I drove a $99,000 Infiniti QX80. These 18 features make it a stylish alternative to the Cadillac Escalade.

I drove a 2025 Infiniti QX80 luxury full size SUV in Luxe trim and was impressed by its stylish looks, luxurious cabin, quiet ride, and fancy tech.

Jan 22, 2025 - 16:25
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I drove a $99,000 Infiniti QX80. These 18 features make it a stylish alternative to the Cadillac Escalade.
The right front corner of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked by a field.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.
  • The Infiniti QX80 is a full-size luxury SUV that competes with the Lexus LX and Cadillac Escalade.
  • I recently drove a 2025 QX80 in the lower-mid-tier Luxe trim.
  • I was impressed by the SUV's eye-catching looks, luxurious high-tech cabin, and quiet ride.

The third-generation Infiniti QX80 got some much-needed updates in 2024 to help it remain competitive against industry heavyweights like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Lexus LX.

I recently reviewed a four-wheel-drive QX80 SUV with an as-tested price of $99,195. I was impressed by the QX's eye-catching looks, luxurious, high-tech cabin, and smooth ride.

The base rear-wheel-drive QX80 starts at $82,450, while the top-spec 4WD variant starts at $110,595. My lower-mid-tier four-wheel-drive Luxe trim test car starts at $92,650.

Here are 18 features that show why the QX80 is a stylish Japanese alternative to the Escalade.

Luxurious cabin
The tan leather front dash in a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's front dash.

The QX80's cabin is luxurious, roomy, and loaded with tech. The new interior is a big step forward compared to the outgoing model.

I was impressed by Infiniti's excellent mix of materials in the cabin and the quality of the fit and finish. The dual 14.3-inch screen atop the front dash looked great. Unfortunately, the 9-inch touch control screen is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, it's a tidy way to organize a maze of controls, but it's far less intuitive to use than physical buttons would be.

Apart from that, interior ergonomics are solid, there's plenty of storage, and the 64-color configurable ambient lighting looks great.

Eye-catching looks
Two photos show the right front and right rear corners of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe luxury SUV parked by a field.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

The design of the new QX80 is bold enough to hold your attention but doesn't veer into the garish. It features the latest interpretation of Infiniti's Artistry in Motion design language, highlighted by a large double-arch front grille inspired by bamboo forests.

Twin-turbo power
The 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 engine under the hood of a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's twin-turbo V6.

Under the hood is a 3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. It replaces the previous generation's naturally aspirated V8. The VR series V6 is velvety smooth and feels eager to deliver its power.

My QX80 Luxe test car boasts EPA fuel economy ratings of 16 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined.

Air suspension
The left side of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

My test car came with an electronic air suspension system. The suspension can be lowered by 1.2 inches to improve aerodynamics while driving and 2.8 inches for easier ingress and egress. In off-road mode, it can be raised 2.1 inches over its normal ride height to help clear obstacles.

Digital driver's cockpit
Four photos show the steering wheel, digital instrument display, and HUD in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.
The QX80's steering wheel and instrument display.

In front of the driver is a 14.3 digital instrument display and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel. The high-quality configurable gauge display is augmented by an optional head-up display.

New infotainment system
The 14.3-inch infotainment screen in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's 14.3-inch infotainment screen.

The QX80's 14.3-inch touchscreen is equipped with Nissan/Infiniti's latest InTouch infotainment system, which is elegantly designed and easy to navigate. The system features built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

Comfortable driver's seat
The tan leather front seats in a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's front seats.

The Infiniti's tan leather-upholstered seats were soft, supportive, and offered great adjustability. However, the heated and ventilated driver's seat in my test car did not have the optional massage function, although the passenger seat did.

Luxurious second row
Three photos show the second-row captain's chairs, center console, and rear cabin climate controls in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's second-row captain's chair.

QX80s also come standard with the second-row captain's chairs. The QX80's second-row seats are heated, power-operated, and come with a solid 39-inch legroom.

Second-row passengers also have access to their own climate controls and a handful of USB sockets. The top tier Autograph trim comes with massaging seats.

Spacious third row
The tan leather, three-person third-row bench seat in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's third row.

Third-row passengers have a generous 32.9-inch legroom, roughly the same amount of space you get in coach on a plane. The 60/40 split third-row bench comfortably accommodates two adults, but things get tight if you try to squeeze three people back there.

Panoramic Moonroof
The panoramic power moonroof in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's panoramic power moonroof.

All QX80s come with a panoramic glass moonroof.

Expansive cargo room.
Four photos show the flexible cargo space in a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

Open the liftgate, and you'll find a stout 22.3 cubic feet of cargo space. With the third row folded, cargo space expands to 59 cubic feet. Fold down the second row, and you'll get a cavernous 101 cubic feet of room.

There's a small underfloor storage area behind the third row.

Remote start
The key fob of a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV on its center console armrest.
The QX80's key fob.

All QX80s come with remote engine start, which is activated by pressing the "curved arrow" on its key fob.

Klipsch premium audio
A Klipsch speaker on the passenger side A-pillar in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's Klipsch sound system.

My QX80 Luxe test car came with a sweet-sounding, 14-speaker, 600-watt Klipsch audio system. Higher-tier Sensory and Autograph models get an even more powerful, 1,200-watt, 24-speaker Klipsch premium audio system. Autograph models even get stylish metal-trimmed speakers built into their front headrests.

Invisible hood view
The invisible hood view on the front camera of a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
Invisible Hood View

The QX80's camera system includes a new invisible hood view that allows the driver to see what is immediately in front of and underneath the front of the vehicle. This feature is great for squeezing into tight parking spots or even when off-roading.

Around view monitor
The 3D Around View Monitor in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV.
The QX80's 3D Around View Monitor

The QX80 comes standard with a 3D Around View Monitor system, which is handy for maneuvering in tight spaces. It also has a new three-dimensional spin feature that lets you see the vehicle's surroundings from eight pre-selected angles.

Towing
The left rear corner of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

The QX80 is rated to tow up to an impressive 8,500 lbs with an integrated class IV tow-hitch and seven-pin wiring harness.

The SUV also comes with a special drive mode geared for towing, while its rearview camera and blind spot warning are designed to assist with hitching up a trailer and ensure safe driving while trailering.

Easy cargo loading
Two photos show the lowered rear end of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV with the rear lift gate opened and the panel of electric controls in the rear cargo compartment.
The QX80's lowered ride height for cargo loading.

Infiniti's flagship SUV comes standard with its smart handsfree liftgate that activates by kicking your leg under the rear bump. Once the liftgate is open, you can lower the height of the vehicle by 2.8 inches to make loading cargo easier.

Safety tech
The front of a red 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe SUV parked on the street.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Luxe.

The QX80 comes standard with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology. You can upgrade to ProPilot Assist 2.1, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering in certain highway driving conditions.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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