A mighty serene luxury liner
Extra insulation, carpeting help keep cabin quiet
CHARLESTON, S.C. • Jonah’s view never looked like this. That’s one big advantage we had over that poor biblical whale- bait figure: if we were going to be similarly engulfed, at least we’re doing it in comfort. Touring South Carolina’s “low country” in the latest iteration of Infiniti’s QX80 SUV, we’re nicely isolated from the ragged pavement that wends through the Spanish Moss- draped wetlands while nestled in our leather-swaddled cocoon.
Broad of both beam and prow, and now rolling on available 22- inch dubs, the QX80 is the Asian counterpart to the Cadillac Escalade, aV8-p owe red,b ling-encrusted, gangbang er’ s battleship. It’s been nearly 15 years since the QX80 launched, and seven years since its last major overhaul. But this latest version is basically a mild refresh of the existing, second-generation vehicle.
Most of the updates are cosmetic, based on the Monograph concept we saw at the New York Auto Show, with the exception of a new hydraulic suspension setup that helps mitigate body roll. The reworked front fascia includes the addition of Infiniti’s familial chrome grille, referred to by product manager Peter Wendel as the “double arches,” rather unfortunately suggestive of one of the world’s favourite greasy fast- food purveyors and probably not the association they’d want for their luxurious, yet rather hefty land yacht.
Essentially, it’ s a new shade of lipstick — and one that doesn’t quite match. We noticed discrepancies between the existing paint and the new fascias on most of the testers.
The grille is flanked by slimmer “eye-inspired” headlights riding higher on the front fenders. Slightly altered tail lamps are now joined by a chrome strip.
There are minor changes inside what Infiniti likes to call the “private jet” inspired cabin. As before, buyers can choose an eight passenger configuration with secondand third-row bench seats, or exchange one passenger (not literally) for second row captain’s chairs with a business class- style centre console. Standard are two independently operating entertainment screens for second-row passengers, whose seats also recline. Small children and people you don’t care for much can be relegated to the tiny, flat third-row bench.
Leather upholstery is now quilted, stain-resistant, and finished with stitched piping. There are three colour themes to choose from: Wheat Semi-Aniline Leather with Charcoal Burl Trim, a new Saddle Brown with Charcoal Burl Trim combination, and Graphite with Espresso Burl Trim.
Topping the centre stack is a revised eight- inch display screen with the latest version of Infiniti’s InTouch connectivity software. This includes a new phone app that works remotely with the intelligent key to start the vehicle, and store over 200 settings. But neither Apple CarPlay nor Android Auto are available, and compared to the enormous virtual gauge screens and panoramic displays offered by most of today’s premium brands, the screen is minuscule and dated.
The centre console has been enlarged to 5.4 litres and easily swallowed my DSLR camera with zoom lens. Also new is a trick rear-view mirror camera, similar to the one that debuted in Cadillac’s XT5 crossover, but with a neat twist that the other is lacking: the camera is located behind the rear window, where its viewfinder can be kept clean and free of debris by the rear wiper. It’s a nice feature for a vehicle with so many headrests.
Traditionalists who find the technology off- putting can simply press the button on the bottom of the frame and it defaults to a conventional rear- view mirror. Apparently the steering wheel has been revised as well; we took their word for it.
It’s a plumply cosseting environment, but could be opened up considerably by a panoramic sunroof; the existing single panel isn’t enough to brighten up such a vast space.
Infiniti’s new variable compression turbo ( VC-T) engine, introduced at the L.A. Auto Show, will debut in the redesigned QX50 crossover, but there are no plans to offer it in the QX80. Infiniti claims that customers who choose the “high- end, commanding” model buy it for V8 power as much as luxury. So instead, the same 5.6-L V8, offering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, is carried over. Mated to a seven- speed automatic transmission, it’s a powerful and smooth performer, but it guzzles fuel like a camel at a watering hole. No efficiency technologies or cylinder deactivation are employed, so the QX80 is unfettered in its joyous consumption. Official fuel ratings for the QX80 are 12.2 L/100 kilometres on the highway and 17.4 in the city. Overall, we observed 16 L/100 km for mixed driving.
It’s a mighty serene luxury liner to spend time in, though. Thanks to extra insulation and carpeting, the cabin has a tomb-like hush associated with high-end cruisers. For such an enormous beast, the QX80 is surprisingly stable in the corners, thanks to an available new adaptive hydraulic suspension setup that firms or softens from side to side to correct body roll.
The QX80 is a rear-wheeldrive, body-on-frame vehicle with an available all- wheeldrive system with four driveradjustable settings. Capable of towing up to 8,000 pounds ( 3,630 kilograms), it competes with the Cadillac Escalade and Lexus LX570, offering similar features for less money.
Pricing for the 2018 QX80 wasn’t yet available, but will reportedly be not much higher than the current $ 75,650 and $83,800 price tags for the base and Technology models, respectively. The 2018 QX80 should arrive in Canadian dealerships by late February.