Volvo XC60 vs Infiniti QX50: the Swedish recipe

The compact luxury SUV segment is very interesting because it offers a multitude of models with very different approaches. Indeed, each manufacturer that plays the high-end card does not have the same vision of what a luxury vehicle should be.

That's what makes the comparison between the Volvo XC60 and the Infiniti QX50 so fascinating, because we're dealing with two fundamentally different philosophies.

Is one better than the other? If you take a cold look at a few things, you have no choice but to conclude that Volvo is presenting a more mature product.

The design

The design of Infiniti models is successful, let's agree on that. The brand's image is strong, the lines are recognizable, and the sportiness is there. This is the case with the QX50. However, you don't turn around on the road when you see one, which is the opposite of what happens when you see a Volvo XC60.

Volvo's design department has come up with an absolutely spectacular signature for both its cars and SUVs. The XC60 is a perfect fit, with perfect proportions and a truly distinctive front and rear end.

The QX50 looks like a luxury vehicle. The XC60 looks and feels like a luxury vehicle. The nuance is important.

Under the hood

Infiniti offers a unique recipe with its QX50, a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with variable compression. The technology is impressive, and the engine is efficient, delivering 268 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. However, it's mated to a continuously variable transmission that dilutes the fun of the engine.

At Volvo, we offer consumers a choice of engines. In fact, each variant comes with a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder, but the block is tuned differently depending on the version it serves. Thus, power can vary from 250 horsepower in the base configuration to 415 with a T8 Polestar variant.

In addition, pairing the engines with an eight-speed automatic transmission makes for a much more responsive driving experience. With a luxury vehicle, this element is essential; you don't want to feel like you're making any compromises by sacrificing feel. That's what you get at Infiniti.

Finally, when driving, while both models offer solid performance, the XC60 has a little je-ne-sais-quoi that makes it feel more planted on the road, more solid. And the XC60's seats are so comfortable that once you're settled in, you don't want to get out. It's just as good in Infiniti, but you don't feel that important difference between a high-end product and a truly luxurious vehicle. With Volvo, it's obvious.

Basically, we're dealing with two luxury vehicles here, but after spending time in both, we get the impression that one has a better grasp of the principle than the other, the XC60.