Courtesy of Infiniti
As the appetite for large luxury vehicles continues to grow and options increase, competition has never been tougher.
One long-standing contender in this category is the Infiniti QX80, the luxury brand’s V8-powered, body-on-frame SUV.
Ahead of a full redesign planned for 2024, I recently got to test drive the 2023 Infiniti QX80, a truly stylish vehicle that still impresses despite its longevity, even when battling in a class that includes tough competitors like the BMW X7 . Cadillac Escalade, Audi Q8, Jeep Grand Wagoneer and more.
Read on for a full breakdown of the QX80’s design, drive quality, technology and more.
FYI
- Vehicle: 2023 Infiniti QX80
- Tested price: $90,855 (start around $75,000)
- Best feature: Spacious and versatile interior, impressive technological features, powerful V8 engine
- Evaluation: 4 out of 5 stars
- Who will want this vehicle?: Large families looking for a spacious, high-end ride that meets all their needs
APPEARANCE
The 2023 Infiniti QX80 sports a big, bold, bulbous exterior, but it’s not as sleek and stylish as some luxury rivals. It will likely receive an exterior design update for the 2024 model year and beyond.
20-inch wheels are standard, and that jumps to 22 inches on higher trim levels. Standard features are LED headlights, a power moonroof, roof rails, power folding heated outside mirrors and a power tailgate.
You can upgrade it to add dark chrome exterior trim and adjust leather upholstery colors.
The interior is an absolute home run, with seating for 7 or 8 depending on whether you choose the bench seat or 2nd row captain’s chairs.
It features a wealth of high-end materials, is very spacious and the seats are easily adjustable to maximize cargo space and passenger accessibility. The overall atmosphere is user-friendly and welcoming.
For cargo, you get 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 95.1 cubic feet with the 2nd and 3rd rows down. With all the seats up, you only have 16.6 cubic feet of storage. Leather upholstery is standard on all QX80 models, as are heated front seats. You also get a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel and three-zone climate control.
Legroom and headroom are ample throughout the vehicle; and even those sitting in the third row will have good comfort.
Opting for the higher Sensory trim level adds upgraded leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated outboard second-row seats and more.
HOW IS THE PAST?
Power is the name of the game for the 2023 Infiniti QX80. It moves courtesy of a 5.6-liter V8 engine that produces a healthy 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. The power plant is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the QX80, but four-wheel drive is optional.
While many larger vehicles are starting to move away from V8 options and body-on-frame configurations, Infiniti is holding strong for the 2023 model year, and the result is a healthy 8,500 pounds of towing capacity. The vehicle also features a self-levelling rear suspension.
Snow and tow modes are also included, and the top trim level offers a hydraulic body motion control system that reduces body roll when cornering. Acceleration is also decent for the size, going from 0-60 in less than 6 seconds.
For such a large vehicle, it’s generally a smooth ride, but the engine sounds were a bit loud and distracting at times.
The driver also sits high in the QX80, making every other vehicle on the road look small and offering a great view. The seat memory can be saved for two drivers.
Braking was strong, and handling and cornering are about as good as you’ll get in a 6,000-pound vehicle. Road noise did not intrude and the vehicle handled bumpy roads well.
TECHNOLOGY, SECURITY
The 2023 QX80’s infotainment setup, centered around the 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch touchscreen, is very impressive and easy to use. It received a much-needed update for the 2022 model year, replacing a dual-screen setup.
All voice commands worked well on my first try, and the touch controls are well placed and easy for anyone to master. The navigation was also reliable and always took me where I needed to go, taking traffic patterns into account.
A 13-speaker Bose audio system comes standard, and audiophiles can choose to upgrade to an even better 17-speaker system on the top level. And music can be accessed via your phone if you take advantage of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A wireless phone charger is also included.
Several USB ports can be found throughout the vehicle for charging, along with a 110-volt outlet. A rear-seat entertainment system with dual 8-inch screens is also offered (inputs can be wired or wireless). A Wi-Fi hotspot is offered and new for 2023 is the inclusion of Amazon Alexa.
Like all vehicles at this level of luxury, the QX80 comes loaded to the gills with the latest safety features.
Standard features include:
- Adaptive Cruise Control (maintains a driver-set distance between the QX80 and the vehicle in front)
- Blind Spot Warning (warns you if a vehicle in the following lane is in your blind spot)
- 360 way through through) 360-degree, top-down 360-degree view of your surroundings from a top-down view of your surroundings to help you in tight parking situations.
- Forward Collision Mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios, including when pedestrians are detected)
- Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Departure Warning (steers the QX80 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Most of these systems work pretty well, but I found the lane departure warning when the vehicle sensed it was drifting out of its lane a little too sensitive for my liking.
MPG
Official fuel economy numbers for AWD versions of the QX80 are 13 city/19 highway/15 combined. A rear-wheel drive version increases the numbers to 14 in the city and 20 on the highway.
In my real-world testing in the QX80, I averaged 12.4 miles per gallon.
That number is pretty low due to a thirsty V8 in the QX80, but to be fair, the entire extra-large SUV segment is weak in this area. And those that beat the QX80’s numbers by a significant amount tend to have weaker, non-V8 engines and a less powerful ride, so it’ll be a matter of deciding whether horsepower or fuel mileage is more important to you.
PRICE
The QX80 I tested, the top-of-the-line trim level, was priced just under $91,000. Its base price starts around $75,000. It’s definitely not an affordable ride for most people, but for those looking in this class, it’s actually thousands of dollars cheaper than many of its competitors.
Trim levels include Luxe, Premium Select and Sensory.
The warranties offered on the QX80 are respectable, including:
- Four-year or 60,000-mile limited warranty
- Powertrain warranty covering six years or 70,000 miles
- Up to 3 years of free scheduled maintenance with Infiniti Premium Care, including oil changes, tire rotations, brake fluid changes and more
BOTTOM LINE
The crown jewel of Nissan’s luxury brand, the 2023 Infiniti QX80 is an inviting, roomy, and powerful vehicle that has the goods to compete against the big players in this exclusive category of large luxury SUVs.
Its comprehensive technology and versatile design make it a solid choice for families looking for a vehicle that meets all their needs and looks premium while doing so.
Matt Myftiu can be reached by email at matt@autotechreviews.com. His previous reviews can be viewed online at autotechreviews.com. Follow AutoTechReviews on Instagram at @Autotechreviews.
