Full- size, pricey QX80 defies Infiniti sales slump
As sales have slumped for Nissan and its luxury division, Infiniti, the past couple of years, a surprising mainstay for the Japanese carmaker has been the QX80, a full- size luxury SUV.
The Infiniti QX80 is one of just a few widely known models which seems to come my way almost every model year, and I enjoy the heck out of it, almost every year. Years ago, the Buick Regal was a most- frequent visitor to my garage; in recent years, for whatever reason, the Nissan Rogue shows up every year. Contrary to those oft- seen new cars and trucks is a Rolls- Royce, which comes around once every 20 years or so.
The QX80 is one of five entries in the ultracompetitive full- size luxuries market. Sales are aimed at a relatively select few, those consumers who are braced for prices ranging from $ 80,000 to beyond $ 100,000.
One of the closest sales races annually is that of the big luxury SUVs. The Cadillac Escalade, Mercedes- Benz GLS, Range Rover, Infiniti QX80 and Lincoln Navigator all sold between 19,000 and 23,000 new models last year. That’s quite a horse race.
The 2021 QX80 is huge. A low- slung Mercedes SL400 took on the look of a mini- model when it was parked recently beside the Infiniti in my garage.
With 22- inch wheels and roof rack with cross bars, the QX80 stands 6 ½ feet tall. It gained a taller and wider stance with a redesign for the 2018 model.
Crawl up into the big SUV and, once inside, first thing to notice is the twin- screen infotainment system, new for the 2020 version Brightening the interior are leatherappointed seats finished in offwhite. At the far back of the sevenpassenger sport ute, with the cargo door lifted, two power buttons will lower and raise the third- row seatbacks. With the third- row seats in place, the cargo area is
16.6 cubic feet.
Drivers of the body- on- frame, four- wheel- drive Infiniti can depend on a strong 5.6- liter V- 8 engine ( 400 horsepower, 413 lb.- ft. of torque) and smooth ride with doublewishbone suspension at all four corners. It is equipped with 7- speed automatic transmission, computercontrolled two- speed transfer case and hydraulic body- motion control system. It will tow up to 8,500 pounds.
The QX80 is 210 inches in overall length on a wheelbase of 121.1 inches and curb weight of 5,825 pounds. It is among thirstiest of SUVs, with an EPA estimate of 13/ 19 miles per gallon. My overall average was 16.4.
Sticker price on the ’ 21 QX80 Premium Select 4WD is $ 79,490. Infiniti is expected to redesign its full- size luxury model in 2023.
The higher- end brand was launched by Nissan in the U. S. in 1989; sales were slow until introduction of the G35 sedan in 2003.
Infiniti’s lineup today includes Q50 and Q60 sedans and QX50, QX60 and QX80 SUVs. Expected soon is a QX55 with sloped roof as a
“four- door coupe.”
Contact Bud Wells at
Budwellscars@ comcast. net