Compare the2023 Acura RDXVS 2023 Infiniti QX50

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Both the RDX and the QX50 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Infiniti QX50:

	RDX	QX50
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	26%	26%
Neck Compression	23 lbs.	42 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	30%	31%
Neck Stress	99 lbs.	161 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	362/441 lbs.	504/622 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Infiniti QX50:

	RDX	QX50
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	63	98
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	130 lbs.	151 lbs.
Hip Force	217 lbs.	306 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	17 inches
Spine Acceleration	39 G’s	39 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Acura RDX is safer than the QX50:

	RDX	QX50
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.5 in	1.73 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	692 lbs.	1316 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The QX50 has not been fully tested, yet.

Warranty

There are over 33 percent more Acura dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RDX’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RDX’s reliability 12 points higher than the QX50.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. With 12 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Infiniti.

Engine

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (272 vs. 268) than the QX50’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Acura RDX is faster than the Infiniti QX50:

	RDX	QX50
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94.7 MPH	91.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the RDX’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The QX50 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The QX50 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the QX50 (17.1 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The QX50 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

The RDX stops much shorter than the QX50:

	RDX	QX50
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	126 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	129 feet	130 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The RDX AWD has a standard space-saver spare (not available on FWD/A-Spec) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the QX50; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

The RDX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The QX50’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

Passenger Space

The RDX has 2 inches more front legroom and 1.8 inches more front shoulder room than the QX50.

Cargo Capacity

The RDX has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the QX50 with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 65.1 cubic feet).

Towing

The RDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the QX50’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Infiniti. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 9% lower rating, Infiniti is ranked 9th.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the RDX and the QX50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the RDX is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The QX50 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the RDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the RDX will cost $1925 to $5845 less than the QX50 over a five-year period.

The RDX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RDX will retain 47.35% to 49.21% of its original price after five years, while the QX50 only retains 43.84% to 45.08%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RDX is less expensive to operate than the QX50 because typical repairs cost much less on the RDX than the QX50, including $347 less for a water pump, $175 less for a muffler, $18 less for a starter, $51 less for fuel injection, $30 less for front struts, $480 less for a timing belt/chain and $123 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura RDX will be $2825 to $8122 less than for the Infiniti QX50.

Recommendations

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

	RDX	QX50
Consumer Reports® Recommends	TRUE	TRUE
Car Book “Best Bet”	TRUE	FALSE

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its February 2019 issue and they ranked the Acura RDX AWD first. They ranked the Infiniti QX50 AWD third.

The Acura RDX outsold the Infiniti QX50 by over two to one during 2022.

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