Compare the2024 Acura MDXVS 2024 Infiniti QX60

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

Safety

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Both the MDX and the QX60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 MDX is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

	MDX	QX60
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	29%	31%
Neck Stress	304 lbs.	348 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	288	312
Neck Injury Risk	30%	45.1%
Neck Stress	122 lbs.	216 lbs.
Neck Compression	75 lbs.	93 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 MDX is safer than the Infiniti QX60:

	MDX	QX60
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	.9 inches
Abdominal Force	105 lbs.	138 lbs.
Hip Force	226 lbs.	244 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	168 lbs.	461 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
Hip Force	424 lbs.	466 lbs.

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 MDX is safer than the QX60:

	MDX	QX60
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	83	125
Neck Tension	134 lbs.	268 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	602 lbs.	1160 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Acura MDX has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The QX60 is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024, though it hasn’t yet been rated in the updated moderate overlap frontal test, a requirement for the “Top Safety Pick Plus” award.

Warranty

There are over 35 percent more Acura dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the MDX’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 MDX’s reliability 21 points higher than the QX60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 5 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Infiniti.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Infiniti is ranked 13th.

Engine

The MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 60 more horsepower (355 vs. 295) and 84 lbs.-ft. more torque (354 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the MDX Type S 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Infiniti QX60:

	MDX	QX60
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	7.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.7 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	96.2 MPH	87.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The QX60 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The MDX has a standard locking fuel door which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The fuel filler door is not lockable on the QX60. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a nine-speed automatic is available for the QX60.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the MDX Type S’ brake rotors are larger than those on the QX60:

	MDX Type S	QX60
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13.8 inches

The MDX stops shorter than the QX60:

	MDX	QX60
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	171 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	128 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	150 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the MDX Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX60 (275/40R21 vs. 255/50R20).

The MDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the QX60 Pure’s standard 60 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the QX60 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the MDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the QX60 Pure. The MDX Type S’ 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the QX60 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph.

Having a flat tire is dangerous, inconvenient and expensive. The self-sealing tires available on the MDX can automatically seal most punctures up to 3/16 of an inch, effectively preventing most flat tires. The QX60 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

Suspension and Handling

The MDX 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 QX60’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The MDX Type S has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The MDX’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The QX60 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the QX60 Autograph AWD pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MDX Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the QX60 Sensory AWD (27 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the MDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the QX60 (7.3 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The MDX Type S’ minimum ground clearance is 2.7 inches higher than on the QX60 (9.4 vs. 6.7 inches).

Chassis

The MDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The QX60 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The MDX has .5 inches more front hip room, 1.3 inches more front shoulder room, .6 inches more rear headroom, .8 inches more rear legroom, 1.1 inches more rear hip room, .6 inches more rear shoulder room, .5 inches more third row headroom and 1.1 inches more third row legroom than the QX60.

Cargo Capacity

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the QX60.

	MDX	QX60
Behind Third Seat	18.1 cubic feet	14.5 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	48.4 cubic feet	41.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	95 cubic feet	75.4 cubic feet

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

If the windows are left open on the MDX the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the QX60 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the MDX’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the QX60’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the MDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the MDX will cost $1130 to $2660 less than the QX60 over a five-year period.

The MDX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the MDX will retain 50.63% to 53.63% of its original price after five years, while the QX60 only retains 47.06% to 47.83%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Acura MDX and the Infiniti QX60, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Acura MDX outsold the Infiniti QX60 by almost two to one during 2023.

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