INFINITI QX60 vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Infiniti completely transformed the QX60 for the 2022 model year, and these changes reflected a significant departure from its predecessor. The exterior design of the 2022 INFINITI QX60 showcased a striking new look that included a prominent grille, sleek LED headlights, and large air intakes. This provided a concept-car appearance with an abundance of chrome accents. The side profile conveyed elegance with a long hood and steeply-raked windshield, coupled with blacked-out pillars that gave the effect of a floating roof, especially pronounced in the Autograph trim level which featured a contrasting black roof. The base Pure models came with 18-inch wheels, while the higher trims received 20-inch wheels, giving the QX60 a commanding presence. The rear of the vehicle maintained a tasteful aesthetic, with the "INFINITI" name spelled out in large chrome letters across the liftgate. The Autograph trim had a slight flaw with its chromed panels at the rear fascia, designed to mimic exhaust outlets but without actual openings. These could be swapped out for matte black panels found on lower trims.

The interior of the QX60 felt spacious and luxurious, especially in the Autograph trim which featured quilted leather upholstery not only on the seats but also on the dashboard. A 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display was prominently positioned to keep the driver’s focus close to the road. The TFT instrument panel provided crisp graphics and clear information, while the buttons and controls on the center console were intuitive and user-friendly. The models produced at the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tennessee exhibited high craftsmanship and build quality, typical of Infiniti vehicles.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received a significant restyling in 2019, shedding its previously softer crossover styling for a more robust and blocky appearance. This new look was accentuated by a trapezoidal grille inspired by Toyota’s truck lineup, surrounded by beveled and angled bodywork. Over time, this design became more common among competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid featured an angular theme with a multi-tiered dashboard and beveled cutouts adding visual interest. The basic layout was typical for the class, with an infotainment touchscreen mounted atop the dash and accessible physical buttons and knobs for primary controls.

The materials within the RAV4 Hybrid were fairly average for its class and price point, with plenty of hard plastics, though commonly touched surfaces were lightly padded. The base and the new Woodland trim curiously utilized a cheaper urethane steering wheel and center armrest, while higher trims opted for leather-wrapped coverings. The rubbery feel of the urethane was a notable downside, especially considering it is a constant touchpoint for the driver. Nevertheless, strong build quality ensured no creaks or squeaks even over rough surfaces.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 distinguished itself with a new traditional nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the previously used continuously variable transmission (CVT). This change greatly enhanced the driving experience, minimizing the rubber-banding and droning commonly associated with CVTs. The nine-speed transmission shifted cleanly and crisply, maintaining a harmonious acceleration and deceleration pattern, though it could benefit from improved responsiveness in passing situations.

Under the hood, the QX60 housed Infiniti’s familiar 3.5-liter V6 engine, naturally aspirated and direct-injected, delivering 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for FWD models was rated at 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined, while AWD models achieved 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. Despite its substantial size, the QX60 delivered a smooth and serene ride thanks to its reworked suspension system, featuring MacPherson struts in the front and an independent multilink setup in the rear. Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with anti-lock braking and brake assist came standard, complemented by rack-mounted electric power steering that provided good road feel.

On the other hand, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid powered itself with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor/generator. This hybrid system mated to a CVT driving the front wheels, with a secondary electric motor on the rear axle providing AWD. Combined, the system generated 219 horsepower, allowing the RAV4 Hybrid to accelerate to 60 mph in a competent 7.5 seconds. This was approximately half a second quicker than the non-hybrid RAV4, while the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime managed an impressive 5.5 seconds. When compared to rivals, it stood well in terms of acceleration, with only the Kia Sportage hybrid being marginally quicker.

The braking system of the RAV4 Hybrid functioned like any other vehicle, transitioning smoothly between regenerative braking and physical brakes under more aggressive stops. The suspension provided a balanced ride over bumps and potholes while offering confident cornering capabilities. Although not particularly sporty, the RAV4 Hybrid excelled in delivering fundamental, effortless driving dynamics that would appeal to the majority of drivers.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 excelled in offering a luxury SUV experience, combining comfort with practicality. With three rows of seating, it provided ample storage and convenience features throughout the cabin. The front featured a spacious center console with a cubby for smartphones, large cupholders, and covered storage beneath the armrest. The shift-by-wire technology allowed for additional storage space beneath the center console, ideal for handbags and small devices.

The second-row seats of the QX60 were mounted on rails, allowing them to slide for optimal space sharing between rows. In lower trims, the second row featured a 60/40 split-folding bench, while the Autograph trim offered twin captain’s chairs with a deep, removable center console. Accessing the third row was easy with one-touch forward-flipping second-row seats. The third-row seats accommodated adults comfortably, provided the second-row passengers were willing to share legroom.

In terms of cargo capacity, the QX60 offered up to 14.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rows of seats folded flat. Additionally, the QX60 had a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which could be increased to 6,000 pounds with the optional towing package.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid excelled in practical interior space. The front seats provided ample space for larger passengers, while the rear seats accommodated average-sized adults comfortably. Although the rear passengers had slightly more headroom compared to competitors like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage, legroom was slightly less, though not significantly noticeable. The low height of the rear seat cushions might have left taller passengers desiring more thigh support.

Cargo-wise, the RAV4 Hybrid boasted up to 37.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, just a tenth of a cubic foot less than its non-hybrid sibling. This compared favorably against the Honda CR-V’s 39.5 cubic feet and the Kia Sportage’s 39.3 cubic feet. The rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, though shorter users might find reaching them a bit challenging.

In terms of interior storage, the RAV4 Hybrid offered abundant options, including a wide passenger shelf on the dashboard and a phone tray in front of the center console. While a wireless charging pad was an option frequently hampered by availability issues, large cupholders, a spacious center armrest bin, and average-sized door pockets featured prominently.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 came loaded with a plethora of standard and optional technology features. Exterior elements included full LED headlights, taillights, and a center high-mounted stop light, with adaptive front lighting and auto-leveling available in higher trims. The power liftgate, motion-activated on Sensory and Autograph trims, added convenience.

The QX60’s 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display featured wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. An AT&T WiFi hotspot came standard, supporting up to seven devices. Connectivity was further enhanced by multiple USB charge points throughout the cabin and a standard wireless charging pad on Sensory and Autograph models. Navigation was standard in all but the base Pure trim, and the vehicle introduced a simplified version of Alexa for voice-command actions.

Higher trims of the QX60 featured advanced technology such as a color head-up display, a smart rearview mirror, and a 17-speaker Bose Performance series sound system. The Intelligent Key with memory settings enhanced convenience by storing user preferences for seat position and audio and climate controls.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced a new and significantly improved infotainment system. The touchscreens, either 8.0-inch or 10.5-inch depending on the trim, offered modern graphics and logically arranged menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though a wireless charging pad remained an optional feature. Over-the-air software updates and a WiFi hotspot ensured that the system stayed current. Higher trims upgraded to a fully digital instrument panel and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, while most models had a standard six-speaker audio setup.

For the 2022 INFINITI QX60, crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not available, but expectations were high based on previous generations receiving top safety ratings. The QX60 provided a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including multiple airbags, advanced driver assistance systems like forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, predictive forward-collision warning, rear automatic braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot warning. Optional features included ProPilot Assist, blind-spot intervention, lane-departure warning and prevention, an around-view monitor with moving object detection, and driver attention alert.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid achieved strong safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, including a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and the Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS. Standard safety features included Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, offering forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, and optional features included front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and a surround-view camera system.