2025 Infiniti QX80 Up Close: Beautiful Behemoth
No matter how much we collectively prioritize efficiency, the big, brash, leather-lined bruisers at the top of the SUV food chain endure to tower over lesser traffic — regardless of whether it sucks gas or electrons. The redesigned 2025 Infiniti QX80 is proof we should be thankful for that, as the luxury brand’s largest SUV is its most impressive product we’ve seen in years. We went to check it out in person ahead of its debut.
Related: 2025 Infiniti QX80: Premium Styling, Premium Pricing
Smartly Proportioned
The first thing you’re going to notice is just the immensity of the thing. It’s even bigger than the outgoing-gen model, splitting its seams at 1-inch longer, 3.4-inches wider and up to 2.1-inches taller, depending on the spec. But, whereas the old QX80 had a bit of bulbousness about it, the new gen is smartly proportioned even with the top of its new flat hood nearly coming up to my neck. There are plenty of little details and style points peppered around the exterior to discover, the greatest of which being the new grille topped with the reimagined Infiniti badge.
Speaking of, the new QX80 puts an emphasis on Japanese craftsmanship in a way not seen from the marque since the 1990s. The grille is inspired by bamboo forests, while the 300 LEDs in the taillights evoke moonlight reflecting off gentle ripples in a body of water. Even the 4WD badge on the rear is inspired by a Japanese hanko insignia stamp — well, at least according to the designers we talked to at the studio preview.
Under the sprawling exterior wrapper are similar bones to the prior version, but reps say the SUV’s platform is significantly revised. The brand is mum on both the QX80’s weight and EPA rating, but we expect it to be the same if not slightly better than the former, and not insignificantly better on the latter. Gone is the buttery — but extraordinarily thirsty — 5.6-liter V-8 engine, now supplanted by a thoroughly modern twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 that’s good for 450 horsepower and 516 pounds-feet of torque. Less a burbly soundtrack, but up 50 hp and 103 pounds-feet, both hitting lower on the tach than Ye Olde Eight. A nine-speed automatic transmission handles this twist, no matter the trim or configuration.
But, don’t think it’s gone the way of the unibody Nissan Pathfinder; this is still a fancy body-on-frame SUV with rear- or four-wheel drive and a maximum tow rating of 8,500 pounds. Industrial strength bones for sure, but a new adjustable and adaptive air suspension likely keeps the ride silky. Infiniti says there’s a more than a 5-inch delta between the lowest and highest ride-height settings, so grandma won’t have to use a stool to get in and you likely won’t notice any fire hydrants or curbs you happen to run over.
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A Wonderland Inside
Inside is the real treat. At least on the top-spec Autograph configuration we checked out, the cockpit is a wonderland of rich leather, high-fidelity screens, wood and metal speaker grates. For the driver, the twin 14.3-inch displays are the showcase, with high refresh rates and updated graphics over Infiniti’s rather ancient prior digital architecture. A 9-inch screen on the center console handles the climate controls, which is responsive and ergonomically organized enough, even if we’d prefer hard buttons.
The Autograph trim’s beautifully matte-wood trim is laser-etched with metal inserts, and we couldn’t keep our eyes (and ears) off the dramatically presented 24-speaker, 1,200-watt Klipsch sound system, complete with metal-fronted speakers surrounding the front-seat head restraints. Beyond pure acoustic firepower, the system incorporates active sound tech that can isolate your voice inputs in a phone call or your music, allowing you to blast the tunes with your caller or rear passengers none the wiser. Pretty trick.
Even if you do manage to annoy your rear passengers, it won’t be for a lack of comfort. There is an exceptional amount of legroom for second-row passengers, with an additional boost given to the third row in direct response to customer complaints. From a storage standpoint, this translates to an 18% boost in cargo space behind the second row and a 30% jump behind the third row, according to Infiniti’s measurements. Get comfy!
Other passenger comfort improvements include a flatter load floor and increased ingress/egress paths for third row, as well as an optional so-called Biometric Cooling feature that monitors second-row occupant temp with an infrared sensor to “near-instantly” adjust cooling without intervention from any occupant. In ideal scenarios, Infiniti claims that passengers reach a “comfortable temperature” in 50% less time.
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 is as impressive as it is imposing and a clear leap forward for the brand. We had a ball futzing with the new three-row SUV, but we’re anticipating even better things to say when we can load it up with friendly folks and point it down the nearest alpine trail after it goes on sale later this summer. Stay tuned.
More From Cars.com:
- Infiniti Teases 2025 QX80, Will Be Revealed March 20
- Infiniti QX Monograph Concept Previews Imminent QX80 Redesign
- 2024 Infiniti QX80 Adds Dark Chrome Appearance Package, Starts at $76,045
- Which SUVs Can Tow at Least 5,000 Pounds?
- How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2022 Infiniti QX80?
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