Used 2021 INFINITI QX80

The QX80 is Infiniti’s flagship SUV, and it exudes luxury, particularly in the opulent new Sensory trim that has seating surfaces made of quilted semi-aniline leather. Under the hood, a 400-horsepower V8 offers up plenty of power for towing and passing, but it’s thirsty for fuel. Inside, the QX80 accommodates up to seven people with center-row captain’s chairs, or eight when equipped with the center bench (a no-cost option).

While the QX80 doesn’t have all the latest high-tech features found in vehicles like the Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and BMW X7, this Infiniti is a tough body-on-frame workhorse that’s available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or a tough 4-wheel drive system featuring low-range gearing if needed. Tow capacity is an impressive 8,500 pounds, and the QX80 comes stock with a hitch, a 7-pin wiring harness, and an anti-sway system that makes towing much safer.

Infiniti’s QX80 looks powerful, and it backs up that appearance with a standard 5.6-liter V8 that pumps out an impressive 400 horsepower. That’s enough to propel the nearly 6,000-pound QX80 to 60 mph in less than six seconds. At the same time, the big and luxurious Infiniti SUV has a hearty appetite for fuel.

The big 4-cam V8 is smooth and silent, its growl shut out by the well-insulated cabin. Wind and road noise also suffer the same fate, and that’s a good thing. Once underway, the QX80’s considerable heft becomes more apparent. The steering assist is on the lighter side, requiring more attention in curves than in a Mercedes-Benz GLS or Acura MDX. The ride is exceptionally comfortable, thanks to Infiniti’s Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, which makes the QX80 have a softer ride than the Cadillac Escalade.

For the QX80 interior, Infiniti says it has drawn inspiration from luxury jets. What we can say is this:  The 2021 QX80 has a very comfortable interior, and the top model, the Sensory, comes with quilted semi-aniline leather that would look right at home in something English, perhaps a Roller or a Range Rover.

Rear-seat passengers can be entertained by an infotainment system, and there’s an updated infotainment system with a dual-screen setup found in other Infiniti vehicles. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and room in the first two rows of seats is excellent. We wish the QX80’s 2nd-row seats slid forward to improve the 3rd-row legroom when necessary.

The 2021 QX80 benefitted from a redesign in 2018, and it still looks fresh, stylistically linked to the rest of the Infiniti family. At nearly 209 inches, it’s big. But we like the look of this large Infiniti SUV. Its proportions are good. The 22-inch wheels on the two top models don’t look overly large. And we think the tasteful vents on the fenders help the 2021 Infiniti QX80 really stand out from the crowd.

DISTANCE-CONTROL ASSIST
Working independently of the adaptive cruise control, the DCA system monitors traffic and alerts the driver if the vehicle ahead begins to decelerate. The system will lift the accelerator pedal beneath the driver’s foot, signaling the need to slow down. DCA will also automatically slow the vehicle and can even bring it to a complete stop.

HYDRAULIC BODY-MOTION CONTROL
In the past, the best way to control body roll and lean in a vehicle as large as the QX80 was to install a heavy set of steel springs and thick stabilizer bars. But that results in a stiff ride. With this system, active hydraulic shocks work to stabilize the vehicle in curves while providing a cushy ride on flat roads.

Standard equipment on the QX80 Luxe includes leather seating and navigation, plus tri-zone climate control, a power liftgate, adaptive cruise control, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system. Also, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with a tow hitch and self-leveling rear suspension.

At the QX80 Premium Select level, you get 22-inch wheels and dark chrome styling elements, while the QX80 Sensory flagship comes with forged 22-inch alloy wheels, quilted semi-aniline leather upholstery, hydraulic body motion control, speed-sensitive power steering, a rear-seat entertainment system, adaptive headlights, and 17-speaker Bose audio system.

Standard driver assists include automatic emergency braking, a lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic detection, and a blind-spot monitor.

There aren’t many options on the 2021 Infiniti QX80. Basically, you should look at what each trim level offers, and make your decision based on that information. That stated, a split-folding center bench is a no-cost option to replace the center-row captain’s chairs (and raise the QX80’s seating capacity to eight). Upgraded paint ($695) also is available, along with exterior welcome lighting ($455) and illuminated scuff plates ($485).

A 5.6-liter V8 drives the rear (or all four) QX80 wheels via a 7-speed automatic transmission. It’s an impressively powerful engine, with 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, and it lets the body-on-frame QX tow up to 8,500 pounds, quite a lot for a luxury SUV.

Both rear- and all-wheel-drive (RWD, AWD) models come with Hill Start Assist and Snow Mode to help you get moving when roads are slick. Opt for AWD, and you get a full-time system with a 4LO mode for those rugged dirt stretches.

Don’t expect good fuel economy: The RWD 2021 Infiniti QX80 is rated by the EPA at 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway/16 mpg combined. With AWD, the 2021 Infiniti QX80 drops to 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway/15 mpg combined.

5.6-liter V8
400 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
413 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 mpg (RWD), 13/19 mpg (AWD)