Compare the2023 Mazda CX-9VS 2023 Infiniti QX60

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-9. But it costs extra on the QX60.

Both the CX-9 and the QX60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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 around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

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 Mazda CX-9 is safer than the QX60:

There are almost 3 times as many Mazda dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the CX-9’s warranty.

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 CX-9’s reliability 27 points higher than the QX60.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. With 24 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mazda higher than Infiniti.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mazda above average in long-term dependability. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Infiniti is rated below average.

The CX-9’s 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 50 lbs.-ft. more torque (320 vs. 270) than the QX60’s 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Mazda CX-9 is faster than the Infiniti QX60:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-9 gets better fuel mileage than the QX60 AWD (20 city/26 hwy vs. 20 city/25 hwy).

The CX-9 has a gallon more fuel capacity than the QX60 (19.5 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The CX-9 stops shorter than the QX60:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-9’s wheelbase is 1.1 inches longer than on the QX60 (115.3 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

The CX-9 Signature handles at .85 G’s, while the QX60 Sensory AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The CX-9 Signature executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the QX60 Sensory AWD (26.7 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the CX-9 has a 2.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the QX60 (8.8 vs. 6.7 inches), allowing the CX-9 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the CX-9 Signature is quieter than the QX60 Autograph AWD (66 vs. 67 dB).

The CX-9 has 1 inch more rear headroom, 1.7 inches more rear legroom, .7 inches more rear hip room and 1.7 inches more third row legroom than the QX60.

The CX-9 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The QX60 doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

Insurance will cost less for the CX-9 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the CX-9 will cost $725 less than the QX60 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Mazda CX-9 will be $10349 to $14661 less than for the Infiniti QX60.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mazda CX-9, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Infiniti QX60 isn't recommended.

The Mazda CX-9 outsold the Infiniti QX60 by over two to one during 2022.