The Infiniti QX80 sport utility vehicle offers luxury, space, and strength in an extra-large package. It's Infiniti's rival to the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Lexus LX, as well as the Range Rover and Benz GLS-Class, and it sets itself apart from its rivals with bold and curvy styling.
For 2017, the QX80 more or less stays the course with a few minor tweaks to equipment level. Vehicles equipped with radar-based cruise control (Technology Package, or on the Limited trim) get emergency autonomous braking with pedestrian detection as standard. Infiniti has also added Trailer Sway Control as standard equipment, a feature those who tow frequently are sure to apprecaite. Last but not least, the Mocha Almond paint colour is now available on the standard QX80; it was previously exclusive to the Limited.
The QX80 is powered by a 5.6-litre V8 engine that develops 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. It’a yoked to a seven-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. This makes the big QX one of the most powerful models in the segment, excluding the high-performance variants from Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover, and the Cadillac Escalade.
Thanks to its sturdy body-on-frame chassis, the QX80 is rated to tow up to 8,500 lbs, and comes equipped with a Class IV tow hitch a standard. All this power, strength, and space does come at a cost - fuel economy. The QX80 is rated at 17.4 L/100 km city and 12.2 highway; this trails many of its rivals, which offer fuel-saving features such as cylinder deactivation, smaller-displacement turbo engines, or a diesel engine
It's a big step up into the QX80's cabin, but the interior is plush and crafted using top-notch materials. The standard QX80 seats seven with second-row captain's chairs, though an eight-seat version with a second-row bench is offered at no extra charge. Despite its large size, the third row of the QX80 isn’t especially big; a high floor is to blame. Likewise, while cargo space is competitive, some large crossovers offer more space.
Nonetheless, the QX80 is oriented towards comfort with a silent cabin and a smooth ride thanks to available hydraulic body control which keeps the body level through the corners. Heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation, a 360-degree parking camera, and a 15-speaker Bose sound system are all standard equipment on the QX80.
An optional Technology Package adds radar cruise control, distance control alert, pre-crash front seat belts, blind-spot warning, advanced climate control, reverse collision mitigation, 22-inch wheels, lane-keeping assist, and emergency autonomous braking with pedestrian detection.
Adding to the QX80's already opulent cabin, the Limited trim level features stitched quilted leather upholstery in Truffle Brown, ultrasuede headliner, tinted headlight lenses, 22-inch dark chrome finished wheels, and all of the optional equipment on the Technology Package as standard. The Limited is also available in two exclusive colours: Dakar Bronze and Imperial Black.
Pricing for the QX80 starts at $75,650 and tops out at $93,800 for the Limited.
