Whether you’re flying solo to the office with presentation materials, picking up a week’s worth of groceries, or have a full house (each model seats up to seven) on your way to a soccer tournament, your SUV has to be flexible enough to carry it all. When every seat is occupied, which luxury model will provide the wiggle room necessary to stretch out and be comfortable no matter where you sit?

So that nobody has to hold gear on their laps, the INFINITI QX60 provides 14.5 cubic feet of cargo space to stow and transport luggage, sports equipment, or shopping bags, while the Audi Q7 offers 14.2 cubic feet. If your crew-to-cargo needs shift, you can drop the seatbacks to expand the space.

• INFINITI QX60 maximum cargo volume: 75.4 cubic feet
• Audi Q7 maximum cargo volume: 69.6 cubic feet

Although the Q7 tries to measure up, it still falls short compared to the QX60.

When you drive a luxury model, comfort is about so much more than merely having plenty of usable space. You expect a certain level of sophistication that translates to meticulous craftsmanship, refined materials, and plenty of conveniences. In these two models, INFINITI and Audi continue to prove that luxury and practicality can co-exist.

Among the standard amenities you’ll enjoy in either SUV are:

• Leather seating surfaces
• Heated front seats
• Tri-Zone Automatic Temperature Control
• 8-way power adjustable driver seat
• Wood trim/inlays
• Panoramic moonroof

The INFINITI QX60 provides extra standard comfort aspects, such as a heated steering wheel, without upgrading. It also includes separate climate controls for passengers in the second and third rows and offers available second-row captain’s chairs. In the Audi, the former feature is only available with an upgrade, and the latter is not an option. Clearly, the INFINITI ensures every seat feels like it's in first class.

With their 12.3-inch instrument clusters, Bluetooth®, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™, and premium audio systems, both models come well-equipped to make easy work of staying informed, engaged, and entertained mile after mile. In the Audi Q7, you’ll access and view your infotainment on a 10.1-inch display. While impressive, it pales compared to the 12.3-inch INFINITI InTouch™ touchscreen display in the QX60.

The INFINITI QX60 continues to take tech to the next level, increasing connectivity and offering more than the Audi. Among the QX60’s standard features are:

• Wireless charging pad
• Voice Recognition
• Siri® Eyes Free
• Wi-Fi hotspot

Aside from the hotspot, the other technologies are only available options or not offered in the Audi, proving that even the QX60’s base trim is anything but basic.

Safety is paramount when you're behind the wheel. You want to feel confident, and knowing you and your family are protected is the best way to ensure peace of mind. INFINITI and Audi have designed the QX60 and the Q7 with safety at the forefront, with brand-specific versions of these driver-assistance systems:

• Brake Assist
• Auto High Beam Headlights
• Blind Spot Warning
• Lane Departure Warning
• Rear Parking Sensors

The QX60 offers available Driver Attention Alert, and they each have an Intelligent Around View® Monitor, helping watch out for you and around your vehicle, including those hard-to-see areas. Only the QX60’s standard Predictive Forward Collision Warning monitors two cars ahead, helping you stay alert to any sudden changes beyond the vehicle immediately in front of you. Audi has no similar system that allows it to stay two steps ahead.

The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) is a U.S. agency that sets and enforces vehicle performance and safety standards. For the latest model year, the NHTSA has awarded both the INFINITI QX60 and the Audi Q7 its 5-Star Overall Safety Rating. As such, you can be reassured that everyone on board will be safeguarded if the unexpected happens.

The best way to compare two vehicles is to examine their standard offerings closely. After all, that’s where reliability begins, and it can speak volumes. Reviewing the outputs of their similar 2.0L 4-cylinder engines, you'll notice that the numbers are close. Still, they reveal that the INFINITI QX60 has more to say.

Pairing its engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the QX60 is intelligent, able to learn and tailor shifting to your driving style. Meanwhile, an 8-speed automatic transmission accompanies the Audi engine, although it lacks the intuitiveness of the INFINITI.

Similarly, both models have standard drive mode selectors to customize your on-road experience based on conditions or mood. The Audi comes with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), while the QX60 gives you the power of choice with either Front-Wheel Drive or Intelligent AWD. All-Wheel Drive offers better traction on slick or uneven surfaces, and Front-Wheel Drive yields increased fuel economy.

Speaking of efficiency, the INFINITI QX60 outperforms the Audi Q7 in getting the most out of every mile, earning up to an EPA-estimated 22 city/27 highway MPG.^* Meanwhile, the Q7 rates an EPA-estimated 20 city/26 highway MPG. To travel farther and longer in between stops at the pump, you'll want to choose the QX60.