When Acura introduced the first MDX in late 2000, it changed what buyers expected from a luxury SUV. Before it arrived, most three-row SUVs were built on truck frames, which made them capable off-road and for towing, but a bit rough on the commute at times. The MDX was different with its car-based unibody platform, which gave it a quieter, smoother ride without sacrificing space for seven passengers.
Automotive journalists and industry insiders noticed immediately. The 2001 Acura MDX took home both the North American Truck of the Year and Motor Trend SUV of the Year awards, and it remains America’s best-selling three-row luxury SUV.
Yet the three-row Japanese luxury segment has gotten more competitive, and families shopping in this space have more to consider than ever before. Infiniti used the QX60’s 2026 refresh to close the gap on the MDX in meaningful ways, updating the exterior design, refining the powertrain, and adding technology that was previously reserved for more expensive vehicles.
The result is a QX60 that makes a stronger case for itself than it has in years past, and at a price that lands almost exactly where the MDX does.
While Acura defines the luxury experience through performance-focused engineering and a nameplate that has topped the segment for 25 years, Infiniti has pivoted toward a tech-centric approach that leverages aerospace research to solve a very terrestrial problem: driver fatigue.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.0-liter turbo inline-4
- Base Trim Transmission
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9-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
The starting price gap
As little as $10 in some instances
The 2026 Infiniti QX60 has a noticeably lower starting MSRP than other luxury rivals, for example, when compared to the Volvo XC90 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Against the 2026 Acura MDX, however, the difference is almost nothing:
- QX60 Pure (FWD): $51,890 / MDX (FWD): $51,800
- QX60 Luxe (AWD): $59,390 / MDX with Technology Package (SH-AWD): $59,400
- QX60 Sport (AWD-only): $62,390 / MDX A-Spec (SH-AWD): $62,400
- QX60 Autograph (AWD-only): $66,890 / MDX with Advance Package (SH-AWD): $66,900
On the QX60, Pure and Luxe trims are standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive is available for both. QX60 Sport and Autograph are standard with all-wheel drive. The MDX follows a similar pattern, with the base and Technology Package available in either drivetrain, while A-Spec and above are all-wheel drive.
Quiz
Infiniti QX60 trivia
Read on and test your knowledge
From its debut year to its standout features — put your Infiniti QX60 knowledge to the test.
HistoryPerformanceDesignFeaturesRivals
In what year did the Infiniti QX60 first go on sale as a production vehicle?
Correct! The Infiniti QX60 debuted for the 2013 model year, going on sale in 2012. It replaced the JX35 nameplate and brought a fresh identity to Infiniti’s three-row SUV lineup.
Not quite — the QX60 first went on sale in 2012 as a 2013 model year vehicle. It was introduced to replace the short-lived JX35 and has been a staple of Infiniti’s lineup ever since.
What is the engine displacement of the standard V6 engine found in the second-generation Infiniti QX60?
That’s right! The QX60 is powered by a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine, producing around 295 horsepower. It’s a smooth, refined powertrain well-suited to family hauling duties.
The correct answer is 3.5 liters. The QX60’s 3.5-liter V6 puts out approximately 295 horsepower and is paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission in the second-generation model.
How many rows of seating does the Infiniti QX60 offer as standard?
Correct! The QX60 is a three-row SUV, offering seating for up to seven or eight passengers depending on configuration. This makes it a popular choice for larger families seeking a luxury hauler.
The QX60 comes standard with three rows of seating. It accommodates up to seven or eight passengers, positioning it as a direct competitor in the three-row luxury SUV segment.
What was the Infiniti QX60 originally sold as before receiving the QX60 name?
Correct! The QX60 was originally introduced as the Infiniti JX35 for the 2013 model year. Infiniti rebranded its entire lineup shortly after, renaming the JX35 to QX60 starting with the 2014 model year.
The original name was the Infiniti JX35, not any of the other options. Infiniti launched a company-wide renaming strategy in 2014, and the JX35 became the QX60 as part of that overhaul.
Which advanced driver assistance technology did Infiniti offer on the QX60 to help with highway driving?
That’s right! Infiniti’s ProPilot Assist is a single-lane driver assistance system available on the QX60 that combines adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance on highways.
The correct answer is ProPilot Assist — Infiniti’s own semi-autonomous highway driving system. Super Cruise is GM’s technology, Autopilot belongs to Tesla, and BlueCruise is Ford’s offering.
What type of transmission does the second-generation Infiniti QX60 use?
Correct! The second-generation QX60 moved to a new 9-speed automatic transmission, replacing the CVT used in the first-generation model. This change was widely praised for improving the driving experience.
The second-generation QX60 uses a 9-speed automatic transmission. The first-generation model actually used a CVT, but Infiniti swapped it out in the redesigned 2022 model to improve performance feel.
Which of the following is considered a direct competitor to the Infiniti QX60 in the three-row luxury SUV segment?
Spot on! The Acura MDX is one of the QX60’s closest competitors, sharing a similar footprint, price range, and target audience of luxury-seeking families. Both offer three rows and refined all-wheel-drive systems.
The Acura MDX is the closest match here. The Cadillac Escalade, BMW X7, and Lincoln Navigator are larger and more expensive full-size luxury SUVs, while the QX60 competes in the midsize three-row luxury class.
What generation of the QX60 introduced the completely redesigned exterior with a new ‘Artistry in Motion’ styling language?
Correct! The 2022 model year brought the most significant redesign in the QX60’s history, featuring sharper styling, a more upscale interior, and Infiniti’s updated design philosophy. It was a generational leap forward for the nameplate.
The full redesign came with the 2022 model year, which was the biggest overhaul the QX60 had ever received. Earlier updates were largely incremental, but the 2022 version introduced new styling, a revamped cabin, and a new transmission.
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Regardless of the drivetrain, at nearly every level, these two SUVs are separated by mere dollars. That near-identical starting point means the decision comes down to what each vehicle actually delivers for the money.
Both SUVs can accommodate six or seven passengers, depending on the trim level. The QX60 Pure and Luxe offer a seven-passenger bench in the second row, while the Sport and Autograph come with captain’s chairs for six. The MDX features a removable center seat in the second row, allowing it to switch between configurations without a fixed layout, which may be advantageous for some buyers.
The QX60’s clearest advantage over the MDX comes at the hitch, offering a max towing capacity of 6,000 lbs. when properly equipped, versus the 5,000 lbs. max rating of the MDX.
- Base Trim Engine
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3.5L V6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-speed automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
Two different powertrains
Traditional V6 vs. four-cylinder turbo
The 2026 Acura MDX has a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 producing 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft. of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic. Acura has used a variant of this V6 in the MDX since its launch in 2000, refining it over the years for better efficiency.
One of those refinements is Acura’s Variable Cylinder Management system, which shuts down three of the six cylinders during light-load driving, such as highway cruising, to stretch fuel economy.
All-wheel drive on the MDX comes via Acura’s SH-AWD system, short for Super Handling All-Wheel Drive. The system distributes torque left-to-right at the rear axle, sending more power to the outside rear wheel through a corner. The result is a vehicle that rotates more naturally through turns and resists the understeer that a conventional all-wheel drive system can cause.
While Acura opts for a naturally aspirated engine, Infiniti goes the turbocharging route.
Infiniti removed the QX60’s larger V6 for the 2025 model year, replacing it with a 2.0-liter variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo for short) that creates 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft. of torque. The turbocharged four-cylinder, paired with a nine-speed automatic, remains the standard engine for the 2026 model year, though Infiniti added new mounting structures to reduce overall engine noise for a quieter ride.
When it launched in 2018, the VC-Turbo was the world’s first production variable compression engine. It uses a multi-link system to raise or lower the pistons in real time, adjusting the compression ratio based on what the driver is asking of the engine. Under light loads, it runs a higher compression ratio for efficiency; under heavier loads, it drops the ratio for more power.
- Radar Band Detection
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X, K, Ka
- Companion App
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Drive Smarter
The Escort MAX 360c MKII is the follow-up to the standard MAX 360c radar detector. This enhanced version features longer-range detection with its updated dual-antenna platform and increased false alert filtering through Blackfin DSP integration.
Fuel economy and factory warranty coverage
QX60 offers more mpg combined
On fuel economy, the QX60 does better than the MDX regardless of which drivetrain you choose. The EPA figures are as follows:
- 2026 Infiniti QX60 FWD: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg
- 2026 Infiniti QX60 AWD: 22 city / 27 highway / 24 combined mpg
- 2026 Acura MDX FWD: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg
- 2026 Acura MDX SH-AWD: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg
Power and performance are where the MDX pulls ahead, but buyers will have to jump to the top of the range for the privilege. The MDX Type S Advance brings a 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged V6 producing 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft. of torque. Brembo front brakes and an adaptive air suspension are also standard.
While the QX60 Sport is standard with all-wheel drive, it’s more of a styling package. The MDX Type S has no direct competitor in the QX60 lineup.
Meanwhile, every QX60 comes with a four-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. The MDX matches the QX60’s six-year/70,000-mile powertrain coverage but falls slightly short on bumper-to-bumper coverage at four-year/50,000-miles.
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NASA-inspired vs. performance-focused interior
Two top-tier audio systems
The QX60’s cabin is built around Zero Gravity seats, a design that draws on NASA research into how the human body positions itself in a weightless environment. The idea is that if you can keep a driver in a more neutral posture, it reduces the constant pressure gravity places on the spine during long commutes. Fourteen pressure points support the body from the pelvis to the chest, which helps maintain blood flow and reduce fatigue on longer trips.
In the Autograph trim, those seats are wrapped in semi-aniline leather with kimono-inspired stitching and open-pore ash wood trim, a combination that the engineers at Infiniti have cited as a personal favorite.
The MDX takes a more performance-oriented approach to its interior. Sport seats are standard across most trims and feature more lateral support for cornering. The Advance Package upgrades to 16-way power adjustability with a nine-way massage function (the QX60 Autograph also includes a massage function, so both vehicles offer it at their respective top trims).
For audio, the MDX Type S Advance features a Bang & Olufsen Ultra Sound System with 31 speakers, while the QX60 utilizes two versions of its Klipsch audio system, depending on the trim level. The Luxe has a 16-speaker system, while the Autograph has the Reference Premiere system with 20 speakers.
Speaker count favors the MDX, though the Klipsch system adds an Individual Audio mode that lets the driver hear music, phone calls, and navigation prompts without disturbing other passengers.
Both vehicles come with dual 12.3-inch displays, Google built-in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
QX60 is a strong alternative
Choosing between the Infiniti QX60 and the Acura MDX is one of the closer calls in the three-row luxury SUV segment. The MDX earned its reputation over 25 years, and it backs that up for 2026 with a refined V6 engine, a performance-focused Type S option, and driver-focused interior tech.
The Infiniti QX60 answers with better fuel economy, a longer powertrain warranty, higher towing capacity, and a cabin designed around reducing fatigue on longer drives.
When two vehicles are this close in price across all trim levels, those differences become the real deciding factors.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
May 07, 2026