Updated December 13, 2021
WHY IS THIS INFORMATION IMPORTANT?
This is the most important page of information that you will find about this vehicle. At SUV Power Rankings we don’t just review a car ourselves and put our own spin and opinion on it; instead we take every review, preview, first look, etc. pull the important data points from those informative “views” and place them into our own algorithm to come up with the most unbiased scoring system available anywhere.
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The Infiniti QX80 (formerly called the Infiniti QX56 until 2013) is a full-size luxury SUV built by Nissan’s luxury division Infiniti. The QX80 shares a platform with the Y62 series Nissan Patrol, a full-size SUV also known as the Armada in North America.
— Source Wikipedia
- Official Page – Infiniti QX80
- Price: Starts at $81,695 CAD
- Comparable to: Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLS
- Reliability: This vehicle has a JDPower reliability rating of 77/100 which is considered AVERAGE.
- Maintenance costs: The MDX will cost approximately $11,582 to maintain over 10 years.
REVIEWS AND IMPRESSIONS
We have put together as many reviews and impressions as we could find. Each finds a way to touch upon something that the others missed. If you are serious about this vehicle then check out the videos at the end of our vehicle analysis section. If you have review or first impressions that helped you and that aren’t listed here, please contact us!
OUR SCORE
At SUV Power Rankings we don’t just review a car ourselves and put our own spin and opinion on it; instead we take every review, preview, first look, etc. pull the important data points from those informative “views” and place them into our own algorithm to come up with the most unbiased scoring system available anywhere.
SCORES BY PUBLICATION:
Kelley Blue Book: 3.4 / 5
Car and Driver: 6.0 / 10
USNews: 7.3 / 10
Edmunds: no rating
J.D. Power: 80 / 100
Motortrend: 6.8 / 10
Car Connection: 6.2 / 10
What the critics have to say…
Although we were impressed with the QX80 after our year-long loan back in 2011, in the modern context, it’s not competitive. When it faces off against other full-size three-row luxury SUVs, the QX80 is one of our lowest-ranked contenders, due in part to its poor fuel economy and cramped third-row seating.
— Motortrend
The 2022 Infiniti QX80 looks attractive and upscale, its interior is sturdily built, and its smooth ride and strong engine are both satisfying. Theoretically, all these traits should amount to a compelling large, three-row, luxury SUV, right? Wrong.
— Car and Driver
HOW DOES IT DRIVE?
The QX80 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.
IS IT RELIABLE AND HIGH QUALITY?
Is the Infiniti QX80 Reliable?
The 2021 Infiniti QX80 has a predicted reliability score of 81 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
Infiniti QX80 Warranty
Infiniti covers the QX80 with a four-year/60,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.
HOW COMFORTABLE IS IT?
Inside, the Infiniti is comfortable and quiet, but the overall design has barely changed since the SUV debuted in 2011 as the QX56. The center stack has finally been 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.
WHAT IS THE INTERIOR LIKE?
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.
WHAT IS THE TECHNOLOGY LIKE?
Infiniti modernizes the QX80’s infotainment system 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. Every QX80 comes with a 13-speaker Bose stereo, wireless device charging, and an array of charge ports that include four USB outlets. The optional Theater package adds another USB port and a 120-volt outlet. There’s a rear-seat entertainment system with two 8.0-inch screens fitted to the back of the front-seat headrests, too, but it’s reserved for the top-of-the-line Sensory trim.
WHAT IS THE CARGO SPACE LIKE?
The Infiniti QX80 has 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind its third-row seats, 49.6 cubic feet with these seats folded, and a vast 95.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. That’s better than average for a luxury large SUV, but it’s still not as spacious as rivals like the Cadillac Escalade ESV or Lincoln Navigator L.
IS THIS VEHICLE A GOOD VALUE?
The 2021 Infiniti QX80 is only an OK luxury SUV. The QX80’s big V8 engine yields poor fuel economy estimates, and its third-row seats are pretty slim on space. Worse still, the QX80’s interior hasn’t changed much since this SUV debuted a decade ago, giving it an outdated appearance. That might be passable for a nonluxury SUV, but it’s hard to ignore on a $70,000-and-up flagship.
It’s not all bad news though. The QX80 is relatively agile and comfortable to drive for such a large SUV. It accelerates briskly and makes easy work of towing a trailer, and it comes packed with safety features. The first- and second-row seats are all-day comfortable as well.
IS THE infiniti qx80 A GOOD SUV?
The 2021 Infiniti QX80 is only an OK luxury SUV. The QX80’s big V8 engine yields poor fuel economy estimates, and its third-row seats are pretty slim on space. Worse still, the QX80’s interior hasn’t changed much since this SUV debuted a decade ago, giving it an outdated appearance. That might be passable for a nonluxury SUV, but it’s hard to ignore on a $70,000-and-up flagship.
It’s not all bad news though. The QX80 is relatively agile and comfortable to drive for such a large SUV. It accelerates briskly and makes easy work of towing a trailer, and it comes packed with safety features. The first- and second-row seats are all-day comfortable as well.
SHOULD I BUY THE infiniti qx80?
We suggest skipping the 2021 Infiniti QX80 in favor of one of its luxury large SUV rivals like the Lincoln Navigator, BMW X7, or Mercedes-Benz GLS. Sure, these SUVs are pricier than the QX80 by a few thousand dollars, but they are considerably more luxurious and refined. The QX80 just has a bit too much in common with its less expensive Nissan Armada cousin.
THE FINAL WORD
The 2021 Infiniti QX80 succeeds at beating its luxury large SUV competition on price, and, in some instances, ride quality and handling. But it ultimately falls short in the other areas that count. The QX80’s interior design and tech features are out of step with what top rivals offer, and fuel economy is poor for the class. Additionally, the QX80’s value proposition quickly fades in its higher trim levels. There are better options in this segment.