Compare the2024 Mazda CX-90VS 2024 Infiniti QX80

The CX-90 Premium has a standard Secondary Collision Reduction System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The QX80 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the CX-90. But it costs extra on the QX80.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the CX-90’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The QX80 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The CX-90’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 CX-90 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 CX-90 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 and available around view monitors.

The Mazda CX-90 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 a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The QX80 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

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-90’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 9 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.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Mazda vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Mazda 6 places higher in reliability than Infiniti.

As tested in Car and Driver the CX-90 PHEV 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Infiniti QX80:

On the EPA test cycle the CX-90 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the QX80:

The CX-90 PHEV can travel with zero emissions for 26 miles. The QX80 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the CX-90’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The QX80 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the CX-90’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.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Mazda CX-90, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the QX80.

The CX-90 stops much shorter than the QX80:

The CX-90’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 CX-90 Premium/Turbo S’ tires have a lower 45 series profile than the QX80 Premium Select/Sensory’s 50 series tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the CX-90’s wheelbase is 1.7 inches longer than on the QX80 (122.8 inches vs. 121.1 inches).

The CX-90 Premium Plus handles at .85 G’s, while the QX80 AWD pulls only .72 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The CX-90 Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.4 seconds quicker than the QX80 AWD (27.2 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the CX-90’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the QX80’s (38.1 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Mazda CX-90 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 850 to 1000 pounds less than the Infiniti QX80.

The CX-90 is 9.4 inches shorter than the QX80, making the CX-90 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The CX-90 is 7.6 inches shorter in height than the QX80, making the CX-90 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the CX-90’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.

The CX-90 has 2.1 inches more front legroom, .1 inches more third row headroom and 1.6 inches more third row legroom than the QX80.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the CX-90 easier. The CX-90’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31 inches, while the QX80’s liftover is 35.8 inches.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the CX-90’s available 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.

The CX-90 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction 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 CX-90’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 CX-90 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The QX80 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The CX-90 Premium Plus has standard front air conditioned seats and the CX-90 Turbo S Premium Plus also has them in the second row. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The QX80 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

The Mazda CX-90 outsold the Infiniti QX80 by over two to one during 2023.