INFINITI QX60 vs Subaru Crosstrek

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek embodied the adage “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Car shoppers flocked to crossovers for their rugged looks, available all-wheel drive (AWD), and tall driving positions, so Subaru decided to imbue its Impreza hatchback with those same characteristics. This strategy allowed the Crosstrek to do a reasonably good impression of an SUV, giving it more character than the base Impreza hatch. The Crosstrek featured black body cladding, model-specific 17-inch wheels, and a taller ride height that afforded 8.7 inches of ground clearance. The interior, virtually unchanged from the Impreza hatchback, was functional but somewhat plain-looking, with some questionable design choices like the clashing Plasma Yellow Pearl accents in the Sport trim.

In contrast, 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. Inside, the QX60 felt wide and open, with quilted leather upholstery on the Autograph trim level and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The QX60 models displayed a high level of craftsmanship and build quality, originating from the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.

For 2021, the Subaru Crosstrek offered a second gasoline powertrain option. The new 2.5-liter boxer-four engine, standard on the Sport and Limited trim levels, produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base and Premium trim levels continued with the previous 2.0-liter boxer-four, which produced 152 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard on Base and Premium trim levels, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was optional. The Sport and Limited trim levels were CVT only. All trim levels came with standard AWD, including torque vectoring and X-Mode for loose surfaces. Despite the gestures at SUV ruggedness, the Crosstrek was well-suited for pavement, offering predictable handling and a comfortable ride.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the outgoing CVT. This change significantly improved the driving feel, with clean and crisp shifts. The familiar 3.5-liter V6 engine produced 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, using premium unleaded fuel. The QX60’s suspension, with MacPherson struts up front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, delivered a smooth, serene ride. The QX60 was not designed for off-road capabilities but excelled on highways and suburban streets. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined for FWD models and 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for AWD examples.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek offered the same front and rear legroom as the Impreza hatchback, with slightly more rear headroom. It provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While competitive against other small crossovers in passenger space, it lagged in cargo space compared to models like the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos. The Crosstrek featured a rear-seat reminder, a handy cubby hole for phones, and minimal storage space, emphasizing its compact car roots. The driving position felt higher than an Impreza’s, but outward visibility was good.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 catered to all passengers with ample storage, charging ports, and comfort. The center console featured a cubby for smartphones, big cupholders, and covered storage. The second-row seats slid fore and aft to share space between rows, with the Autograph level offering twin captain’s chairs. The third row was roomy enough for adults, and the QX60 provided 14.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The QX60 also had a 3,500-pound towing capacity, expandable to 6,000 pounds with the towing package.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek used Subaru’s Starlink infotainment system, with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, and Bluetooth. Premium and Sport trim levels added WiFi, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a single-disc CD player. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was standard on the Limited trim level and optional on lower trims. The Crosstrek featured large analog knobs and buttons for vital functions, ensuring ease of use.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 came with a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto. An AT&T WiFi hotspot, six USB charge points, and a wireless charging pad were standard on higher trims. The navigation system was standard on all but the base Pure trim level. The QX60 also featured a color 10.8-inch head-up display, a smart rearview mirror, and a 17-speaker Bose Performance series sound system on higher trims.

The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and the IIHS’s “Top Safety Pick” award for the 2020 model. It featured standard EyeSight driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The positioning of EyeSight’s cameras limited functionality in certain conditions but offered better protection than grille-mounted cameras.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of writing, but the previous generation received high ratings. The QX60 came with a comprehensive collection of airbags and advanced driver assistance systems, including forward emergency braking, predictive forward-collision warning, and blind-spot warning. Optional features included ProPilot Assist, blind-spot intervention, and lane-departure prevention.