Infiniti’s Flagship Reimagined
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 marks a significant evolution for the Japanese luxury brand’s flagship SUV. After years of incremental updates to the previous generation, Infiniti has finally given its largest vehicle a complete overhaul. The result is a thoroughly modern luxury SUV that combines imposing presence with surprising refinement. In a segment dominated by the likes of the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, the new QX80 makes a compelling case for itself with a blend of luxury, technology, and capability that’s worth a serious look for anyone shopping in the full-size luxury SUV market.
Having spent a week with the new QX80, I can confidently say this redesign elevates the model to new heights. From its striking exterior design to its tech-filled interior and smooth powertrain, the 2025 QX80 represents Infiniti’s most competitive offering in years. Let’s dive into what makes this luxury behemoth worthy of consideration.
Exterior Design: Bold and Distinctive
A Fresh Design Language
The 2025 QX80’s exterior represents a dramatic departure from its predecessor. Infiniti has embraced a more angular and modern design language that gives the SUV a commanding presence on the road. The front fascia features a large, upright grille flanked by slim LED headlights that create a distinctive light signature. The hood is sculpted with precision lines that flow into the side profile, enhancing the vehicle’s aerodynamic appearance despite its size.
Dimensional Presence
Standing at 77.9 inches tall, 210.2 inches long, and 79.9 inches wide, the QX80 makes no apologies for its substantial footprint. Yet, clever design elements like the floating roof effect created by blacked-out pillars and the gently sloping roofline help mitigate the visual bulk. The 22-inch alloy wheels come standard, filling the wheel wells with authority and enhancing the vehicle’s planted stance.
The rear features horizontal LED taillights connected by a light bar across the tailgate, a design element becoming increasingly common in luxury vehicles. This lighting signature ensures the QX80 is instantly recognizable at night, while the dual exhaust outlets integrated into the rear bumper hint at the power under the hood.
Performance and Capability: Refined Power
Engine and Transmission
Powering the 2025 QX80 is a new 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that replaces the outgoing model’s naturally aspirated V8. This modern powerplant produces 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, representing significant increases over the previous generation. Power is delivered through a smooth 9-speed automatic transmission that provides quick, nearly imperceptible shifts.
The switch from V8 to twin-turbo V6 follows industry trends toward smaller displacement, forced-induction engines, but Infiniti has ensured the characteristic smoothness luxury buyers expect remains intact. The engine provides effortless acceleration, with the QX80 capable of reaching 60 mph in approximately 5.8 seconds – impressive for a vehicle weighing nearly 6,000 pounds.
Ride and Handling
According to research from Motor Trend, the QX80’s new platform provides a significantly improved driving experience. The fully independent suspension features adaptive dampers that continuously adjust to road conditions, delivering a ride that balances comfort with control. Body roll is well-managed for a vehicle of this size, and the electronically assisted steering provides more feedback than expected.
The available Hydraulic Body Motion Control system minimizes body lean in corners while maintaining ride comfort, a welcome feature on winding roads. Highway cruising is where the QX80 truly excels, with excellent straight-line stability and minimal wind or road noise penetrating the cabin.
Off-Road and Towing Capabilities
Though most QX80s will never venture far from pavement, Infiniti has maintained respectable off-road capabilities. The available All-Mode 4WD system features auto, 4H, and 4L modes, along with hill descent control. Ground clearance of 9.2 inches allows for moderate trail exploration, though the vehicle’s size and luxury orientation make it more suited to dirt roads than technical terrain.
Towing capacity remains impressive at 8,500 pounds, sufficient for most boats, campers, or trailers. The integrated trailer brake controller and tow mode recalibrate the transmission for optimal performance when hauling.
Interior and Comfort: Luxury Redefined
Cabin Design and Materials
The interior of the 2025 QX80 represents the most dramatic improvement over its predecessor. Infiniti has crafted a thoroughly modern, tech-forward cabin that rivals the best in the segment. Premium materials abound, with genuine leather, open-pore wood, and brushed aluminum trim creating a sophisticated environment.
The dashboard follows a horizontal design theme with layered elements that create visual interest without appearing cluttered. Attention to detail is evident throughout, from the precision stitching on the leather surfaces to the weighted action of the controls.
Space and Seating
As a true three-row SUV, the QX80 offers generous space for passengers. The front seats provide excellent comfort for long journeys, with 16-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Second-row passengers enjoy nearly as much luxury, with available captain’s chairs separated by a substantial center console in higher trims.
The third row, often an afterthought in many SUVs, can comfortably accommodate adults for shorter trips thanks to reasonable legroom and proper seat cushioning. Access is simplified by power-folding second-row seats that create a wide pathway to the rear.
Cargo and Utility
Cargo capacity stands at 17.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and an expansive 95.1 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The power liftgate features hands-free operation, and the load floor is relatively low for a body-on-frame SUV. Thoughtful touches include grocery bag hooks, tie-down points, and a two-tier storage system in the rear cargo area.
Technology and Features: Cutting-Edge Connectivity
Infotainment System
The technology interface receives a complete overhaul for 2025, centered around a dual-screen setup that dominates the dashboard. The upper 14.3-inch touchscreen handles navigation, media, and vehicle settings, while the lower 8-inch display provides climate controls and shortcut buttons for frequently used functions.
Infiniti’s latest infotainment system is quick to respond and logically arranged, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The available 24-speaker Klipsch premium audio system delivers exceptional sound quality with customizable sound profiles.
A comprehensive review from Car and Driver notes that the infotainment system represents a significant improvement over previous Infiniti offerings, with intuitive menus and responsive touch inputs.
Driver Assistance and Safety Features
The 2025 QX80 comes loaded with advanced safety technology as standard equipment. This includes:
- ProPILOT Assist 2.0 with hands-free highway driving capability
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality
- Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- 360-degree camera system with moving object detection
- Traffic sign recognition
The new digital rearview mirror improves rear visibility by switching between a traditional mirror and a camera feed from the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the heads-up display provides crisp information without requiring the driver to look away from the road.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Luxury touches abound in the QX80, with standard features including tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient interior lighting with 64 color options, and a panoramic sunroof. The available rear-seat entertainment system features dual 12.6-inch touchscreens that can stream content via Wi-Fi or HDMI connections.
Remote services allow owners to start the engine, lock or unlock doors, and adjust climate settings from their smartphone. The smart key system recognizes the driver approaching and automatically adjusts seat position, climate preferences, and audio settings to their stored profile.
Trim Levels and Pricing: Value Proposition
Available Configurations
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 is offered in three well-equipped trim levels:
QX80 LUXE ($75,900) serves as the entry point, though “entry-level” hardly describes its generous equipment. Standard features include leather seating, 22-inch wheels, tri-zone climate control, and the full suite of safety systems.
QX80 SENSORY ($85,700) adds semi-aniline leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, second-row captain’s chairs, the Klipsch audio system, and additional driver assistance features.
QX80 AUTOGRAPH ($93,200) represents the pinnacle of the lineup with exclusive interior design elements, quilted leather surfaces, massaging front seats, a rear entertainment system, and executive second-row accommodations.
All-wheel drive adds $3,000 to any trim level. While not inexpensive, the QX80’s pricing compares favorably to similarly equipped competitors from Germany and America, which can easily exceed $100,000.
Package Options
Infiniti has simplified the ordering process by including most features as standard equipment on each trim level. However, a few optional packages remain:
The Technology Package ($2,500, available on LUXE) adds many of the SENSORY trim’s tech features without the price jump.
The Touring Package ($3,300, available on SENSORY) includes the rear entertainment system and upgraded interior appointments.
Individual options include premium exterior paint colors ($900), illuminated kick plates ($485), and all-weather floor mats ($320).
Fuel Economy and Ownership Costs: The Price of Luxury
Efficiency Ratings
Large luxury SUVs are not known for fuel efficiency, and the QX80 is no exception. However, the new twin-turbo V6 does improve matters slightly compared to the outgoing V8. The EPA rates the 2025 QX80 at 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined for rear-wheel-drive models. All-wheel drive reduces these figures by about 1 mpg across the board.
While not miserly, these numbers represent a 2-3 mpg improvement over the previous generation. The 26-gallon fuel tank provides a theoretical highway range of around 600 miles.
Warranty and Maintenance
Infiniti backs the QX80 with a competitive warranty package that includes:
- 4-year/60,000-mile basic limited warranty
- 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty
- 7-year/unlimited-mile corrosion warranty
First-year maintenance is complimentary, a nice touch though not as generous as some competitors that offer multi-year maintenance plans. Infiniti’s reputation for reliability should provide peace of mind for long-term ownership.
The Competition: How the QX80 Stacks Up
The full-size luxury SUV segment is fiercely competitive, with established players commanding loyal followings. The QX80’s primary rivals include the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, BMW X7, and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
The QX80 differentiates itself through distinctive styling, a well-executed interior, and competitive pricing. While the Escalade offers more dramatic technology with its curved OLED display, and the Navigator provides slightly more interior space, the QX80 strikes an appealing balance of luxury, technology, and value.
Against the German competitors, the QX80 counters with more standard features at a lower price point, though it can’t quite match their handling precision on twisting roads. For buyers primarily concerned with comfort, presence, and luxury amenities, the QX80 makes a strong case for itself.
Pros and Cons: The Bottom Line
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 offers numerous strengths that make it worthy of consideration. Its powerful yet efficient twin-turbo V6 provides smooth acceleration and adequate towing capability. The interior represents a quantum leap forward in design and material quality compared to the previous generation. Technology features are comprehensive and intuitive to use. Perhaps most importantly, the QX80 delivers a genuine luxury experience at a price point several thousand dollars below similarly equipped European rivals.
However, some drawbacks remain. Despite improvements, fuel economy still lags behind more efficient hybrid competitors. The sheer size can make urban maneuvering challenging, even with the excellent camera systems. And while the third row is usable for adults, it’s not quite as spacious as what you’ll find in the Navigator or Escalade ESV.
For buyers seeking a distinctive luxury SUV with presence, comfort, and capability, the 2025 Infiniti QX80 delivers on its promises. It successfully merges old-school luxury virtues like a quiet cabin and supple ride with modern technology and efficiency improvements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 2025 Infiniti QX80’s new V6 engine compare to the previous V8?
The new 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 represents a significant upgrade over the outgoing 5.6-liter V8. With 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, it produces 50 more horsepower and 103 additional lb-ft of torque than the previous engine. The twin-turbo design delivers power more efficiently throughout the rev range, with peak torque available at just 1,700 rpm compared to the V8’s 4,000 rpm. This translates to better acceleration, improved towing capability, and enhanced fuel economy. The V6 also feels more refined in daily driving, with less noise and vibration reaching the cabin.
What advanced driver assistance features come standard on the 2025 QX80?
Every 2025 QX80 comes equipped with an impressive array of driver assistance technology. Standard features include ProPILOT Assist 2.0 (Infiniti’s semi-autonomous driving system), adaptive cruise control with full-speed range, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system. The Autograph trim adds enhanced driver monitoring and intersection assist, which can detect cross traffic when entering intersections.
How does the cargo capacity of the 2025 QX80 compare to its competitors?
The 2025 QX80 offers competitive cargo capacity for its class, with 17.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both rear rows down. This places it slightly ahead of the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, roughly equal to the Cadillac Escalade (standard wheelbase), but behind the Lincoln Navigator and extended-length versions like the Escalade ESV. The QX80’s power-folding rear seats create a nearly flat load floor, and the relatively low liftover height makes loading heavy items easier than in some competitors.
Is the 2025 Infiniti QX80 built on a new platform?
Yes, the 2025 QX80 rides on Infiniti’s newest large vehicle architecture, which represents a significant departure from the aging platform of the previous generation. While still utilizing a body-on-frame construction for durability and towing capability, the new platform incorporates more high-strength steel and aluminum components to reduce weight while increasing rigidity. The suspension geometry has been completely redesigned, with a sophisticated independent setup at all four corners that dramatically improves ride quality and handling dynamics compared to the outgoing model.
Conclusion: A Worthy Contender
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 represents the most comprehensive redesign in the model’s history, elevating it from an also-ran in the luxury SUV segment to a legitimate contender. With its blend of distinctive styling, refined performance, luxurious interior, and competitive pricing, the new QX80 deserves serious consideration from anyone shopping for a full-size luxury SUV.
While it may not be as flashy as some competitors or carry the same brand cachet as the European marques, the QX80 excels in providing a thoroughly modern luxury experience without unnecessary complications. For buyers who prioritize comfort, capability, and value in their luxury vehicle, the 2025 Infiniti QX80 offers a compelling package that’s more than the sum of its impressive parts.
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