The Infiniti QX80 arrived in special-edition form at the 2018 New York Auto Show. Called the QX80 Limited, the full-sized SUV receives a good dose of exclusive features, including upgrades to its exterior and interior. It’ll be joined in New York by a similar special edition version of the smaller QX60. Both limited edition models should get plenty of attention in the Big Apple as Infiniti tries to inject more personality into an SUV lineup that needs to make up some ground against the competition.

What makes the Infiniti QX80 LIMITED special

It’s still not the best-looking full-sized SUV in the market, but I’m willing to bet that Infiniti’s going to take its victories wherever and whenever it can get them. The Infiniti QX80 Limited is a good addition to an SUV lineup that has struggled to gain serious footing in the U.S. market. It doesn’t have that many upgrades, but it has enough to stand out. That’s where the “small victories” come in.

Take, for instance, its exterior color. The limited edition SUV comes with an Anthracite Gray paint finish, which is exclusive to this specific model. There’s also enough satin chrome trim to help give it that added luster. That can be found on the roof rails and the lower portions of the bumpers. Stainless steel running boards are also part of the special edition menu, and what good would an edition like this be without a massive set of 22-inch forged alloy wheels thrown in for good measure. That’s the extent of the upgrades you’ll see on the body of the QX80 Limited Edition. It’s lacking in quantity, but you can’t deny the quality of what you’re getting, especially that exclusive paint finish that no other version of the QX80 is getting.

Move to the interior, and the luxury upgrades continue in the form of a two-tone surface treatment, featuring semi-aniline leather and Alcantara. The cabin is also decorated with open-pore ash wood trim, giving it a nice premium feel to it. The satin chrome trim is also present in the interior, specifically on the door handles. That’s slick design continuity. Completing the interior upgrades is a black Ultrasuede headliner.

Unfortunately, the upgrades don’t extend to the QX80’s massive 5.6-liter V-8 engine. Unless you’re the type who wants to squeeze out as much power out of that engine as possible, the lack of an upgrade shouldn’t be a big deal considering that the V-8 already produces a stout 400 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Standard QX80 models get rear-wheel drive from the factory, but since the QX80 Limited is special, Infiniti is also giving the model its All-Mode 4WD system as standard equipment. That means that all that power is sent to the four wheels courtesy of a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Overall, the Infiniti QX80 Limited is a solid addition to the automaker’s full-sized SUV lineup. It has the looks and abilities to justify its status as a special edition model. The newest member of the QX80 lineup is expected to arrive at dealerships in the summertime. Infiniti hasn’t said how many models it plans to release or how much one costs, but expect more information to come closer to its launch.

References

Read our full review on the 2018 Infiniti QX80.

Read our full review on the 2019 Infiniti QX60 Limited.

Read more Infiniti news.

Read more New York Auto Show news.