22 city/28 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the QX50:

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The QX50 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the NX 350h/450h’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 NX’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 (not available 350h/450h+). The QX50 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The NX stops shorter than the QX50:

The NX 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 NX offers an available 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.

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Infiniti QX50.

The NX has 1.4 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more front hip room than the QX50.

The NX offers up to a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The QX50 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the NX uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The QX50 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Infiniti. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 15% lower rating, Infiniti is ranked 6th.

The NX’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 QX50 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The NX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, 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 QX50 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The NX’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.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The QX50 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the NX offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The QX50 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The NX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The QX50 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Lexus NX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the QX50 Luxe/Sport.

The NX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the QX50 Luxe/Sport. The NX 350/350h also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the QX50.

The NX 350/350h/450h+’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The QX50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The NX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The QX50 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the NX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the NX will cost $20 to $4710 less than the QX50 over a five-year period.

The NX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the NX will retain 57.75% to 60.19% of its original price after five years, while the QX50 only retains 46.64% to 48.58%.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus NX and the Infiniti QX50, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus NX outsold the Infiniti QX50 by over six to one during 2024.