2022 INFINITI QX60 vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character within the lineup. It had an expressive face with LED headlights beside the big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body featured crisp character lines, and the rear had bold, large taillights. The plug-in Q5 wore S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels, giving it a classy, modern appearance with exceptional fit and finish. Inside, the Q5 was packed with technology but maintained an uncluttered appearance. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped, and the material selection was high-quality, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was perfectly placed at the top of the center stack, and the second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 received a complete makeover, including a new exterior design, interior, powertrains, and technologies. The new front featured a prominent grille, slim LED headlights, and oversized air intakes, giving it a concept-car look with lots of chrome. The long hood and steeply-raked windshield conveyed elegance, and the roof appeared to float above the cabin thanks to blacked-out pillars. The rear elevation was tasteful, with "INFINITI" spelled out in chrome letters across the liftgate. Inside, the QX60 felt wide and open, with horizontal lines and layers on the dash. The Autograph trim level featured quilted leather upholstery on the seats and dash. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display was perfectly placed on top of the dash’s center, and the TFT instrument panel delivered crisp graphics. The QX60 models displayed a high level of craftsmanship and build quality.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took the already fun-to-drive Q5 and made it better by adding an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery. The total combined output for the PHEV was 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, matching well with the crossover’s 4,665-lb curb weight. The electric motor worked with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine, providing convincing acceleration (0 – 60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and impressive fuel-economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and could be switched into modes for battery-only driving, reserving battery power, or hybrid mode. Handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel, minimal body roll, and powerful, predictable braking.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the outgoing CVT, which made a significant difference in driving feel. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, with fuel economy estimates of 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined for FWD models and 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for AWD models. The QX60’s suspension used MacPherson struts up front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, delivering a smooth, serene ride. The rack-mounted electric power steering assist provided good feel, and the vehicle handled well, though it wasn’t designed for aggressive cornering. The QX60 excelled on smooth highways and suburban streets, offering comfort in the second and third rows with generous leg and headroom.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and up to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row provided 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, accommodating two adults comfortably. The front seats were super-comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The front row featured cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin under the center-console armrest, reflecting the uncluttered design.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, though not a minivan, offered functionality akin to one with its three-row seating and ample storage. The front center console had a cubby for smartphones, two big cupholders, and covered storage under the armrest. The second-row seats slid fore and aft to share space between the rows and quickly flipped forward for access to the third row. The QX60 could hold up to 14.5 cubic feet of luggage behind the third row, 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. It also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity, expandable to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a new center-console touchpad, and the Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster with three views. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 came with full LED headlights, running lights, taillamps, and a power liftgate. The 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display featured wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity, an AT&T WiFi hotspot, and multiple USB charge points. The navigation system was standard on all but the base Pure trim level, and Infiniti InTouch services added connectivity features via a smartphone app. The Autograph models included a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror. A nine-speaker audio system was standard in Pure and Luxe models, while a 17-speaker Bose Performance series sound system was available in Luxe and standard on Sensory and Autograph.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV hadn’t been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the 2020 Q5 received top ratings in most categories. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 hadn’t been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but the previous generation received high ratings. Standard safety features included front- and side-impact airbags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact airbags, knee airbags, second-row side-impact airbags, and front central seat-mounted airbags. Advanced driver assistance systems included forward emergency braking, predictive forward-collision warning, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, rearview camera, rear sonar, and blind-spot warning. ProPilot Assist was standard on all trim levels except Pure, with additional optional features like blind-spot intervention, lane-departure warning, lane-departure prevention, around-view monitor, front sonar, and driver attention alert.