Compare the2019 Infiniti QX60VS 2019 Acura MDX

For enhanced safety, the front, middle and rear seat shoulder belts of the Infiniti QX60 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Acura MDX doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle or rear seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The QX60 Luxe offers an optional Backup Collision Intervention that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The MDX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the QX60 and the MDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, rearview cameras, available all-wheel drive, lane departure warning systems 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 Infiniti QX60 is safer than the Acura MDX:

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 Infiniti QX60 is safer than the Acura MDX:

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

The QX60 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The MDX’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

The QX60’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the MDX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

The camshafts in the QX60’s engine are driven by a hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs. The MDX’s camshafts are driven by a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement. If the MDX’s cam drive belt breaks the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 14th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 20th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 39 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 12 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 5 more horsepower (295 vs. 290) and 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (270 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Infiniti QX60 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The MDX requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Infiniti QX60 higher (5 out of 10) than the Acura MDX (3). This means the QX60 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the MDX every 15,000 miles.

The QX60 has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The MDX doesn’t offer a CVT.

The QX60’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the MDX are solid, not vented.

The QX60 stops shorter than the MDX:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX60’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the MDX (114.2 inches vs. 111 inches).

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the QX60 has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The MDX uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The QX60 has 16.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (149 vs. 132.7).

The QX60 has 2.6 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom, 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room, .9 inches more third row headroom, 2.7 inches more third row legroom, 1.4 inches more third row hip room and 2.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the QX60’s middle and third row seats recline. The MDX’s third row seats don’t recline.

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

The QX60 has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The MDX doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a switch automatically raises the QX60’s optional third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the QX60 Luxe’s available liftgate can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The MDX doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The QX60’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the MDX’s (5000 vs. 3500 pounds).

While the MDX SH-AWD Sport Hybrid is not recommended to tow, any QX60 can tow a minimum of 5000 pounds.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 31% lower rating, Acura is ranked 12th.

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

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the QX60 has standard extendable sun visors. The MDX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Insurance will cost less for the QX60 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the QX60 with a number “8” insurance rate while the MDX is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the QX60 is less expensive to operate than the MDX because typical repairs cost much less on the QX60 than the MDX, including $252 less for a water pump, $22 less for a muffler, $135 less for front brake pads, $80 less for a starter, $920 less for fuel injection and $202 less for a fuel pump.