2019 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Acura MDX

The 2019 INFINITI QX80, despite its age, maintained a commanding presence with its elegant front end, restyled in 2018 to align with other Infiniti models like the QX50 and Q60. The QX80's nose featured slim, slanted LED headlights flanking a curved rectangular grille with a classic crosshatch pattern. The hood and front bumper had sensuous curves that contrasted with the upright, boxy profile starting behind the windshield. The rear-quarter glass and similarly shaped LED taillights, connected by a thin chrome strip, helped break up the body’s chunkiness. Standard 20-inch wheels, tall side mirrors, and a towering roof emphasized its big-rig persona. However, the turn signals on the rear bumper were cheap incandescent bulbs, detracting from the overall premium feel.

The Limited trim, new for 2019, introduced two-tone 22-inch rims, unique grey metallic paint, stainless steel running boards, and a special black-and-white interior. This trim featured black and white leather surfaces, microsuede inserts, and wavy stitching on the seats. The steering wheel, doors, dash, center stack, floor-mat edges, and grab handles were covered in soft, padded leather. The roof was lined with microsuede, and the interior was accented with white and black contrast stitching, white piping, and light gray ash wood. Despite the high-quality materials and assembly, the doors were thin-sounding and poorly insulated, leaking cold air in freezing conditions.

The 2020 Acura MDX, while not groundbreaking in its styling, was a good-looking crossover SUV that fit in well without drawing excessive attention. Acura's signature Jewel Eye LED headlights, with five LED elements per side, added a rich look to the front of the vehicle. These headlights flanked a trapezoidal grille with a prominent Acura logo, creating an expressive face. The MDX's sleek and low-slung profile, with chiseled details and a fast roofline, was complemented by flawless paint and chrome.

Inside, the MDX featured a modern and simple design, avoiding the excessive padding and stitching seen in many luxury interiors. The center stack was a highlight, with twin infotainment screens—a high-mounted 8.0-inch LED screen for navigation over an On Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) touchscreen and three rows of buttons with a central command wheel. The MDX's interior felt solid and well-built, with high-quality materials and well-actuated knobs and switches.

The 2019 INFINITI QX80, built on a body-on-frame chassis, boasted an impressive 8,500-pound tow rating, surpassing competitors like the Mercedes GLS, BMW X7, and Lexus LX 570. Its 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, effortlessly handled heavy loads. The 7-speed automatic transmission, with a low-range transfer case, provided quick shifts and rev-matched downshifts. The QX80's steering was light yet stable, making it easy to maneuver. Rear-wheel drive was standard on the Luxe trim, with selectable 4-wheel drive optional on the Luxe and standard on the Limited. The 4WD system could automatically route power or lock the split 50/50 in High or Low range, with Snow and Tow modes aiding in specific conditions.

The QX80 featured a fully independent suspension with Hydraulic Body Motion Control, which adapted to fast corners and rough surfaces. This system, similar to McLaren's, interconnected each damper's hydraulic chamber to counteract motions from adjacent dampers. While the ride was controlled, the QX80's three-ton weight and high center of gravity were always noticeable. Fuel economy was poor, averaging 15 mpg over 580 miles, with EPA ratings of 13 mpg city, 19 highway, and 15 combined for the 4WD model.

The 2020 Acura MDX offered two powertrains: a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 290 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and a Sport Hybrid with a 3.0-liter V6 and three electric motors, producing 321 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque, coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The gasoline-only model with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system displayed good straight-line performance and nimble handling, especially with torque-vectoring technology that directed power to the outside wheel during cornering.

The MDX's four-wheel independent suspension absorbed road bumps well, providing a comfortable ride. The SH-AWD system enhanced cornering stability, making the MDX easy to drive quickly and smoothly, even when accelerating from a standstill around a corner.

The 2019 INFINITI QX80 offered seven-passenger seating with standard second-row captain’s chairs and power-reclining and folding third-row seats. An optional second-row bench allowed for eight passengers. The captain’s chairs were luxurious and comfortable, with an option to tip forward for easier third-row access. The QX80 provided 95.1 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats flat, or 16.6 cubic feet with all seats upright. The interior was spacious, with wide central armrests and ample storage space. Standard 3-zone climate control and ceiling vents ensured a steady breeze, though the heat was slow to warm up. The Limited trim included heated front and second-row seats and a heated steering wheel.

The 2020 Acura MDX, designed for families, featured sliding and reclining second-row seats for easier third-row access and adjustable legroom. It offered 15.8 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 43.4 cubic feet with the third row folded flat and 90.9 cubic feet with the second row also folded. The MDX included a recessed cubby hole and underfloor storage in the rear cargo area. Up front, it had a large glove box, a drop-down sunglass pocket, and a flexible center console with USB, power, and auxiliary jacks. Second-row passengers had cupholders and front-seat back pouches, while third-row passengers had an outboard armrest with a storage bin and cup holder. The MDX featured tri-zone climate control for separate heating/cooling options for the driver, front-seat passenger, and rear cabin.

The 2019 INFINITI QX80's dash was user-friendly, with large knobs and well-marked buttons. However, the main touchscreen and controls were slow to respond in cold weather. The instrument panel's monochrome display was outdated and nearly illegible, lacking modern features like turn-by-turn navigation or stereo adjustments. The navigation system was poorly rendered, and the screen looked old and small. The QX80 lacked Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a head-up display, a panoramic moonroof, and massaging seats. The 15-speaker Bose stereo was only adequate. The rear-view mirror's live camera-feed overlay and the rear entertainment system with USB and HDMI inputs were notable features, but overall, the QX80's technology was lacking for its price.

The 2020 Acura MDX came with standard tech features like Siri Eyes Free, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, hands-free Bluetooth, SMS/MMS text message and email capability, a CD/MP3 player, five USB ports, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker audio system. The Technology Package added rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED puddle lights, parking sensors, navigation with real-time traffic, GPS-linked climate control, remote engine start, and a premium audio system. The Advance Package included an active damper system, LED fog lights, heated and ventilated front seats, power lumbar support, heated rear seats, a surround-view camera system, Head-Up Warning, and additional USB ports. The Entertainment Package added a rear entertainment system with a 110-volt power outlet and wireless headphones, with a larger screen and more speakers in the Advance Package.

The 2019 INFINITI QX80 came with standard forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Optional safety features included lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, rear emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The QX80 scored poorly in NHTSA frontal crash tests, with 2 out of 5 stars for the driver and 3 for the passenger, but earned 5 stars in side-impact tests and an overall 4-star rating. The IIHS had not tested the QX80, and its older body structure was not as strong as it should be.

The 2020 Acura MDX featured standard AcuraWatch, including adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and the Advance Package added Head-Up Warning. Additional safety equipment included a rearview camera, front airbags, side airbags, stability control, Trailer Stability Assist, tire pressure monitoring, LATCH child-seat mounts, and a theft-deterrent system. The MDX's ACE Body Structure absorbed crash impact, transferring energy away from occupants. The IIHS rated the MDX as “good” in all crash-test categories, “acceptable” for headlights, “superior” for front crash prevention, and “acceptable” for LATCH ease of use. The NHTSA gave the MDX a five-star overall safety rating.