2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 BMW X5

The 2021 BMW X5 was a testament to BMW's high-quality craftsmanship. It featured the brand's signature kidney grille and body shape, making it unmistakably a BMW. The X5's exterior included full adaptive LED headlights and various trim options, such as matte aluminum grilles and high-gloss black finishes for M Sport models. The interior, while luxurious with leather and soft-touch materials, suffered from a sameness issue, with many elements borrowed from other BMW models. The M Sport models added unique styling elements like an M sports steering wheel and exclusive interior trim strips.

In contrast, the 2021 INFINITI QX80 combined Nissan Armada's body shell with Infiniti's distinctive styling elements. The QX80's front-end design, introduced in 2018, featured a bold grille and headlight design, giving it an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights added to its upscale appearance. Inside, the QX80's design closely resembled the Armada, with wood trim and leather upholstery enhancing its luxury feel. However, the interior still felt more Nissan than Infiniti, with some switchgear and the foot-operated parking brake carried over from the Armada.

The 2021 BMW X5 offered a range of powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base X5 sDrive40i/xDrive40i featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. The X5 M50i came with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, delivering 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. The X5 M boasted 600 hp, which increased to 617 hp with the Competition Package. The new X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid achieved 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, with a 30-mile all-electric range. Despite its power, the X5's steering and handling were less engaging than expected, with a Lincoln-like driving experience. The X5's fuel efficiency varied, with the X5 M achieving 15 mpg combined, the X5 M50i at 18 mpg, the X5 xDrive at 23 mpg, and the X5 xDrive45e rated at 50 MPGe.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured a 5.6-liter V8 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. While not as powerful as some competitors, the V8 provided responsive performance. The QX80's body-on-frame construction and independent suspension offered a comfortable ride, though some shudders were noticeable over bumps. The QX80's handling was less composed in corners, with significant body roll despite the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system. The QX80 excelled in towing and off-road capability, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and a 4WD drivetrain with low range.

The 2021 BMW X5 made efficient use of space, with well-placed cupholders and a wireless phone charging pad. The front seats were comfortable for short trips but felt hard on longer journeys. The rear seats were spacious, and an optional third row was available. The X5's split liftgate and vehicle height adjustment button made loading cargo easier. Without the third row, the cargo area was spacious, though the xDrive45e offered slightly less space. However, the rear doors did not open very wide, making it challenging to move children and cargo in and out.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional eight-seat setup. The front seats offered 10-way and eight-way adjustability, but the bottom cushions lacked thigh support. Passenger space was competitive, with enough room for adults in all three rows. The QX80's cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third and second rows folded. The power liftgate and power-folding third row made switching between passenger and cargo hauling easier. However, the front-door cupholders and phone storage spots were not well-designed.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, proximity key, and a panoramic moonroof. Optional features included remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a 20-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system, rear sunshades, and a dual-panel panoramic roof. The iDrive system required some getting used to but was user-friendly once familiar.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system with 8.0-inch and 7.0-inch touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system. Optional features included a 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system. The touchscreens were backed by analog controls, but the user interface was confusing and required trial and error. The Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features for driving the large SUV.

The 2021 BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue and focus alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package had issues with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, particularly in sunny or rainy conditions. The X5 received nearly all Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS did not test the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention. These features were standard, unlike many other luxury brands.