2023 INFINITI QX80
SUV remains a stout, extra-large luxury ride
As the appetite for large luxury vehicles continues to grow and options increase, competition has never been tougher.
One contender in this category that’s been around for many years is the Infiniti QX80, the flagship bodyon-frame, V8powered SUV from the luxury marque.
Ahead of an anticipated full redesign for 2024, I recently was able to test the 2023 Infiniti QX80, a truly classy ride which still manages to impress despite its longevity — even when it battles in a class that includes tough competitors such as the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Audi Q8, Jeep Grand Wagoneer and more.
Read on for a full breakdown of the QX80’s design, drive quality, tech and more.
LOOKS
The 2023 Infiniti QX80 features a big, bold and bulbous exterior, but it’s not as sleek and stylish as some luxury rivals. It will likely get a refresh on the exterior design for the 2024 model year and beyond.
Twenty-inch wheels are standard, and that jumps up to 22 inches on higher trim levels. Standard features are LED headlights, a power moonroof, roof rails, power folding heated outside mirrors, and a power rear liftgate.
You can upgrade to add dark chrome exterior trim, and adjust the colors of the leather upholstery.
The interior Is an absolute home run, with seating for either 7 or 8 people, depending if you choose the bench or captain’s chairs in the 2nd row.
It boasts a bevy of high-end materials, is extra roomy and seats are easily adjustable to maximize cargo space and passenger accessibility. The overall vibe is user-friendly and welcoming.
For cargo, you’ll get 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with both
2nd and 3rd rows down. With all seats up, you only have 16.6 cubic feet of storage. Leather upholstery is standard on all QX80 models, as are heated front seats. You also get a leatherwrapped and heated steering wheel, and three-zone climate control.
Leg room and head room is ample throughout the vehicle; and even those sitting in the third row will have a decent amount of comfort.
Opting for the top Sensory trim level adds upgraded leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated outboard secondrow seats and more.
HOW’S THE RIDE?
Power is the name of the game for the 2023 Infiniti QX80. It gets moving courtesy of a 5.6-liter, V8 engine that produces a healthy 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. The power plant is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard in the QX80, but four-wheel drive is optional.
While many larger vehicles are starting to stray from V8 options and body-on-frame setups, Infiniti is holding strong for the 2023 model, and the result is a healthy 8,500 pounds of towing capacity. The vehicle also features a self-leveling rear suspension.
Snow and Tow modes are also included, and the top trim level offers a Hydraulic Body Motion Control system that reduces body roll when cornering. Acceleration is also decent for the size, going 0 to 60 in under 6 seconds.
For such a large vehicle, it’s a generally smooth ride overall, but engine sounds were somewhat loud and distracting at times.
The driver also sits high in the QX80, making every other vehicle on the road seem small and offering a great view. Seat memory can be saved for two drivers.
Braking was strong, and handling and cornering are about as good as you’re going to get in a 6,000-pound vehicle. Road noise did not intrude and the vehicle handled bumpy roads well.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
The infotainment setup in the 2023 QX80, centered around its Infiniti InTouch 12.3inch touchscreen, is very impressive and user-friendly. It received a much-needed upgrade for the 2022 model year, replacing a two-screen setup.
All voice commands worked well on my first attempt, and the touch controls are wellplaced and easy for anyone to master. Navigation was also reliable and always got me where I needed to go, taking into account traffic patterns.
A 13-speaker Bose audio system comes standard, and audiophiles can choose to upgrade to an even better 17-speaker system on the top trim level. And music can be accessed via your phone if you take advantage of the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A wireless phone charger is also included.
Multiple USB ports can be found throughout the vehicle for charging purposes, along with a 110-volt power outlet. Also offered is a rear-seat entertainment system with dual 8-inch screens (inputs can be wired or wireless). Wi-Fi hotspot is offered, and new for 2023 is the inclusion of Amazon Alexa.
Like all vehicles at this level of luxury, the QX80 comes loaded to the gills with the latest safety features.
Among standard features included:
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the QX80 and the vehicle in front)— Blindspot warning (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)— 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the QX80 and its complete surroundings to help in tight parking situations)— Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios, including when pedestrians are detected)— Lane keeping assistance and lane departure warning (steers the QX80 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
These systems mostly work quite well, but I found that the lane departure warning when the vehicle felt it was leaving the lane was a bit overly sensitive for my taste.
MPG
The official fuel mileage numbers on the AWD versions of the QX80 are 13 city/19 highway/15 combined. A rear-wheel drive version bumps numbers up to 14 city and 20 highway.
In my real-world testing in the QX80, I averaged 12.4 miles per gallon.
This number is quite low due to a thirsty V8 in the QX80, but to be fair the entire segment of extra-large SUVs is weak in this area. And the ones who do beat the QX80’s numbers by any significant amount tend to have weaker, non-V8 engines and a less powerful ride, so it’ll be a matter of deciding whether power or fuel mileage is more important to you.
PRICE
The QX80 I tested, the top Sensory trim level, was priced just under $91,000. Its base price starts around $75K. This is definitely not an affordable ride for most people, but for those searching in this class it’s actually thousands of dollars cheaper than many of its competitors.
Trim levels include Luxe, Premium Select and Sensory.
The warranties offered on the QX80 are respectable, including:
• Limited warranty covering four years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covering six years or 70,000 miles
• Complimentary scheduled maintenance for up to 3 years with Infiniti Premium Care, including oil changes, tire rotations, brake fluid changes and more
BOTTOM LINE
The crown jewel of Nissan’s luxury brand, the 2023 Infiniti QX80 is a welcoming, spacious and powerful vehicle that has the goods to compete against the heavy hitters in this exclusive category of large luxury SUVs.
Its comprehensive technology and versatile design make it a strong choice for families seeking a vehicle that will meet all their needs and look top-shelf while doing it.