BMW X3 vs INFINITI QX50
An off-road-capable crossover—or Sports Activity Vehicle® (SAV®), in the case of BMW—may be just what drivers need to traverse the roads and trails around Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Hardeeville.
If it’s luxury you’re looking for, the 2021 BMW X3 and the INFINITI QX50 may both pack a wallop. However, beneath the veneer of luxury comfort and style, one offers more overall power and finesse. Let’s find out which one in this Hilton Head BMW comparison!
X3 vs QX50: Towing Capacity
If you live in Hilton Head or in close proximity, then trips to the beach or to the nearby waterways are probably fairly common in the summer. If you’re taking along your rowboat for some fishing or the jet skis for an adrenaline rush, will these vehicles have the strength to tow them?
In the case of the BMW X3, the answer is a resounding, “Yes!” When you add on the available trailer hitch to your SAV®, it can tow as much as 4,400 pounds, plenty for your rowboat or some smaller watercraft.
The INFINITI QX50 falls short of this mark. It also has an available trailer hitch but can only tow as much as 3,000 pounds when it’s equipped. As such, the QX50 may struggle to tow some of your bigger toys.
Engine Power That Always Pleases
Towing capacity doesn’t come entirely from a trailer hitch. It also takes a strong engine to haul all your gear and other vehicles.
It should come as no surprise that the X3 goes heavy on the horsepower (HP), especially in its M trim level. With a TwinPower Turbo V6 engine, it can generate as much as 503 HP with the optional Competition Package.
All that horsepower really blows the INFINITI QX50 out of the water. This crossover comes with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. While it’s fairly streamlined and peppy, its maximum 268-HP output doesn’t come anywhere close to what its BMW competitor is capable of.
Even More Trim Options
Options are everything, especially when you’re trying to find the very best fit for your unique tastes and lifestyle. Fortunately, both models offer numerous trim levels that come in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations.
The INFINITI QX50 differentiates its trims by adding in new luxury features and styling options. Its top trim, the Autograph, for example, provides semi-aniline leather-appointed seating and dark-painted wheels.
While the BMW X3 similarly adds in new styling features and technologies at every trim, it also offers vastly different powertrains. The M trim, for instance, is a sport model, while the xDrive30e is a plug-in hybrid.
The X3 xDrive30e trim level has a 17-mile all-electric range, so you can drive for long stretches without even using any gas! The QX50 doesn’t offer any plug-in options, so you won’t be able to reap any such benefits with it.
The Verdict Is In: X3 vs QX50
After a closer look, one thing becomes clear: the INFINITI QX50 may have a distinct style, but its performance is repeatedly outpaced by the more capable BMW X3.
If you’re in the Hilton Head, Bluffton, or Hardeeville areas, why not stop by Hilton Head BMW to see for yourself? Contact our team to schedule your next test drive today!
