Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Infiniti QX80 VS 2016 Lexus GX460 Near Scottsdale, AZ

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX80 offers optional Backup Collision Intervention which use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The GX460 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the QX80 and the GX460 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Infiniti QX80 weighs 434 to 748 pounds more than the Lexus GX460. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 GX460’s 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

The QX80’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the GX460’s (7 vs. 6 years).

The camshafts in the QX80’s engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The GX460’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement. If the GX460’s cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the QX80 has a standard 150-amp alternator. The GX460’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the QX80 first among large premium suvs in their 2015 Initial Quality Study. The GX460 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2015 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fifth in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Lexus is ranked 9th.

The QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8 produces 99 more horsepower (400 vs. 301) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 329) than the GX460’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Infiniti QX80 is faster than the Lexus GX460:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Infiniti QX80 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GX460 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The QX80 has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the GX460 (26 vs. 23 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the QX80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GX460:

For better traction, the QX80 has larger tires than the GX460 (275/60R20 vs. 265/60R18).

The QX80’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX460’s 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX80 has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the GX460. The QX80 offers optional 22-inch wheels.

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 Lexus GX460 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 GX460, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The QX80 offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the GX460.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX80’s wheelbase is 11.3 inches longer than on the GX460 (121.1 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the QX80 is 5.1 inches wider in the front and 5.5 inches wider in the rear than on the GX460.

The QX80 AWD handles at .74 G’s, while the GX460 pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the QX80 has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GX460 (9.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the QX80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The QX80 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the GX460 can only carry 7.

The QX80 has 22.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GX460 (152.5 vs. 129.7).

The QX80 has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front hip room, 8.4 inches more front shoulder room, 6.9 inches more rear legroom, 3.2 inches more rear hip room, 6.2 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.6 inches more third row headroom, 5.7 inches more third row hip room and 6 inches more third row shoulder room than the GX460.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the QX80’s middle and third row seats recline. The GX460’s third row seats don’t recline.

The QX80’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX460.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the QX80’s optional second and third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The GX460 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 GX460’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults or children, the QX80 has a standard power cargo door, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The GX460 doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

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 GX460 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left down on the QX80 the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the GX460 can only raise the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The QX80’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 GX460’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The QX80’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The GX460’s power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

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 is only available on the GX460 Luxury.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the QX80 is less expensive to operate than the GX460 because typical repairs cost much less on the QX80 than the GX460, including $302 less for a water pump, $157 less for an alternator, $366 less for a starter, $145 less for fuel injection and $100 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Infiniti QX80 and the Lexus GX460, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the QX80 first among large premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The GX460 isn’t in the top three in its category.