Last updated: 2026-10-10
Infiniti vs Toyota: Reliability Compared
Infiniti
1 models tracked
Toyota
19 models tracked
Infiniti and Toyota land close together on reliability, with Toyota effectively tied but slightly ahead on repair costs. Infiniti offers only the QX60, while Toyota covers 19 models. The right pick depends on whether you want that one SUV or a wider field.
Is Infiniti More Reliable Than Toyota?
| Metric | Infiniti | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 75/100 | 76/100 |
| Models Tracked | 1 | 19 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 13 | 25 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 182 | 616 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $639/yr | $482/yr |
Infiniti vs Toyota: The Verdict
On overall reliability, Toyota leads, but it is effectively a tie. Both brands hold a good standing, both are improving, and complaint severity is even.
The deciding gaps are narrow. Toyota is cheaper to keep running, at about $482 a year against $639 for Infiniti. Infiniti looks better on recall impact, with 13 recalls to Toyota's 474, and on how its problems spread across systems. Toyota sells far more cars and tracks 19 models to Infiniti's one, so raw counts are not a fair match. In SUVs, Toyota is stronger, mostly because you get nine models to compare instead of one.
Where Infiniti and Toyota Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Infiniti | Toyota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 68/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 70/100Good | 77/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 84/100Excellent | 80/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 84/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
The biggest gap is in repair costs, where Toyota scores 7 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.
Infiniti vs Toyota: Strengths and Weaknesses
Infiniti
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (75/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($639/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Toyota
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (76/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($482/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 19 of 19 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 93 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Infiniti or Toyota?
Based on independent repair cost data, Toyota is cheaper to maintain at an average of $482/year compared to $639/year for Infiniti. That's a difference of $157/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Toyota Repair Cost Range
$362 – $642/yr
Average: $482/yr
Infiniti vs Toyota Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Infiniti | Toyota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(1 vs 9 models) | 75/100 | 77/100 | Toyota |
Toyota wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.
Common Problems: Infiniti vs Toyota
| Component | Infiniti | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 23%32 | 19%1,909 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 18%24 | 13%1,350 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 20%27 | 12%1,271 |
| ENGINE | 13%18 | 9%963 |
| AIR BAGS | 1%2 | 9%911 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 3%4 | 8%796 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 8%11 | 8%780 |
| STEERING | 1%2 | 5%532 |
| SEATS | 3%4 | 1%113 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 3%4 | 0%13 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Infiniti vs Toyota Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Infiniti
5
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
8
Injury reports
Toyota
699
Crash reports
93
Fire reports
633
Injury reports
Every Infiniti and Toyota Model Ranked
Infiniti Models
Toyota Models
Infiniti vs Toyota Reliability Trend by Year
Infiniti's reliability is improving — recent model years average 79/100, up from earlier years. Toyota's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
Both makes are trending improving in recent model years — neither is pulling away.
| Model Year | Infiniti | Toyota | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 82/100(1) | 86/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2025 | 76/100(1) | 78/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2024 | 73/100(1) | 75/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2023 | 72/100(1) | 75/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2022 | 73/100(1) | 76/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2021 | 81/100(1) | 76/100(14) | Infiniti |
| 2020 | 74/100(1) | 73/100(13) | Infiniti |
| 2019 | 71/100(1) | 70/100(12) | Infiniti |
| 2018 | 72/100(1) | 71/100(12) | Infiniti |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Infiniti vs Toyota: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Infiniti and Toyota. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Infiniti vs Toyota?
If you want the lowest running costs or a wide choice, lean Toyota. The Corolla Cross, 4Runner and Venza are SUVs that rate excellent, and the Corolla is the excellent-rated sedan. The Crown also rates excellent, but it only covers 2023 to 2026, so the 2024 is the year to favor. For a truck, the Tacoma is sound. Favor the 2021, skip 2018 and 2019, and test for an automatic that shudders and hunts for gears at light throttle. Check the cabin floor for leaking brake fluid.
If you want a midsize SUV and care about a short recall history, the Infiniti QX60 is the only Infiniti to consider. Its repair costs run well below the midsize SUV average. The weak spot is the CVT, which can shudder or hesitate and does not always respond to repair. Target the 2021. Look hard at the 2019 and 2023, the two lowest rated. Drive any QX60 long enough to feel how the transmission behaves.
The Bottom Line: Infiniti or Toyota?
Go with Toyota if cost and choice matter most. Its lower repair bill is about $157 a year less, roughly $785 over five years. The Crown is the strongest single model across both lineups, though its record is short. Pick the QX60 only if you want that SUV and can confirm the CVT drives smoothly.
Infiniti vs Toyota: Common Questions
Is Infiniti more reliable than Toyota?
Which brand has more recalls, Infiniti or Toyota?
Which is cheaper to repair, Infiniti or Toyota?
What is the main problem with the Infiniti QX60?
What goes wrong most often on a used Toyota Tacoma?
Comparing Infiniti vs Toyota? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Infiniti and Toyota models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.