Compare the2023 Acura MDXVS 2023 Infiniti QX80

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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The MDX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The QX80 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

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, 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 QX80:

	MDX	QX80
OVERALL STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	2 Stars
HIC	244	384
Neck Injury Risk	29%	36%
Neck Stress	304 lbs.	439 lbs.
Neck Compression	59 lbs.	95 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	463/521 lbs.	983/651 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
Chest Compression	.7 inches	1.2 inches
Neck Injury Risk	30%	37%
Neck Stress	122 lbs.	219 lbs.
Neck Compression	75 lbs.	78 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	392/458 lbs.	452/534 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 QX80:

	MDX	QX80
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1 inches
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	16 inches
Hip Force	424 lbs.	684 lbs.

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

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the MDX, with its four-star roll-over rating, is 6.8% to 8.6% less likely to roll over than the QX80, which received a three-star rating.

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 MDX its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 29 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The QX80 has not been 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 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 34 points higher than the QX80.

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

As tested in Car and Driver the Acura MDX is faster than the Infiniti QX80:

	MDX V6	MDX Type S	QX80
Zero to 60 MPH	6.4 sec	5.4 sec	6.5 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	17.6 sec	13.8 sec	17.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	6.6 sec	5.8 sec	6.7 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
MDX
	FWD	3.5 SOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
	AWD	3.5 SOHC V6	19 city/25 hwy
		3.0 turbo V6	17 city/21 hwy
QX80
	RWD	5.6 DOHC V8	14 city/20 hwy
	AWD	5.6 DOHC V8	13 city/19 hwy

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.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the MDX’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 QX80 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The MDX 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 QX80 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura MDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the QX80.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	MDX Type S	QX80
Front Rotors	14.3 inches	13.8 inches

The MDX stops much shorter than the QX80:

	MDX	QX80
70 to 0 MPH	170 feet	185 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	155 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

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

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 QX80’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The MDX Type S handles at .87 G’s, while the QX80 AWD pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The MDX SH-AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the QX80 AWD (27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the MDX’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the QX80’s (40.5 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

For greater off-road capability the MDX Type S has a greater minimum ground clearance than the QX80 (9.4 vs. 9.2 inches), allowing the MDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Acura MDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1300 to 1450 pounds less than the Infiniti QX80.

The MDX is 11.8 inches shorter than the QX80, making the MDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The MDX is 8.7 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 uses body-on-frame design instead.

The MDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The QX80 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The MDX has 2 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more front hip room and .3 inches more third row legroom than the QX80.

Cargo Capacity

The MDX’s cargo area provides more volume than the QX80.

	MDX	QX80
Behind Third Seat	18.1 cubic feet	16.6 cubic feet

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the MDX Advance’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The QX80 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

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

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the QX80, the MDX offers an optional passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The MDX Advance has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and incoming text message readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The QX80 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The MDX’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The QX80’s parking brake has to be released manually.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the MDX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The QX80 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The MDX Type S Advance has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the QX80.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the MDX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the MDX will cost $2370 to $3765 less than the QX80 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 45.63% to 46.51% of its original price after five years, while the QX80 only retains 44.39% to 44.89%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Acura MDX will be $25858 to $26930 less than for the Infiniti QX80.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Acura MDX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Infiniti QX80 isn't recommended.

The Acura MDX outsold the Infiniti QX80 by over six to one during 2022.