Redefining The Brand’s Future And Beyond

Summary

• Infiniti’s new 2025 QX80 features a stylish exterior, advanced tech, and revamped interior, elevating its presence in the luxury SUV segment.
• The QX80’s performance includes a powerful twin-turbo V-6 engine and respectable handling, given the SUV’s size.
• Despite a focus on innovation and luxury amenities, the QX80 struggles with fuel efficiency, a stiff ride, and high pricing when fully loaded.

Infiniti and parent company, Nissan, have had it rough over the past decade, no thanks to a crippling period of corporate mismanagement, saddled with an exceptionally politically and economically unkind world as the icing on top. If there ever was a physical representation of the brand’s unfortunate struggle as of recent years, it was the 13-year-old, yes, thirteen,QX80 full-size SUV.

Based on the Nissan Titan’s body-on-frame pickup truck platform, much like the offerings from Detroit, the outgoing QX80 was one of Infiniti’s oldest models still in existence today, having originally launched as the second-generation 2011 QX56. So if you forgot the QX80 ever existed, it’s okay, so did probably everyone else.

In Infiniti’s defense, the full-size body-on-frame SUV segment in all its forms is one of the hottest-selling, most competitive markets since good ‘ol plain Wonder bread, with General Motors largely leading the pack with its Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac SUVs. With Toyota and Lexus relaunching its Land Cruiser and GX SUVs, pressure doubled-down on Infiniti to give its flagship SUV a complete makeover before it fell behind even more, and this year, that’s exactly what the automaker did.

To see how Infiniti’s latest and newest third-generation flagship QX80 SUV attempt stacks up, I flew out to California’s wine country to give it a go in its supposed most idyllically posh setting.

In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, Infiniti USA flew me and other auto journalists out to Napa Valley, put us up in a hotel, and fed us while I drove the vehicle reviewed in this article throughout the course of a period of one day for first impressions. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review
our methodology policy
.

2025 Infiniti QX80 Trim First Impressions

It was beyond obvious that the outgoing QX80 had grown tried and stagnant. While not a bad SUV or vehicle by any means, it just simply felt old and outdated when compared to the unrelenting competition. Being Infiniti’s current flagship model, since no sedans other than the equally ancient Q50 and Q60 (former G37 sedan and coupe) filling the gaps once held by Infiniti’s legendary Q45 and M45 flagship and midship sedans, the company only had one choice to make a bold statement as flagships are meant to do, and that left the QX80 as the only candidate.

After joining forces with other automakers and restructuring itself, Nissan and Infiniti both showed signs of turning their ships around for the better with some recent and commendable overhauls with the QX60 and QX50 crossovers. The QX80 confidently adds itself to that list, thanks to its redesign both inside and out. It’s not reinventing itself, but the QX80 definitely looks far newer, more refined, and refreshed than the old one.

The new third-generation QX80 may not look too distant from the model it replaces, if your memory serves you right. Stare at it some longer, however, and you’ll begin to notice the differences such as the more squared-off front end with the thin “multi-element” LED daytime running lights and Infiniti’s latest “double-arch” grille that they was inspired by the “organic shapes of a bamboo forest.” It’s a design element that you can probably expect to see on future Infinitis in some shape or another.

Altogether the new QX80 utilizes fewer curves and flatter surfaces, all yielding a significantly cleaner, more modern, and upscale appearance on the outside than the previous model.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Infinitis have always held a reputation for being excellent driving vehicles that tread the line of being sporty and luxurious, especially since some of its past models had their sights clearly set on BMW as its direct rival in many cases. So expectations are high for on-road mannerisms, in which case, the QX80 surprisingly delivers in a lot of ways.

There’s no hiding that the QX80 is a big, ponderous, seven-seater SUV that probably tips the scales at well over three tons, or 6,000 pounds, just sitting at the curb. So if you were expecting Q60 handling, you’d be setting yourself up for major disappointment. But take into consideration the nature of the beast, and it’s apparent that the chassis and suspension engineers at Infiniti have done well to keep its pace nice and tidy.

In another case where it may sound ridiculous, the QX80 feels surprisingly quick on its feet, exhibiting minimal body roll, thanks largely to its standard air suspension with adaptive damping, ride height, and body control, (available on all but the base “Pure” model), and increased torsional and lateral stiffness in the frame. It’s not the corner carver’s choice.

But if you accidentally found yourself on a very windy and tricky road, as roads can get in and around Napa Valley, the QX80 confidently manages itself with ease and maturity, all the way up to its low handling limits where it’ll kindly remind you that you’re pushing it out of its league with predictable and progressive tire-squealing understeer. By then, the stability control will also aggressively step-in to avoid any drama.

Braking And Acceleration

Engine downsizing continues its trend with the QX80 being the latest victim to lose its eight-cylinder power. Gone is the old and beloved naturally-aspirated 5.6-liter V-8 and in its place, a rework of Nissan’s latest VR-family of twin-turbocharged V-6s. Attentive Nissan fans would recognize the “VR” Nissan production series engine name as it’s the same engine family that debuted with the late Nissan GT-R.

So if not for bragging rights, but to also succeed the aging “VQ” family of V-6s engines, the QX80 utilizes a heavily detuned and heavily reworked version of Godzilla’s twin-turbocharged V-6, the “VR38DETT.” The QX80’s VR35DDTT is similar to the VR30DDTT that originally debuted in the Q50 and Q60 in 2015 and the current mill for the latest Z sports coupe. But the QX80’s, as denoted by the “VR35” displaces 3.5-liters while the “VR30” displaces 3.0-liters.

In the QX80, it’s good for 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Official performance figures weren’t available, but the QX80 felt like it had more than enough power in and around California’s world-renown wine country. Only diehard V-8 fans would notice the difference under the hood as the old burly snarl of the 5.6-liter V-8 is no longer present. But other than that, the QX80 felt lively enough to sprint to 60 MPH in less than six seconds, according to the good ‘ol butt-o-meter.

• Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 6.0 Seconds (est.)

Performance Specifications

2025 Infiniti QX80 Fuel Economy

As you’ve probably guessed, fuel economy is not a strong suit for the QX80 and it never was, being a big, bulky, full-size pickup-truck-based SUV with the aerodynamics of a chest freezer, a thirsty engine, and a three-plus-ton curb weight. As such, the Environmental Protection Agency rates the two-wheel-drive QX80 to return up to 16 miles per gallon in city conditions, 20 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for the four-wheel-drive models.

During our day-long test of the QX80, moseying around the greater Calistoga area, the QX80’s trip computer hardly displayed anything above 16 mpg.

Interior Design And Comfort

The interior of the QX80 also benefits from a much-needed makeover, like the exterior. Infiniti never really suffered greatly in the interior departments, barring some early-first-generation attempts with some significantly older vehicles. This time however, the QX80 exudes the feeling and ambiance of an SUV worthy of its $82,450 starting price tag. Infiniti seems to have upped the ante on the quality and choice materials on its interiors as of late and this effort is very apparent in the QX80.

Yes, our fleet of sample models in top-spec $110,595-Autograph form featured the nicest, sofest, and plushest trimming and details available on the QX80, but at least the interior certainly felt like it. The previous QX80, while nice, felt a bit too much like an extension of the Nissan Armada parts bin. The new QX80 however, is almost unrecognizably incomparable, doing well to separate itself from its lesser Nissan counterpart.

With seating for up to seven full-size adults, the QX80 also boasts some of the best interior space in the segment, with the best-in-class third-row access space at 22.1 inches. And with heated and cooled all around (third row gets stuck with heated only), and massagers up front, the QX80 is undoubtedly a nice place to spend when vineyard-hopping, with a designated sober driver of course.

One criticism came down to the QX80’s overall ride quality, which was smooth in most instances, but a bit bouncy and stiff over some of the more uneven and worn pavement. As a full-size luxury SUV with air suspension, I was expecting a more plush ride with more articulate suspension travel and damping over imperfections.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

The QX80 may not be reinventing itself of the full-size luxury SUV segment, but technology certainly takes the center stage. A new dual-widescreen display festoons the front of the dashboard where the gauge cluster and infotainment screen normally had individual humps for. Like many other trending luxury vehicles, the dual-screen setup is integrated into a singular unit, which then spans across the dashboard in their own unique ways.

It’s nothing out of the ordinary, but it certainly elevates the new QX80’s interior well above the previous model’s. Another secondary screen sits below the infotainment display on the center console as the main hub for the HVAC and comfort controls, similarly to Audi’s dual-screen arrangement. Thankfully, Infiniti engineers did a splendid job with the overall layout and simplicity of the system. It’s easy on the eyes, yet surprisingly easy to navigate and remember, particularly when adjusting pertinent functions like interior temperature.

Infiniti spokespeople were most proud about the car’s biometric-based automatic HVAC system for the second-row of seating. It can sense when an occupant is hot thanks to a set of uniquely aimed and programmed infrared sensors in the headliner, and it’ll adjust the cooling power of the air conditioning automatically without any input. The other would be its stellar and optional 24-speaker 1,200-watt Klipsch Reference Premiere sound system—the normal sound system is still a respectable 600-watt 14-speaker Klipsch setup.

Cargo And Storage Space

As a seven-passenger full-size pickup-truck-based SUV, cargo space is a plenty. Though no extended or long version currently exists, so if you’re looking for a long-wheelbase full-sizer, you’re immediately going to look at the Chevy Surburban/GMC Yukon XL/Cadillac Esclade ESV, Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator L, and the Jeep Grand Wagoneer L.

Rather, the QX80 competes closer to the short-wheelbase competition with its 22 cubic feet behind its third row, which grows to 59 cubes behind the second row when the third row is down. With both the second and third rows folded down, cargo space inside the QX80 grows to 101 cubic feet, which is easily accessible thanks to its power one-touch folding seats.

2025 Infiniti QX80 Vs. Its Competitors

With its rugged pickup truck frame-based construction shared with the Nissan Armada and Titan, the QX80 always picked its battle against the GMC Yukon, Cadillac Esclade, and Lincoln Navigator, but mostly, the Lexus LX and GX. Though because lux versions also exist, upper trims of the Chevrolet Tahoe and Ford Expedition also play in the full-size short-wheelbase pickup-based SUV wars. So the competition is stiffer than ever and the QX80 has its work cut out for it.

How The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Compares To The Cadillac Escalade

• 	2025 Infiniti QX80 Autobiography	2024 Cadillac Escalade
  Model	QX80 Autobiography	Premium Luxury Platinum
  Engine	3.5-Liter Twin-Turbo V-6	6.2L V-8
  Transmission	9-Speed Automatic	10-Speed Automatic
  Horsepower	450 HP @ 5,600 RPM	420 @ 5,600 RPM
  Torque	516 LB-FT @ 3,600 RPM	460 LB-FT @ 4,100 RPM
  Driveline	Rear- or Four-Wheel Drive	Front Engine, RWD or AWD
  Starting Price (MSRP)	$82,450	$112,690
  Towing Capacity	8,500 Pounds	7,700 Pounds
  0-60 MPH	6.0 Seconds (est.)	5.9 Seconds

At $81,895, the Cadillac Escalade always saw eye-to-eye in the full-size luxury SUV space. Both offer seating for up to seven or eight, depending on the configuration, both offer the most up-to-date luxuries and amenities, and rich feature list as any other player in this league, a rugged truck-based platform, competitive tow ratings, and even some off-road capability. The Cadillac however has two notable features that sets itself ahead of the QX80, besides being slightly cheaper than the Infiniti’s $82,450 entry price.

Performance

With the Cadillac Escalade, you still get a thundering-ocho in the form of GM’s venerable 6.2-liter small-block V-8 in naturally-aspirated form for starters. It’s good for 420 horsepower and around the same in torque, but what the Escalade also offers that the Infiniti currently doesn’t is the option for a high-output Escalade V, which swaps its naturally-aspirated V-8 for a 682-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter LT4.

Comfort

With comfort as major highlights for any full-size SUV, the Escalade and QX80 both do the comfort thing extremely well. The QX80’s ride is smooth, but the air suspension felt it lacked the comforting, wafty feel that one would expect to get from a luxury car equipped with the system. Noise, vibration, and harshness levels are overall very subdued, keeping the cabins peaceful and serene. Both show some sort of signs of their truck-based roots in various, subtle ways, such as very subtle frame shudders over the more serious bumps and potholes.

Technology

As brand flagships, both the Escalade and the QX80 are their ultimatums for each brand. Both of these SUVs seek to bring the best of the best this side of the ultra-luxury market, and thus, technology is a major highlight for both SUVs. Neither are lacking in this particular department. But the most significant feature that the Escalade has over the QX80 is GM’s SuperCruise semi-autonomous adaptive highway cruise control. The QX80 does have adaptive cruise control with highway driving and steering assist, but it’s still not as comprehensive as GM’s SuperCruise.

Helping To Define Infiniti’s Future From Here and Beyond

Infiniti gave its flagship QX80 the overhaul its been much overdue for, rejuvenating its range-topping full-size SUV with some new, bang-up-to-date styling both inside and out, class-competitive levels of usable tech that’s easy to use, supreme levels of comfort, and respectable on-road mannerisms.

As the biggest, most expensive, and most lavish Infiniti yet, it serves as the symbol that will help define the rest of the brand’s lineup over the next generation of cars, meaning there’s a chance we’ll see some hints and inspiration, whether from a design or technological aspect, from the QX80 in future and newer models.

With its starting price of just under $83,000 for a two-wheel-drive Pure model, it’s certainly priced like a flagship and it’s clear that the premium market is still in Infiniti’s sights. Though as the pricing climbs into this bracket, it starts to rub shoulders against some serious players. Back in the day, one would buy an Infiniti for its value proposition. That’s because Infinitis, in my day, were just as nice, luxurious, and status-worthy as some of the other premium brands with cache, at a considerably more affordable cost. But only time will tell if Infiniti can regain its reputation as a competitive value alternative to the almighty Europeans, beginning with this QX80.