The QX80 is Infiniti’s largest vehicle. This huge, luxurious SUV tops the Infiniti lineup with seating for up to eight, a tow rating similar to a pickup truck, and muscular all-weather and off-road capabilities.
The 2023 Infiniti QX80 carries forward with the SUV’s second-generation of design, which was introduced in 2011. It’s likely that this will be the last year for the second-gen QX80 and that 2024 will bring a new face to the big SUV. For now, though, the QX80 remains a strong mainstay at a lower price than most in the full-sized luxury SUV realm, where prices approach six digits quickly. The QX80 holds its $75,000-ish price point and extreme amounts of capability by comparison.
The QX80 shares a lot with Nissan’s Armada SUV which in turn shares components with the Nissan Patrol. The Patrol was introduced in 1951 and became Japan’s answer to the Willys Jeep. Which means the QX80 shares roots with Japan’s most legendary off-road machine.
Key upsides for the 2023 QX80 are its huge interior, impressive list of active safety features, and a tow rating of 8,500 pounds. It’s also one of the lowest cost SUVs in this segment and its design is timeless in its bulky representation of smooth power.
That power comes from a well-vetted 5.6-liter, 400 horsepower V8. Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is optional. 20-inch wheels, a self-leveling suspension, LED headlamps, leather upholstery, tri-zone climate, a digital rearview mirror, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with a 13-speaker Bose audio system are all standard features. Along with several other technology and safety systems.
On the road, the QX80 is powerful and predictable, never feeling incapable or out of hand. The suspension leveling adds a lot of comfort and control and the optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control System (available on the top-end Sensory package) takes that a step further with even more body roll control. Safety and driver assist systems like lane keeping assistance, forward collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system are all standard and go a long way towards improving drive quality and maneuverability.
There’s no getting around the sheer mass of the 2023 Infiniti QX80, however. The payment for that is in fuel economy. The big QX80 is rated at 16 mpg combined (20 mpg highway). Most will not see past the early teens, however. We achieved only 18 mpg on the highway on a clear day with no interference.
With that, though, it’s the big size of the QX80 that makes it most appealing. Its interior is massive, its cargo space is plentiful, and its tow rating (and capability) is phenomenal. There’s no ignoring the very classy and powerful look of the QX80 either.
The 2023 Infiniti QX80 has a starting price around $75,000 plus delivery. Our test model rang in at $82,000 with upgrades.
This review first appeared on DriveModeShow.com.
