2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 INFINITI QX60

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 received a complete makeover, introducing a new exterior and interior design, equipped with fresh powertrains and state-of-the-art technologies. With the QX60 built on the same Nissan D platform as its cousin, the Nissan Pathfinder, both SUVs shared a common lineage. The QX60, originating as the 2013 JX and rebranded in 2014 under Infiniti’s “QX” naming system for SUVs, marked the beginning of its second-generation production with the 2022 model.

The remodel of the QX60 yielded a striking, handsome crossover SUV. The new front fascia was particularly dramatic, featuring a bold grille, sleek LED headlights, and oversized air intakes creating an almost concept-car aesthetic accented with chrome elements. Side views revealed a long hood and sharply raked windshield, contributing to an elegant silhouette, with blacked-out pillars creating a floating roof effect. The top-tier Autograph trim emphasized this with a contrasting black roof. Base models rolled on 18-inch wheels, while all higher trims boasted 20-inch wheels that filled the stylish wheel wells. The rear elevation was also tastefully designed, ensuring the SUV looked planted and solid, with "INFINITI" spelled out in prominent chrome letters across the rear liftgate.

Unfortunately, the Autograph trim had a slight design misstep with its chrome panels on the lower rear fascia, intended to balance similar details at the front but often mistaken for faux exhaust outlets. However, buyers could swap these for matte black panels from lower trims if preferred.

Inside, the QX60 felt spacious and luxurious. The dashboard's horizontal lines and layered design emphasized width, with the Autograph trim featuring quilted leather upholstery on both the seats and dash. A prominent 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display was perfectly placed for minimal driver distraction, while the TFT instrument panel provided crisp graphics. Controls on the center console were simple and intuitive, ensuring ease of use.

Craftsmanship and build quality were top-notch. The QX60 models destined for the United States were produced in Nissan’s Smyrna, Tennessee plant, reflecting Infiniti’s well-established reputation for high standards.

The 2022 Acura RDX, by contrast, featured more subtle styling updates. Inspired by its larger sibling, the MDX, the RDX received a refreshed grille surround, updated front and rear bumpers, new wheel designs, and additional paint color options. The limited-production PMC Edition also returned with an exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint job and a sophisticated Orchid white interior.

The PMC Edition, named after Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio where the NSX sports car was built, topped the range that included the base, Technology, A-Spec, Advance, and A-Spec Advance packages. Prices ranged from $42,300 to $53,300.

The A-Spec Advance package we tested featured Apex Blue Pearl paint and an Orchid interior, totaling $53,645. The high-quality cabin materials, solid build, and quieter interior validated the price. Despite some reservations about the new vertical air inlets on the front fascia, the RDX retained its stylish edge, distinguishing itself from many rivals.

The updated 2022 INFINITI QX60 switched from a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to a nine-speed automatic transmission, significantly enhancing the driving experience. The CVT of the previous generation often felt rubbery and caused engine droning, while the new nine-speed automatic delivered clean, crisp shifts, maintaining better control over engine revs during acceleration and deceleration. However, there was room for improvement in the transmission’s responsiveness during passing.

Beneath the hood, the familiar 3.5-liter V6 engine, naturally aspirated and direct-injected, produced 295 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, requiring premium unleaded fuel. Fuel economy was almost unchanged from the previous model, with the EPA estimating 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway/23 mpg combined for FWD models and 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway/22 mpg combined for AWD models.

The QX60’s suspension, featuring MacPherson struts in the front and an independent multilink setup in the rear, was reworked for better performance. Standard ventilated disc brakes, anti-lock braking, and brake assist ensured ample stopping power. The adaptive electric power steering system provided crisp and positive feedback.

Driving the QX60 was a reminder of its sizable dimensions. Infiniti managed to control body roll well, but the SUV was not particularly sporty. Instead, it excelled in delivering a smooth, serene ride, with ample comfort in both the second and third rows. The QX60 thrived on highways and suburban streets, with off-road adventures unlikely to be on most buyers’ agendas.

In comparison, the 2022 Acura RDX featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generated 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This turbo-four engine delivered quick, impressive thrust, enhancing the RDX’s driving appeal. However, heavy-footed driving diminished fuel economy, with a test average of 20.6 mpg against the EPA rating of 23 mpg.

A ten-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard, providing smooth and refined shifts. The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system was standard on the Advance and A-Spec Advance trim levels, and optional on others, delivering up to 70 percent of engine power to a single rear wheel, giving the RDX excellent cornering capabilities and stability.

Acura revised the Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) for better differentiation between driving modes and retuned the adaptive dampers for a smoother ride in Comfort mode and increased responsiveness in Sport mode. Improvements in sound insulation made the ride quieter, contributing to a more luxurious feel.

Despite its dynamic prowess, the RDX did not receive the Type S performance badge, remaining a capable but not thrilling drive. Enthusiasts might prefer alternatives like the Audi SQ5, BMW X3 M40i, and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 for a more exhilarating experience.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 nearly functioned like a luxury minivan without the sliding doors, boasting traditional SUV-style front-hinged doors and a rear liftgate. The three-row configuration offered significant storage, charging ports, and comfort for passengers. The front console provided ample storage with a cubby for phones, large cupholders, and covered storage. The gear selector’s shift-by-wire technology created additional storage space beneath the console, ideal for handbags and devices.

The second-row seats, which could slide for better space distribution, came as a split bench on lower trims or as captain’s chairs with a removable center console on the Autograph trim. One-touch flips allowed easy access to the third row. Space was ample enough for adults, though it depended on the second-row occupants’ generosity with legroom.

Cargo capacity for the QX60 was substantial: 14.5 cubic feet with all seats up, 41.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 75.4 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. Towing capacity ranged from 3,500 pounds to 6,000 pounds with the optional towing package.

In comparison, the compact 2022 Acura RDX offered room for four adults under a panoramic sunroof, emphasizing a sporty driving position with a distinctive, oversized IDS knob on the dashboard. The unconventional interior layout, including transmission buttons and the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, required a learning curve, particularly with the metallic gauge faces on performance models.

The RDX’s standard 12-way power-adjustable, heated front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation. The steering wheel, new for 2022 and optionally heated, provided a good grip. Dual-zone automatic climate control was standard, and ambient lighting was available in all trims except the base.

However, the back seat was less comfortable, feeling flat and unsupportive to ensure a flat cargo load floor when folded. Heated rear seats were available in certain models, reflecting a mix of style and functionality.

The RDX featured a standard power liftgate with optional hands-free operation, opening to 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space and additional hidden storage beneath the load floor. With the back seats folded, cargo capacity increased to 58.9 cubic feet, falling short of the QX60’s capacity but still sufficient for its class.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 delivered impressive technology, beginning with full LED exterior lighting and an available adaptive front lighting system. A power liftgate, motion-activated in higher trims, added convenience. The 12.3-inch InTouch Interactive display included wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, with an AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot connecting up to seven devices. Multiple USB charge points and wireless charging (standard on higher trims) ensured comprehensive connectivity. TomTom-powered navigation was standard from the Luxe trim upward, and the InTouch services suite added smartphone app connectivity.

Notably, the Autograph trim featured a 10.8-inch head-up display and a smart rearview mirror, providing enhanced safety and convenience. The standard key memory system stored driver preferences for seat, audio, and climate settings. The base models had a nine-speaker audio system, while higher trims boasted a 17-speaker Bose Performance series system.

In contrast, the Acura RDX’s infotainment system, the True Touchpad Interface (TTI), paired a 10.2-inch display with a unique touchpad controller. This one-to-one touchpad-screen relationship required learning, unlike more intuitive touchscreens. However, Amazon Alexa Built-in mitigated TTI’s complexity, offering natural voice command functionality.

For 2022, the RDX included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, satellite radio, and AcuraLink connected services. The premium audio options ranged from a nine-speaker base system to a 16-speaker ELS Studio 3D surround-sound system in higher trims. The head-up display was included in the Advance and A-Spec Advance trims.

The 2022 INFINITI QX60 hadn’t been crash-tested by IIHS or NHTSA yet, but its predecessor received high marks, and the same was expected for the new model. The QX60 included an extensive airbag system and standard advanced driver assistance systems like forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, predictive forward-collision warning, and rear automatic braking.

Optional safety features included blind-spot intervention, lane-departure warning with haptic steering feedback, lane-departure prevention, and a 360-degree camera system with moving object detection.

The 2022 Acura RDX received structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety and aimed to retain its Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS. It also added a rear seatbelt reminder system and enhanced AcuraWatch safety suite features, including blind-spot monitoring with lane-change assist and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims included front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking.

In testing, AcuraWatch’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems were mostly accurate but not as refined as some competitors’ systems. The RDX earned a five-star overall crash-test rating from NHTSA, with high marks in side-impact safety.