Infiniti’s flagship drives far smaller than its size
Originally called the QX56, it has only had a couple of different faces since the nameplate appeared over 20 years ago. History teaches us future revamps of this machine are likely to only happen thrice more in our lifetime, so it’s worth paying attention.
What’s new in the 2025 Infiniti QX80?
In an era of electric vehicles, why build a jumbo SUV?
Because people will buy them, that’s why. Customers in this segment are looking for the type of vehicle which is going to coddle people in comfort, pack all the latest tech toys, and have the capability to tow several tons. Infiniti figures its customer base for the QX80 includes well-heeled families — and that’s probably correct — but we also feel it could play a supporting role to hulking pickup trucks in some family fleets.
What powers the 2025 Infiniti QX80?
For this model year, Infiniti has ditched the 5.6L V8 in favour of something much more modern. Under the hood is a 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 engine, good for 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, all funneled to the earth through a nine-speed automatic and four-wheel drive. Those figures are 50 and 103 more than the V8, respectively, so what this mill may lack in exhaust note, it more than makes up for in outright grunt. Infiniti says the engine is loosely evolved from the one found in the GT-R and Q50 Red Sport, so it will be technically correct if owners brag to their buddies that there’s Godzilla DNA behind that illuminated Infiniti badge.
How big is the Infiniti QX80 and how much can it tow?
With those dimensions, it surely drives like a cathedral, right?
Surprisingly, no. Despite prodigious weight and literally being only 8 inches narrower than a city bus counting its sideview mirrors, the QX80 handles much smaller on the open road than its measurements suggest. An electronic air suspension is standard on every trim, paired with dynamic digital suspension dampers which do a great job of masking the QX80’s heft. No one will mistake it for a GT-R, obviously, but the machine didn’t exhibit the top-heavy tendencies of a few competitors which tend to lean in corners and toss a passenger’s head from side to side. If anyone gets carsick in here, it’s a genetic thing — not a fault of the car.
Interior features of the 2025 Infiniti QX80
Lavish accommodations await passengers of all three rows, with Infiniti insisting it’s trying to set up an atmosphere of a private jet in which there is no different classes of seating. Indeed, they have succeeded — especially in the top rung Autograph trim we sampled in California.
Twin 14.3-inch screens live behind a single display area, one ahead of the driver and the other for infotainment and ancillary functions. A third screen, measuring 9 inches, has a haptic touch feature to control the likes of ventilation and drive modes. The haptic feedback does permit a measure of no-look operation, which is handy. Even handier is the ability of certain camera angles to stretch across both of the 14.3-inch screens, creating the sort of panorama generally associated with photos of the Grand Canyon. A so-called ‘invisible hood’ view allows for precise placement of the front tires, exceedingly handy for anyone trying to park this beast in the confines of an underground condo parking garage. Owners can even geotag certain locations so specific camera angles will automatically appear when desired.
Speaking a persistence of first-class accommodations, the middle row chairs are thrones, equipped with heating, ventilation, and massaging functions, all controlled through an easily reachable touchscreen. Infiniti points an infrared sensor at middle row occupants, a detail which will allegedly read the upper body temperature of those passengers and adjust the ventilation temp and fan speed accordingly.
Infiniti boasts their sliding solution for the middle row captain’s chairs produces the segment’s largest opening to access the third row, and this long-legged author believes that claim. The seat powers forward easily with the touch of a button and there is no web of seatbelts to navigate whilst passing through that space. Whilst your 6’6” author found headroom at a premium in the Way Back, legroom was acceptable thanks to plenty of space for toes; gear like USB ports and cupholders abound back there as well.
Audiophiles will deeply enjoy the available 24-speaker audio system, available on two of the three trims, built by an American company called Klipsch and able to belt out 1,200 watts which we believe is more than a Motörhead concert back in the day. The three-dimensional sound produces rich bass and envelops the entire cabin with abundant levels of high-quality music. We sampled everything from jazz and rock to opera and EDM, coming away impressed by how faithfully the system (yes, those are speakers in the front headrests) faithfully replicated each genre of music.
Does the 2025 Infiniti QX80 return good fuel efficiency?
Canadian pricing of the 2025 Infiniti QX80
Final Thoughts
Those are hefty sums but certainly in line with its competitors. A major challenge of Infiniti will be getting prospective customers in the showroom since the brand has been off the radar of some shoppers for a spell. Successful with those efforts, they will likely siphon buyers from rivals thanks to a sumptuous interior and innovative tech like the Klipsch audio system and widescreen camera angles.
Infiniti might have taken a hot minute revamping its flagship SUV — but it was worth the wait.
Pros
✔ Tremendous Klipsch sound system
✔ Innovative camera displays
✔ Drives far smaller than its size
Cons
✘ Tepid exhaust note
✘ Absent soft close doors
✘ Towering price
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