Compare the2025 Acura MDXVS 2025 Infiniti QX80

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the MDX uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The QX80 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the MDX and the QX80 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, 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

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 QX80 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti With 3 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. 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.

On the EPA test cycle the MDX gets better mileage than the QX80:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the MDX’s fuel efficiency. The QX80 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura MDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The QX80 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

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 QX80. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank.

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 QX80.

For better stopping power the MDX Type S’ front brake rotors are larger than those on the QX80:

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 QX80’s standard 60 series tires. The MDX Type S’ tires have a lower 40 series profile than the QX80 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s 50 series tires.

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 QX80 doesn’t offer self-sealing tires.

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1300 to 1700 pounds less than the Infiniti QX80.

The MDX is 1 foot shorter than the QX80, making the MDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MDX is 9.5 inches shorter in height than the QX80, making the MDX much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the MDX’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The QX80 doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

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

The Acura MDX outsold the Infiniti QX80 by almost five to one during 2023.