Compare the2024 Mercedes G-ClassVS 2024 Infiniti QX80

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the G-Class. But it costs extra on the QX80.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the G-Class’ standard Downhill Speed Regulation allows you to creep down safely. The QX80 doesn’t offer Downhill Speed Regulation.

The G-Class’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The QX80 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the G-Class and the QX80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

There are almost 2 times as many Mercedes dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the G-Class’ warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mercedes higher than Infiniti.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mercedes vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti With 33 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mercedes higher than Infiniti.

The G 550’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 16 more horsepower (416 vs. 400) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (450 vs. 413) than the QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8. The AMG G 63’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 177 more horsepower (577 vs. 400) and 214 lbs.-ft. more torque (627 vs. 413) than the QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mercedes G-Class is faster than the Infiniti QX80:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the G-Class’ fuel efficiency. The QX80 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the G-Class’ engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The QX80 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Mercedes G-Class, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the QX80.

For better stopping power the AMG G 63’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the QX80:

The G-Class stops much shorter than the QX80:

For better traction, the G-Class’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX80 (295/40R22 vs. 275/60R20).

The G 550’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the QX80 Luxe’s standard 60 series tires. The G-Class’ optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the QX80 Premium Select/Sensory’s 50 series tires.

The G-Class offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The QX80’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The AMG G 63 handles at .75 G’s, while the QX80 AWD pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The AMG G 63 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the QX80 AWD (28.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the G-Class has a greater minimum ground clearance than the QX80 (9.5 vs. 9.2 inches), allowing the G-Class to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The G 550 is 1 foot, 8.5 inches shorter than the QX80, making the G-Class easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The G-Class has 2 inches more front headroom and .5 inches more rear headroom than the QX80.

The G-Class has a much larger cargo volume than the QX80 with its rear seat up (38.1 vs. 16.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the G-Class easier. The G-Class’ cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.3 inches, while the QX80’s liftover is 35.8 inches.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the QX80, the G-Class has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The G-Class’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The QX80’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the G-Class and the QX80 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the G-Class is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The QX80 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The G-Class offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the QX80.

The G-Class’ Active Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The QX80 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.