INFINITI QX50 vs Mercedes-Benz GLS

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 stood out in the luxury compact crossover segment with its distinctive design and engineering. Its large honeycomb grille and curved hood with athletic bulges gave it a sporty appearance. The rear featured a unique chrome strip, adding character to the vehicle. The panoramic moonroof brightened the cabin and offered stunning views, enhancing the overall driving experience. However, the thick B-pillars and short rear window opening slightly hindered outward visibility. Inside, the QX50 boasted an attractive cabin with soft-touch materials, aluminum trim accents, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The front seats provided heating and cooling, making it comfortable in various weather conditions. The interior controls were user-friendly, although the mix of traditional and push-button gear selectors felt inconsistent.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 had a more subtle and less flashy look compared to its competitors. The base model featured a refined design without a gaudy grille, while the AMG GLS 63 and Maybach versions offered more visual drama with flared wheel arches, chrome accents, and larger wheels. Inside, the GLS 450's interior felt luxurious with leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, and ambient lighting. The digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen were well-integrated, providing a high-quality feel. However, the suspension exhibited poor body control, leading to a bouncy ride over bumps and excessive leaning in corners. Despite this, the GLS 450's interior felt appropriate for a luxury SUV, offering a high-quality experience without being overly fragile.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This powertrain produced 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The QX50's VC-Turbo engine constantly adjusted the compression ratio, balancing power and efficiency. While the engine operated smoothly and quietly, the CVT's simulated shift points provided a more familiar driving experience. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The QX50's drive mode selector offered four modes: Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal. Sport mode enhanced responsiveness and steering effort, while Eco mode prioritized fuel efficiency at the expense of acceleration.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 came equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission. The engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with an electric motor adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The GLS 450's inline-six engine provided smooth performance, and the electric assist was well-integrated. The standard air suspension could raise and lower the ride height, but the suspension's poor body control detracted from the overall comfort. The GLS 450 had a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which was competitive but not class-leading.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 offered a spacious interior with ample hip, shoulder, and headroom, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for flexible legroom or cargo space. The cargo area provided 31.1 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats, expanding to 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The QX50 also featured numerous cupholders, storage bins, and charging options, including USB ports and a 12-volt charging port.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS came standard with a seven-seat configuration, with an optional six-seat version featuring individual captain's chairs. The second-row seats could slide forward and fold for third-row access, and the standard bench seat could slide fore and aft as one piece. The GLS offered 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 84.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. The air suspension could lower the vehicle for easier loading and unloading. However, the touchscreen was difficult to reach, and some ergonomic issues detracted from the overall experience.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured the InTouch infotainment system with dual display screens, voice recognition, and a suite of connected services. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was easy, and Apple CarPlay integration worked seamlessly. The 16-speaker Bose Performance Series audio system delivered excellent sound quality. The QX50 also came with ProPilot Assist, an advanced driving assistance system that combined adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS included the MBUX infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, navigation, and a 13-speaker Burmester audio system. The voice recognition system responded to the prompt "Hey Mercedes" and understood normal speech well. However, the touchpad controller was too sensitive, and the embedded navigation system occasionally suggested inefficient routes. The GLS lacked the augmented-reality navigation feature available in the S-Class sedan.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including blind-spot warning, predictive forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and more. The QX50 received high ratings from the IIHS and a four-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS included standard safety features such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and more. However, many advanced driver-assistance features were optional, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and second-row side airbags. Crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of publication.