Compare the2026 Volkswagen AtlasVS 2026 Infiniti QX60

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Atlas has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The QX60 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Atlas 4Motion’s standard Hill Descent Assist allows you to creep down safely. The QX60 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Assist.

Both the Atlas and QX60 have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Atlas has Rear Traffic Alert (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The QX60’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Atlas and the QX60 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, 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, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive 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 is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

	Atlas	QX60
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	30%	31%
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	277	312
Neck Injury Risk	39%	45.1%
Neck Stress	129 lbs.	216 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	297/97 lbs.	236/309 lbs.

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 is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

	Atlas	QX60
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	57	84
Chest Movement	.5 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	48 lbs.	138 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	14 inches	14 inches

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

Warranty

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’ warranty.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Atlas’ engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the QX60’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’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Volkswagen vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. With 17 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Volkswagen higher than Infiniti.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Volkswagen Atlas is faster than the Infiniti QX60:

	Atlas	QX60
Zero to 60 MPH	7.5 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	16.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.3 MPH	89.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Atlas uses regular unleaded gasoline. The QX60 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Atlas has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the QX60. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX60 (265/45R21 vs. 255/50R20).

The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the QX60’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Atlas SEL Premium R-Line has standard 21-inch wheels. The QX60’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The Atlas’ drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The QX60 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Atlas’ wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer than on the QX60 (117.3 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The Atlas 4Motion handles at .84 G’s, while the QX60 Luxe AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Atlas SEL 4Motion executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the QX60 Autograph AWD (27.1 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

Chassis

The Volkswagen Atlas may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 100 to 200 pounds less than the Infiniti QX60.

Passenger Space

The Atlas has 13.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX60 (153.7 vs. 140.6).

The Atlas has .3 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front shoulder room, 2.9 inches more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear hip room, .8 inches more rear shoulder room, 2.6 inches more third row headroom and 5.7 inches more third row legroom than the QX60.

Cargo Capacity

The Atlas’ cargo area provides more volume than the QX60.

	Atlas	QX60
Behind Third Seat	20.6 cubic feet	14.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	55.5 cubic feet	41.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	96.6 cubic feet	75.4 cubic feet

The Atlas has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The QX60 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Towing

trailer stability control is standard on the Atlas, using the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. A trailer sway program costs extra on the QX60.

Ergonomics

If the windows are left open on the Atlas the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the QX60 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Atlas’ standard KESSY Keyless Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, unlock the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Infiniti Intelligent Key standard on the QX60 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Infiniti Intelligent Key is not available on the QX60 Luxe/Sport/Autograph.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Atlas SEL to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The QX60 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Atlas 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 QX60 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Volkswagen Atlas retains 46.49% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 38.83% resale value of the 2025 Infiniti QX60 after five years, which can save the Volkswagen’s owner up to $10265.84825 in depreciation.

Recommendations

The Volkswagen Atlas outsold the Infiniti QX60 by almost three to one during 2024.

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