Stephanie Wallcraft: Entry-level luxury can be a very appealing prospect. For those at a point in their lives where they can afford to upgrade from the mainstream but don’t need or want to spend the maximum amount possible, brands such as Acura and Infiniti — and Lexus, Buick, GMC, and a few others — offer a happy middle ground that doesn’t need to break the bank.
If you’re looking for a three-row luxury SUV that fits this description, then you’ve likely already started looking up the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60, two family haulers in the gateway-to-luxury space that were redesigned for the 2022 model year. These two vehicles, as different as they are in character, are a natural pairing for a comparison because their size and price make them fit so well into the lives of affluent suburban families.
Both vehicles we’re looking at here are at the top of their range. For the Acura MDX, that means we’re looking at the Platinum Elite trim, which with its $500 extra Liquid Carbon Metallic paint rings in at $71,906, including the $2,375 destination charge and other fees.
On the Infiniti QX60 side, it’s the Autograph trim we’re examining. With the two-tone paint being the only extra-cost option, this QX60 sells for $71,090 including a $2,095 destination charge, making this an extremely fair comparison on the pricing front.
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
Time to throw this over to Driving.ca’s Online Editor, Renita Naraine. Renita, what stands out appearance-wise for you on these two family-friendly SUVs?
Renita Naraine: As you mentioned during our shoot, for luxury vehicles, “appearance is everything.” And as Driving’s David Booth noted in his first look of the SUV, the new QX60 was made to look more muscular, giving a sense of “power and serenity.” I don’t know if I’d call it muscular, but it’s definitely a looker. The two-tone paint job works nicely and I like that pop of black across the top, as opposed to a fully dark-coloured vehicle that’s plain and boring. The Deep Bordeaux (red) paint costs an extra $1,000, but it’s a great colour — the only paint option that doesn’t have an additional cost isn’t two-tone, it’s just Mineral Black. The QX60 looks sleek and modern, but still ready to take on a large family with messy children.
On the other hand, The MDX isn’t quite as sleek-looking — but it’s got a lot of other great qualities that we’ll get to very soon. I think the MDX looks flat, somewhat short and stubby, for a lack of better terms. In reality, it is quite a bit shorter than the QX60, but it isn’t nearly as wide; the QX60 is roughly 185 mm wider, but only 57 mm taller. I’m not a huge fan of the MDX’s nose that juts out at the front, just a bit too much for my liking. That said, the nose isn’t bothersome from the inside. I assumed it would obstruct the view, but in fact, I found the MDX to give me a better surrounding view of the vehicle from the driver’s seat than the QX60.
And that leads me to question if looks really are everything, especially when it comes to luxury. What do you think, Steph?
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
SW: Looks, emotion, and a perception of spending one’s hard-earned dollars on the best vehicle for their needs: these are all key to success in the luxury market.
To that end, drive feel counts enormously toward how a driver feels about a given ride, so let’s dig into what’s hiding under these hoods.
The QX60 shares a platform with the also-recently-redesigned Nissan Pathfinder, including the same engine and transmission. The engine is a carryover from the previous generation of both, a 3.5-litre normally aspirated V6 producing 295 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. However, the continuously variable transmission the last QX60 came with has been dropped in favour of a nine-speed automatic. Infiniti has pulled this off without generating a big difference in fuel consumption: the last generation ended its Natural Resources Canada ratings at 10.0 L/100 km combined, while the 2022 QX60 measures up at 10.8 L/100 km combined. Luxury buyers will care less about that than they do about how much the new transmission improves the drive experience, though: without a turbocharger to help it along, having plenty of tight lower gears helps get this sizeable girth around with more vigour than it would have otherwise. As for the all-wheel drive system, the QX60 comes with Infiniti’s updated Intelligent All-wheel Drive, which operates on demand and uses a direct coupling mechanism to engage the rear axle more quickly, where up to 50 percent of available torque can be sent. There’s also a brake-based torque vectoring system that can direct more power to the rear wheel with more grip.
In the MDX, engine and power specifications are very similar: a 3.5-litre V6, also normally aspirated, creates 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. The previous version of the MDX came with a nine-speed automatic, while the new generation sees a 10-speed automatic equipped. Like the QX60, the MDX feels more energetic at lower speeds than similarly sized vehicles without turbocharging. Where the MDX stands out is in the included adaptive damping system—which is standard equipment, a major advantage at this price point—and in its Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system. This full-time system sends between 10 and 70 percent of available torque to the rear wheels on demand, and torque vectoring on the rear axle is supplied by delivering additional power to the outside wheel through an individual clutch for improved cornering performance without braking. Using a full-time AWD system means the fuel consumption figures are slightly higher, landing at 11.2 L/100 km combined, although the use of Honda’s i-VTEC valve timing technology helps by allowing a driver’s individual style and inputs to more directly impact on the MDX’s overall efficiency.
Too long, didn’t read? Both vehicles drive well, though neither is a sports car, and both have the systems Canadians are looking for to get through nasty conditions. However, on dry pavement, the MDX’s adaptive dampers and SH-AWD give it an edge on winding back roads.
Another critical factor in the luxury segment, as far as three-row SUVs go, is how spacious, high-quality, and user-friendly owners find the interior environment. Renita, how did your family of five enjoy these two vehicles?
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite Photo by Clayton Seams
RN: There’s no shortage of seating space in these three-rows (I’ll get back to that in the next paragraph) — however, if you’re looking for cargo space with that third row up, then you’ll need a minivan, which isn’t a part of this comparison. The MDX has a bit more cargo space than the QX60, in a matter of actual dimensions behind the third row, 461L and 411L, respectively, and both SUVs have a generous amount of usable space. While the MDX wins with the third row up, it’s the QX60 that has more room with the third row folded, with 1,107L in the Acura and 1,187L in the Infiniti. Usually, I appreciate the 60/40 split because it allows two seats to still be used in the third row, while opening up more usable cargo space. However, both of these SUVs only have two seats in the third row. The QX60 still has a 60/40 split, which seems pointless, but there’s a small area in between the two seats that has a little area (perfectly sized to place a phone, though it’s not a charger — missed opportunity?), making it impossible for it to be a 50/50 split. The MDX doesn’t have that area, but instead, it is divided into the two seats and adds a bit of extra space for the passenger, also making the third row a 50/50 folding split.
There’s an adequate amount of legroom in both vehicles, with the MDX winning by small amounts in the second and third row — 977 mm in the second row, 738 mm in the third, and 906 mm and 712 mm in the QX60. If I’m driving, the passenger behind me has a lot more legroom, and if one of my kids are sitting behind me, then there’s a lot of space in the third row of either vehicle. Both vehicles can come as a seven-seater, but the tested QX60 was a six-seater — two in the front, two in the middle, two in the back. I don’t mind this setup for smaller families, but for my larger-ish family, I preferred the seven-seater MDX for one major reason: its ability to change from a seven to a six seater and vice versa. The middle seat in the MDX can transform from a seat, to a centre console with cupholders, or it can be completely removed. The MDX got major family-friendly points for that! But the QX60 quickly redeems itself. While the MDX’s middle row outboard seats can quickly fold down to provide access to the third row, the QX60 has those tilting seats, meaning passengers can quickly get back there, even if there’s a car seat strapped in the middle row. That’s a huge deal for me as I’ve spent many years with some combination of three car seats in a vehicle, and it’s annoying to have to remove any of them, for any reason.
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Renita Naraine
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
SW: Now, it’s unusual to combine interior design and infotainment into the same discussion, but to my mind, these contrasting factors are worth considering together in these two vehicles.
Let’s start with the QX60. Bearing in mind that design taste is entirely personal, to my eye the QX60 is a little less refined. There are striking details in this Autograph grade such as the wood details, but the quilting on top of the dashboard and the single-pane climate control panel combine into a look I find busy. However, there’s simplicity where it counts: Infiniti’s 12.3-inch infotainment system isn’t fancy, but it is intuitive and easy to learn. There’s also wireless Apple CarPlay (but not Android Auto, unfortunately), which is a very convenient combination with the available easy-access wireless phone charger. Plus, the Autograph grade comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.8-inch head-up display. From a technology perspective, the QX60 is pleasant, user-friendly, and largely free of hassle.
And then there’s the MDX. I deeply appreciate the attention to detail in Acura’s interior design. Stitching is tight and not overdone, the lines are subtle but striking, and the colours in our test unit look modern and stylish. Even the ambient lighting, which can very easily become overdone, adds class to the interior rather than taking away from it. But the infotainment system, sadly, is a near deal-breaker. To Acura’s credit, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are wireless, the digital instrument cluster and wireless charging pad are standard, and this Platinum Elite trim also comes with a colour head-up display. But the rest of the technology is, in a word, awful. The screen is not touch-activated, so the only way to interact with the system is to use the touchpad. Acura has calibrated it a little differently from most touchpad-operated systems, namely by aligning the touch point on the pad with the corresponding point on the screen, in an attempt to make it more intuitive. In my experience, though, this makes it even more difficult to use. When I get into the car, I let my phone connect to CarPlay and use the steering wheel controls, then hope really hard that I don’t actually need to interact with the infotainment system for anything while I’m driving because it’s difficult to the point of distraction.
2022 Acura MDX Platinum Elite vs 2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph Photo by Clayton Seams
RN: I agree, that touchpad is awful and takes away from an otherwise great vehicle.
When it comes to safety features, both SUVs are well-equipped. The MDX has standard lane keeping assist and lane departure warning with steering wheel haptic feedback — which I much prefer over the feedback that vibrates my bottom — as well as forward collision warning, low-speed braking control, and a great surround view camera, among other features. The QX60 includes all of those same safety features, but this Autograph trim (as well as other trims, excluding the base model) also comes equipped with ProPILOT assist, meaning there’s a semi-autonomous ability that allows the car to keep itself in a lane, as well as adjust its distance behind vehicles. I haven’t quite jumped on board with autonomous-anything, but I’m sure some owners will use it to its advantage; maybe it just takes some time to get used to it.
So, have you decided on a winner of this luxury comparison?
SW: For me, the Acura MDX is the right choice. I prefer its drive dynamics and interior usability and refinement. The glaring exception is the infotainment system, but there’s so much value in the MDX otherwise that I would likely decide to hold my nose and live with it. Acura’s come close to delivering an ideal family-friendly luxury three-row SUV here. I’ve got my fingers crossed that a future update will see the automaker install a touchscreen-operated system that would make it even better.
RN: We don’t often see eye-to-eye when it comes to making a final decision, but this time, we’re on the same page. I really did like the QX60 (minus the massaging seats that feel like someone is repeatedly kicking the seat from behind), but when it comes to the overall package, the MDX is the winner for me, as well.
Keyword: SUV Comparison: 2022 Infiniti QX60 Autograph vs Acura MDX Platinum Elite