Compare the2025 Infiniti QX80VS 2025 Acura MDX

The QX80 Autograph has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The MDX doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

With its standard ProPILOT Assist 1.1, the Infiniti QX80 is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Acura MDX, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

Both the QX80 and the MDX 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, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The Infiniti QX80 weighs 1172 to 1817 pounds more than the Acura MDX. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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 MDX’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

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

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX80 for 2 years and 33000 miles longer than Acura pays for maintenance for the MDX (3/45000 vs. 1/12000).

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the QX80’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the MDX’s camshafts. If the MDX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 above average in initial quality. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is rated lower.

The QX80’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 160 more horsepower (450 vs. 290) and 249 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 267) than the MDX’s standard 3.5 SOHC V6. The QX80’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 95 more horsepower (450 vs. 355) and 162 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 354) than the MDX Type S’ standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Infiniti QX80 is faster than the Acura MDX V6:

The QX80 has 5.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the MDX (23.6 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 MDX are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the QX80 has larger tires than the MDX (275/60R20 vs. 255/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX80 has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the MDX. The QX80 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the MDX Type S.

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

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX80’s wheelbase is 7.2 inches longer than on the MDX (121 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The QX80’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49.2% to 50.8%) than the MDX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the QX80 more stable handling and braking.

For greater off-road capability the QX80 Pure has a 2.3 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the MDX (9.6 vs. 7.3 inches), allowing the QX80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The QX80 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s minimum ground clearance is .6 inch higher than on the MDX Type S (10 vs. 9.4 inches).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the QX80 Autograph AWD is quieter than the MDX Type S (35 vs. 36 dB).

The QX80 offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the MDX can only carry 7.

The QX80 has 22 cubic feet more passenger volume than the MDX (161.1 vs. 139.1).

The QX80 has .6 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom, .6 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear legroom, 2.1 inches more rear hip room, 3.4 inches more rear shoulder room, 3.8 inches more third row legroom, 11.1 inches more third row hip room and 7.9 inches more third row shoulder room than the MDX.

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

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

The QX80 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 lowers the QX80 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’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 MDX doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

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

The QX80 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the MDX (1455 vs. 1173 lbs.).

The engine in the QX80 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the MDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 12% lower rating, Acura is ranked 9th.

The power windows standard on both the QX80 and the MDX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the QX80 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The MDX prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The QX80’s standard Infiniti Intelligent Key allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Access System standard on the MDX doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The QX80’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The MDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Infiniti QX80 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the MDX.

The QX80 has standard heated front, second and third row seats; a heated third row is standard on the QX80 Autograph, which keep the driver and passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Acura doesn’t offer heated seats in the third row of the MDX.

Standard air conditioned seats in the front and second seat rows keep the QX80 Luxe/Sensory/Autograph’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The MDX doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

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 MDX Advance.

Both the QX80 and the MDX offer available massaging front seats. The QX80 Autograph also has standard massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the MDX.