2022 INFINITI QX60 vs 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 marked a significant departure from its predecessor, the original Ioniq, by establishing itself as the first model in Hyundai's new Ioniq sub-brand dedicated solely to electric vehicles. This new direction was evident in its design, which featured a minimalist yet intricate exterior, characterized by the extensive use of Parametric Pixel design elements. These design choices gave the Ioniq 5 a futuristic appearance, reminiscent of a concept car, with pixelated lighting details that were both fascinating and overwhelming. The interior, however, contrasted sharply with the exterior's complexity, offering a serene and spacious "Living Space" environment. The cabin was designed with sustainability in mind, utilizing recycled materials and providing features like a "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat, emphasizing comfort and eco-friendliness.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX60 underwent a comprehensive redesign, transforming it into a more sophisticated and elegant crossover SUV. The exterior boasted a bold front grille, sleek LED headlights, and a floating roof design, creating a striking visual impact. The interior of the QX60 was equally impressive, with a focus on luxury and comfort. The Autograph trim level featured quilted leather upholstery and a spacious cabin layout, enhanced by a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The QX60's design emphasized practicality and elegance, with thoughtful storage solutions and a high level of craftsmanship, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a premium SUV experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered a range of powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences. It came in three trims—SE, SEL, and Limited—with rear-wheel drive (RWD) as standard and all-wheel drive (AWD) available across all trims. The base SE Standard Range model featured a single 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor, delivering 168 horsepower and a range of 220 miles. The extended-range variants, available in SE, SEL, and Limited RWD, boasted a larger 168-kW rear motor, producing 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 303 miles. Opting for AWD introduced a dual-motor system, generating 320 horsepower and 446 lb-ft of torque, though the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5's performance was characterized by its smooth handling and composed ride, with four drive modes, including Sport mode, which added a touch of excitement to the driving experience.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, on the other hand, featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, offering a more engaging driving experience compared to the previous CVT. The QX60's suspension was reworked for improved ride quality, and it featured MacPherson struts up front and an independent multilink setup in the rear. The vehicle delivered a smooth and serene ride, with good handling and comfort for passengers in all three rows. While not designed for off-road adventures, the QX60 excelled on highways and suburban streets, providing a refined and comfortable driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which maximized interior space and utility. Despite its hatchback appearance, the Ioniq 5 offered a spacious cabin with a longer wheelbase than the seven-passenger Hyundai Palisade. It provided a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, surpassing competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Volkswagen ID.4. The Ioniq 5 prioritized passenger comfort with a passenger volume of 106.5 cubic feet, while the center console's moveable design and leatherette seats added to the overall comfort and versatility of the interior.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60, with its three-row seating configuration, offered ample space and comfort for passengers. The interior featured a roomy center console with convenient storage solutions, while the second-row seats could slide fore and aft to optimize space between rows. The QX60 provided 14.5 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expandable to 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rows down. The SUV's towing capacity of up to 6,000 pounds added to its practicality, making it a versatile choice for families and those needing extra cargo space.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a high-voltage, energy-dense system with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80% battery capacity in just 18 minutes, and offered a digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The Ioniq 5 featured 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment, finished with an anti-glare coating for optimal visibility. Hyundai's partnership with Electrify America provided owners with unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years, enhancing the convenience of owning an electric vehicle.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 boasted a comprehensive suite of technology features, including a 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity. The SUV offered a WiFi hotspot, multiple USB charge points, and a wireless charging pad. The navigation system, powered by TomTom, was standard on all but the base trim. The QX60 also featured a color head-up display, a smart rearview mirror, and a premium Bose sound system, providing a high level of connectivity and entertainment options for passengers.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came equipped with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and collision avoidance. The vehicle featured Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. While crash-safety ratings were not yet available, Hyundai's track record with IIHS Top Safety awards suggested that the Ioniq 5 would perform well in safety evaluations.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 offered a comprehensive array of safety features, including multiple airbags, LATCH connectors, and advanced driver assistance systems like forward emergency braking and blind-spot warning. The ProPilot Assist driver-assistance system was standard on all trims except Pure, and additional features like lane-departure warning and around-view monitor were available. While crash-test ratings were not yet released, the previous-generation QX60 had received high safety ratings, indicating that the 2022 model would likely achieve similar results.