2023 Infiniti QX80

Pros

• More extraordinary ability to pull.
• Large SUVs have incredible stopping power.

Cons

• The interior design is less luxurious than the competition.
• The engine uses more gas than other engines in the same class.
• Features that help the driver and old technology take away from the overall polish you’d expect from a modern premium SUV.

Since most large SUVs now have turbocharged engines, the QX80’s naturally aspirated V8 is unique. Even though the QX80 has 400 horsepower, it took 6.9 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, which is about average for a luxury SUV. Even though it is a big family car, the brakes are excellent. Not only are they easy to use for everyday driving, but they are also solid.

But there must be a way to get around the fact that the QX80 is, despite its old-fashioned look, a 6,000-pound SUV. The clever suspension, which we used to praise for handling the car’s weight, feels less modern and elegant now, and the steering could be faster and more accurate. The field has improved, but the QX hasn’t changed.

For a large SUV, the QX80 has some features that stand out. It is heavy, has a long wheelbase, and has high sidewalls on its tires, which help it ride smoothly over uneven terrain and small bumps. On the other hand, more significant, more uneven crashes tend to shake the cabin violently from side to side. Even though the QX is about average for a car of size, it seems more significant than some of its competitors.

The seats look great, but in terms of flexibility and support, they must live up to the standards set by seats in similar vehicles. The heating and cooling of the seats work well, and it’s easy to change the temperature. The cabin of the QX80 is quiet and well-insulated, but that’s about all it has going for it.

There’s a lot of space inside. The first two rows should feel tight enough, and even though the high floor limits the hole in the third row, it is still better than in other cars. With the push of a lever, the captain’s seats in the second row can flip and move forward, but not so easily that a child could do it.

High seating, oversized mirrors, and a 360-degree video system make it easier to see outside. Even though the images on the infotainment screen are excellent, the user interface and menu navigation could be more straightforward to understand than many other systems. Even though it has controls that do the same thing, like a small rotary knob and a touchscreen, it’s still not very easy to use.

There are a lot of features on the Infiniti QX80, but the electronics are old. iPhones and Android phones can be connected, but only Apple CarPlay works wirelessly. There are a lot of USB ports that can be used to connect and charge devices. Compared to some of its competitor’s high-end audio systems, the sound quality of the Bose stereo system could be better.

The high-tech driving aids in the QX80 aren’t always perfect. Adaptive cruise control slows the car’s speed and stops it quickly and suddenly. Distance Control Assist, which controls braking and gives the driver control over acceleration, works, but it feels strange and abrupt in something this big. Lastly, it’s time to update the hardware.

The QX80 has less as a Cadillac escalade. With a maximum space of 95.1 cubic feet and 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, this vehicle is still helpful for most jobs for which a large SUV is likely to be used. The high liftover at the back and the heavy bumper make it hard to load large items, and the centre console in the second seat keeps you from making the luggage area completely flat.

The storage on the inside is delicate but less creative and well put together than many competitors. Most car seats will fit in the second-row bucket seats, which are significant and have lots of attachment points for car seats. The second-row seat backs can be moved back to make the seats more comfortable, and the headrests can be removed.

The QX stands out because it can pull more than 8,500 pounds. Standard equipment includes an integrated tow hitch and a seven-pin electrical connection; the suspension lets you level the load.

The expected 16 combined mpg from the EPA (14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway is the combined rating.) is lower than most competitors, like the Lincoln Navigator and BMW X7. On our 115-mile real-world test route, we got an average of 16.6 mpg, showing that this V8 is as thirsty as its predictions say.

The QX80 could be a better buy compared to other cars. Inside, nothing rattles, and the materials are excellent. But Infiniti could have improved the inside much more. The infotainment system tries to make the cabin feel a little more modern, but the effect could be more-lived. We’d have a hard time paying more for this than the Nissan Armada since both SUVs are the same on the inside. For the same price as the QX80, you can get much more luxury from other automakers.

The QX80 does not go above and beyond basic transportation. Although the V8 engine sounds great, there is little hustling before the tires squeal and the automatic stability and traction control systems kick in. Although the design of the QX80 has developed over time, it still appears clumsy and unappealing from most angles.

As of this writing, Infiniti has made no public statements about the 2023 QX80. We’ll adjust our prediction when more information becomes available, but we expect Infiniti to reintroduce the base Luxe trim. That’s the one we’d go with. The 12.3-inch central touchscreen, Nappa leather-appointed seats, and Bose audio system are among the many standard luxury amenities. We also like the Luxe’s 20-inch wheels. They include taller sidewall tires for a more comfortable ride than the 22-inch wheels on the Premium Select level.

Models of the Infiniti Qx80

Luxe, Premium Select, and Sensory are the names of the Infiniti QX80’s three available packages. All variants come equipped with a 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8, which is offered with two- or four-wheel drive.