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The 2022 Infiniti QX80 is an upscale, attractive and luxurious full-size SUV. Its solid build and pillowy ride are superb, and the thrum from the V8 engine is sentimentally comforting. Infiniti has done a nice job updating the QX80 over the last 12 years, so much so that its age is only just starting to show. Need a lavish, stylish V8 in an old school body-on-frame? Look no further. This one can (mostly) haul the whole family while simultaneously towing a boat. Is it worth close to $90,000? That will be up to you. Browse QX80 listings
Photo Credit: Infiniti News U.S.A.
Price and Value
The MSRP range for the 2022 Infiniti QX80 is $71,995-$83,630. Our well equipped tester topped out at $87,895. It comes in three trims: Luxe, Premium Select and Sensory. The suite of standard features includes forward emergency braking, designed to detect pedestrians, as well as intelligent cruise control. Each trim includes a V8 and either four-wheel or rear-wheel drive. Some of the major differences in trim levels are noted below.
Luxe 4WD: $74,200 See listings
- Wireless Apple CarPlay integration
- Blind spot intervention with lane departure prevention
- Infiniti all mode 4WD
Premium Select 4WD: $78,500 See listings
- Dark chrome fender vents, front grille surround and liftgate finisher
- 22-inch dark chrome wheels
Sensory 4WD: $85,350 See listings
- Climate controlled front seats
- Advanced climate control system
- Bose performance series 17-speaker sound system
The Infiniti QX80 Sensory is plush and powerful, but it feels overpriced and outpaced by modern luxury SUV standards. The excellent warranty mitigates some of the cost. Infiniti offers 4-year/60,000 mile basic coverage, 6-year/70,000 mile powertrain coverage, and 24-hour roadside assistance.
Photo Credit: Infiniti News U.S.A.
Performance
We love that Infiniti hangs on to its V8 engine in the QX80. It’s smooth and serene in its power delivery, and we enjoy the sound it produces. It’s not much of a handler, though. Instead, the QX80’s mission is to provide effortless, cloudlike comfort with plenty of power on tap for when you need it.
Engine
Infiniti soldiers on with its 5.6-liter V8 engine. As they say, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. The V8 produces 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, and can tow up to 8,500 pounds. The motor is strong and seamless in its power delivery, which only adds to the QX80’s smooth as butter demeanor.
Fuel Efficiency
Everything comes with a cost. While an old school V8 is awesome to put your foot into, the fuel economy suffers. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates 13 mpg in the city, 19 on the highway, for a combined 15 mpg. We did achieve better than that in our week of testing a QX80, averaging about 18 mpg combined.
Drivetrain
The QX80’s burly V8 pairs nicely with its 7-speed automatic transmission. Shifts happen smoothly and relatively intuitively. The QX80 is equipped with a 2-speed transfer case and a drive mode selector for auto, 4H, 4L and snow modes. We were unable to test the four-wheel drive, but we assume most people won’t be off-roading in this anyway — especially with the standard 22-inch wheels.
Acceleration and Handling
The QX80’s powertrain makes relatively light work of its hefty 5,915 pounds. According to Car and Driver, it lunges off the line to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. Quick, but not exceedingly fast. Due to its tall center of gravity and bulbous weight, the QX80 is a floater. And that’s just fine if you want to do what Infiniti put the QX80 on this earth to do: cruise.
Braking
Infiniti has equipped its big boy with big brakes. They provide strong stopping power, even from freeway speeds. Forward automatic emergency braking is standard.
Photo Credit: Infiniti News U.S.A.
Interior Comfort and Convenience
The QX80’s svelte exterior styling is extended to the interior in some fairly luxurious ways. The build quality feels solid inside, and the leather and wood combination is attractive. You sit high in the QX80, which offers a commanding view of the road.
Oddly, some modern luxury features such as a panoramic sunroof and heads up display are absent, even in the top trim. There is plenty of room for four passengers. Smaller families will love road tripping in this comfortable and spacious SUV — even if it is starting to feel a little dated.
Seats
The front seats and second row captain's chairs in the QX80 are amazing. Soft, wide and supportive, they’re made for long road trips, especially with their commanding and high position. The front seats are heated and ventilated, performing well for us on cold and warm days. The second row in our Sensory trim was also heated. The quilted stitching of the semi-aniline leather looks rich. Find a QX80 for sale today
Where the QX80 falls short is in the third row. It’s cramped and sits low to the floor, making it uncomfortable even for small children. The third row has powered reclining and folding, but the motors are lethargic, making us wish for simple pull release straps.
Photo Credit: Infiniti News U.S.A.
Climate Control
The QX80 retains several physical buttons for its climate control, including dual knobs for its dual zones up front. There is also a third zone for the rear occupants. The QX80 was also equipped with the brand’s advanced climate control system, which is supposed to not only heat and cool, but also clean the cabin air. The system worked well without too much fan noise.
Cargo Space and Cabin Storage
With the third row folded down, the cargo space in the rear is cavernous. If you can’t fit all your stuff in here, you need to make a stop at Deseret Industries. The QX80 has 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row, 49.6 cubic feet when folded down. With both the second and third row down, there’s 95.1 cubic feet. The center consoles are deep and spacious, as are the door pockets. A power liftgate is standard, but it is a little slow to close.
Infotainment System
The big news for the 2022 QX80 is the 12.3-inch infotainment touch screen. It’s large and looks sharp. It is angled backward slightly, which can make it difficult to reach for shorter-armed drivers and passengers. It includes wireless Apple CarPlay, Android auto, HD radio, a 17-speaker Bose stereo, a wireless charging pad and a rear seat entertainment system.
Photo Credit: Infiniti News U.S.A.
Exterior Appearance and Functionality
The current iteration of the QX80 has been around 12 years. You’d think it would look outdated, but Infiniti has done a great job keeping it fresh, especially with subtle changes to the front fascia in 2018. The QX80 has an imposing presence, making you feel like you’re king of the road. You probably won’t want to take the QX80 off-road with how nice it looks. It is available in all the standard grays and blacks, as well as premium colors such as Coulis Red and Champagne Quartz.
Towing Capacity
Towing is one of the main reasons to buy the QX80 today. With its 400-horsepower V8 motor, it makes light work of up to 8,500 pounds of towing.
Wheels
One complaint we had was the 22-inch wheels. While they are stylish, they slightly diminish the otherwise cushy ride provided by the hydraulic body motion control system. If it were up to us, we’d stick to 20-inch wheels, especially if you’re traveling over potholes frequently. Thankfully, there wasn’t an unruly amount of road noise from the 275/50 R22 all-season tires, even with the larger wheels.
Lights and Turn Signals
The QX80’s LED lights are clean, bright and well styled. They include auto leveling automatic headlights, integrated fog lights and courtesy lights.
Cameras and Side Mirrors
Another minor complaint of the QX80 concerns the cameras. For the price, you’d expect top tier resolution. At least the QX80 has them, including rear backup and surround view cameras. We only wish they were clearer.
Front and Rear Windshield
If you like riding high, with large open windows and a commanding view of the road, you’ll love the QX80. Visibility is great all around, including out the rear — as long as that third row is folded down. Extra perks: rain sensing variable intermittent wipers for both front and back, and a defroster with a timer.
Photo Credit: Infiniti News U.S.A.
Safety
The QX80 is loaded with safety technology but surprisingly did not score exceptionally well in its crash test ratings. These ratings bely the secure feeling you have while in the QX80.
Features
Infiniti has included a long list of safety features that families will appreciate. They can be found on Infiniti’s website, but a few highlights include:
- Lane departure prevention
- Forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Backup collision intervention
- Predictive forward collision warning
Awards and Ratings
The QX80 has not been a big awards winner. As safety ratings go, the 2021 QX80 received a four-star (out of five) overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not tested the QX80 as of this writing.
Final Impression
The 2022 Infiniti QX80 Sensory wants to play with the big boys. The infotainment update for 2022 is welcome, but the rest of the vehicle, while a very nice place to spend time, struggles to justify its nearly $90,000 price tag. We would recommend one of the lower trims for a greater value. While it’s due for an overhaul, you’ll still find a lot to like with its pillowy ride and old school V8.
FAQs
Is the QX80 good for families?
Yes and no. If your family is small, and you can leave the nearly useless third row folded down, this is an excellent family vehicle. Kids will have no complaints about space in the second row. However, if you have a large family, you’ll quickly outgrow the constraining third row.
Is the QX80 fun to drive?
Again, yes and no. The QX80 is not sporty, aggressive or anything else in that vein. What it is, is serene. Which, after a long day at work, is a great thing. So if you think that quiet, relaxed cruising is fun, then yes it is fun to drive. Just don’t be expecting many adrenaline filled romps through the canyons.
Is the QX80 fuel efficient?
The short answer: not really. But, it is better than we expected from a V8. We averaged just over 18 mpg during our week of testing and even achieved over 22 mpg on one prolonged freeway drive.
Ready to dive into luxury? Find your new or previously owned Infiniti QX80 on KSL Cars.
