When Acura presented the primary MDX in overdue 2000, it modified what patrons anticipated from a luxurious SUV. Ahead of it arrived, maximum three-row SUVs had been constructed on truck frames, which made them succesful off-road and for towing, however a little tough at the travel now and then. The MDX used to be other with its car-based unibody platform, which gave it a quieter, smoother journey with out sacrificing house for seven passengers.
Car newshounds and business insiders spotted instantly. The 2001 Acura MDX took house each the North American Truck of the 12 months and Motor Development SUV of the 12 months awards, and it stays The us’s best-selling three-row luxurious SUV.
But the three-row Eastern luxurious section has gotten extra aggressive, and households buying groceries on this house have extra to imagine than ever ahead of. Infiniti used the QX60’s 2026 refresh to near the space at the MDX in significant techniques, updating the outside design, refining the powertrain, and including era that used to be in the past reserved for costlier automobiles.
The result’s a QX60 that makes a more potent case for itself than it has in years previous, and at a worth that lands virtually precisely the place the MDX does.
Whilst Acura defines the luxurious enjoy thru performance-focused engineering and a nameplate that has crowned the section for 25 years, Infiniti has pivoted towards a tech-centric way that leverages aerospace analysis to resolve an overly terrestrial downside: motive force fatigue.
- Base Trim Engine
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2.0-liter turbo inline-4
- Base Trim Transmission
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9-speed automated
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Entrance-Wheel Power
The beginning value hole
As low as $10 in some cases
The 2026 Infiniti QX60 has a noticeably decrease beginning MSRP than different luxurious competitors, as an example, when in comparison to the Volvo XC90 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. In opposition to the 2026 Acura MDX, then again, the variation is nearly not anything:
- QX60 Natural (FWD): $51,890 / MDX (FWD): $51,800
- QX60 Luxe (AWD): $59,390 / MDX with Generation Bundle (SH-AWD): $59,400
- QX60 Recreation (AWD-only): $62,390 / MDX A-Spec (SH-AWD): $62,400
- QX60 Autograph (AWD-only): $66,890 / MDX with Advance Bundle (SH-AWD): $66,900
At the QX60, Natural and Luxe trims are same old with front-wheel power, whilst all-wheel power is to be had for each. QX60 Recreation and Autograph are same old with all-wheel power. The MDX follows a identical development, with the bottom and Generation Bundle to be had in both drivetrain, whilst A-Spec and above are all-wheel power.
Quiz
Infiniti QX60 minutiae
Learn on and check your wisdom
From its debut 12 months to its standout options — put your Infiniti QX60 wisdom to the check.
Historical pastEfficiencyDesignOptionsCompetitors
In what 12 months did the Infiniti QX60 first cross on sale as a manufacturing car?
Proper! The Infiniti QX60 debuted for the 2013 fashion 12 months, happening sale in 2012. It changed the JX35 nameplate and taken a contemporary id to Infiniti’s three-row SUV lineup.
No longer relatively — the QX60 first went on sale in 2012 as a 2013 fashion 12 months car. It used to be presented to switch the short-lived JX35 and has been a staple of Infiniti’s lineup ever since.
What’s the engine displacement of the usual V6 engine discovered within the second-generation Infiniti QX60?
That is appropriate! The QX60 is powered via a three.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine, generating round 295 horsepower. It is a clean, delicate powertrain well-suited to circle of relatives hauling tasks.
The right kind solution is 3.5 liters. The QX60’s 3.5-liter V6 places out roughly 295 horsepower and is paired with a 9-speed automated transmission within the second-generation fashion.
What number of rows of seating does the Infiniti QX60 be offering as same old?
Proper! The QX60 is a three-row SUV, providing seating for as much as seven or 8 passengers relying on configuration. This makes it a well-liked selection for greater households in search of a luxurious hauler.
The QX60 comes same old with 3 rows of seating. It incorporates as much as seven or 8 passengers, positioning it as an instantaneous competitor within the three-row luxurious SUV section.
What used to be the Infiniti QX60 at the beginning offered as ahead of receiving the QX60 identify?
Proper! The QX60 used to be at the beginning presented because the Infiniti JX35 for the 2013 fashion 12 months. Infiniti rebranded its complete lineup in a while after, renaming the JX35 to QX60 beginning with the 2014 fashion 12 months.
The unique identify used to be the Infiniti JX35, no longer any of the opposite choices. Infiniti introduced a company-wide renaming technique in 2014, and the JX35 changed into the QX60 as a part of that overhaul.
Which complex motive force help era did Infiniti be offering at the QX60 to lend a hand with freeway riding?
That is appropriate! Infiniti’s ProPilot Lend a hand is a single-lane motive force help device to be had at the QX60 that mixes adaptive cruise keep watch over with lane-centering help on highways.
The right kind solution is ProPilot Lend a hand — Infiniti’s personal semi-autonomous freeway riding device. Tremendous Cruise is GM’s era, Autopilot belongs to Tesla, and BlueCruise is Ford’s providing.
What form of transmission does the second-generation Infiniti QX60 use?
Proper! The second one-generation QX60 moved to a brand new 9-speed automated transmission, changing the CVT used within the first-generation fashion. This variation used to be broadly praised for making improvements to the riding enjoy.
The second one-generation QX60 makes use of a 9-speed automated transmission. The primary-generation fashion in fact used a CVT, however Infiniti swapped it out within the redesigned 2022 fashion to enhance functionality really feel.
Which of the next is thought of as an instantaneous competitor to the Infiniti QX60 within the three-row luxurious SUV section?
Spot on! The Acura MDX is likely one of the QX60’s closest competition, sharing a identical footprint, value differ, and target market of luxury-seeking households. Each be offering 3 rows and delicate all-wheel-drive techniques.
The Acura MDX is the nearest fit right here. The Cadillac Escalade, BMW X7, and Lincoln Navigator are greater and costlier full-size luxurious SUVs, whilst the QX60 competes within the midsize three-row luxurious elegance.
What technology of the QX60 presented the utterly redesigned external with a brand new ‘Artistry in Movement’ styling language?
Proper! The 2022 fashion 12 months introduced essentially the most vital redesign within the QX60’s historical past, that includes sharper styling, a extra upscale inside, and Infiniti’s up to date design philosophy. It used to be a generational bounce ahead for the nameplate.
The overall redesign got here with the 2022 fashion 12 months, which used to be the largest overhaul the QX60 had ever gained. Previous updates had been in large part incremental, however the 2022 model presented new styling, a made over cabin, and a brand new transmission.
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Without reference to the drivetrain, at just about each and every stage, those two SUVs are separated via mere bucks. That near-identical start line way the verdict comes all the way down to what every car in fact delivers for the cash.
Each SUVs can accommodate six or seven passengers, relying at the trim stage. The QX60 Natural and Luxe be offering a seven-passenger bench in the second one row, whilst the Recreation and Autograph include captain’s chairs for 6. The MDX includes a detachable middle seat in the second one row, permitting it to change between configurations with no mounted format, that may be nice for some patrons.
The QX60’s clearest benefit over the MDX comes on the hitch, providing a max towing capability of 6,000 lbs. when correctly supplied, as opposed to the 5,000 lbs. max score of the MDX.
- Base Trim Engine
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3.5L V6 ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
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10-speed automated
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Entrance-Wheel Power
Two other powertrains
Conventional V6 vs. four-cylinder turbo
The 2026 Acura MDX has a three.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 generating 290 horsepower and 267 lb-ft. of torque, paired with a 10-speed automated. Acura has used a variant of this V6 within the MDX since its release in 2000, refining it over time for higher potency.
A kind of refinements is Acura’s Variable Cylinder Control device, which shuts down 3 of the six cylinders all over light-load riding, reminiscent of freeway cruising, to stretch gasoline financial system.
All-wheel power at the MDX comes by the use of Acura’s SH-AWD device, quick for Tremendous Dealing with All-Wheel Power. The device distributes torque left-to-right on the rear axle, sending extra energy to the outdoor rear wheel thru a nook. The result’s a car that rotates extra naturally thru turns and resists the understeer {that a} standard all-wheel power device may cause.
Whilst Acura opts for a naturally aspirated engine, Infiniti is going the turbocharging path.
Infiniti got rid of the QX60’s greater V6 for the 2025 fashion 12 months, changing it with a 2.0-liter variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo for brief) that creates 268 horsepower and 286 lb-ft. of torque. The turbocharged four-cylinder, paired with a nine-speed automated, stays the usual engine for the 2026 fashion 12 months, although Infiniti added new mounting buildings to scale back total engine noise for a quieter journey.
When it introduced in 2018, the VC-Turbo used to be the sector’s first manufacturing variable compression engine. It makes use of a multi-link device to boost or decrease the pistons in actual time, adjusting the compression ratio in accordance with what the driving force is looking of the engine. Beneath gentle rather a lot, it runs a better compression ratio for potency; underneath heavier rather a lot, it drops the ratio for extra energy.
- Radar Band Detection
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X, Okay, Ka
- Significant other App
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Power Smarter
The Escort MAX 360c MKII is the follow-up to the usual MAX 360c radar detector. This enhanced model options longer-range detection with its up to date dual-antenna platform and larger false alert filtering thru Blackfin DSP integration.
Gasoline financial system and manufacturing facility guaranty protection
QX60 gives extra mpg blended
On gasoline financial system, the QX60 does higher than the MDX irrespective of which drivetrain you select. The EPA figures are as follows:
- 2026 Infiniti QX60 FWD: 22 town / 28 freeway / 24 blended mpg
- 2026 Infiniti QX60 AWD: 22 town / 27 freeway / 24 blended mpg
- 2026 Acura MDX FWD: 19 town / 26 freeway / 22 blended mpg
- 2026 Acura MDX SH-AWD: 19 town / 25 freeway / 21 blended mpg
Energy and function are the place the MDX pulls forward, however patrons must bounce to the top quality for the privilege. The MDX Sort S Advance brings a three.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged V6 generating 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft. of torque. Brembo entrance brakes and an adaptive air suspension also are same old.
Whilst the QX60 Recreation is same old with all-wheel power, it’s extra of a styling bundle. The MDX Sort S has no direct competitor within the QX60 lineup.
In the meantime, each and every QX60 comes with a four-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper guaranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain guaranty. The MDX fits the QX60’s six-year/70,000-mile powertrain protection however falls quite quick on bumper-to-bumper protection at four-year/50,000-miles.
I ran a dealership specific lube—those 4 products and services lend a hand your vehicle closing 200,000 miles
With new vehicle costs at an all-time top, I’ve resolved to stay my present car so long as conceivable.
NASA-inspired vs. performance-focused inside
Two top-tier audio techniques
The QX60’s cabin is constructed round 0 Gravity seats, a design that attracts on NASA analysis into how the human frame positions itself in a weightless setting. The theory is if you’ll be able to stay a motive force in a extra impartial posture, it reduces the consistent power gravity puts at the backbone all over lengthy commutes. Fourteen power issues strengthen the frame from the pelvis to the chest, which is helping handle blood drift and cut back fatigue on longer journeys.
Within the Autograph trim, the ones seats are wrapped in semi-aniline leather-based with kimono-inspired sewing and open-pore ash picket trim, a mix that the engineers at Infiniti have cited as a private favourite.
The MDX takes a extra performance-oriented way to its inside. Recreation seats are same old throughout maximum trims and have extra lateral strengthen for cornering. The Advance Bundle upgrades to 16-way energy adjustability with a nine-way therapeutic massage serve as (the QX60 Autograph additionally features a therapeutic massage serve as, so each automobiles be offering it at their respective height trims).
For audio, the MDX Sort S Advance includes a Bang & Olufsen Extremely Sound Device with 31 audio system, whilst the QX60 makes use of two variations of its Klipsch audio device, relying at the trim stage. The Luxe has a 16-speaker device, whilst the Autograph has the Reference Premiere device with 20 audio system.
Speaker rely favors the MDX, although the Klipsch device provides an Particular person Audio mode that shall we the driving force listen song, telephone calls, and navigation activates with out aggravating different passengers.
Each automobiles include twin 12.3-inch presentations, Google integrated, and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
QX60 is a robust selection
Opting for between the Infiniti QX60 and the Acura MDX is likely one of the nearer calls within the three-row luxurious SUV section. The MDX earned its recognition over 25 years, and it backs that up for 2026 with a polished V6 engine, a performance-focused Sort S choice, and driver-focused inside tech.
The Infiniti QX60 solutions with higher gasoline financial system, an extended powertrain guaranty, upper towing capability, and a cabin designed round lowering fatigue on longer drives.
When two automobiles are this shut in value throughout all trim ranges, the ones variations develop into the true deciding components.
