It was already clear greater than a yr in the past, throughout our first drive, that the QX80 had loads driving on its broad shoulders. That is Infiniti’s flagship, no qualifiers. Following what we cautiously known as a step in the suitable route, the model is now pushing additional with a brand new trim named the Sport.
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Evaluation: The 2025 QX80 Is A Step In The Proper Path for Infiniti
So, how precisely does a 6,127-pound (2,779 kg) SUV put on a “Sport” badge with out coming throughout as barely ironic? Brief reply: it doesn’t. However there’s extra to the story than simply that, and whereas this subsequent half might sound a bit bleak, keep on with us, it will get higher.
This new Sport grade of the QX80 is nothing greater than an look bundle aimed on the useless. It incorporates a restyled bumper, distinctive 22-inch wheels, darkened trim, a darkish blue inside therapy, open-pore wooden, and a graphite-colored headliner.
What does that need to do with being sporty? We’re unsure, but it surely appears Infiniti isn’t both, as a result of this model has the very same drivetrain and working gear as some other QX80, other than the bottom mannequin that doesn’t get air-ride suspension.
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That’s proper. Regardless of a price ticket that begins within the six-figure vary, the QX80 Sport delivers zero efficiency upgrades. No bump in horsepower or torque, no additional chassis tuning, no food regimen plan to shed weight. At this level, it would as properly include racing stripes and a pretend diffuser.
All of which is to say, it’s straightforward to have a look at this SUV on paper and have a dour perspective. Nevertheless, behind the wheel, it’s stunning in additional methods than one. Buckle up. Let’s go for a trip in what might be crucial Infiniti this aspect of regardless of the model is cooking as much as really battle BMW and Mercedes.
Appears to be like That Do the Speaking
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Images Stephen Rivers for Carscoops
From the skin, it’s arduous to disregard the presence that this SUV has. In every single place one goes in it, the QX80 makes a press release, and that’s a terrific factor for the model. Even this Sport mannequin with the up to date grille manages to be imposing and aspirational in loads of settings. Blacked-out mirror caps, roof rails, emblems, and decrease bumper accents are applicable, given the market.
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Our check automobile featured a two-tone paint job with black on the higher half and stark white on the underside. These shades drove house the darker accents much more and positively didn’t detract from the vibe the QX80 is aiming for. Consumers have the choice of selecting it up in a handful of different colours, although, together with Mineral Black, Grand Blue, or Dynamic Steel.
Contained in the Cabin
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Images Stephen Rivers for Carscoops
Inside, the SPORT trim trades conventional luxurious cues for one thing moodier and extra trendy. Nightfall Blue upholstery, black-and-blue seat inserts with diamond-pattern perforation, graphite headliner and pillars, darkish matte chrome accents, and open-pore wooden all mix right into a cabin that feels daring with out being cheesy. It’s assured, purposeful, and genuinely one in every of Infiniti’s finest interiors so far.
The sprint is enticing, however we’d like to see the tip of piano black plastics and the very odd local weather management display screen. What’s bizarre is that there’s loads of area for bodily buttons under that ancillary display screen, however somewhat than use it, we get drive mode buttons and little else. That mentioned, it’s an intuitive structure as soon as one is acquainted with it.
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The cabin can also be stuffed with luxurious gadgets that not each competitor affords. Each the second and third rows get entry to energy shops, heated seats, and local weather vents. Second-row riders get their very own local weather management settings for optimum consolation. Ingress and egress to the third row is easy because of an simply foldable second row.
Cargo area is copious, too, with 20.4 cubes behind the third row. After all, for many who want extra, it expands with the seats down. That job is a breeze since each rows are power-adjustable from the rear or from the motive force’s seat itself. That expertise is one area the place Infiniti actually does lots of heavy lifting.
Tech That Shines, and Some That Doesn’t
Sure tech options land squarely within the win column. For instance, the entrance seats have a massaging choice that works very well. Your entire automobile rests on an air-ride suspension that each lifts and lowers the automobile based mostly on the situation. Driving round city, it’ll increase itself as much as soften potholes and damaged pavement that may make a pointy affect at sluggish speeds. On the freeway, it’ll hunker down to attain higher driving dynamics and extra gasoline effectivity.
The infotainment system is sweet too, with vivid graphics, logical menus, and snappy responses. The driving force’s cluster is considerably configurable, straightforward to kind out, and can also be out there with a heads-up show, which we loved utilizing.
Then there’s the sound system, which is just superb. The Sport and Autobiography trims get a Klipsch Reference Premier 24-speaker setup, and it’s about as crisp, clear, and featureful as some other we’ve tried. Infiniti even locations audio system within the entrance seat headrests, they usually’re not only for enjoyable.
When a name is available in on the cellphone related to the automobile, it may well route to simply the motive force’s headrest speaker. The opposite audio system proceed enjoying no matter audio was already on, and the motive force can each hear and reply to their caller with out it sounding odd on both finish. That’s a win for each audiophiles and people who simply love good, sensible developments in expertise.
On the similar time, the tech-obsessed would possibly wrestle to love this SUV. As an illustration, rear-seat leisure nonetheless isn’t a factor on this automobile, which is comical given the market. As I discussed in our unique overview of this SUV, my 2010 Ford Flex has rear-seat leisure screens. How this 2026 SUV with a six-figure price ticket doesn’t simply baffles me. That’s only a minor gripe, although.
The one actual subject with expertise within the QX80 is the lackluster driving aids. The Autograph model that begins at $112,195 (earlier than vacation spot) comes normal with what Infiniti calls ProPilot Help 2.1. It’s a genuinely good system. It’s intuitive and seems like a pure driving companion.
Sadly, each different model of the QX80, together with our six-figure tester, comes with the 1.1 model of the system. It’s far much less gratifying to make use of. Oftentimes, it’ll bounce from one lane marker to the subsequent, alerting the motive force that it’s too near the lane marker though it principally put itself in that place. It was so maddening after a couple of earnest makes an attempt at use that i simply stop attempting it.
Drive Impressions
The seating place within the QX80 is nearly comically tall. That was the principle takeaway a yr in the past, and it’s no completely different right now. That’s not a foul factor essentially, however in previous testing, it made the entire SUV really feel prefer it was pitching and rolling over harshly in turns. This time, one thing feels completely different, even when it’s arduous to pinpoint precisely what. The 2026 QX80 Sport drives much better than the Autobiography we examined in 2024.
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Physique roll solely exhibits up when pushed past affordable limits. The tires grip properly, the steering feels sharper, and the brakes are straightforward to articulate below heavy load.
The drivetrain continues to be (principally) a vivid spot as properly. Rated at 450 horsepower (336 kW) and 516 lb-ft (699 Nm) of torque, it’s responsive as soon as the turbos achieve increase. The nine-speed automated is unobtrusive as properly. On the freeway, it’s a bruiser. Overtaking different automobiles is a breeze, and it’s straightforward to see why Infiniti markets the QX80 as a non-public jet for the street.
Up Towards the Heavyweights
There’s by no means been a worse time to construct a promote a three-row luxurious SUV than now. We all know that as a result of we’ve examined most of them, together with the Jeep Wagoneer, Vary Rover, Land Rover Defender, and extra. All of them appear a bit extra articulate than the Infiniti.
Whether or not that comes down to suit and end, driving dynamics, tech, or luxurious, it’s simply the truth we’ve observed. It’s not as fast as most rivals, it’s no extra gasoline environment friendly, it lacks the off-road functionality some have, and the cabin doesn’t really feel as particular.
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The QX80 isn’t a foul luxurious SUV by any stretch of the creativeness. In reality, it’s a pleasant place to spend time, but it surely’s a jack of all trades and a grasp of none. For many who merely need an all-around comfy luxurious SUV with no main standout characteristic other than presence and a banging sound system, it’s a strong selection.
However patrons concerned with deeper strengths, whether or not that’s outright efficiency, superior options, or lavish supplies, will discover stronger circumstances elsewhere, from BMW, Porsche, Jeep, Land Rover, and others.
Ultimate Ideas
Ultimately, this SUV and its worth and success come right down to chilly, arduous money. I’ll by no means be unhappy to see a QX80 roll up for testing throughout every week. It’s comfy. It’s stylish. And for no matter motive, it drives loads higher than it did a yr in the past. That every one mentioned, I’m additionally by no means going to think about paying six figures for one. SUVs in that realm embrace choices from Porsche, Land Rover, Vary Rover, BMW, and Mercedes.
Till the QX80 can out-drive, out-tech, or out-luxury these manufacturers, it’ll want to seek out one other option to be well worth the value it calls for. On the flip aspect, there’s an actual route Infiniti may go if it’s prepared. Final yr, Jeep brazenly admitted that it went astray with the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
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It priced them too excessive for the market and in consequence, they struggled to promote properly. That’s even if the Wagoneer drives higher than it has any proper to and may go off-road like few different SUVs of its dimension.
Infiniti would likewise do properly to rethink its pricing or, if that’s not an choice, the place it may well make this SUV sharper, smarter, or extra succesful with out altering the value in any respect. Make it even quicker, make it much more succesful off-road, or add sufficient luxurious that there’s no query that Infiniti affords extra for a purchaser’s hard-earned greenback. We worry that something wanting such measures may go away the QX80 languishing in being good, however not nice for years to return.
