FIRST DRIVE REVIEW: 2025 INFINITI QX80

The last time Infiniti's biggest SUV was all-new, Barack Obama was still in his first term as President, Iron Man 2 and Inception were big hits at the cineplex, and the iPhone 4 was just being rolled out.

That's right, I'm talking about 2010. That was the last time the QX80, which was known as the QX56 at the time, was last all-new. For additional perspective, that second gen edition, a 2011 model, wasn't rebadged as a QX80 until 2013. A long time ago, indeed.

But for many automakers, the product cycles for their biggest SUVs are like generations, as the recent new editions of the big Lexus SUVs attest. It takes a long time for them to arrive. And now it's the QX80's turn. AutoGuide.com recently travelled to Napa, California to get some seat time in the new third gen 2025 QX80 as part of a media preview. 

Exterior Style

The QX80 has always been a giant box on wheels, and remains so, but Infiniti designers have modernized its looks, and included some design cues that will filter out across the brand moving forward. 

The QX80 is the first vehicle to carry Infiniti's new "Artistry in Motion" design language. There are a several key details that embody this new aesthetic, some of which were previewed when the QX Monograph concept was revealed last summer. 

Among these are a nearly flat hood, a new double-arch grille finished in gloss black that is inspired by a bamboo forest, and a redesigned headlight system. The latter features narrow LED daytime running lights positioned on either side of the grille above projector-style LED headlights. The grille also contains Infiniti's newly updated three-dimensional logo, which is illuminated. 

On each side are flush door handles, that extend and retract when the vehicle is locked and unlocked. Infiniti claims they're better for aerodynamics and have a cleaner and tidier look. Black trim, for mirror caps, pillars, and window trim, are also a part of the QX80's sleeker appearance. 

At the rear is a full-width LED taillight element that Infiniti says was inspired by, "tranquil reflections of light upon a body of water." The panel, which has over 300 LEDs, has a smoked finish which produces a striking shade of red, especially at night.  

As for wheels, the QX80 comes standard with 22-inch cast aluminum alloys on all trims in the U.S., except for the base Pure which has a 20-inch set. In Canada, all models come standard with 22-inch sets. 

Powertrain and Fuel Economy

I'll get right to it: the 5.6-liter V8 that powered the QX56 / 80 for twenty years is no more. In its stead is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, which is related to the twin-turbo V6s found in the Nissan GT-R and Infiniti Q50 Red Sport. 

Power output is up significantly over the outgoing V8, with the V6 producing 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft. of torque. These are gains of 50 and 103, respectively. Putting the power to the ground is a standard nine-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the outgoing seven-speed autobox. 

As for drive layout, the QX80 is available in both rear-wheel and four-wheel drive for the bottom two trims in the U.S. (Pure and Luxe), while the two upper trims (Sensory and Autograph) are equipped with four-wheel only. For Canada, all three QX80 grades (Luxe, Sensory, and Autograph) come with standard four-wheel drive.

Final fuel economy numbers from the EPA and NrCAN had not been released at time of writing. 

Handling and Driveability

The QX80 is a big and heavy SUV, and it drives like one. The powertrain changes make for a positive impact, however, in the way it feels on the road. They're incremental changes, to be sure, but improvements all the same. 

Infiniti claims the new twin-turbo V6 and nine-speed automatic improve low-end acceleration by 27 percent, and while we weren't performing any measured testing in California, this QX80 does feel more responsive than its V8-powered predecessor. Peak horsepower doesn't arrive until 5,600 rpm, but top-end torque comes in at 3,600 rpm, which makes for decent acceleration from rest, and for good passing power at highway speeds.  

On tight, twisty roads and wider highways in the Napa Valley, our QX80 tester performed impressively. Despite being more than 17 feet (5.3 meters) long, the QX80 doesn't suffer from much body lean, and when dialed to sport mode, it hustles in and out of corners well for a vehicle of its size.   

Ride Quality and Comfort

On most roads we drove on in Napa, the QX80 delivers a quiet and composed ride. This is due in large measure to its Electronic Air Suspension and Dynamic Digital Suspension, which is standard on all grades in the U.S. above base Pure and is standard on all models in Canada. 

At speed, the air suspension lowers the QX80 by 1.2 inches (304 mm) for improved aerodynamic performance, and when parked lowers 2.8 inches (711 mm) below normal ride height for easier entry / exit and cargo loading. For off-roading, the Off-Road drive mode setting raises the suspension by 2.1 inches (536 mm) above the QX80's normal ride height. Available drive modes include standard, eco, sport, snow, tow, and personal. 

The Dynamic Digital Suspension electronically adjusts by constantly measuring the vehicle's motion and calculating appropriate damping force. The benefits, Infiniti says, are reduced body roll through curves, and lower bounciness ride over bumpier surfaces.  

Infiniti has also stiffened the QX80's structure with a frame that has 25 percent greater tortional stiffness, and 57 percent greater lateral stiffness compared to the outgoing model. A new electric steering rack has also been installed, and new sound deadening materials have been added for a quieter ride. Infiniti says the cabin is three decibels quieter than its predecessor.

In practice, these changes make for a quieter, more responsive, more capable, and more livable big SUV. It can still be cumbersome to maneuver in tight parking lots but is a very comfortable highway cruiser. And it can haul up to 8,500 pounds (3,855 kg).  

Interior Style and Quality

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the new QX80 is its cabin, which comes loaded with new tech and creature comforts. Many of these features are standard on all models and include Infiniti InTouch with dual 14.3-inch screens, Klipsch 14-speaker premium audio (24-speaker available), heated first and second row seats, 3D Around View Monitor, ProPILOT Assist 1.1 (2.1 available), wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto, and Google built-in, among other features. A separate nine-inch touchscreen, located below the dual 14.3-inch screens, governs climate controls, drive modes, and gear selector.  

For the media drive, we drove the range-topping Autograph trim which also comes with ProPILOT Assist 2.1 which delivers hands-free highway driving and automatic lane changes, front and second row massaging seats, heated third row seats, front console cool box, in-car camera, open-pore ash wood trim, and a lot more.

Generally, the level of luxury content and sophisticated design in the new QX80 is, at minimum, on par with the best the segment has to offer. The soft-touch materials, and varied trim panels are not only pleasing to interact with, but they also look great. 

The tech offering is impressive, as mentioned, but the camera tech deserves special mention. Front Wide View can provide a 170-degree view for a "seeing" angle that goes past parked cars and around corners. Invisible Hood View uses advanced image processing to display what's directly beneath or in front of the car. The new 3D Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection has a 3D spin function and eight pre-selected angles that the driver can toggle through on the center touchscreen to aid in parking.