Table of Contents
The All-New INFINITI QX80 Full-Size SUV For 2025
The massive QX80 flagship SUV from Infiniti is getting a makeover, including new style that was influenced by the QX Monograph concept car. With its huge mouth grille, high front end, and enormous wheels, the new QX80 has an intimidating appearance. Dramatic exterior lighting elements include a full-width light bar across the liftgate connecting the taillights and two narrow daytime running lights up front with a unique block design. The V-8 engine that was normally aspirated the previous year has been replaced with a 450-hp twin-turbo V-6. There are three rows of seats in the deluxe cabin, and the first and second rows have massage capabilities.
A system that uses an infrared sensor in the headliner to determine when a passenger in the backseat is too warm can also be added to the interior. In that case, the climate control system will immediately direct cool air toward the passenger. A 24-speaker stereo tuned by premium audio manufacturer Klipsch is also offered. The new QX80 has a sleek appearance and all the features it needs to compete with large SUV rivals, but the Infiniti improvements come with a higher MSRP, which lessens the model’s price edge over alternatives like the Cadillac Escalade and Mercedes-Benz GLS-class.
The QX80 model year 2025 marks the start of a new generation. Infiniti dealers could expect it to arrive in the summer of 2024.
The new QX80 rides in the same general direction as the mid-size QX60, with the fully loaded Autograph model offering the most luxurious touches and the entry-level Pure trim acting as the high-value vehicle. We believe that the mid-range Luxe is the best option because it does not come with the six-figure price tag of the Sensory and Autograph variants, but instead adds desirable amenities like an air-spring suspension system, a head-up display, heated and ventilated first and second-row seats, and stylish 22-inch wheels.
Performance, Engine, and Transmission
The 2025 QX80’s engine is a 3.0-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine rather than a V-8. The 2025 QX80’s blown six engine produces 450 horsepower, compared to the previous generation’s 400 horsepower V-8, so it should be somewhat faster than the outgoing model and quite zippy for most consumers. All-wheel drive is standard on Sensory and Autograph versions; rear-wheel drive is optional on Pure and Luxe trims; a nine-speed automatic transmission is standard. All bar the base Pure trim come with an air-spring suspension system. We plan to test drive the 2025 QX80 at our test track as soon as possible, and we’ll update this story with our impressions after the tests.
Capacity for Payload and Towing
All QX80 models are capable of towing up to 8500 pounds. That’s somewhat higher than the maximum towing capacity of the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
Cargo, Comfort, and Interior
There are three rows of seats in the QX80, and each should be roomy and pleasant. The infotainment touchscreen and gauge cluster are housed in a wall of screens on the strikingly designed dashboard. A massaging function for the first- and second-row seats is one of the many upscale amenities that Infiniti offers, but you’ll need to upgrade to the Sensory or Autograph trims to take advantage of it.
The third row will also have heated seats available. When a passenger in the backseat gets too heated, an optional infrared sensor system may sense it and automatically move cool air from the climate control vents toward them. We’ll assess this system’s performance once we get to drive the new QX80. There’s adjustable ambient lighting with up to 64 color options and a center console “cool box” big enough to chill a six-pack of your favorite canned drinks.
Connectivity and Entertainment
Three displays make up the infotainment system of the QX80. High up on the dash are two 14.3-inch screens: one for the infotainment touchscreen and the other for the digital gauge cluster. Lower-mounted, a third 9.0-inch touchscreen manages the HVAC system and drive-mode selector, among other things. It should come as no surprise that Google Maps, the Google Play app store, and Google Assistant are all accessible from the conventional Google-based infotainment system. A 14-speaker Klipsch sound system with eight USB-C connections comes standard; the Sensory and Autograph trims come standard with a more potent 24-speaker Klipsch stereo with speakers in the headrests and headliner.