2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph 4X4
Specs
Class: Premium Large SUV
Color: Dynamic Metal
Seating Capacity: 7
Miles driven: 177
Real-world fuel economy: 18.4 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | B+ |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 450-horsepower 3.5-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged V6 |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 15/19/17 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $109,900 (not including $1995 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($695)
Price as tested: $112,590
Pros and Cons
The great: Now just as roomy and comfortable as the competition
The good: Better than expected fuel economy, luxurious cabin appointments
The not so good: Cadillac prices for what is ostensibly an all-new category entry
Review
Credit Nissan for not giving up on a plan. The parent company of Infiniti, determined to crack the high-volume and profit-rich U.S. large-pickup-truck segment, rolled out the Titan for 2004. The big truck was about the size of American large pickups, and V8 powered, but ultimately failed to resonate with legendarily brand-loyal category shoppers, and sold poorly.
Nissan did not throw in the towel on the Titan, however, choosing to significantly update the truck for 2016, treating the model to a more modern and upscale cabin, and more up-to-date styling. And while the new Titan was more competitive than the previous-generation truck, it failed again to lure shoppers away from the more established domestic pickup brands. As dealers stopped ordering Titans, the brass at Nissan grudgingly pulled the plug on the pickup, making 2024 its last model year. This after two decades of trying to make a go of it.
Likewise, Infiniti has been trying to crack the famously profitable large luxury SUV segment. Dominated by the Cadillac Escalade, the big premium SUV category drives considerable revenue for brands like Caddy, Lincoln, and more recently Jeep.
First seen in 2004 (and know as the QX56 between 2004 and 2013), the largest of Infiniti models has never been a big seller for Nissan’s luxury division. Though priced below competitive models, the QX80 never matched those vehicles in terms of design, content, or perceived value.
Competition
For a little perspective, here is a list of premium large SUVs and their sales numbers for 2023:
- Cadillac Escalade (42,000)
- BMW X7 (29,000)
- Mercedes-Benz GLS (24,000)
- Lincoln Navigator (18,000)
- Infiniti QX80 (13,000)
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer (11,000)
- Lexus LX (7000)
(Note: The Lexus LX isn’t offered in a long-wheelbase body style, limiting its appeal in this category. Also, Jeep Grand Wagoneer sales are, to a degree, cannibalized by higher trim levels of the similar Wagoneer, which is enjoying a recent surge in popularity.)
Not all is doom and gloom for the Infiniti QX80, however. A thing to consider is that unlike large-pickup truck buyers, luxury SUV owners are less brand loyal. Indeed, luxury shoppers are more likely to trade their vehicles in for something newer and shinier. And that is very good news for Infiniti.
Updates
For 2025 the Infiniti QX80 has been redesigned, and is indeed much shinier. The updated vehicle addresses all of our complaints regarding the previous-generation ’80, including:
- A cramped cabin
- Unconvincing luxury
- Disappointing ride and handling
- Lousy fuel economy
- Strange styling
Without badges, the new QX80 would likely be unrecognizable to even the most ardent brand loyalist, as it is bigger, boxier, and chromier, yet, somehow, slightly more restrained looking. Most importantly, though, the new QX80 looks more like the other vehicles in this class, especially the American-brand examples which account for most of the sales.
Prices and Trim Levels
For 2025 the QX80 is offered in four trim levels:
- Pure ($84,445)
- Luxe ($91,545)
- Sensory ($102,640)
- Autograph ($112,590)
Sensory and Autograph models come standard with AWD, while the feature is a $3100 option on the Pure and Luxe.
Engines
While the Cadillac Escalade still comes standard with a V8 engine, every other model in the segment features a standard turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, including the 2025 QX80. Gone is the QX’s 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 and 7-speed automatic transmission, replaced by a 450-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Note that performance variants of the X7 and GLS are still offered with V8 engines.
The QX has grown for 2025. While the wheelbase remains about the same, the new truck is one inch longer overall, and more than three inches wider. The added width pays off in terms of improved passenger comfort. More on that in a moment.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of the 2025 Infiniti QX80 in Autograph trim in Dynamic Metal. All told, including destination, our test car came to an eye-opening $112,590.
Room and Comfort
After exterior design, perhaps, the most-important feature of any vehicle in this class is the cabin, and it was here that the previous-generation QX80 was most deficient. This author, for example, could not find sufficient space behind the wheel to be comfortable, and the cabin was inexplicably narrow.
All of that has changed for 2025. The Updated Infiniti features one of the roomiest cabins in the class, and the large door openings make easy work of entering and exiting the vehicle. We especially appreciate the added cabin width, which does a long way towards improving long-drive comfort. We do not, however, appreciate the odd headrest speakers. The speakers’ bright-metal finish is a distraction when looking to the rear of the car from the driver’s seat.
Cabin
The cabin itself is—like other vehicles in the class—something of an explosion of luxury. The said, the upscale trim and quality seat and dash/door-top materials are integrated into the general design and don’t feel like glued-on elements as the did in the old QX. We find the contrasting red-stitching in our text example especially classy.
Indeed, the QX80 cabin feels about as modern and upscale as any other vehicle in the is class, and thanks to the generous glass area, feels open and airy as well.
Connectivity
Though not an actual contiguous piece, the instrument panel and console touchscreen form a single dash element, and the look is clean and contemporary. Likewise, the controls are generally simple to understand and employ. The touchscreen itself is plenty bright, and does not washout in direct light.
The Klipsch-brand audio system is very good, and is part of a premium-audio trend that we can only be grateful for. The system does a fine job reproducing the mid-century jazz enjoyed by this editor.
Ride and Handling
Underway the new QX80 wildly outclasses its predecessor. While the old truck may have handled a little tighter than the new QX, the new Infiniti shines in terms of ride quality, cabin quietness, and general highway refinement. The 2025 QX80 does not handle quite as well as, say, the Navigator, not ride as well as the Escalade, but does offer its own compelling blend of dynamic attributes that demand close attention–and respect–during a test drive.
Power and Performance
The turbocharged V6 serves up plenty of muscle, and sounds pretty good in the process. There is just enough exhaust burble to remind you of all the power under the hood, but not so much noise that the general cabin ambience is compromised.
Power delivery—at least around town—is less than perfect, however. While the drivetrain is generally smooth, the transmission is prone to shifting often, and at inopportune times, compromising somewhat driving in stop-and-go traffic. The unnecessary shifting is less of an issue in light suburban traffic.
Fuel Economy
Here is some good news: The turbo V6 engine, though more powerful than the outgoing V8, is also much more fuel efficient. In Consumer Guide testing, our test 2025 Infiniti QX80 returned a completely reasonable 18 mpg. Our observed fuel economy is not only class leading, it is a remarkable improvement over the 12 mpg we observed while testing a 2021 AWD QX80.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 QX80 is so much better than the vehicle it replaces that is essentially a new addition to the premium large SUV category. While the QX80 lacks any defining characteristics—save for maybe excellent fuel economy—it is a well-balance, refined, feature-packed alternative to the other vehicles in the class. We wish that Infiniti had been more modest in pricing the QX, as its bottom line invites direct comparison to the class-leading Escalade and Navigator, which seems unnecessarily bold on Infiniti’s part.
That said, the 2025 QX80 is very good, which the 2024 was not. And, if you are fortunate enough to be shopping in this segment, you owe it to yourself to add Nissan’s redesigned bit ute to your test-drive short list.
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2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph Pictures
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