It will likely get a refresh on the exterior design - 2023 Infiniti QX80 review
0Overview
The 2023 Infiniti QX80 has been around for more than a decade and is hard to tell from the less-expensive Nissan Armada with which it shares all of its major sheetmetal. Despite those two demerits it's a decent large luxury SUV with upscale appointments and classy looks. What's more, buying a QX80 can save you a few satchels of money compared with newer, flashier, and more capable rivals like the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and Cadillac Escalade. Infiniti's full-size SUV is considerably more expensive than its corporate twin, the Nissan Armada, without being commensurately different. Compare the two before you buy to see if the Infiniti's few added amenities and luxury-brand badge are worth the upcharge.
What's New for 2023?
The Infiniti QX80 is largely unaltered for the 2023 model year, though it does get a couple of new features. The brand's lane departure system now provides haptic feedback through the steering wheel, and the addition of Amazon Alexa gives QX80 passengers a more familiar voice- command protocol. Beyond that, the Infiniti Premium Care complimentary maintenance plan has been rolled out for the QX80–along with every other vehicle in the lineup–which covers scheduled maintenance items for the first three years including oil changes, inspections, brakes fluid flushes, and more.
Given that even the price of the mid-level QX80 Premium Select brushes elbows with that of the Mercedes-Benz GLS450 and the BMW X7 xDrive40i, we'd stick with the entry-level Luxe trim. It offers plenty of luxury features to keep occupants happy, such as leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable steering wheel with heat, second-row captain's chairs, a 13-speaker Bose stereo system, in-dash navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and adaptive cruise control.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The QX80 teams a 400-hp 5.6-liter V-8 with a seven-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. The last version we tested ran from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. While that's speedy given this SUV's size, every other competitor we tested was even quicker. Still, we loved the engine's smooth power delivery and snappy throttle response. Too bad it was hard to hustle on the highway, with a transmission that hesitated to downshift. But around town, this Infiniti galloped with grace, its exhaust note growling after heavy-footed accelerator applications. A comfortable ride couldn't make up for the fact that the QX80 felt less athletic than the GLS450. So if you're looking for a mega-luxury SUV with sharp driving dynamics, you should look elsewhere; the Infiniti's serene character will satisfy buyers who want to be coddled. The QX80 can tow 8500 pounds in either the rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configuration, which beats the Mercedes's rating by 800 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Simply put, the QX80 has awful fuel economy. Even the thriftiest variant is rated at 14 mpg in the city and 20 mph on the highway–the EPA's ratings remain unchanged for the 2023 model year. Its rivals have substantially better ratings. What's more, the 2021 all-wheel drive model we previously tested on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, underachieved by earning 17 mpg in the real world. For more information about the QX80's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Inside, the Infiniti is comfortable and quiet, but the overall design has barely changed since the ute debuted in 2011 as the QX56. The center stack was recently redesigned to accommodate a modern touchscreen with more user-friendly controls, and the HVAC system enjoys a new layout that includes physical knobs for adjusting the dual climate zones. Unfortunately, features that we expect on luxury vehicles (such as a panoramic sunroof, massaging seats, and a head-up display) aren't available. Still, the spacious cabin is well built and includes a standard third row. While the QX80 can accommodate adults back there, several competitors offer roomier setups. The Infiniti has standard second-row captain's chairs that can be swapped for a three-seat bench. Those who can't find enough space to store their property inside the QX80 should appear on an episode of Hoarders. The Infiniti has ample interior cubby space, and it held the most luggage behind the third row among similarly sized rivals.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infiniti modernized the QX80's infotainment system for the previous (2022) model year by discarding the old and maligned dual-screen setup and replacing it with a much larger and more intuitive single 12.3-inch touchscreen. This unit features the brand's InTouch connectivity services as well as standard onboard navigation,
Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, with the latter now wirelessly accessible. Amazon Alexa provides further connectivity by carrying out voice commands as a standard features.