2024 Infiniti QX80 Review: Aging But Able Three-Row SUV

Feeling quite long in the tooth, the 2024 Infiniti QX80 continues to drag on with minimal changes in a market that is quickly leaving it behind. The full-size SUV competes with luxury rivals like the Cadillac Escalade and Lexus LX - some may suggest the BMW X7, too - and it comes in a bit below them in terms of price. This may seem like a good deal at first, but once you remember that it is one of the oldest cars on sale in 2024, it has a barely usable third row, and only just gets enough kick from its 400-horsepower V8 to get it moving, you have to ask yourself if it is even worth that much. There is an updated version waiting in the wings, so we don't expect the current QX80 to draw loads of attention alongside flashier contemporaries. That doesn't mean you should discount it entirely, though.

New for 2024

Though it possesses no additional standard features, the new Infiniti QX80 SUV offers a Dark Chrome appearance package. This gives the already chunky vehicle some imposing dark exterior accents, including black mirror caps and dark chrome grille surrounds. This package is only offered on the already expensive top-tier Sensory trim.

2024 Infiniti QX80 Price: Which One to Buy

As a more premium brand, the starting price of the 2024 Infiniti QX80 starts at $74,150 for the Luxe or $78,785 for the Premium Select. The most expensive Sensory will cost you $85,835. Each trim can be upgraded with 4WD, for $3,150 on the Luxe, and $3,100 on the remaining trims. These are MSRP prices and do not include the $1,995 destination charge.

Considering how expensive the car is, but also how well-equipped the base model is, the Luxe is the most logical choice when buying new. You still get power-adjustable seats, tri-zone climate control, extensive driver-assistance features, and a Bose premium audio system. Sticking with the smaller wheels also has the added benefit of keeping the ride quality as smooth as possible. If you were going to spend in excess of $80,000 for the top trims, we'd rather go with a rival that offers more for the same money.

Interior and Features

The interior of the QX80 is a real blast from the bast when compared to more modern rivals thanks to all the physical knobs and buttons.

As one of the older large SUVs on the market, the QX80 has not yet adopted the minimalist approach that more modern rivals have introduced. In fact, it has one of the busiest central clusters we've seen, with a touchscreen stacked on top of physical controls, over broad air vents, with even more knobs and buttons below. This gives the dashboard a very segmented appearance. However, this chunkiness actually suits the high-end materials used and gives the cabin a bold look. Actually interacting with all the features can be a bit tricky, though, until you get used to where everything is and no longer need to take your eyes off the road to navigate.

Space

Full-size SUVs generally have huge interior dimensions, so it makes sense that the QX80 can easily host up to eight people in comfort. To get the maximum number of positions, you'll have to swap out the standard second-row captain's chairs for a bench, though. In either configuration, the first and second rows are both very accommodating, though separate bucket seats do offer slightly more comfort. The rearmost row is extremely limited in legroom, so only the smallest of children can comfortably fit back there. As standard, the front seats are power-adjustable, and the driver should be able to find a comfortable position with ease. Getting inside is easy enough, thanks to wide-opening doors and standard running boards, though reaching the third row requires some

Cargo

As a three-row SUV, the QX80 doesn't have stellar cargo space, with just 16.6 cubic feet. To be fair, this is more than many other three-row SUVs. Folding down the mostly useless third row creates an impressive 49.6 cubic-foot loading area. This turns the Infiniti into a great family getaway vehicle, especially when you consider its 8,500-pound towing capacity. If you need to move apartments, then the maximum capacity of 95.1 cubes should help you get the job down in just a few trips.

Around the cabin, there are numerous storage solutions, like a pair of cupholders under a flip cover, another two in the rear middle seat, or under the flip cover in the central armrest if you have captain's chairs. Both armrests have a spacious cubby underneath, and each of the four doors has a modest pocket. Lastly, the glove compartment is quite large.

Materials and Colors

With leather as standard, we can't fault the materials used to dress the interior space of the QX80. The basic palette comprises Graphite or Wheat, both paired with Charcoal Burl wood trim. Interior colors change for the Premium Select, which swaps out Wheat for a bolder Sahara Stone hue and adds Truffle Brown. There is also an additional trim option in the form of Matte Mocha Burl. At the top-tier Sensory level, the leather is upgraded to semi-aniline, which can be had in Wheat, Graphite, or the new Saddle Brown. For every model, you get a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter.

Features and Infotainment

Even in its most basic configuration, the Infiniti QX80 is presented as a premium vehicle, so it comes well-equipped. These features include tri-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating, a heated steering wheel, a seven-inch driver-information display, in-car Wi-Fi, and a wireless phone charger. From the 12.3-inch touchscreen, you can access Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, HD Radio, SiriusXM Traffic, and Alexa, all channeled through a 13-speaker Bose premium sound system. Things only really improve again once you hit the Sensory trim, which boasts ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, additional USB and charging points, and a superior 17-speaker Bose sound system. Lastly, it allows you to install the rear entertainment package, with its eight-inch screens attached to the front seat headrests.

Performance

We wouldn't call the large V8 under the hood weak, and despite being quick to 60 mph, it doesn't make the large

and heavy SUV feel effortlessly powerful on the highway.

There is only one engine for the Infiniti QX80, and that is a massive 5.6-liter naturally aspirated V8 that develops 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. Borrowed from the similarly large Nissan Armada, this powertrain is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, and you can choose between a rear- or four-wheel drivetrain. Despite its massive size and weight, the Infiniti QX80 can go from 0-60 mph in around six seconds, according to independent tests. Top speed is limited to 133 mph. Towing capacity is good, with an 8,500-pound maximum.

While the full-size SUV doesn't want for power, the gearbox is not as eager to downshift as we'd like. This means that you may have to plan your overtaking on the highway a little or else employ the manual shifters on the steering wheel. The car otherwise has excellent road manners and is easily manageable around town, so long as you respect its dimensions. Compared to rivals that have received more extensive updates over the years, it no longer has the grace and poise to compete on equal footing, and even the adaptive suspension on the Sensory can't make it feel athletic. There is no reason to complain about comfort, though, as every model does a good job of soaking up bumps without letting passengers know they even exist.

Fuel Efficiency

Expecting fuel efficiency from the naturally aspirated V8 engine is unwise, so the abysmal mpg figures of the Infiniti QX80 don't come as a surprise. In standard RWD configuration, gas mileage is set at 14/20/16 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. Luckily, you only lose a little bit of fuel economy for the AWD, which returns 13/19/15 mpg.

The fuel capacity of both configurations is 26 gallons, but the maximum range is still only mediocre at just below or above 400 miles.

Safety

Despite coming with a plethora of modern driver-assistance tech, the QX80 only has a four-star safety rating, and its front crash tests are disappointing.

With some subpar crash test reviews, the Infiniti QX80's overall rating of four out of five stars from the NHTSA still seems generous. This is largely thanks to the perfect side crash tests, while frontal scores were a mix of threes and fours, while the rollover crash only managed three stars. There is no safety review of the Infiniti QX80 by the IIHS.

The list of inclusive safety features is quite long, with ABS, EBD, stability and traction control, and six airbags covering the basics. More advanced driver assists comprise a rearview camera, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, surround-view camera, and adaptive cruise control.

US NHTSA Crash Test Result

Reliability

Though it lacks a reliability rating of its own from JD Power, the Infiniti QX80 shares its platform with the Nissan Armada, which manages a decent 79 out of 100. Though this isn't the highest in the segment, there have been no recalls for the QX80 over the past three years, which seems to reinforce the idea that quality control is great.

The warranty for the 2024 Infiniti QX80 covers bumper-to-bumper problems for four years/60,000 miles and powertrain issues for six years/70,000 miles. There are also three years of free scheduled maintenance.

Warranty

Design

As the largest SUV in the Infiniti range, the 2024 QX80 has suitably bold and chunky styling, emphasized by a blocky front fascia and a flat, rectangular grille. This is softened slightly by a few curves here and there, and slanted headlights surrounded by LED daytime running lights. Roof rails are installed as standard, too, along with a moonroof. All the bits and pieces are body-colored on the base model, while the Premium Select gets black accents and the Sensory gets chrome. Similarly, 20-inch alloy wheels are replaced with 22-inch rims when you upgrade to the upper trims. The rear end is broad, with blocky LED taillights and a small brake strip in the spoiler at the top of the power-operated liftgate.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Infiniti QX80 A Good SUV?

While there is nothing inherently wrong with the Infiniti QX80, it punches well out of its league by competing with German giants like the BMW X7. European rivals have done a much better job of keeping their offerings up to date with modern features and styling, while the Infiniti definitely looks its age. And though it doesn't lag too far behind in terms of quality, it has never been able to go toe-to-toe with rivals in terms of power and handling. Add to this an extremely cramped third row, and it is hard to pick the QX80 over something else. Even locally, the Cadillac Escalade is better in every regard. Still, for the money, the Infiniti SUV gives you a lot of cargo space and excellent towing, but you can get the same in the Nissan Armada for a lot less.