Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2016 Land Rover LR4 VS 2015 Infiniti QX80 Near Phoenix, AZ

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the LR4. But it costs extra on the QX80.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the LR4’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The QX80 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the LR4 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The QX80 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the LR4 and the QX80 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 collision warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

There are over 11 percent more Land Rover dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the LR4’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the LR4 gets better fuel mileage than the QX80 AWD (15 city/19 hwy vs. 13 city/19 hwy).

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the LR4’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. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The QX80 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the LR4’s brake rotors are larger than those on the QX80:

The LR4 stops much shorter than the QX80:

The LR4’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 QX80’s standard 60 series tires.

The front and rear suspension of the LR4 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the QX80, which uses coil springs in front. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The LR4 HSE handles at .74 G’s, while the QX80 AWD pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the LR4’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the QX80’s (37.6 feet vs. 41.6 feet).

For greater off-road capability the LR4 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the QX80 (9.4 vs. 9.2 inches), allowing the LR4 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The LR4 is 1 foot, 6.8 inches shorter than the QX80, making the LR4 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Unibody construction makes the LR4’s chassis much stiffer, which contributes to better handling, and enables softer springs to be used for a better ride. Unibody construction’s stiffness also contributes to better durability and less body squeaks and rattles. The QX80 doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The LR4 has .5 inches more front headroom, 2.4 inches more rear headroom, 3.3 inches more third row headroom and 7.5 inches more third row legroom than the QX80.

The LR4’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the tailgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The QX80’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The power windows standard on both the LR4 and the QX80 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the LR4 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The QX80 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the LR4 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The QX80 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Optional InControl Apps for the LR4 allows the driver and passengers access to select programs on their smartphones, including playing internet radio stations and other connected activities without taking their eyes off the road or their hands from the wheel. The QX80 doesn’t offer factory integrated smartphone program access.

The LR4 was selected by Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine as their 2011 4x4 of the Year. The QX80 has never been chosen.