What does future hold for Infiniti QX80?
For now, 2022 SUV continues with luxury, refinement.
We are at pivotal moment in the world of automotive as gas-guzzling vehicles slowly fade away in favor of smaller vehicles or hybrid technology or electrified technology. And some vehicles combine all of those technologies. Holding pat in the big, gas-guzzling flagship world are some stalwart SUVS. Then there are others that are still around and might warrant a second look as some of the other brand’s vehicles go away or become electrified.
For those dug in about wanting gas-powered, big SUVS, but also want some luxury, there are still options. My tester this week is one such vehicle. Flying nearly off the radar is the 2022 Infiniti QX80. This is Nissan’s luxury brand’s “flagship” SUV. It is the largest and most “old school” SUV in their fleet. Depending on your outlook, that’s either a good thing or a bad thing.
Just a quick look at the dimensions and you know what the QX80 is. It has an overall length of 210.2 inches and a curb weight of 5,678 pounds. So it’s a behemoth. But rather than run from the size (and its gas-guzzling fuel economy), Infiniti leans into it.
They boast about the QX80’S 5.6-liter V8 engine. These engines are nearing extinction, but it remains as the only powertrain offered for this model year. And it does an admirable job of moving this large SUV down the road. The engine has an output of 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. That’s just enough power to move a nearly 3-ton vehicle. The seven-speed automatic transmission is tremendous with unnoticeable shifts, and it never seems to struggle in the upshift.
Rear-wheel drive is standard, but my tester came equipped with Infiniti’s all-mode four-wheel drive. To be honest, except for the minor gain in towing, a vehicle of this size in RWD seems pointless. With the four-wheel drive, the QX80 is confident and you can change the various modes based upon road conditions. The 4WD mode costs an extra $3,100, but seems worth it for the added confidence.
As you’d expect from a luxury brand, the overall ride performance is refined and comfortable. If the engine struggles to move the SUV along, it is not noticeable from behind the wheel or as a passenger. This SUV drives as you’d expect a luxury flagship vehicle to drive.
Inside, that refinement and luxury continues with very letdowns. Although very little is updated from the previous model year, the QX80 still feels fresh with Napa leather seats in all three rows. Second-row captain’s chairs embellish the already impressive interior space. Climate-controlled front seats are nice, but should be expected from a luxury brand.
New for the 2022 model year is a center cluster that now has a single, 12.3-inch high-definition touchscreen. Nissan/infiniti’s infotainment system has always been near the top in ease of use, and this update makes it feel even better. The Bose Performance Series Audio system with 17 speakers helps amplify the appeal of the infotainment which integrates perfectly with either Apple or Android devices.
One of the more subtle, but excellent touches for the driver is the Smart Rearview Mirror, which is a standard feature. This can display a clear view behind the three-row SUV when engaged, even if cargo or passengers obstruct rear vision inside. We’ve all taken family trips with suitcases packed to the roofline. So this is a family-friendly feature that might otherwise go unnoticed. But it’s nice to have when you need it.
My tester was the top-tier trim, Sensory, which includes 22-inch chrome wheels, chrome exterior accents, semi-aniline leather seats and the aforementioned Bose sound system. Base price for the QX80 Sensory is $82,235. With the four-wheel drive system, the final MSRP with destination charge was $86,535.
With four-wheel drive, the fuel economy is 13 mpg/city and 19 mpg/highway. With RWD, it gains 1 mpg. In a week’s worth of driving, I averaged only 15 mpg.
So are these gas-guzzling behemoth SUVS going away? To be determined. There’s still a market for them, especially on the luxury side, where if you can afford an $85,000 big SUV, you care less about extra trips to the gas station.