2024 Infiniti QX80

Pros

• Better tow rating.
• Strong brakes that can handle a big SUV.

Cons

• Interior design that is too old.
• V8s need better gas mileage.
• Drivers who use old tools and technologies.
• It could be better put together as a current high-end SUV should be.

How is it to drive a QX80? Most big SUVs now have turbocharged engines, so the QX80’s naturally aspirated V8 is one of the few in its class that doesn’t. The QX80 has 400 horsepower, but it took 6.9 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph in our tests, which is pretty slow for a luxury SUV. In any case, the brakes are very good for such a big family car. They are strong and easy to use for normal driving.

On the other hand, the QX80 is basically an old-fashioned 6,000-pound SUV. We’d like it to handle faster and more accurately, and when going around bends, it looks less modern and agile than other high-end SUVs. The QX hasn’t changed, but the field has.

How does the QX80 make you feel? When it comes to big SUVs, the QX80 has some good points. Because it is heavy, has a long length, and has tall sidewalls on its tires, they help protect it from small bumps and uneven ground. But bigger, uneven bumps could make the house shake very hard from side to side. This is pretty normal for a car this size, but the QX stands out more than its rivals.

The seats look fine, but they aren’t as comfortable or adjustable as seats in cars of the same price. It is very easy to use the climate control, and the seat heating and cooling work very well. The QX80, on the other hand, tries to hide its practical roots, except for a cabin that is well insulated and quiet.

How is the state of the inside? There’s a lot of room inside. The first two rows are fine, and the third row has more room than most of its competitors, though the high ceiling makes it a bit tight. It’s easy enough for a child to tilt and tumble forward the captain’s seats in the second row by pulling on a simple handle.

The high seats, large windows, and built-in 360-degree camera system make it easy to see what’s outside. Even though the graphics look good, the infotainment screen’s user interface and menu access could be clearer compared to other systems on the market. It’s not very easy to use, even though it has two tools that aren’t needed: a small rotary knob and a touchscreen.

What’s wrong with the tech? Infiniti has packed a lot of features into the QX80, but the technology looks like it needs to be updated. Users can connect both Android and Apple phones, but only Apple CarPlay is wifi. Several USB ports and charging ports are available. The music quality of the Bose stereo system is fine, but only some of its competitors’ high-end audio systems are better.

The modern driving aids in the QX80 don’t work very well. Adaptive cruise control slowly speeds up and stops quickly but gradually. Distance Control Assist does its job, but for something this big, it seems strange and out of place. It works well to stop the car and let the driver speed up. In the end, the gear needs to be redesigned.

What’s going on with storage? The Cadillac Escalade has more room than the QX80. Still, the maximum space of 95.1 cubes and the 49.6 cubic feet of space behind the second row is more than enough for most of the jobs that a big SUV is likely to do. But it’s hard to move big things because the trunk is heavy and the liftover in the back is high.

The inside storage is fine but more creative and well-thought-out than that of other brands. The second-row bucket seats are big enough for most car seats, and it’s easy to find the places where you can connect the seats. The headrests for the second row can be taken off, and the seatbacks can be pulled back to make the seats bigger.

One of the QX’s biggest advantages over other cars is that it can pull up to 8,500 pounds. The suspension levels the load, and a seven-pin electrical connection and an integrated tow hitch are common features.

How much fuel does it use? The QX80 is a four-wheel-drive car that gets 15 mpg on the highway and in the city, according to the EPA. Other cars in the same class, like the BMW X7 and Lincoln Navigator, get more than that. We got an average of 16.6 mpg on our real-world test route, which shows that this V8 is as thirsty as its specs say it is.

How much is the QX80 worth? The QX80 is less of a deal than other cars in its class. It doesn’t rattle, and the materials inside are good. Infiniti could have gone a lot further if they had improved the inside. The entertainment system tries to bring the cabin up to date, but it only lasts for a while. We wouldn’t be willing to pay more for this SUV because it looks so much like the Nissan Armada below. Instead, you can get a lot more comfort from other car brands for the same price as the QX80.

The QX80 stays the same way people usually get around. Even though the V8 engine sounds good, the vehicle’s weight makes it hard to speed up before the tires start to make noise and the automatic stability and traction control systems start to work. Even though the QX80’s appearance has changed over time, it still looks big and dull in most ways.

The Luxe trim level of the QX80 lineup is the best deal. There is adaptive cruise control, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, a 360-degree camera, and GPS as standard. Apple CarPlay also has wireless technology, but Android Auto needs to be connected to a line.

Examples of the INFINITI QX80

There are three trim options for the 2024 Infiniti QX80, a luxury SUV with three rows of seats: Luxe, Premium Select, and Sensory. All models come with a 5.6-liter V8 engine with 400 horsepower and a seven-speed automatic gearbox. You can choose a model with two or four wheels.