Comparing the
Acura MDX vs INFINITI QX60

2026 Acura MDX vs 2027 INFINITI QX60: Fast Facts

Two Three-Row SUVs with Different Priorities

The 2027 INFINITI QX60 is strongest as a comfort-first luxury crossover. Its appeal comes from a quiet family-SUV personality, available upscale cabin materials, useful efficiency, and a higher maximum tow rating. It is a good fit for shoppers who want their three-row SUV to feel calm and refined rather than sporty.

The 2026 Acura MDX serves a more active role. It still offers three-row utility, but its V6 power, available SH-AWD, suspension tuning, and Type S option give it a stronger performance identity. The MDX is better suited to drivers who want a premium SUV that feels responsive, not just roomy.

2026 Acura MDX vs 2027 INFINITI QX60 Trims & Pricing

The MDX and QX60 start within a very narrow price range, so this comparison should not be decided by entry MSRP alone. Acura lists the 2026 MDX from $51,800, while INFINITI lists the 2027 QX60 from $51,890. At the starting point, both are premium three-row SUVs positioned for shoppers who want something more refined than a mainstream family crossover.

INFINITI keeps the QX60 lineup simple with PURE, LUXE, SPORT, and AUTOGRAPH trims. Acura gives the MDX a deeper package ladder, with Technology, A-Spec, Advance, A-Spec Advance, and Type S Advance configurations. That gives shoppers more ways to choose between luxury features, appearance, SH-AWD availability, and performance character.

2026 Acura MDX vs 2027 INFINITI QX60 Performance

This is the section where the Acura MDX makes its strongest case. The QX60 has useful torque from its VC-Turbo engine, and for many relaxed drivers, its powertrain will be completely acceptable. It is built for smooth family driving, not aggressive response. That is not a flaw if the buyer values calmness more than speed.

The MDX starts from a stronger performance position. Its 3.5L V6 produces 290 horsepower, and the 10-speed automatic transmission gives it a broader, more natural feel during passing, merging, and grade changes. The MDX also has a chassis advantage that does not show up in horsepower alone. Its double-wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear suspension help the SUV feel more precise and composed than many comfort-first three-row crossovers.

For shoppers comparing the MDX vs QX60 around Boulder, that difference can show up in ordinary driving moments: merging onto US 36, passing slower traffic on CO 119, or wanting a larger SUV that still feels connected from the driver’s seat. The MDX does not need to be driven hard to feel different. It simply gives the driver more confidence when the road, traffic, or weather changes.

The MDX Type S Advance widens the gap further. Its 355-horsepower turbocharged V6, standard SH-AWD, adaptive air suspension, Brembo front brakes, and performance-focused tuning give Acura a version of the MDX that the QX60 does not directly answer.

AWD, Weather Confidence & Road Control

Both SUVs offer available all-wheel drive, and both can make sense for Colorado drivers who want extra traction confidence. The important distinction is how central AWD is to each vehicle’s identity. In the QX60, available Intelligent AWD supports traction and stability for family driving. In the MDX, available Super Handling All-Wheel Drive is part of Acura’s performance personality.

SH-AWD is not just about helping the SUV get moving in poor weather. It is designed to support handling by actively managing power delivery. That gives the MDX a more confident feel when accelerating through curves, changing lanes, or driving on roads where grip and surface conditions vary.

For Fisher Acura shoppers, this is where the MDX fits the local driving environment well. Boulder-area drivers often move between suburban streets, highway commutes, foothill access, winter mornings, and longer Front Range trips. The QX60 AWD system is useful, but the MDX SH-AWD story is more closely tied to confident driving feel.

Towing & Fuel Economy: Two Clear QX60 Strengths

The INFINITI QX60 deserves credit in two practical areas: towing and fuel economy. When properly equipped, the 2027 QX60 is rated for up to 6,000 lbs of towing capacity, while the 2026 Acura MDX is rated up to 5,000 lbs with SH-AWD or up to 3,500 lbs with front-wheel drive.

The QX60 also has the fuel-economy advantage. INFINITI lists the 2027 QX60 at 21 city / 27 highway / 24 combined MPG. The MDX uses more fuel, with ratings up to 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG in front-wheel-drive form and lower estimates for SH-AWD and Type S configurations.

That does not make the QX60 the better SUV for every shopper. It means the QX60 is the more practical pick when towing capacity and efficiency are higher priorities. The MDX asks for more fuel and gives up some towing advantage, but it returns stronger power, sharper response, and a broader performance range.

Interior Space, Seating & Cargo Flexibility

The QX60 and MDX both work as premium family SUVs, but they create comfort in different ways. The QX60 leans into a softer luxury-cabin personality, especially on higher trims. Available premium cabin materials, available massaging front seats, and available Klipsch audio give the INFINITI a calm, polished character.

The MDX feels more Acura-specific from the driver’s seat. Its cabin is tech-rich, practical, and built around a more performance-minded SUV identity. The removable second-row middle seat is one of its most useful family features because it lets owners choose between a seven-passenger layout and easier third-row access depending on the day.

The QX60 counters with available second-row captain’s chairs on SPORT and AUTOGRAPH trims. That six-passenger layout can be attractive for families who prefer a clear walkway to the third row or want a more lounge-like second-row feel. The tradeoff is that captain’s chairs reduce total seating capacity compared with a seven-seat configuration.

Third-row expectations should remain realistic in both SUVs. These are midsize luxury three-row models, not full-size SUVs. The third row is best for children, shorter passengers, or occasional adult use. The second row is where both models feel most comfortable for adults, while cargo needs will depend heavily on how often the third row is in use.

Technology, Safety & Driver Assistance

Both SUVs cover the premium-tech basics well, including large digital displays, wireless smartphone integration, available premium audio, and modern driver-assistance features. The difference is how those features support each SUV’s character.

The QX60 uses technology to support a calmer luxury experience, especially through available upper-trim audio, comfort, and cabin convenience features. The MDX feels more driver-focused, with a standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch center display, available Bang & Olufsen audio, available surround-view support, and AcuraWatch driver-assistive technology.

For families, the practical value comes from visibility, charging access, audio quality, parking support, and driver-assistance systems that reduce daily friction. Neither SUV should be judged only by screen size; the better fit depends on whether the shopper wants a softer luxury environment or a more performance-oriented Acura cabin.

What Third-Party Reviewers Say About the MDX & QX60

Third-party reviews are most helpful here because they confirm the tradeoff behind the specs. Car and Driver’s MDX review supports the idea that Acura’s three-row SUV is one of the more engaging options in the class, but it also keeps expectations realistic by noting modest fuel economy, a third row that is not adult-focused, and an interior that is not the plushest among luxury rivals.

The QX60 review points in the opposite direction. Car and Driver gives INFINITI credit for attractive styling, an upscale and practical cabin, and decent fuel economy, while noting that acceleration trails some rivals and that second-row captain’s chairs are limited to higher trims. That helps define the QX60 as polished and comfortable, but not especially sporty.

Together, those reviews support a fair comparison: the MDX is the more engaging SUV, while the QX60 is the more comfort-led choice with real practical strengths.

Should You Choose the Acura MDX or INFINITI QX60?

The final decision comes down to what the SUV needs to do most often. The MDX is the better match for drivers who want three-row practicality with stronger road feel, better performance depth, and available SH-AWD confidence. The QX60 is the better match for shoppers who put towing, efficiency, and relaxed cabin comfort first.

Neither SUV is the wrong answer. They simply prioritize different parts of the luxury-family SUV experience. The MDX feels more active and performance-minded; the QX60 feels calmer and more traditional in its luxury approach.