Infiniti QX55 vs Volkswagen Touareg Comparison

I’ve been driving the 2024 Infiniti Q50 and had my 20,000km service recently. While the vehicle itself offers a smooth and refined driving experience, I was surprised—and frankly disappointed—when the dealership informed me that the rear brake pads were already worn down to under 3mm and needed replacement. From my understanding, and according to global standards, brake pads typically last between 40,000km to 80,000km, even under moderate to heavy driving conditions. Being asked to replace them at just 20,000km raises concerns about the quality and durability of the parts used. When I questioned this, the dealer casually stated that anything beyond 10,000km is considered acceptable for these pads. This was unexpected and doesn’t align with general industry norms or consumer expectations. I attempted to reach out to Infiniti Middle East for clarification, but unfortunately, the experience was unsatisfactory. The responses were vague, and it felt like there was an intentional avoidance of providing clear information about the performance or expected lifespan of their spare parts. To be fair, the dealer’s service team has been excellent—polite, responsive, and helpful. My issue is not with the people, but with the brand's apparent lack of transparency and what appears to be declining quality standards. As someone who chose Infiniti believing it stood for premium quality and reliability, I now feel that this trust may have been misplaced. I expected better durability from a luxury brand in 2024, especially when it comes to essential safety components like brake pads.

The Touareg Trend 3L is a speedy family-sized SUV that seats 5 comfortably, with an oversized screen that allows CarPlay, great audio and plenty of room in the boot for those IKEA runs. I requested fabric, which is so comfortable when I return from the gym into a hot vehicle. The AC does well to cool the cabin fairly quickly. However, it is recommended to use tinted glass and shades in UAE weather to ensure you don’t have to wait too long. The 8-speed gearbox is quite smooth, allowing the engine to purr as it pulls away from a stop gently. However, at the drop of the gearshift, it accelerates instantly and without lag. I’ve experienced a 75L full tank deliver 700+ Kms however, I’ve also experienced a lot less when unleashing the vehicle’s beast mode. So overall, whilst it is a lovely vehicle with good German engineering, on mileage, I thought it could fare better.