2022 Infiniti QX80 4WD: The Brand’s Flagship Vehicle Enhances Tech Features

Highlight:  The current generation QX80 has been around since 2013.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $87,985 (Base Model Luxe RWD: $72,495)

Seating Capacity: 6 to 8

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; traction control system; an electronic blindspot system; a lane departure warning system; a distance control assist system; a hill start assist system; a trailer sway system; back up camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (Base): 20-inch wheels; a 7-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive; an adaptive front lighting system; a keyless entry system; a push button ignition system; a heated steering wheel; a radar activated cruise control system; a navigation system; leather seats; heated front seats; second-row bucket seats; a remote engine start system; roof rails; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a tri-zone automatic temperature control system; a power sunroof; a power rear liftgate; a power folding exterior mirror; power fold flat third row seats; ; an in-car Wi-Fi system; and a fixed body color running boards

Standard Equipment (Sensory): 22-inch alloy wheels; quilted leather seating and door panels; a black headliner; a digital smart rearview mirror; second-row heated seats; ventilated front seats; a 17-speaker Bose audio system

Options: dual screen rear entertainment system; illuminated kick plates; illuminated cargo scuff plates; roof rail cross bars; and radiant exterior welcome lighting

Other Trim Levels:

Premium Select

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a 13-speaker Bose audio system with AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 60,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 6 years or 70,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 4.6-liter, 8-cylinder engine/400-hp

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Towing: 8,500 lbs 

Standard Fuel Mileage: 14-city/120-hwy

What’s New:  An all-new 12-inch infotainment touchscreen and an in-vehicle smart charger system

Why:

Roomy

Great road vehicle

Second-row bucket seats with a fixed center armrest

Optional second-row bench seating

Heated second-row seats available

A power reclining third-row seat

A refreshed easy-to-use infotainment system

In-car wireless charging system

Great quality Bose sound system

Standard 8,500 towing ability

4WD available

Variety of driving modes

Quilted leather seating and trim on select models

Optional 22-inch wheel improves ride, handling and stance of the SUV

Wireless Apple CarPlay now available

But: 

A dated exterior design, when compared to some if its competitors

Lacks some tech and luxury features found on some of its domestic competitors, such as hands-free driving system and a co-pilot assist driver system

Access to third-row could be somewhat challenging

Third-row lacks legroom

No oversized sunroof

No foldable, power running boards (improves appearance of the vehicle, when not in use)

No extended wheelbase

Verdict: Despite several updates over the past few years, the Infiniti QX80 brings up the rear in the large luxury SUV segment. The last major redesign was in 2011. All of its major competitors have evolved since that time. A new model is expected to arrive in late 2023, according to our sources.

The QX80, Infiniti’s flagship vehicle. is available in several trim levels: Luxe, Premium Select and Sensory. Its one of the few vehicles in this segment whose price tag is well under $100,000, making it the most affordable of the pact.

The QX80 is available in a variety of trims in a rear-wheel drive or a four wheel drive configuration. The towing capacity is on par with many of its competitors too. While the vehicle offers quilted leather seats to a high Bose system to ventilated front seats, it lacks such distinguishable features as a co-pilot assist driving system to hands free driving. We expect when the next generation arrives many of those features plus more will be incorporated into the vehicle.

Competition: 2022 Cadillac Escalade; 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer; 2022 BMW X7; 2022 GMC Yukon Denali; 2022 Lexus LX; 2022 Lincoln Navigator; and 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS