2025 Infiniti QX80 Review: Road Tripping in Luxury

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceWhat is it?
Twenty years ago, Infiniti joined the full-size luxury SUV market by introducing the QX56, a well-appointed truck-based sport-ute. Ten years later, the QX56 was replaced by the QX80, and now, for the 2025 model year, the big SUV moves into its fourth generation with a completely redesigned QX80. With bold, new styling and a plush, spacious interior, the 2025 Infiniti QX80 takes a significant step up from its previous generation.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceRaising the Bar
“Infiniti has always sought to raise the bar in automotive luxury, going beyond the vehicles themselves to provide a truly satisfying, total ownership experience,” said Craig Keeys, group vice president, Infiniti Americas. “The all-new 2025 Infiniti QX80 is the ultimate expression of bold design, advanced technologies, and detailed craftsmanship, and we believe it reestablishes the standard for full-size luxury SUVs.”

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceLineup
Infiniti offers the QX80 in four trim levels: Pure, Luxe, Sensory, and Autograph. Top trims come standard with four-wheel drive, and even the base-level Pure is well-equipped. Prices ranged from around $84,000 for the Pure rear-wheel drive to more than $110,000 for the top-level Autograph.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceTest Vehicle
Infiniti provided me with a 2025 QX80 Autograph, painted in the elegant Mineral Black/Graphite Shadow two-tone. As the highest trim level, the Autograph comes standard with almost every possible feature, so my test vehicle had no additional options. The total manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for my test vehicle listed at $112,590, including the $1,995 destination charge.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceStyling
As the flagship SUV of the lineup, the new QX80 appropriately is introducing a new design style for the brand. “The all-new QX80 is the first production model to be born under our evolved design language, Artistry in Motion,” said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president for Nissan Global Design. “On the exterior, we held true to the provocative vision we established with the QX Monograph and on the inside, we seamlessly integrated technology amongst the finest materials, to deliver a sense of extraordinary craftsmanship for all three rows.”

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceBold Look
The new QX80 stands out from its predecessor, as well as any other full-size SUV on the road, with a broad grille adorned with a large illuminated Infiniti logo. Slim LED daytime running lights add to the modern look, while headlights integrate nicely into the edges of the front bodywork, giving the QX80 a wide stance.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceRear View
The rear window is flush with the bodywork, giving the big Infiniti a clean look at the rear. Stylish LED taillights span across the rear hatch, while INFINITI is spelled out in large, bold font.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperiencePowerful Silhouette
The size of the new QX80 is quite evident from the side with its high hood and squared-off roofline. Fender flares and the available 22-inch wheels complete the look.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceUnder the Hood
Powering the 2025 QX80 is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, putting out 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. That’s an increase of 50 horses and 103 lb-ft of torque compared to the outgoing version. The powerful engine is teamed with a 9-speed automatic transmission designed to improve low-end acceleration as well as increase efficiency. The QX80 can tow up to 8,500 pounds.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceInner Space
Infiniti has created a cabin that nicely blends high-tech features with premium-quality, luxurious materials and surfaces. At the forefront are the dual 14.3-inch displays – gauge cluster and infotainment system – that fit together as one large screen. The screen is set back into the dashboard, which gives the cabin a unique look. An additional display extends from the center console, providing access to climate controls and other vehicle systems. With most interaction taking place in one of these displays, virtually all physical controls are eliminated. However, I do appreciate that there’s an actual volume knob in the center of the dashboard.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceKlipsch Audio
Infiniti has partnered with Klipsch to create a custom audio system for the new QX80. The system in my test vehicle was the Klipsch Reference Premier Audio system with 24 speakers, putting out 1,200 watts. Features include titanium tweeters, a subwoofer, and a 24-channel amplifier. There are also speakers in the front seat headrests.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceFront Seats
As the top-level Autograph, my QX80 features soft semi-aniline leather trimming all three rows of seats. Front seats are incredibly comfortable, featuring heating, cooling and massage functions as well as 10-way power adjustment.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceSecond Row
Dual captain’s chairs are standard on all versions of the QX80; however, all but the Autograph are available with an optional bench seat that increases total seating to eight. In the Autograph, second-row seats are almost as plush as the front seats with heating, cooling, and massage. A touchscreen in the center console between the seats allows easy access to the seat and climate functions.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceThird Row
With a second row that folds and slides out of the way, access to the third row of the QX80 is easy. Once in, you’ll find reasonably good legroom and headroom, and surprisingly, seat heaters for the outboard positions. Cupholders and USB ports ease the burden of being relegated to the third row, and the seats recline for added comfort. While the room is good, seating is a bit cramped when trying to fit three adults in that space. Second-row seats can slide forward to provide a bit more third-row legroom.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceCargo Space
The QX80 delivers plenty of utility with 22 cubic feet of cargo space with all three rows in use. There’s also a convenient cargo tray for added versatility. However, for more than just a couple of suitcases and other gear, pushing the button on the side panel lowers the third row, bumping the available space up to 59 cu-ft. For maximum cargo space, the second row can fold flat for a total of 101 cu-ft of space.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceBraving the Cold
I loaded up the QX80 with the family for a Thanksgiving road trip, driving from outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Madison, Wisconsin – about 400 miles each way. With temps well below freezing, one of my favorite features became the remote start function. Starting up the Infiniti five minutes before departure allowed everyone to climb into a toasty-warm vehicle with the seat heaters already on.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceOn the Road
The QX80 is no small vehicle – it weighs in at more than three tons – but with its powerful turbocharged engine, it moves very quickly. Accelerating to 70 mph on I-94 was effortless, and the QX80 is ideal for cruising down the highway. The electronic air suspension absorbs all the rough spots in the road, delivering a comfortable, quiet ride, making the QX80 a lovely option for a road trip.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceGood Handling
For such a large vehicle, the QX80 handles itself surprisingly well. Steering is responsive, and with the air suspension, the big SUV remains stable and confident, even on a winding country road.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceProPILOT Assist
For the first time, Infiniti offers the QX80 with its most advanced driver assist system, ProPILOT Assist 2.1. This system provides hands-free driving on select limited-access highways in certain conditions. I tried out the system on the interstate through Michigan and Wisconsin, and while it doesn’t have the coverage of GM’s Super Cruise or Ford’s BlueCruise, it works quite well when operating. I was able to travel for several miles without touching the pedals or steering wheel while ProPILOT Assist kept the QX80 at a set speed, maintaining distance from the car ahead and keeping within the lane markers. It’s a bit unsettling to let go of the wheel at first, but once you get used to it, it does alleviate much of the driving stress.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceFuel Economy
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2025 Infiniti QX80 AWD is rated at 16 mpg city / 19 mpg hwy / 17 mpg combined. The combined rating is just one mpg higher with the rear-wheel drive variants. This represents a considerable improvement over the ratings for the previous generation with its V8 powerplant. During my drive from Michigan to Wisconsin, the trip computer indicated 18.5 mpg – not terribly efficient, but it aligns with the EPA estimates.

© Perry Stern, Automotive Content ExperienceRating: 8.5
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 is a significant step up from its predecessor, with bold styling and an elegant, spacious cabin. With its high-tech features, quality ride, impressively comfortable seating throughout, and powerful turbocharged engine, the new QX80 was a pleasure to take on my Thanksgiving road trip. The updates for 2025 should make the QX80 a strong player in the competitive luxury full-size SUV market.

The post 2025 Infiniti QX80 Review: Road Tripping in Luxury appeared first on autoNXT.net.

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