Being a full-size SUV underpinning the Armada’s bones, the QX80 is a full-fledged luxury offering from Infiniti. It features a powerful V-8, fully independent suspension, a plush interior, and even loads of convenience features to make up for its dated architecture. We reviewed the Lexus GX earlier, and it confirmed that the body-on-frame chassis-based SUVs aren’t that bad. Same with the QX80, which is heavily based on Nissan’s Armada, while being about $20,000 more expensive. Surely there are a lot of differences, but Infiniti is trying to squeeze out a little more every year before a comprehensive revamp. But, unlike the GX, the QX80 is not known best for reliability. It is not as bad as a Mercedes-Benz would be, but it has faced recalls in its previous iterations. So, who do you think will buy the QX80? Well, people who don’t have problems with higher fuel expenses, love the raw sound of a V-8, love to travel around with family, and want good luxury treatment. But, if you pay $71,000, you want all of these factors covered, including a modern cabin design and a better handling chassis, right? The Jeep Wagoneer, the Cadillac Escalade, and the Genesis GV80 are all modern seven/eight seaters with ample tech and a modern-looking cabin. So, what should you do? Before making any judgments, read our full review.

2022 Infiniti QX80

Specifications
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  • Model: 2022 Infiniti QX80
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Pros
Cons

What’s New for the 2022 Infiniti QX80?

We hated the dual-screen infotainment setup of the outgoing model year the screens its previous model years sported. Thank goodness, Infiniti has eliminated the whole bag of displays and replaced them with a single 12.3-inch touchscreen. The entire center console has changed, with tactile buttons and knobs for controlling the HVAC functions. There is a wireless charging pad on the right-hand side of the center console, and Apple CarPlay can be activated wirelessly. Nothing major, but the new infotainment system will retain the intuitiveness it once lost. Everything else remains the same as before.

2022 Infiniti QX80 Trims

2022 Infiniti QX80 Trims

Trim

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

Price (MSRP)

Luxe

5.6-liter naturally aspirated V-8

Seven-speed automatic

RWD/AWD

$71,100/$74,200

Premium Select

5.6-liter naturally aspirated V-8

Seven-speed automatic

RWD/AWD

$75,400/$78,500

Sensory

5.6-liter naturally aspirated V-8

Seven-speed automatic

RWD/AWD

$82,250/$85,350


QX80 Exterior

Infiniti’s flagship SUV does not go unrecognized on the road. Though the design is showing its age, the QX80 is still a looker with aggressive front-end styling. The current-selling QX80 was introduced back in 2011 as its second generation, but Infiniti was keen to introduce a much-needed facelift after seven years in 2018. The front fascia of the 2022 QX80 is very similar to the other Infiniti SUVs, like the QX55 and QX50. As standard, the QX80 sports LED headlights, a huge intake grille with chrome surrounds, fake side vents, and a wide lower intake grille. The rear is as boring as it can be, with decent-looking LED taillights, a chrome bar connecting the lights, a roof spoiler, and a single exhaust tip on the right side. The exhaust tip is kind of hidden under the rear bumper. The sides have huge 20-inch wheels and stationery running boards. As standard, the QX80 comes packed with a power sunroof, a power liftgate, power-adjustable outside mirrors, tinted rear row window glasses, roof rails, and automatic rain-sensing wipers. The Premium Select trim offers a lot of chrome strips around the cabin with a dark-themed paint scheme and a set of huge 22-inch alloy wheels.

Dimensions

The QX80 is a full-size body-on-frame SUV, so we are looking at huge dimensions. It weighs 5,678 pounds as standard, which is 43 pounds more than the Cadillac Escalade. The QX80’s AWD system adds another 135 pounds to the already heavy curb weight. But, a strong heart under the hood is quite happy pulling a ship-like SUV, so no worries. Other important dimensions include 210.2 inches of overall length, a mirrorless width of 79.9 inches, and a generous 75.8 inches tall height. As for the ground clearance, the QX80 has plenty with 9.2 inches, which is more than the Wagoneer’s 8.3 inches. The wheelbase measures 121.1 inches, which is about an inch shorter than the Escalade and about two inches shy of the Wagoneer. In comparison, both the American-made SUVs are relatively bigger than the QX80. The differences are not huge, but an inch or two higher in the overall length, width, and height make them look big.

2022 Infiniti QX80 Exterior Dimensions

Length

210.2 in.

Width

79.9 in.

Height

75.8 in.

Ground Clearance

9.2 in.

Wheelbase

121.1 in.

Front Width

67.5 in.

Rear Width

67.9 in.

Curb Weight

5,678 lbs.


Exterior Colors

Available in a total of eight shades, you can make your QX80 look apart with the right color choice. Infiniti offers four free-of-cost colors, which are Hermosa Blue, Black Obsidian, Liquid Platinum, and Anthracite Gray. The remaining four colors: Coulis Red, Champagne Quartz, Moonstone White, and Mineral Black will cost you $695 additionally. If you want to make your QX80 look the best, we suggest you go for either Black Obsidian, Champagne Quartz, or Anthracite Gray.

2022 Infiniti QX80 Exterior Colors

Liquid Platinum

Mineral Black

Black Obsidian

Champagne Quartz

Coulis Red

Hermosa Blue

Moonstone White

Anthracite Gray


QX80 Performance

If you are curious about the performance, you will not be thrilled by the thrust provided by the 5.6-liter naturally aspirated V-8. The 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet sound good on paper, but not as exciting when put to test, thanks to the added curb weight. The standard QX80 with the rear-wheel-drive set-up will do naught to 60 in about 6.5-7.0 seconds. However, Car and Driver tested the all-wheel-drive variant, and the results are not as bad as you would think. So it is 5.9 seconds to 60 miles per hour and a standing quarter-mile in 14.6 seconds. Do not lift off the pedal, and you can touch 135 miles per hour before hitting the limiter. But hold on, you won’t buy a big luxury SUV like the QX80 to keep testing it over standing quarter-mile, right? Just know that the V-8 under the hood is capable of towing up to a whopping 8,500 pounds, which is better than the Escalade, but is significantly less than what the Wagoneer has to offer. Yes, the Jeep is capable of towing 10,000 pounds. The Escalade, with its slightly more powerful V-8, can accelerate similarly to the QX80. The Wagoneer is about a second behind in both 0-60 and quarter-mile run timings.

Engine and Transmission

While the old-school V-8s are becoming extinct, there is one right under the hood of the QX80. This naturally aspirated 5.6-liter engine belts out 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a seven-speed shiftable automatic gearbox, it can drive either the rear wheels or all four wheels, depending on your drivetrain choice. The nature of the engine makes it rev up to 6,000 revs, while the peak torque is available up to 4,000 RPM. The engine may be powerful, but the transmission is slow and inept at downshifting when more power is required. The V-8 sounds great, by the way, when you bury the throttle. But, do keep in mind that the engine does not like it if revved much. When undertaking super-long highways, keep it in the mid-range, and you'll be more than satisfied with the engine's performance. If you are a fan of on-paper numbers, then note that the 6.2-liter V-8 powered Escalade makes more power than the QX80: 420 ponies and 460 pound-feet. The Wagoneer, on the other hand, houses a mild-hybrid powertrain under the bonnet. But the power figures are lower than both the Escalade and QX80: 392 horses and 404 pound-feet of twist.

2022 Infiniti QX80 Performance Stats

Engine

5.6-liter naturally aspirated V-8

Transmission

Seven-speed shiftable automatic

Horsepower

400 hp @ 5,800 RPM

Torque

413 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM

Driveline

RWD/AWD

0-60 mph

5.9 seconds (AWD)

Top Speed

135 mph


Handling and Driving Impressions

The QX80 is no different from other truck-based options in the market. Meaning that it will perform like a BMW X7 around corners. However, because the highways in America are long and straight, the QX80 can easily glide through. However, we are not sure about the driver, but the passengers would love the seating comfort. Thanks to the independent suspension on both front and rear, the QX80 offers smooth rides over small potholes and bumps. The brakes and the steering feel are pretty much absent, but we cannot blame them as the QX80 is a full-size, about 210 inches long SUV. However, if you want a better handling experience, the top-spec Sensory trim offers a Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, which can stiffen the outer suspension and can deliver a confident cornering experience. We hope that with the upcoming generation of QX80, Infiniti offers a more advanced suspension system like the adaptive air suspension, found with both the Cadillac and Jeep.

2022 Infiniti QX80 Mileage

What makes a big SUV like the QX80 sip more gas than a mid-size crossover? Higher engine capacity? Check. No forced induction? Check. The more the revs, the better power? Check. But if you are considering buying something like the QX80, you would not worry about fuel costs over the years. The EPA has rated the rear-wheel-drive QX80 with 14 miles per gallon in the city, 20 miles per gallon on the highways, and 16 miles per gallon combined. The all-wheel-drive variant performs a mile per gallon lower in all three mileage tests, so you are looking at 13/19/15 for city/highway/combined. Infiniti has added a big 26-gallon gas tank for you so that you don’t have to complain about stopping at gas stations every 200 miles. If you don’t have a playful right foot, the QX80 can deliver at least 520 miles on the highways, which is quite good. The Escalade with its more powerful and bigger 6.2-liter V-8 performs similarly when it comes to fuel economy. However, the Jeep has done a clever thing to the Wagoneer by making a hybrid powertrain. It helps the Wagoneer to be on the top when it comes to fuel economy. 16/22/18 for city/highway/combined is not something that will go unnoticed. With the Wagoneer, you can squeeze out about 60 miles more on the highways with a similar tank capacity of 26.5 gallons.

2022 Infiniti QX80 Fuel Economy

Model 

City

Highway 

Combined

QX80 RWD

14 MPG

20 MPG

16 MPG

QX80 AWD

13 MPG

19 MPG

15 MPG


QX80 Interior

The QX80’s interior is showing its age because hardly anything has changed since 2011, except for the new infotainment display and the redesigned center console. The updates are presented with the 2022 model year, and they add a bit of modern touch to the cabin. But, there are a lot of things to like about the QX80’s cabin, starting with the build quality. There is a combination of leather, and soft-touch plastics, along with wood trims around the dashboard and door panels. However, quality is better with the top-spec Sensory trim which comes with a shiny wood center console, wood-trimmed steering wheel with power adjustability, and beautiful semi-aniline leather seats. As standard, the QX80 comes heavily packed with a leather-wrapped steering wheel along with heating options, a three-zone climate control system, ambient lighting, leather upholstery with heating functions, up to eight-way power-adjustable front seats, and power-folding third-row seats. Of course, for the price, the available features are a must. Talking about the cabin design, the steering wheel and the instrument console remain the same as they were in the earlier model years. A seven-inch digital display houses between the two analog gauges. The center console now holds a compartment for a wireless charging pad. The climate control buttons, along with the heating and ventilation buttons/knobs, are now easier to operate because they are well laid-out physical buttons. Even if you rant about how ancient the cabin of the QX80 feels, the build quality and overall vibes will make you happy. After all, it is a Japanese luxury SUV.

Seating and Interior Space

With a seating capacity of up to eight people, the QX80 has a decently spacious cabin. We want to clear out one thing, both the Escalade and the Wagoneer have a longer wheelbase, so their third rows have a lot more legroom than the QX80. If you wanted a fair comparison, we have the Lexus GX, which has slightly compact dimensions compared to the Infiniti. But more on that later. We do not have any complaints about the seats and the seating comfort. They offer excellent comfort on the go, and the quality is something you would expect from a $70,000 SUV. As for the interior dimensions, the QX80’s front row sports 39.9 inches of headroom, a shoulder room of 63.8 inches, and a good 39.6 inches long legroom. The second row offers a generous 40 inches of headroom. The shoulder room and legroom available are 63.5 inches and 41 inches, respectively. The third row has a surprisingly good 36.8 inches of headroom, a shoulder room of 60.5 inches, and a compact 28.8 inches long legroom. The third row, due to its shorter legroom, is best suited for children. Both the Escalade and the Wagoneer offer a way better third-row experience than the QX80.

2022 Infiniti QX80 Interior Dimensions

First 

Second

Third

Headroom

39.9 in.

40.0 in.

36.8 in.

Shoulder Room

63.8 in.

63.5 in.

60.5 in.

Hip Room

59.2 in.

58.4 in.

48.8 in.

Leg Room

39.6 in.

41.0 in.

28.8 in.


Interior Colors and Materials

Infiniti is offering a lot of color options, even for the cabin, which is awesome. But hold on, there are just two interior color profiles for the standard QX80, which are the Wheat leather, and the Graphite leather. The Premium Select models add Sahara Stone leather, and Truffle Brown leather, while retaining the Graphite leather from the base trim. The top-of-the-line Sensory models offer three color-theming options: Saddle Brown, Wheat, and Graphite. The upholstery material is premium semi-aniline. The standard steering wheel is leather-wrapped, but the Sensory models replace it with a wood-trimmed steering wheel. Other cabin materials are just pretty much the same, which are leather, aluminum trims, and soft-touch plastics on the non-touchpoints.

Infiniti QX80 Trunk and Cargo Space

For its size, the QX80 can hold a decent amount of cargo behind the third-row bench. You'll have 16.6 cubic feet of room, behind the third-row bench, which is adequate to pack your family's luggage for weekend trips. The capacity is far better than the GX’s 11.6 cubic feet, but is significantly lower than the Escalade and the Wagoneer. Coming back to the QX80, folding the third-row seats can give you access to 49.6 cubic feet, which might come in handy if you move around a lot. Inside the cabin, there is generous space available inside the glove box, center console bin, door pockets, and seat-back sleeves. You will have an abundance of cupholders across the cabin, which is a good thing if you are traveling long distances.

Infiniti QX80 Infotainment and Features

Features

Even if it is an old cow, the QX80 packs a lot of features inside the cabin to make your drive compliant every day. The base Luxe is a $71,100 model, so you can expect features such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel with heating functions, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and a six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, a three-zone automatic climate control, power-folding third-row seats, and a wireless charging pad, add to the standard features list. The Premium Select carries on with the same features, but offers more interior color options to choose from. Flagship features, such as ventilated front seats, an advanced air filtration for the cabin, and heated second-row seats are made standard to the top-spec Sensory trim.

Infotainment

Gone is the unintuitive and horribly dated infotainment system of the QX80. The 2022 model year brings a ton of changes to the center console, and that includes a big 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay integration. Sorry Android fanboys, wireless Android Auto is still not available on the QX80. Other infotainment features include satellite radio, voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 13-speaker Bose premium audio system. These features are available for both the Luxe and Premium Select trims. The Sensory trim adds a better 17-speaker Bose premium audio unit and two eight-inch displays attached to the front seatback. The displays may be connected via HDMI or USB cables, allowing second-row passengers to enjoy the ride as well.

2022 Infiniti QX80 Problems and Reliability

Being a part of Nissan, Infiniti is quite a reliable brand. The QX80 is the brand’s oldest serving SUV, and as per the NHTSA records, the 2022 model year is yet to receive any recall. The 2021 model year, on the other hand, has been recalled twice. The first one was for a malfunctioning fuel pump module, and the second one was for faults with the rearview camera. Also, both the 2020 and the 2019 model years suffered one recall. But trust us when we say that it is one of the most reliable options in its segment, apart from the mighty Lexus GX. As for the J.D. Power ratings, the QX80 scored 80/100 in the overall consumer ratings, and even ranks #3 in the Large Premium SUV segment, beating the Land Rover Range Rover. The Cadillac Escalade has suffered seven recalls for its 2021 model year; yes, seven! The Jeep Wagoneer, however, has been recalled thrice. So you have the results, both the Lexus GX and the Infiniti QX80 are more reliable options among most of the options.

Like other Japanese carmakers, Infiniti tries to provide a decent warranty. The QX80 will have a four-year or 60,000 miles of warranty. The brand will also cover a six-year or 70,000 miles of drivetrain warranty, seven-year or unlimited miles of anti-corrosion warranty, and up to four years or unlimited miles of roadside assistance.

Warranty

2022 Infiniti QX80 Warranty Coverage

Basic

Drivetrain

Corrosion

Roadside Assistance

Length

4 years

6 years

7 years

4 years

Mileage

60,000 miles

70,000 miles

Unlimited miles

Unlimited miles


2022 Infiniti QX80 Safety

While the IIHS does not have any records whatsoever of the QX80, the NHTSA does. The 2021 model year and its earlier iterations have scored similarly, with four out of five stars. Although the scores for the individual sections are not as great as you would think. The QX80 received a two-star rating for the front driver-side crash and a three-star rating for the front passenger-side crash. The Escalade performs slightly better, but the Wagoneer did not stand a chance to get tested.

Key Safety Features

All the QX80 models come with the latest suite of advanced driver assistance features, which include:

- Adaptive cruise control

- 360-degree camera system

- Parking assist

- Blindspot monitoring

- Rear cross-traffic alert system

- Lane departure warning

- Lane-keeping assist

- Forward collision mitigation

Other important passive safety features include:

- Dual-stage driver and front passenger front airbags

- Dual-stage driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags

- Curtain airbags for all three rows

- Electronic stability control

- Emergency braking assist

- Tire pressure monitoring system

- Rear child safety locks

Verdict: Is the Infiniti QX80 a Good Car?

In a crowded market, Infiniti has been having a tough times with its sales volume. With the QX80, the brand retains what a proper Japanese luxury SUV should be like, but at the cost of aging. It is one of the few remaining body-on-frame luxury SUVs, and it has its merits and demerits. The QX80 has a powerful V-8 engine, but is not efficient. The chassis is old and does not allow dynamic driving. The exterior looks great, but the interior is dying to get an overhaul. Of course, if you are looking for a luxury SUV such as the QX80, there are a lot of options like the Jeep Wagoneer and the Cadillac Escalade. But, if you look closely, you will be better off considering the Nissan Armada’s top-spec trim. Both, the Armada and the QX80, share the same bones, tech, comfort, and even the engine. However, the new Jeep Wagoneer is a lot cheaper and comes at around $60,000 including destination charges. So, choose wisely.

What is the Price of the 2022 Infiniti QX80?

Infiniti’s flagship SUV starts at $71,100 with the base Luxe. However, adding an all-wheel-drive system will make you pay $3,100 over the said MSRP. The Premium Select model is available for $75,400 with the rear-wheel-drive set-up. The top-spec Sensory will set you back by $82,250, and $85,350 if you opt for the all-wheel-drive version. All the said prices are without the $1,395 destination charges. Quite expensive, isn’t it? Well, then don’t even think of the Cadillac Escalade.

2022 Infiniti QX80 Models

The 2022 QX80 is available in three models in total: Luxe, Premium Select, and Sensory. All three models are powered by a 5.6-liter naturally aspirated V-8 under the hood, driving either the rear or all four wheels. We have described all three models thoroughly just below:

3Luxe33}

- 20-inch alloy wheels

- LED headlights

- LED taillights

- Power tailgate

- Three-zone automatic climate control system

- Leather upholstery

- Leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel

- Eight-way power-adjustable driver seat

- Six-way power-adjustable front passenger seat

- Heated front seats

- Second-row captain’s chair

- Seven-inch multi-information display

- 12.3-inch touchscreen display

- Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto integration

- 13-speaker Bose sound system

- Navigation system

- Wireless charging pad

All the models come with the latest driver assistance features from Infiniti which include:

- Blindspot monitoring

- Adaptive cruise control

- 360-degree camera system

- Lane-keeping assist

- Forward collision mitigation

- Lane-departure warning

- Rear cross-traffic alert system

- Parking assist

3Premium Select33}

- Carries forward the above features

- Dark chrome trim on the exterior

- 22-inch alloy wheels

- Sahara Stone and Truffle Brown interior color options

3Sensory33}

- Dual eight-inch displays for rear-seat entertainment

- Hydraulic Body Motion Control system

- Upgraded cabin air filtration

- Ventilated front seats

- 17-speaker Bose premium audio unit

- Semi-aniline upholstery

- Heated second-row seats (outboard)

What Infiniti QX80 Model Should I Buy?

The base Luxe is well-equipped for a luxury SUV. So, we recommend it to the masses. If money is not a differentiating factor for you, then the top-of-the-line Sensory AWD is for you. You will have access to ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, and a lot more for the price. We also recommend the all-wheel-drive system for all-weather driveability and enhanced performance on the go.

2022 Infiniti QX80 Comparisons

2022 Infiniti QX80 Comparisons

Model

Horsepower

MPG (Combined)

Price (MSRP)

Infiniti QX80

400 

16

$71,100

Cadillac Escalade

420

16

$76,295

Jeep Wagoneer

392 

18

$58,995


2022 Infiniti QX80 vs Cadillac Escalade

The Escalade is America’s BMW X7, with a longer wheelbase, huge interior space, and not-so-athletic handling dynamics. The latest Escalade is full of tech and luxury like never before, but all of them come at a price. It starts at $76,295, being about $5,000 more expensive than the QX80, but has a lot to offer. Things, which are missing on the QX80, are abundantly present on the Escalade. A spacious third row, a more modern-looking and heavily featured dashboard, and more creature comforts. But, there is a problem with the Escalade, which is its reliability. It suffers a lot of reliability issues, and for that matter, the QX80 is a much better option.

Read our full review on the Cadillac Escalade

2022 Infiniti QX80 vs Jeep Wagoneer

The Jeep Wagoneer, though it does not have any prestige value, is a well-composed and practical option, versus the QX80. It is a lot cheaper, starting at just under $60,000, packs almost all the features of the QX80, and even adds a couple of things like a fully digital driver’s display, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel, along with power-adjustable pedals. All of these features come as standard. Yes, you saw that right. So, if a value-for-money luxury SUV is what you seek, then the Wagoneer will not disappoint you in any way. Also, The V-8 is coupled to an electric motor and combined they become a mild-hybrid powertrain, making it easy on your fuel expenses, just by a bit.

Read our full review on the Jeep Wagoneer