Compare the2023 Infiniti QX80VS 2023 Mazda CX-9

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and second-row seat shoulder belts of the Infiniti QX80 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Mazda CX-9 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its second-row seat belts.

The QX80 Sensory’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-9 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front and middle seat shoulder belts of the Infiniti QX80 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 Mazda CX-9 doesn’t offer height-adjustable middle seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the QX80 are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Infiniti QX80 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The CX-9 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The QX80 has standard Active Head Restraints (AHR), which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the AHR system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Compared to metal, the QX80’s plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Mazda CX-9 has a metal gas tank.

Both the QX80 and the CX-9 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available all wheel drive.

The Infiniti QX80 weighs 1292 to 1676 pounds more than the Mazda CX-9. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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, results indicate that the Infiniti QX80 is safer than the Mazda CX-9:

	QX80	CX-9
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	27	88
Abdominal Force	81 lbs.	98 lbs.
Hip Force	144 lbs.	195 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	31	208
Spine Acceleration	21 G’s	54 G’s
Hip Force	151 lbs.	582 lbs.

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

Warranty

The QX80 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-9’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 24,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the QX80 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mazda covers the CX-9. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CX-9 ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The QX80’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CX-9’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX80 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Infiniti will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mazda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the CX-9.

Engine

The QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8 produces 150 more horsepower (400 vs. 250) and 93 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 320) than the CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Infiniti QX80 is faster than the Mazda CX-9:

	QX80	CX-9
Zero to 60 MPH	6.1 sec	7.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93.9 MPH	87.3 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The QX80 has 6.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-9 (26 vs. 19.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic is standard on the Infiniti QX80, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-9.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the QX80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-9:

	QX80	CX-9
Front Rotors	13.8 inches	12.6 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	12.8 inches

The QX80’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-9 are solid, not vented.

The QX80 stops shorter than the CX-9:

	QX80	CX-9
60 to 0 MPH	122 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the QX80 has larger tires than the CX-9 (275/60R20 vs. 255/60R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX80 Luxe has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the CX-9 Touring. The QX80 Premium Select/Sensory’s 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the CX-9 Touring Plus/Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature.

The Infiniti QX80’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mazda CX-9 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The QX80 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The CX-9 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The rear suspension of the QX80 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the CX-9, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The QX80 Sensory has a standard automatic rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX80’s wheelbase is 5.8 inches longer than on the CX-9 (121.1 inches vs. 115.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the QX80 is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than on the CX-9.

The QX80’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (51% to 49%) than the CX-9’s (54.7% to 45.3%). This gives the QX80 more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the QX80 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the CX-9 (9.2 vs. 8.8 inches), allowing the QX80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The QX80 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the CX-9 can only carry up to 7.

The QX80 has 17.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CX-9 (152.5 vs. 135.1).

The QX80 has .6 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front hip room, 5.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.5 inches more rear headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom, 1 inch more rear hip room, 5.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 1.4 inches more third row headroom, 8.7 inches more third row hip room and 7.4 inches more third row shoulder room than the CX-9.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the QX80’s middle and third row seats recline. The CX-9’s third row seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The QX80’s cargo area provides more volume than the CX-9.

	QX80	CX-9
Behind Third Seat	16.6 cubic feet	14.4 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	49.6 cubic feet	38.2 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	95.1 cubic feet	71.2 cubic feet

The QX80 has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The CX-9 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers the QX80 Sensory’s second row seats and pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the QX80’s third row seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The CX-9 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the QX80. The CX-9 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The QX80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-9’s (8500 vs. 3500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The QX80 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-9 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the QX80 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-9. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 6% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

Ergonomics

The QX80’s standard Entry/Exit Assist raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-9 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The QX80’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The CX-9 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

If the windows are left open on the QX80 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 CX-9 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The QX80’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The CX-9’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

Consumer Reports rated the QX80’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the CX-9’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The QX80 Sensory has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CX-9 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the QX80 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The CX-9’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The QX80’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The CX-9 has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The QX80 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the CX-9 Carbon Edition/Grand Touring/Signature.

The QX80 Sensory has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Model Availability

The QX80 is available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The CX-9 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the QX80 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the QX80 with a number “5” insurance rate while the CX-9 is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the QX80 is less expensive to operate than the CX-9 because typical repairs cost much less on the QX80 than the CX-9, including $790 less for a water pump, $102 less for a muffler, $118 less for a fuel pump and $92 less for front struts.

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