Compare the2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross SportVS 2022 Infiniti QX50

The Atlas Cross Sport has standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The QX50 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Atlas Cross Sport and the QX50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the Infiniti QX50:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is safer than the Infiniti QX50:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Atlas Cross Sport for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Infiniti doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the QX50.

There are over 3 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Atlas Cross Sport’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the QX50’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti With 11 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Infiniti.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s optional 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 8 more horsepower (276 vs. 268) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Atlas Cross Sport’s 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 QX50 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended with the 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder engine for maximum performance). The QX50 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX50 (18.6 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Atlas Cross Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the QX50:

The Atlas Cross Sport stops shorter than the QX50:

For better traction, the Atlas Cross Sport has larger standard tires than the QX50 (245/60R18 vs. 235/55R19). The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX50 (265/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line has standard 21-inch wheels. The QX50’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the QX50; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas Cross Sport’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the QX50 (117.3 inches vs. 110.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Atlas Cross Sport is 2.6 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the QX50.

The Atlas Cross Sport has 7.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX50 (112.1 vs. 104.4).

The Atlas Cross Sport has 2.1 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front hip room, 3.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, 4.2 inches more rear hip room and 3.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the QX50.

The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the QX50 with its rear seat up (40.3 vs. 31.4 cubic feet). The Atlas Cross Sport has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the QX50 with its rear seat folded (77.8 vs. 65.1 cubic feet).

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the QX50’s (2000 vs. 0 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Infiniti QX50 AWD is only 3000 pounds. The Atlas Cross Sport offers up to a 5000 lbs. towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the Atlas Cross Sport and the QX50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Atlas Cross Sport is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The QX50 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Atlas Cross Sport’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The QX50’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas Cross Sport SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The QX50 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Atlas Cross Sport’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the QX50’s headlights are rated “Acceptable” to “Marginal.”

The Atlas Cross Sport’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Infiniti only offers heated mirrors on the QX50 Luxe/Essential/Sensory/Autograph.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The QX50 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Atlas Cross Sport offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The QX50 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Atlas Cross Sport SEL Premium R-Line’s Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The QX50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport and the Infiniti QX50, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Infiniti QX50 by over five to one during the 2021 model year.