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2026 INFINITI QX60 vs. 2026 Acura MDX
Both are strong picks for Apex and Research Triangle families who need three rows and real towing capacity. Here is how the 2026 QX60 and 2026 Acura MDX actually compare on price, capability, and technology.
Head-to-Head: 2026 QX60 vs. 2026 Acura MDX
Starting MSRP figures below exclude destination and handling. See dealer for complete current pricing.
| Feature | 2026 INFINITI QX60 | 2026 Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | Win $51,200 (PURE, FWD) |
$51,800 (base, FWD) |
| Engine | 2.0L VC-Turbo 4-cylinder, 268 hp, 286 lb-ft | 3.5L V6, 290 hp, 267 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy (combined) | Win 24 mpg (FWD and AWD) |
22 mpg FWD, 21 mpg SH-AWD |
| Max Cargo Space | Win 75.4 cu ft, all rows folded |
71.4 cu ft, all rows folded |
| Standard Screens | Dual 12.3-in displays | 12.3-in touchscreen plus 12.3-in gauge cluster |
| Wireless Device Charging | Standard, PURE and above | Standard |
| Safety Award | Win IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ (2025) |
IIHS Top Safety Pick (2026) |
| AWD Availability | Standard on SPORT and AUTOGRAPH, optional on PURE and LUXE | SH-AWD optional or standard depending on trim |
| Max Towing Capacity | Win 6,000 lbs |
5,000 lbs SH-AWD, 3,500 lbs FWD |
| Basic Warranty | Win 4-yr / 60,000-mi |
4-yr / 50,000-mi |
Where the 2026 QX60 Pulls Ahead
6,000 Pounds, Even With a 4-Cylinder Engine
The 2026 QX60 tows up to 6,000 lbs when properly equipped, which INFINITI cites as best-in-class for the segment. That covers a mid-size pontoon boat headed to Jordan Lake or a loaded travel trailer for a trip toward the mountains.
The Acura MDX tops out at 5,000 lbs with SH-AWD and drops to 3,500 lbs on the FWD model, a full 2,500 lbs behind the QX60 in its base configuration.
Klipsch, the Audio Brand Behind the Cabin Sound
Klipsch is the speaker brand INFINITI switched to for the 2026 QX60, replacing the previous Bose system. LUXE grade and above get a 16-speaker Klipsch system standard, and AUTOGRAPH steps up to 20-speaker Klipsch Reference audio.
Acura's ELS Studio system sounds good too, but the largest speaker counts are reserved for the priciest MDX trims. Klipsch comes standard two grades into the QX60 lineup.
IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+, the Higher of Two Award Tiers
The 2026 QX60 carries the 2025 IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation, the higher of the Institute's two award tiers. The 2026 Acura MDX earned the standard Top Safety Pick award, one step below Plus.
Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert come standard across every QX60 grade, PURE through AUTOGRAPH.
ProPILOT Assist 2.1 Goes Further Than Standard Cruise
ProPILOT Assist 1.1 comes standard on LUXE and above, with stop-and-hold adaptive cruise and lane centering built in. AUTOGRAPH steps up to ProPILOT Assist 2.1, INFINITI's hands-free highway driving system, available on LUXE and SPORT through the Technology Package.
Google Built-In comes standard across all four QX60 grades, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included, so the whole lineup starts with the same native navigation and voice assistant.
Why Apex Families Cross-Shop the QX60 and the MDX
Buyers across Apex, Cary, and the Research Triangle Park corridor tend to land on the same short list, the 2026 INFINITI QX60 and the 2026 Acura MDX, and for good reason. Both are three-row luxury crossovers with strong safety scores, real towing numbers, and the kind of cabin tech a dual-income tech household expects on the commute up US-1 or NC-55.
The gap shows up in the details. The QX60 starts at a lower MSRP, tows 1,000 lbs more than the MDX's SH-AWD tow rating, holds more cargo with the rows folded, and carries the higher IIHS safety tier. Hanna INFINITI of Apex can walk you through both vehicles side by side on a single test drive.
Full Spec Comparison
| Spec | 2026 INFINITI QX60 | 2026 Acura MDX |
|---|---|---|
| Seating Capacity | ✓7 (PURE, LUXE) or 6 with captain's chairs (SPORT, AUTOGRAPH) | 7 across 3 rows |
| Cargo Behind 3rd Row | 14.5 cu ft | ✓16.3 cu ft |
| Cargo, 3rd Row Folded | ✓41.6 cu ft | 39.1 cu ft |
| Max Cargo, All Rows Folded | ✓75.4 cu ft | 71.4 cu ft |
| Infotainment | Dual 12.3-in displays, Google Built-In standard | 12.3-in touchscreen, 12.3-in gauge cluster, Google Built-In standard |
| Driver Assist Suite | ✓ProPILOT Assist 1.1 standard LUXE+, 2.1 available/standard AUTOGRAPH | AcuraWatch standard, Traffic Jam Assist |
| Max Towing | ✓6,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs (SH-AWD) |
| Fuel Economy, Combined | ✓24 mpg | 21-22 mpg |
| Powertrain Warranty | 6-yr / 70,000-mi | 6-yr / 70,000-mi |
| Starting MSRP | ✓$51,200 | $51,800 |
One Engine, Tuned for Real-World Towing
Every 2026 QX60 runs the same 2.0L VC-Turbo 4-cylinder, 268 hp and 286 lb-ft, paired with a 9-speed automatic. The MDX's 3.5L V6 makes more horsepower on paper, 290 hp, but it also burns more fuel doing it.
The QX60 gets 24 mpg combined regardless of drivetrain, while the MDX drops to 21 mpg once you add SH-AWD. For a family covering RTP commutes five days a week, that gap adds up at the pump.
Room for the Jordan Lake Haul or the Costco Run
Fold the second and third rows and the QX60 opens up to 75.4 cu ft, enough for a Jordan Lake weekend's worth of coolers, kayaks, and camp chairs without anyone riding shotgun with gear on their lap.
- 14.5 cu ft behind the third row for grocery runs with the family aboard
- 41.6 cu ft with the third row folded for bigger hauls
- Standard 7-passenger seating on PURE and LUXE, no third-row upcharge
Google Built-In, Standard on Every Grade
All four QX60 grades ship with Google Built-In, dual 12.3-in displays, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. There is no trim where a Triangle-area tech commuter has to give up native Google Maps or wireless charging.
The MDX matches the screen size but reserves its biggest feature jumps, like the 25-speaker ELS Studio 3D Signature Edition audio, for its top Type S Advance trim alone.
Captain's Chairs When You Want Them, a Bench When You Need It
SPORT and AUTOGRAPH grades come standard with second-row captain's chairs, heated on LUXE and above. PURE and LUXE keep the second-row bench, so families who need the seventh seat every day are not forced up to a pricier trim to get it.
That flexibility, bench for capacity or captain's chairs for comfort, lets Apex-area buyers pick the layout that fits carpool duty, not the other way around.
2026 INFINITI QX60 Gallery
Hanna INFINITI of Apex
Hanna INFINITI of Apex sits off Laura Duncan Rd near US-64, serving buyers across Apex, Cary, Raleigh, Durham, the Research Triangle Park corridor, and Fayetteville. The sales and finance teams work with the QX60 lineup every day, PURE through AUTOGRAPH.
Every new QX60 comes with factory-backed coverage, and the service department schedules appointments online for buyers who want to stay on the same lot they bought from.
What Apex-Area Drivers Say
Visit Hanna INFINITI of Apex
The dealership sits just off US-64 and NC-55, a short drive from Cary, southwest Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park corridor. Stop by to see the 2026 QX60 lineup in person or schedule service on a QX60 you already own.
| Dealership | Hanna INFINITI of Apex |
| Address | 1900 Laura Duncan Rd, Apex, NC 27523 |
| Phone | 919-629-8700 |
| Website | infinitiofapex.com |
| Cities Served | Apex, Cary, Raleigh, Durham, RTP, Fayetteville |
2026 QX60 vs. MDX: Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 2026 INFINITI QX60 handle daily commutes on US-1 and NC-55 in Apex?
The QX60 rides on a comfortable, quiet platform built for exactly this kind of driving. The 2.0L VC-Turbo engine merges smoothly onto US-1 and handles the stop-and-go on NC-55 through downtown Apex without feeling strained. ProPILOT Assist 1.1 comes standard on LUXE and above, so the adaptive cruise and lane centering take some of the edge off longer commutes into RTP or Raleigh.
Where do I get the 2026 QX60 serviced near Apex, NC?
Hanna INFINITI of Apex has a dedicated service department at 1900 Laura Duncan Rd, a few minutes off US-64. You can schedule an appointment online through the dealership's service scheduler and get factory-trained technicians who work on the QX60 every day, not occasional INFINITI traffic mixed in with every other brand.
Is the 2026 INFINITI QX60 more affordable than the 2026 Acura MDX?
The 2026 QX60 starts at a lower MSRP than the 2026 Acura MDX. Both vehicles add a destination and handling charge on top of the base price, and final pricing depends on trim and options, so ask Hanna INFINITI of Apex for a current build-and-price breakdown before you compare bottom-line numbers.
Is the QX60 a good fit for weekend trips to Jordan Lake?
Yes. With up to 75.4 cu ft of cargo room when the second and third rows fold flat, the QX60 swallows kayaks, coolers, and camp chairs for a Jordan Lake weekend without anyone riding with gear on their lap. The 6,000-lb max tow rating also covers most pontoon and ski boat trailers people launch out of Ebenezer Point or Crosswinds.
Does the QX60 handle rain and occasional winter weather in the Triangle?
Intelligent AWD is standard on SPORT and AUTOGRAPH and a $2,000 option on PURE and LUXE, and it sends power to the wheels with the most grip before you feel any slip. That covers the heavy summer thunderstorms on I-40 and the occasional ice event the Triangle gets most winters.
What financing options are available at Hanna INFINITI of Apex?
Hanna INFINITI of Apex works with INFINITI Financial Services and a network of local lenders to build a payment that fits your budget. You can start an application through the dealership's financing page before you ever set foot on the lot, and the finance team will walk you through current offers and lease terms in person.
Does Hanna INFINITI of Apex have the 2026 QX60 in stock?
New 2026 QX60 inventory changes weekly across all four grades, PURE, LUXE, SPORT, and AUTOGRAPH. Check the dealership's live new-vehicle search or call (855) 564-2290 to confirm what is on the ground in Apex right now.
How do I schedule a test drive of the 2026 QX60 near Cary and Raleigh?
Call Hanna INFINITI of Apex at 919-629-8700 or use the contact form on the dealership website to book a time. The dealership is a short drive from Cary and southwest Raleigh off Laura Duncan Rd, so most Triangle-area buyers are in and out for a test drive in under an hour.
Where is Hanna INFINITI of Apex located?
Hanna INFINITI of Apex is at 1900 Laura Duncan Rd, Apex, NC 27523, close to US-64 and NC-55. The dealership serves buyers throughout Apex, Cary, Raleigh, Durham, the Research Triangle Park corridor, and Fayetteville.
See the 2026 QX60 for Yourself
Compare it to the Acura MDX in person at Hanna INFINITI of Apex. Shop current inventory or call to schedule a test drive today.
Shop 2026 QX60 Inventory Call 919-629-8700