The Infiniti QX80 isn’t exactly a spring chicken. If you count the three years that it was on the market as the “QX56,” this full-size SUV has been on the market for nearly a decade. This is a rather long lifestyle for an SUV in today’s automotive climate, but the QX80 is a very niche vehicle; not in size and purpose but in terms of sales for the brand. When you look at overall sales of the QX80, the figures don’t look that great. In 2016, Chevy sold more than 103,000 Tahoes, and even Cadillac sold some 23,000 examples of the Escalade. The QX80, though? Infiniti moved just 14,085 over all of 2016, and that was an 8.3-percent increase over 2015. With that in mind, the company can’t exactly give it a short lifespan like other automakers can their full-sized, wide-selling SUVs.

That doesn’t mean the QX80 has been ignored, however. On the contrary, it was actually refreshed when Infiniti swapped its name over from QX56, and it was refreshed again in 2017. The overall appearance of the QX80 isn’t displeasing to look at, and when we were offered the chance to spend a few days and give it a good thorough test drive, we couldn’t turn down the offer. Immediately we started asking ourselves questions: Can it still hold its own in a market with much newer, more advanced vehicles? Does it’s aged chassis still deliver driving dynamics and comfortability that’s on par with other full-sized, luxury SUVs on the market today? Should someone really pay anywhere between $65,000 and upward of $90,000 for a vehicle that’s due for retirement? Well, we’ve set out to figure out just how well the QX80 has aged over the years – you just might be surprised.

Infiniti QX80 Exterior Design

Our tester was the 2019 QX80 Limited, the range-topping model and one that comes standard with just about anything you could want, including 4WD. What this means for the exterior design is that it has all the bells and whistles. It is the cream of the crop, and it is the very best basis for comparison against its rivals. When Infiniti refreshed the QX80 back in 2017, the biggest changes to the exterior included a revised grille, headlights, and hood. It was enough to keep the QX80 looking relevant, but when you look at every other large, luxury SUV on the market, the QX80 does look kind of dated. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. We can actually see the beauty in its more simplified, not-in-your-face styling, and overall look. The grille isn’t outrageously massive or over blingy. It fits in the front end just right, and the headlights are actually kind of aggressive. From the right angle, it almost looks like it’s squinting at you in a mean way. Even the design of the lower fascia is rather subdued and not overly edgy. In a world full of fake vents, weirdly large grilles, and fake exhaust tips, this senior of an SUV actually feels welcoming.

The side profile of the QX80 follows the same simple recipe. There aren’t any huge vents or drastic body lines that scream for attention. Instead, Infiniti went with rather flat panels from front to rear, nicely molded side steps, and unobtrusive flares around the wheel arches. Our limited model featured the flashy trim around the windows, along the side skirt, along the sidestep, on the door handles, and the little vent on the fender. It’s literally just the right amount of pizzazz to keep the QX80 in the Goldilocks zone between overzealous and boring.

The rear end of the QX80 is a completely different story. In fact, we feel almost like two different people designed it. One person handled the design from the rear wheels forward, and someone else handled the rear end design. The curved portion of the hatch below the black glass is, well, just not attractive. It makes the rear glass feel bigger than it is. And, with the way the rear fascia sticks out and away from the hatch, everything just seems disproportionate back here. I wouldn’t go so far to say the whole rear end is hideous or ugly, but it damn sure won’t win a beauty contest either. On a side note, visibility through that rear glass is great, so the design isn’t all bad. It would have looked a little better from the outside if the overhang above the hatch was tilted downward a bit, and the taillights could be a bit sleeker.

Overall, the Infiniti QX80 does appeal to us in quite a few ways. We like that It doesn’t have a funky-looking grille like that on the Lexus LC570 and it doesn’t have that bulky design and odd headlights of the Cadillac Escalade, for example. There are a few things to complain about, but overall – and despite its age – the QX80 does look pretty damn good, and it holds its own against the competition. It’s most certainly time for the next-gen model to come our way, but this design somehow still works.

Infiniti QX80 Exterior Dimensions

How Big is the Infiniti QX80?

The Infiniti QX80 is 210.2-inches long, 79.9-inches wide, and 75.8-inches tall. It has a wheelbase of 121.1-inches, a front track of 67.5-inches, and a rear track of 67.9-inches. You have to lift your leg a total of 22.4-inches to step in the front or rear side doors. In terms of size, you shouldn’t consider buying a vehicle this large if you have a single-car garage. You might be able to cram it in there, depending on the dimensions, but it will be too close for comfort. For the QX80, you need a two-car garage minimum and, considering its length, you’ll want to make sure your garage is long enough as well. To put it into perspective, 210.2- inches is just over 17.5-feet long, that’s almost two-foot longer than a Ford Mustang.

In terms of the QX80’s competition, it wears the crown in most categories if being big is a good thing. It’s 10-inches longer than an Escalade and almost seven-inches longer than the Lexus LX570. It’s literally bigger than the Escalade in every way, while the LX570 is about a half-inch wider. The latter also has a slightly wider track in the front and rear, so the LX570 probably handles better – at least on paper, anyway.

2019 Infiniti QX80 Exterior Dimensions Comparison

Infiniti QX80 Interior Design

The interior of the Infiniti QX80 is comfortable, spacious, has plenty of cargo room, and seems luxurious enough at a glance. However, the interior is also where it begins to show its age – a lot more so than with its exterior design or its driving dynamics. As far as the quality of materials goes, there isn’t a lot to complain about here. Fit and finish are pretty good, however, Infiniti could have done a lot more when this thing was refreshed in 2017. There is a lot of leather, and it’s a nice touch, but if you actually pay attention, it’s pretty easy to notice that most of that leather is just covering the plastic Nissan Armada shell that lies below the surface. Remember, the Nissan Armada is truck-based, and that means Infiniti had to make a big jump from ruggedness to luxury – not something that’s easy to do. Again, you can’t tell there’s a lot of hard surface under the leather by looking at it, but once you feel it and become aware of its presence, it’s kind of hard to push out of your mind.

Where the QX80 really excels is in the space department. It is inferior to the Lexus LX570 in most categories, but it is a little more spacious than the Cadillac Escalade. Front- and second-row passengers have ample room, but that third row is a little uncomfortable for adults. In can work if you’re in a jam and need to load up your cousins during their unannounced, surprise visit, but it’s more suitable for children or young teenagers. Total passenger volume comes in at 152.5 cubic-feet, which is pretty standard in this segment. All of this space does come with a downside, though. See, since the cabin is so big, and the design is so dated, some of the controls are harder to reach. You won’t find a problem with the basic driving controls, but if you have to reach anything on the massive center stack, you’ll have to bend and stretch a bit to get there. It does have a high seating position which, in combination with the large side-view mirrors, does help alleviate any hampering of your visibility that would generally come because of the think A- and C-Pillars.

Infiniti QX80 Interior Space

In terms of comfort, the QX80 doesn’t really disappoint, but it won’t really wow you either. The seats look great and are pretty comfortable, but they don’t quite feel up to par with those of other full-size luxury SUVs. The front seats don’t offer as much in terms of adjustability, so if you’re really picky about your seating position, you might struggle to get it just right. The second-row seats do offer some adjustment, but they are basically identical to the front seats with fewer adjustments. The overall comfort and quality of the ride do help make up for this, but on larger bumps or uneven pavement, the QX80 does seem to get a little bouncy and maybe even squirrelly. Our tester had the 22-inch wheels, but with the smaller wheels, we believe the ride would be improved dramatically. Overall the QX80 is a relatively quiet vehicle to drive, but at freeway speeds, we did notice some wind noise, and you can occasionally hear the truck-ish V-8 under the hood when you really get on it.

After all, despite the various refreshes, the QX80 is still nearly a decade old. The infotainment screen is also small and can be difficult to see if you don’t have great vision. The Bose system provides sound quality as well as we expected, and the navigation does display upcoming directions, a feature you don’t see in a lot of vehicles. There are 5 USB ports, and our tester had the rear-seat entertainment package, so we had an HDMI connector. The system works well for kids, but it’s not the best out there. Also, neither Android Auto or Apple CarPlay are offered. You can still pair your phone and even use it as an Audio source, but it’s not as simple to do as it is in competitor vehicles. Finally, the QX80 does have some voice recognition features, but you must use very specific phrases, and the voice command options are limited. If you want something really intelligent, you need to stop by your Mercedes dealer.

How Much Cargo Room Does the Infiniti QX80 Have?

The Infiniti QX80 offers up 16.6 cubic-feet of cargo room – 1.4 cubic-feet more than the Escalade and 7.5 cubic-feet more than the Lexus LX570. If you lay down the third row, you’ll get 49.6 cubic feet of space. Lay down the second-row captain’s chairs, and you’ll see that increase to 95.1 cubic-feet of cargo space. The biggest problem we found with the cargo room is that there could be quite a bit more if it wasn’t for that rear center console between the second-row seats. It doesn’t only put a small dent in cargo overall cargo room, but it also eliminates what would be a long, flat floor. With the center console in place, it is much hard to load longer items as they have to be lifted over the center console.

2019 Infiniti QX80 Cargo Room vs. The Competition

Is the Infiniti QX80’s Infotainment System Easy to Use?

The infotainment system in the QX80 hasn’t aged well. The screen is very small for a vehicle of this caliber, and it honestly feels a little reminiscent of something GM would offer. The graphics aren’t the best and overall operation of the system isn’t really up to par with other vehicles in this segment and price range. The navigation works pretty well, the latter of which even gives you upcoming directions ahead of time, but the resolution isn’t that great, so there is a trade-off. There is no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but you can still pair your phone with the system for hands-free calling and auto streaming – it’s just not as dynamic and simple as other systems on the market. Expect this to be an area where Infiniti really works on improving in the next-generation model.

Infiniti QX80 and Car Seats

The Infiniti will Support up to three car seats with tethers. The front two seats offer tethers, and there’s one in the third row. The thing with the third row is that there are no lower anchors, just one in the rear. The front seats offer the lower points as well. If you have a lower trim level with the bench seat in the second row, you can actually fit two car seats and an infant seat in the middle. Attaching the tethers can be a bit of a pain, regardless of the connector, but you can get them in there and secured with a little effort.

Infiniti QX80 Performance

When you weigh just a hair under three tons (The QX80 has a curb weight of 5,676-5,921 lbs), you need a lot of motivation to get going and even more motivation to get there quick. Infiniti had an easy solution for that, and it’s the 5.6-liter V-8 at lies beneath the QX80’s attractive hood. This engine delivers 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, all of which is shunted to the rear wheels by default or to all four wheels if you pony up for the optional AWD system. Our tester had the AWD system and, we have to tell you, it was responsive and did its job well. The problem with this engine, despite its reasonable power rating, is that it was originally designed for a truck – the Nissan Titan, to be specific – and was then repurposed for the Nissan Armada which, in turn, lent like 92-percent of its DNA to the Infiniti QX80.

It does beat out the Cadillac Escalade and Lexus LX570 – our main basis of comparison for this article. Even the Mercedes GLS450 is 0.2 seconds slower to 60 mph. BMW’s X7, however, will be it by more almost half a second in base form. So, as you can see, it’s not the fastest kid on the block, but that truck-based engine doesn’t drag it down too much. In terms of top speed, the QX80 is said to top out at 113 mph, which is at least 20 mph slower than any other offering in this segment. In terms of towing, however, that truck engine really pays off. We didn’t have a chance to actually tow something, so we can’t really report on how well it really performs quite yet. However, we can tell you that as eager as it is to go with a full load of people, it shouldn’t have an issue towing at max capacity.

In terms of driving dynamics, the QX80 really doesn’t disappoint, especially when you consider how old its bones are underneath the metal. The engine is powerful enough to get on the move quickly, and the self-leveling suspension on our tester did keep the monstrous block on wheels rather stable even in sharper turns at speed. Body roll was kept in check rather well, and it even handles mid-turn bumps or surprise potholes without issue – you don’t get that weird shutter or feeling of instability if something catches you off-guard, something rare for a model this size. The stability control manages to step in before you actually push the QX80 beyond its limit, so the likelihood of a rollover from abrupt moves is slim.

The brake pedal is a little soft and does take some getting used to but, at the same time, this prevents having jerky movement if you have to hit the brakes hard. The only time you may feel uneasy is under hard braking when the suspension does let you down a bit and lets the nose dive pretty hard. There’s no abrupt movement, but that steep nosedive did catch us off-guard the first time it happened. We did some quick testing, and we were able to stop the QX80 from 60 mph in just over 115 feet, which isn’t that bad for a vehicle this size.

The one thing we didn’t like about the QX80’s driving dynamics is the steering. It feels quite light for a vehicle this size, and it’s impressively easy to steer in most situations. The feedback is even right on point, but we experienced a little anxiety while navigating through town and tight parking lots. It’s something you can look past easily because it is a massive vehicle, but it’s something to also keep in mind – the QX80 might not be for you if live in areas with tight streets that require parallel parking or larger cities with very small parking spaces.

2019 Infiniti QX80 Drivetrain Specs vs. The Competition

Since the QX80 has a lot of truck DNA, that has generally been its downfall in certain areas. That’s why It has such a low top speed, that’s why it’s not as quick as the competition, and that’s why you actually hear the engine inside the cabin under heavy load. This truck DNA does pay off, though, because the QX80 is very capable of going off the beaten path and will probably outperform most of its competitors in that regard. The suspension really works in its favor here, and the off-road traction settings make things a little better. The only problem is that our tester had the 22-inch wheels, and they aren’t exactly ideal for off-road applications. Sure, you can still go off the beaten path, but you really need the smaller wheels and beefier tires to make the best of it.

All told, the QX80 is quick for its size and more nimble that one would expect. It’s obviously not that great in tight spots, but its old chassis does perform admirably well and much better than we initially expected. It is pretty predictable, but there is a small delay between when you hit the gas and when the engine responds if you try to go full-throttle quickly and the transmission feels very eager to shift, and it can make it difficult to maintain a constant speed or gear when traveling up steeper grades. All things that are forgivable, but we’re really looking forward to the next-gen model and how it performs because the QX80’s setup works well and was undoubtedly a top performer when all the goods underneath were new nearly 10 years ago.

How Much Can the Infiniti QX80 Tow

The Infiniti QX80 has a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, which is enough to beat out the Cadillac Escalade and the Lexus LX570. For a deeper comparison, the BMW X7 can tow no more than 5,950 pounds while the GLS can haul as much as 7,500 pounds. So, if you’re someone who tows but wants something that’s on the luxurious side, the QX80 does represent a solid option, assuming you can get past the older, seemingly outdated technology. It does have enough grunt to easily tow at its max rating, and you’ll be pleased with its performance when you do.

How Fast is the Infiniti QX80

The Infiniti QX80 might not be quite as fast as some of its competitors in the long run, but it can make it to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. It has a relatively low top speed of just 113 mph, so it does top out some 20 mph lower than even the Cadillac Escalade and Lexus LX570. This is a large SUV that tips the scales at nearly three-ton, so don’t expect it to be incredibly quick in a quarter mile, either. Our estimates put it at around 13 seconds, which isn’t bad for a vehicle this size but still slower than the competition.

Infiniti QX80 Fuel Economy

The Infiniti QX80 isn’t a model you want to buy if you’re interested in the best economy possible. The EPA rates the QX80 at 14 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined if you have the 2WD model. If you have the AWD model like our tester, those figures drop to 13,19,and 15 mpg, respectively. During our testing, we have to admit that it did perform up to expectations. We actually managed 21 mpg on the highway with sensible driving, but over the course of our time with the QX80, we averaged around 14.8 mpg with some spirited throttle usage here and there. Some report lower figures with more aggressive driving, so if you really get on it, you might find that your economy averages somewhere in the 12-13 mpg range. Keep a light foot, and the QX80 won’t completely drain your wallet, but it still won’t be that nice to it either.

Infiniti QX80 Fuel Economy Comparison

Infiniti QX80 Safety

Unfortunately, the IIHS hasn’t tested the Infiniti QX80, but the NHTSA has given it a four-star (out of five) rating. Its major downfall was in frontal crashing that simulates a head-on collision at 35 mph. Its overall rating for this crash test is 3 out of 5 stars, with the front driver side scoring two stars and front passenger side scoring three stars. In side crash testing, the QX80 passed with flying colors, scoring five stars across the board for side barrier and side pole testing. The side barrier test simulates a t-bone collision at 38.5 mph (your typical scenario if you run a red light in the city.) In rollover testing, the QX80 fared okay – it received a three-star rating and has a rollover risk of 21.90-percent. There was no tip during the dynamic tipping test. A full list of standard and optional safety systems include:

Infiniti QX80 Safety Features

Infiniti QX80 Pricing

The Infiniti QX80 does have one major selling point over the Lexus LX570 and the Cadillac Escalade – It’s actually cheaper. The entry-level 2WD Luxe trim level starts out at $65,500, but its 4WD avatar comes in at $68,600. The range-topping model (the model we tested) comes in at a whopping $90,200. In comparison, the Escalade starts out at $76,490 ($79,490 with 4WD), and the range-topping model is $95,590. The Lexus LX570 will cost you $86,230 or $91,230 if you go with the three-row model. Each of these also have a long list of options that you can check out in the next section.

Infiniti QX80 Pricing Comparison

Infiniti QX80 Options

Infiniti QX80 Options List

Infiniti QX80 Pricing Comparison

Cadillac Escalade Options List

Cadillac Escalade Options List

Lexus LX570 Options List

Lexus LX570 Options List

Infiniti QX80 Competition

Cadillac Escalade – Price: $76,500 - $98,590

The Cadillac Escalade is a viable alternative to the Infiniti QX80, but it has more of a flashier look, so if that’s not your thing, it might be a turnoff. There’s not so much chrome that it comes off as distasteful, but the headlight design has certainly seen polarized options. Just as the QX80 is a luxurious form of the Nissan Armada, the Escalade is a luxurious version of the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. As such, you can sometimes tell that it was originally designed with hard plastic panels and lower-quality materials. Fit and finish are decent, but like other GM models, there is the occasional rattle or creek that comes into play as it ages. In terms of size, the Escalade is smaller than the QX80 in most cases, but it is a tad bit taller, and it does have wider wheel tracks in the front and rear. Front interior space is also superior in the Escalade, and that carries over to the second row with the exception of legroom, which comes in four-inches less. In terms of performance, the Escalade does offer more horsepower and torque, but it’s a bit slower to 60 mph. Its towing capacity comes pretty close to the QX80 at 8,300 pounds, but highway fuel economy is better at 23 mpg. Overall, the Escalade isn’t a bad choice, however, it’s not as toned down, and it does have typical GM flaws.

Infiniti QX80 vs. Cadillac Escalade Performance

Lexus LX570 – Price: $86,230 - $91,230

If you exclude the higher-range offerings from automakers like BMW and Audi, the Lexus LX570 is probably the sportiest full-size SUV on the market. In comparison to the QX80 (and the Escalade), it features a more in-your-face design with a grille that’s not so subtle and sporty bumpers reminiscent of something you might find on sports cars. It even has a tiny bit of Lexus LC500 DNA mixed in there as well. It’s a hard call when it comes to saying if Lexus’ interior is more comfortable than the Infiniti’s, but it’s certainly harder to tell that there’s a lot of cheaper Toyota under the skin. In terms of size, the LX570 is quite a bit smaller than the QX80, but on the inside, it’s pretty evenly matched for space and even beats the QX in some categories like 3rd-row shoulder room and hip room, for example. This, of course, affects cargo room, so if you’re someone who carries a lot of stuff, you might want to keep walking right past the LX570. In terms of performance, the LX570 doesn’t even break the 400-horsepower mark, but it does compare well in the torque department. Towing capacity is a little low, and its sprint to 60 mph takes around 7.3-seconds – a second slower than the QX80. On that note, however, the LX570 wins the top speed contest with a top speed rating of 137 mph.

Infiniti QX80 vs. Lexus LX570 Performance

Is the Infiniti QX80 Right for Me?

If you’re thinking about buying an Infiniti QX80, then there are a few things you have to consider. Remember, the Infiniti QX80 is coming up on its tenth birthday, so the entire chassis is at least just as old. And, despite the driving experience and comfort, there are times when it does feel its age, either in overall design or just on the basis of modernity. If you’re someone that’s into technology and always want the latest and greatest, that you’re best advised to skip over the QX80 for now. The next-gen model should be right around the corner, and you’re better off waiting for that, as the infotainment and other tech in the current model isn’t anywhere near as modern as it should be for a 2019 model. On the other hand, if slightly dated tech and the occasional reminder that the QX80 is just a glorified Nissan Armada doesn’t bother you, then you’ll find the high towing capacity, relatively quick acceleration, and interior space much to your liking.

Final Thoughts

We really enjoyed driving the Infiniti QX80. It was relatively fun to drive, has a nice, toned down look, and it offers a lot of cargo space. The engine was even peppy enough to keep us happy, even with the slight delay in reaction time when going full throttle from a stop. The hardest part to get past is that the QX80 is just so old. Infiniti has done a good job of keeping it fresh over the years, but its age does shine through at times. The infotainment system was probably the one thing most guilty of reminding us of this since it’s just so small and packed full of yesteryear graphics. Since our tester was the range-topping Limited model, it doesn’t come cheap. Our tester’s base sale price was $89,800, and we had the All-Season Package that increased the price by $355. With the destination charges added in, our tester came to a whopping $91,450. With that kind of price tag, we’re not sure if we can justify buying the current model as the next-gen model, which should hit the market in the next couple of years will be much better in terms of luxury appointments, technology, and hardware under the skin. At the same price, or maybe a little more, you can secure yourself something much newer with more modern technology. Make no mistake, the QX80 is a great car, but it does have its own drawbacks that only exist because of the age of its platform.