Text by Tom Appel
2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport 4WD
Class: Premium Large SUV
Country of manufacture: Japan
Seating capacity: 5
Color: Radiant While
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | B- |
| Value | A- |
| 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 |
Miles Driven: 133
Observed fuel economy: 15.5
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 16/19/17 (mpg city/highway/combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $101,950 (not including $1995 (destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Sport Exterior Package ($1060), Interior Lighting Package ($1060), special paint ($1900)
Price as tested: $107,965
Audio-System Brand
Klipsch
Audio-System Quality
Poor Fair Good Very-Good Excellent
Pros and Cons
The great: Sport trim level no less comfortable or accommodating
The good: Classy cabin, decent fuel economy for the class
The not so good: requires premium-grade gasoline
Review
Though the Lincoln Navigator arrived in showrooms first, it was the Cadillac Escalade that broke through the pop-culture wall. The chrome-covered and leather-lined Chevrolet Tahoe arrived for the 1999 model year, and quickly become one of Caddy’s best-selling models.
Cadillac Escalade
Embraced by rap artists and rap culture in general, the Escalade justified its steep price with just the right blend of bling, passenger comfort, and, for those who needed it, real utility.
Now in its fifth generation, the Escalade has accounted for close to 600,000 sales for Cadillac and General Motors, each producing an astonishing estimated $15,000 in profit. In case your calculator doesn’t go to ten digits, that’s $9 billion.
Premium Large SUV Sales and Prices
It stands to reason, then, that other manufacturers would want in on what appears to be easy money. In case you are unfamiliar, here’s a list of premium large SUVs, 2025 sales:
Cadillac Escalade (57,481)
- 2026 base-price range: $93,995-$173,895
BMW X7 (31,575)
- $85,090-$181,550
Land Rover Range Rover (29,403)
- $115,750-$248,150
Lincoln Navigator (22,185)
- $94,890-$122,420
Mercedes-Benz GLS (21,804)
- $91,600-$119,100
Infiniti QX80 (13,590)
- $85,940-$113,690
Grand Wagoneer (5133)
- N/A
Lexus LX (7464)
- $108,550-$117,550
Jeep Consolidation
Note that the lower-price Wagoneer will become part of the Grand Wagoneer range for 2026. Moving forward, not all Grand Wagoneer sales will represent luxury vehicles. This is also true of the GMC Yukon lineup, which includes mainstream models as well as premium Denai trim-level examples.
And while Cadillac and BMW rule the big-ute roost, other brands are likely selling enough of them to enjoy some of the big-ticket revenue that comes with playing in this segment.
QX80 History
It wasn’t so long ago that we at Consumer Guide questioned why Infiniti was bothering to field an entry in this segment. The vehicle itself, the QX80 wasn’t especially compelling, and sales volumes were low.
New for the 2004 model year, the QX80 never caught the fancy of shoppers in this segment, and has never impressed us much here at CG. All this changed for 2025. Completely redesigned, the updated QX80—which is closely related mechanically to the Nissan Armada—was improved dramatically, especially in terms of ride, handling, and cabin quietness. So much so, that we named the big Infiniti a 2026 Best Buy, along with the Armada.
QX80 Prices and Trim Levels
For 2026, the QX80 is offered in four trim levels:
- Pure ($85,940)
- Luxe ($93,040)
- Sport ($104,040)
- Autograph ($113,690)
2027 QX80 Red Sport
A Red Sport trim level is rumored for 2027. The high-performance QX80 variant could see as much as 600 horsepower from the 3.5-liter V6, as well as suspension and chassis upgrades designed to improve handling. No word yet on pricing or final specs.
Engines
All QX80 models are powered by a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6; a V8 engine is no longer available. That’s fine with us as the V6 returns more power and better fuel economy than the V8 did. Rated at 450 horsepower, the QX80 engine mates exclusively to a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Pure and Luxe models come standard with rear-wheel drive; 4WD is a $3000 option. Sport and Autograph variants come standard with 4WD.
Only One wheelbase
Unlike the Escalade and Navigator—and Grand Wagoneer—the QX80 is not offered in standard- and long-wheelbase variations. Riding on a 121-inch wheelbase, and 211 inches long overall, the single QX80 offering comes in at almost exactly the same size as the standard-length Cadillac.
QX80 Sport Trim Level
New for the 2026 model year, the Sport trim level boasts a number of upgrades designed to help Infiniti’s largest—and heaviest—offering feel, well, sporty. Equipment upgrades include a move to massive 22-inch wheels and tires, unique suspension and steering calibration, unique tuning of the truck’s Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS), and, as noted above, standard 4WD.
Also unique to the Sport trim level are a number of exterior and cabin trim details, which are too numerous to list here.
2025 QX80 Autograph Review
Having recently evaluated a QX80 in top-tier Autograph trim (you can read that review here) we’d like to take this opportunity to share our impressions of the Sport, and how the unique equipment and tuning impacts the overall driving experience.
Test car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2026 QX80 Sport in Radiant White. Including the destination charge, our test car came to $107,965.
Steering
The German brand’s seem to have a handle on how to make a big SUV ride and handle well, but we’re impressed by the precision and directness of the setup found in the QX80. Though too large to be truly sporty, the QX80 does reward aggressive driving with the kind of steering feedback that helps make commuting—or curvy rural roads—all that much more fun.
Ride and Handling
While the Sport may lean a little less in corners than other QX80 trim levels, it’s our seat-of-the-pants impression that ride quality has not been compromised. Nor has cabin quietness (see below). So, apart from the price increase over a Luxe model, going with the Sport is pretty much a guilt-free proposition.
Cabin Appointments
Depending on your definition of luxury, the Sport cabin may appeal to your sense of minimalist sophistication, or it may just seem a little dull. While many sporty trim levels—especially in luxury vehicles—including multi-colored seat upholstery and contrasting stitching, the QX80 Sport impresses instead with top-notch materials and well-executed workmanship. We suspect that the high-performance Red Sport, when t arrives, will boast a more aggressively décor theme.
Quietness
Maybe the big 22-inch alloy wheels clunk a little, but we may just be imagining things. For the most part, the QX80 Sport retains the cabin quietness of other model trim levels, which means the big SUV remains a relaxed highway hauler suitable for very-long, stress-free trips.
Value
We appreciate the new Sport, especially its racy exterior trim updates, and subtly improve steering and handling. Going with the sport means shelling out more than $10,000 extra for your SUV, but if the look and feel appeal, we say, why not?
Really just a little something for mom and/or dad, or whomever does most of the driving, the Sport adds a little flair, and a little fun, to the day-to-day process of commuting, shopping, and general schlepping. We appreciate the effort.
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2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport Pictures
(Click below for enlarged images)
