THIS UTE AGED WELL
The 2018 Infiniti QX80 delivers precision and craftsmanship like a fine watch
Introduced as the QX56 in 2011, Infiniti’s full-size QX80 luxo-ute has been rumbling along largely unchanged until now. And really, its refresh for 2018 is more of a facelift than anything, as there are no mechanical changes to this beast. Still, the QX80 remains one of the best of the bigs, blending luxury with strong performance and fine driving dynamics.
Infiniti has reworked the QX80’s visage, doing away with the previous Beluga-like snout to bring it more in line with the rest of the brand. There’s a new front fascia, larger grille, and raised LED headlights that give it a modern … OK, less homely appearance. Out back we see redesigned liftgate, tail lights and bumper. Both the standard 20-inch and optional, forged 22-inch wheels are redesigned. Tweaks to the interior include new stitching, piping, fine looking quilted leather, fresh wood trims and larger DVD screens in the back, plus more sound insulation, too. Also new for 2018 is a “smart” rear-view mirror that uses a camera if the rear window is blocked. I’ve always admired the QX80 for its unapologetic hugeness and the way it carries itself. None of that has changed; this beast still impresses. It’s a traditional body-on-frame SUV with a maximum tow rating of 8,500 pounds (3,855 kilograms), but there is nothing truck-like in the way the QX80 glides down the road, coddling its occupants in a cocoon of quiet luxury. It features a self-levelling fully independent rear suspension.
The QX80’s 32-valve, directinjected 5.6-litre V8 churns out 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. There’s a slick-shifting seven-speed automatic transmission and the full-time 4WD system has selectable snow and tow modes. This is a smooth and quiet powertrain, doing a commendable job of hauling around all three tonnes of the QX80 with little fuss. Official fuel figures are 17.4 L/100 km in the city, 12.2 on the highway, and 15.1 combined. Premium fuel is recommended.
While running boards on most SUVs are mere affectations, they are a necessity here. You sit way up high in this vehicle. Outward visibility is good, and the QX80 features a reasonably tight turning circle, which helps with maneuverability, as does the 360-degree Around View Monitor camera system, giving a bird’s-eye view of the QX80 at parking speeds.
The cabin is exquisitely crafted and still looks good seven years on. Every surface feels rich, and there are intriguing examples of design flair. The heated, cooled and power-adjustable front seats fall into the comfy but not particularly supportive category. The third-row seats, which can be powered up and down (very slowly, mind you) from either the front cabin or just inside the hatch are fine for children and compact adults. With this row folded, the load floor is not flat and cargo capacity is not overly impressive for a vehicle that casts such a huge shadow. Such is the price you pay for a bodyon-frame platform, the elevated ride height and all-wheel drive.
I’m guessing that anyone looking at the QX80 will spring for the Technology Package that adds another layer of visual, dynamic, safety and luxury kit, including a Hydraulic Body Motion Control System that keeps the QX impressively flat while cornering. It’s a fairly simple principal that requires no pumps or advanced electronics.
Hydraulic lines link pistons on opposite sides of the suspension, acting in the same manner as a traditional anti-roll bar but with greater effectiveness, more control and less friction.
Illustrating that there isn’t a whole lot new under the sun, my first car — a 1968 Austin Mini 1000 — had a similar system which BMC called Hydrolastic Suspension.
This big Infiniti might be aging, but if you are in the market for a luxurious full-sizer to haul seven people, your horses or yacht, the QX80 delivers the goods with the well-oiled precision and craftsmanship of a fine watch — a really big watch.