Compare the 2025 INFINITI QX50 to the Competition

The RDX dates back to the 2007 model year. It was the second luxury compact crossover after the BMW X3. Armed with its standard torque-vectoring Super Handling all-wheel drive and a then-unusual for a luxury vehicle, 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, Acura designed the RDX to be the sportiest crossover on the market. It arguably was, but the market was looking for something more comfortable. The second generation reflected this with a V6 engine, a softer suspension, and a simpler AWD system. Out since 2019, the current model sits between its first two generations, reverting to a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which is now the norm for this class, and standard Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, but it is not as overtly sporty in ride as the debut model. 

• The starting MSRP for the QX50 is $43,000, which is significantly lower than the $44,700 starting MSRP for the RDX. 
• With similarly sized turbocharged engines, both models boast comparable horsepower (268 vs. 272) and the identical torque peak of 280 lb-ft @ 1600 rpm. 
• Both models have standard AWD systems. 
• The Variable Compression technology, paired with a continuously variable transmission, gives the QX50 an advantage in city, highway, and combined fuel economy (22/28/25 vs. 21/27/23). 
• When all seats are up, the QX50 offers more cargo space: 31.4 cubic feet compared to 29.5 cubic feet for the RDX. 
• The QX50 also provides more cubic feet of maximum cargo space than the RDX when the second-row seatbacks are folded (65.1 vs. 58.9). 
• Although it is slightly shorter in length (15’4” vs. 15’7”), the QX50 has a wider stance (width: 7’1” vs. 6’2”) and a longer wheelbase (9’2” vs. 9’0”). 
• The QX50 has a greater minimum ground clearance (8.6 vs. 8.2 inches). 
• For better maneuverability, the QX50 features a shorter turning circle (36.4 feet vs. 38.9). 
• The QX50 offers slightly greater rear legroom, rear shoulder room, and significantly more second-row hip room (53.8 vs. 50.0 inches). 
• For those who appreciate uncompressed audio, the QX50 still includes a CD player. 
• Features present on the QX50 Pure, but absent on the base RDX, include: 
  • Remote engine start 
  • Wireless cellphone charging station 
  • Driver attention alert system 
  • Rear parking sensors 
  • Safety brake pedal system 
  • Sliding and reclining rear seats

The Lexus NX made its debut in as a 2015 model. The current version is the second-generation design, which was released for the 2022 model year. This model currently sits between the RX and UX crossovers in the Lexus lineup. The NX shares its platform with the RAV4. It is available with four powertrains. While the numbers in Lexus model names used to indicate displacement, they no longer do, with the exception of the NX 250, which features a 2.5-liter non-turbocharged engine. The NX 350h has the same engine paired with Toyota’s hybrid system, and the NX 450h+ is a plug-in hybrid that utilizes the same 2.5-liter non-turbocharged engine but has a larger battery and motor. The NX 250 comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD), while all-wheel drive (AWD) is available as an option. All other NX models come standard with AWD. The QX50 pricing overlaps with all models except the NX 450h+. 

• The $43,000 QX50 significantly outperforms the $42,565 NX 250 AWD in both horsepower (268 vs. 203) and foot-pounds of torque (280 vs. 184). 
• The QX50 also outpowers the NX 350 in horsepower (268 vs. 239) and torque (280 vs 167). 
• The NX 450h+ offers 302 hp and a starting MSRP of $61,240, placing it in a distinct price category. 
• With all seats up, the QX50 provides significantly more cubic feet of cargo space than the NX (31.4 vs. 22.7). 
• With the rear seatbacks down, the cargo capacity of the QX50 shows an even greater cubic foot difference (65.1 vs. 46.9). 
• The QX50 has a significantly wider stance of 7’1” compared to 6’1” and a longer wheelbase of 9’2” compared to 8‘.9”. 
• The QX50 has a higher minimum ground clearance of 8.6 inches compared to 8.1 inches for the NX. 
• The QX50 provides the second-row passengers with noticeably more space across all metrics: 
  • Legroom: 38.7 vs. 36.1 inches 
  • Shoulder room: 57.1 vs. 54.0 inches 
  • Hip room: 53.8 vs. 52.5 inches 
  • Head room: 39.1 vs. 38.1 inches 
• The QX50 also has a greater maximum payload (1,096 lb. vs. 895 lb.) 
• For those who appreciate uncompressed audio, the QX50 still provides a CD player, which is not available in the NX model line.

The GLB is among the smaller of Mercedes-Benz’s vast SUV and crossover model lineup. Dating to the 2020 model year, it fits neatly both alphabetically and in size between the GLA and GLC. Though Mercedes-Benz is known for its rear-wheel drive platforms, the GLB utilizes a front-drive platform derived from the GLA model, which ironically was developed in partnership with the INFINITI QX30. The GLB’s squared-off proportions distinguish it from its more rounded siblings while also sharing a design element with the significantly larger GLS SUV. This design choice partly provides headroom for passengers in the optional third-row seat, an unusual feature in this category. Of the three models in the lineup, the FWD GLB 250 and AWD GLB 250 4MATIC compete with the QX50, while the high-performance $60,100 AMG GLB 35 occupies another price category. 

• True to Mercedes-Benz’s reputation, the GLB is priced higher than much of its competition. The FWD GLB 250 starts at $45,800, while the GLB 250 4MATIC, which competes with the $43,000 QX50 that comes with standard AWD, has a starting MSRP of $46,650. 
• While both models are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, the QX50 delivers significantly more horsepower at 280 compared to 221 for the GLB 250. 
• The QX50 also has significantly more foot-pounds of peak torque at 268 vs. 221. 
• The GLB does have an MPG advantage, though not a large one. The QX50 delivers 22/28/25 compared to the GLB 250’s 4MATIC’s 24/32/27. 
• The QX50 is two inches longer (15’4” vs. 15’2”) and six inches wider (7’1” vs. 6’7”). 
• When compared to the GLB in its 5-seater form, the QX50 offers more cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats (31.4 vs. 22.0). 
• The QX50 provides an impressive 8.6 inches of ground clearance for its class, whereas the GLB offers a car-like ground clearance of only 5.3 inches. 
• When the rear seatbacks are folded, the QX50 retains a cargo capacity advantage of 65.1 cubic feet compared to 62.0. 
• Third-row passengers will enjoy a little more legroom in the QX50 (57.9 inches vs. 38.1) and significantly more shoulder room (57.1 inches vs. 55.9). 
• For those who appreciate uncompressed audio, the QX50 still offers a CD player, which is not available in the GLB model line. 
• Remote engine start convenience is not available on the GLB but is standard on the QX50. 
• The QX50 offers automatic emergency braking for both the front and rear, unlike the GLB, which provides it only for the front. 
• Lane Keeping Assist is standard on the QX50, but it is not available on the GLB. 

The Lincoln Corsair is another recent entry into the luxury compact crossover segment, first appearing as a 2020 model with a refresh two years later. The Corsair shares a platform with the Ford Escape, Bronco Sport, and Maverick pickup, though it resembles none of those vehicles. As is common in this class, the Corsair is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 for the Premier and Reserve trims. The flagship Grand Touring model features a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that uses a non-turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-4 and an electric motor capable of powering the vehicle for 27 miles on electricity alone. 

• While both models are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, the QX50 has more horsepower at 268 vs. 250 for the GLB 250. 
• The QX50 also produces slightly more foot-pounds of peak torque, offering 280 compared to 275 for the Corsair. 
• The QX50 delivers its peak torque at a more accessible 1700 rpm, compared to 3000 rpm for the Corsair. 
• Both AWD models have similar city/highway/combined fuel economy, but the QX50 has the edge with 22/28/25 compared to 21/28/24. 
• The QX50 measures three inches longer (15’4” vs. 15’1”) and wider (7’1” vs. 6’11”). Its wheelbase is also four inches longer (9’2” vs. 8’10”) to facilitate a more stable highway ride. 
• When the rear seatbacks are folded down, the QX50 offers a maximum cargo capacity of 65.1 cubic feet compared to 57.6 cubic feet. 
• The QX50 offers a ground clearance advantage of 8.6 inches, compared to 7.9 inches for the Corsair. 
• The QX50’s wider body allows for more room when three people are seated in the rear, offering additional shoulder room (57.1 inches vs. 56.3) and more hip room (53.8 inches vs. 50.8). 
• For those who appreciate uncompressed audio, the QX50 still offers a CD player, which is unavailable in the Corsair. 
• Both models have an overall 5-star rating from NHTSA.