2020 Infiniti QX80

The engine powering the new Infiniti QX80 is a 5.6 L V8 mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. The QX80 is offered in two trims and prices start at around $66,750 for the base trim and go up to more than $91,450 for the top-end trim. The 2020 QX80 is in a segment where it goes head-to-head with some of the top luxury SUVs like the Cadillac Escalade, Lexus LX 570, and the Lincoln Navigator, all of which come with some serious capabilities.

The 2020 Infiniti QX80 comes in two variants namely the Luxe and the Limited. The Luxe starts with an RWD base version priced at around $66,750 while the AWD Luxe and the Limited AWD are priced at $69,850 and $91,450 respectively. The available packages for the Luxe trim include a Proassist Package that adds a steering wheel switch for safety shield technologies, smart rearview mirror, lane departure prevention, intelligent cruise control (full-speed range), distance control assist and blind-spot intervention. 

There is also an available theater package that comes with dual 8-inch color monitors for multimedia video playback along with two wireless headphones, wireless remote control, auxiliary HDMI input jack, audio/video USB port, a 120-v power outlet, and rear headphone jacks with volume control. The Limited trim, however, gets the ProASSIST, Theater, Sensory and ProACTIVE packages as standard. The following are the main features of each trim of the 2020 Infiniti QX80-

Which Trim should you buy?

The Luxe model which starts around $66,750 comes with almost all the basic standard features you expect out of a vehicle of this segment. Choose the AWD version of the Luxe trim and it strikes the perfect balance between a capable SUV and a luxury people mover. Hence our recommendation would be the Luxe trim with the AWD option and the required packages according to your needs would be the ideal choice as it offers the most bang for the buck.

The 2020 Infiniti QX80 is a big bulky SUV and has an engine to match the character. A big 5.6-liter V8 engine acts as the heart of the QX80, producing 400 horsepower at 5800 RPM and 413-pound feet of torque at around 4000 RPM. The engine when paired with the smooth 8-speed automatic transmission pushes the beast from 0 to 60 in just 5.9 seconds. This is really fast, especially when we are talking about a full-size luxury SUV.

The AWD system on the 2020 QX80 works well when the roads get rough and thanks to the torque on offer, it packs the punch needed to get out of tricky situations. The ride height and the softer suspension setup make it feel right at home even in slightly worse conditions. All this is applicable on long straight stretches of road. But when the road gets twisty, the QX80 struggles to keep up because of the huge size and taller setup. The engine which acts as a boon on the straights starts to seem inadequate as what’s the use of power when you need agility.

The QX80 when put head-to-head would not beat the competition as the Escalade, the Lexus LX, and the Navigator seem much more athletic overall and offer a much more engaging driving experience. The place where the QX80 really shines is that it offers the most bang for the buck as all of the others start at a much higher price point. Hence, even though the competition offers more power and driving dynamics, the QX80 offers luxury and similar performance for a price much lower than the competition. The Lexus seems dim in performance for its price tag in this comparison.

How well does the 2020 INFINITI QX80 handle?

The handling of the 2020 Infiniti QX80 is a mixed bag. The ride quality is supple and comfortable but when it comes to cornering, the Infiniti QX80 starts to lose composure as it does weigh around 6000 pounds and this plays a major role in its poor cornering performance. Granted the QX80 is not the sportiest out of the four, it still manages to provide good ride quality with its variable suspension setup and AWD definitely helps in keeping it planted even in conditions with less traction.

The AWD system on the 2020 QX80 paired with the powerful V8 goes together really well especially because of the low-end torque output which helps the SUV when the going gets tough. The steering feedback is rather light which is not the most confidence-inspiring setup but helps in turning the mammoth of a vehicle in tricky situations. The ride quality is impressive and the light steering of the QX80 makes it easily maneuverable in the city, but it is not the best machine for carving corners. 

2020 INFINITI QX80 Braking Performance

The 2020 Infiniti QX80 comes with 13.8-inch front rotors and 13.8-inch rear rotors as well. This allows it to come to a halt from 60-0 in just 122 feet. This number is the shortest out of the four. This is because of the bigger rotor size in the QX80 which helps in putting the beast to a halt. The braking capability of the Infiniti QX80 is impressive and the brakes are progressive while offering a good bite. 

When compared to the other four, the QX80 has the best braking performance despite it not being the sportiest SUV out there. Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade are slightly lighter but they have smaller brakes which is the reason they take longer distances to come to a stop. The heaviest Lexus is also the worst performer in terms of braking even though we don’t have the exact braking distance.

The fuel economy is not the best aspect of the 2020 QX80. The big, chunky SUV which seats four is not at all a gas saver. The QX80 offers 13 miles to the gallon in the city and 19 miles to the gallon on the highway. The rear-wheel-drive variants offer slightly better fuel economy numbers. The big V8 produces the grunt needed, but all that at the cost of fuel efficiency. The QX80’s fuel tank is of 26 gallons capacity which is the same as the Escalade. 

Overall, the 2020 Infiniti QX80 would have performed better if it came with a different engine option for better fuel economy numbers but is only offered with a V8. The combined fuel economy of 15 mpg is less when compared to the Escalade’s 17 mpg and the Navigator’s 18 mpg. But the worst performer on our list is the Lexus LX 570 with a combined fuel economy of 14 mpg. This combined with the smallest gas tank of just 24.6 gallons makes for the lowest range. The range given by the Infiniti is better than the Lexus’s but still behind the range of the other two cars.

The interior of the 2020 Infiniti QX80 is well suited to haul 7 people in comfort and wrapped in luxury. And the commanding position of the driver’s seat inspires confidence on the road. The seats are leather-wrapped and the front row seats also get heating functionality. The Limited trim comes with leather upholstery which pushes the luxury experience inside. The second row comes with a three-seat set at the rear but can be swapped with captain’s chairs for a price of $250 extra. All seats are power-adjustable. 

The third row is not the most spacious and should be kept only for children or small adults with just 28.8 inches of legroom. The cargo space is 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row which is actually pretty useful and can be increased by 25 cubic feet after folding the third-row seats. The QX80 uses an active noise dampening system which makes the cabin to be quiet and its adaptive suspension system makes sure the ride stays comfortable no matter the condition outside.

The 2020 QX80 is a competitive offering from Infiniti which really tries to compete with SUVs which rule the luxury SUV segment. The best part is that it comes at a lower MSRP which makes it a mouth-watering deal. But focus on the word, “tries” as it still lacks some creature comforts. Even though the Infiniti does not offer all the features you expect from a top-of-the-line luxury SUV like a panoramic sunroof, massaging seats, or HUD system, it still manages to provide a decent list of comforts. Standout interior features are:

• Leather-appointed seating
• 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar support
• Charcoal Burl interior trim accents
• Power 60/40-split fold-flat and reclining third-row seats10
• Second-row captain’s chairs with tip-up easy entry
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and pillar grab handles
• Matte Silver, Open Pore Ash Wood trim accents
• Graphite Ultrasuede headliner and pillars
• Chrome interior door handle finishers

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The infotainment system of the 2020 Infiniti QX80 comes equipped with 3 LCD displays at the front. The infotainment unit has an 8-inch upper touch screen, a 7-inch lower touch screen paired with Bose premium audio system.

Other features include Sirius XM radio, satellite navigation, Bluetooth, AUX, USB connectivity, etc. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard in the QX80 expanding the connectivity options of the infotainment system. The Limited variant also comes with dual 8-inch touch screens for the rear with separate remote controls. Standout infotainment features are:

• INFINITI InTouch dual-display system, with upper 8-inch and lower 7-inch WXGA LCD touch-screen displays
• Apple CarPlay and Android integration 
• Navigation with Lane Guidance and 3D building graphics
• INFINITI InTouch with Wi-Fi Hotspot with 30-day complimentary trial access
• SiriusXM Radio with Advanced Audio Features and 3-month trial access
• SiriusXM Traffic with 3-month trial access to real-time traffic information
• Bose 13-speaker Premium Sound system

The QX80’s of the past have always looked like a whale on wheels but the 2020 MY comes with updates that make it looks sharper and more attractive than ever. The rectangular grille, beautifully accompanied by the narrow headlights gives the front end a more aggressive look.

The chrome inserts all-around also add to the luxury SUV appeal. The QX80 is definitely a full-sized luxury SUV but these small design changes differentiate it from the older models, giving it a distinct look.

The QX80 is big in dimensions and also has decent ground clearance even when compared to the competition but the Lincoln is still the largest one here while the Lexus is the heaviest. However, some of the competition offers long-wheelbase variants too; they are comparatively larger with acres of interior and cargo space. In particular, we liked Caddy as it looks absolutely menacing on the exterior yet posh and comfortable on the interior. Standout exterior features are:

• Unique dark, machine-finished 22-inch forged aluminum wheels
• Stainless steel running board caps with rubber grips
• INFINITI Welcome Lighting
• Satin chrome exterior trim, including roof rails and crossbars
• Unique front and rear bumper lower finish
• Automatic-on/off LED headlights

The 2020 Infiniti QX80 scored a solid four-star safety rating by NHTSA as it not only comes with standard features like ABS and traction control, but all variants also come with a set of advanced safety features. You could also opt for the Proassist Package in the Luxe trim and it comes standard in the higher-end Limited trim for even more safety tech including steering wheel switch for safety shield technologies, smart rearview mirror, lane departure prevention, intelligent cruise control (full-speed range), distance control assist, and blind-spot intervention. The following are the standard safety and driver assistance features in the 2020 Infiniti QX80-

• Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• Predictive Forward Collision Warning
• Backup Collision Intervention
• Lane Departure Warning
• Blind Spot Warning
• Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection
• High Beam Assist
• Front and rear sonar system

2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator is the most powerful out of the four producing 450 horsepower. It is also more feature specked and is more of a luxury yacht on wheels. It all makes sense considering its price tag is $10,000 more than that of the QX80. The QX80 in a sense offers great value for the price tag and does the job of expanding the price segment with a lower entry price tag.

2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Cadillac Escalade

The Cadillac Escalade is one of the top names when it comes to luxury behemoths, and it does it well. It also produces more power and torque than the QX80, but all this seems reasonable considering that the Escalade weighs more. This gives an edge to the QX80 in some areas like handling and braking but still, the Escalade has some top-of-the-line features that the Infiniti doesn’t. This may seem like a bad thing for the QX80 but if we consider the price gap between the base variant of the Escalade and QX80, the QX80 still offers a really good value.

2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Lexus LX 570

The Lexus LX is priced way above the QX80. Despite this huge difference, the QX80 surprisingly makes more power and even gives better gas mileage/range than the LX 570. Yes, the QX80 might not have all the features and the offroad capabilities that the LX offers, but it might just give it a run for its money with its huge price difference.

The new Infiniti QX80 tries to compete with SUVs that may be considered at the top of the luxury SUV segment. In spite of it starting off with a huge price difference, it does not provide the best or the most features found in the segment but still packs a punch in terms of the overall value. It might not be the most agile, the most feature equipped, and not at all the most fuel-efficient, but it offers a lot more bang for the buck and creates a segment for itself in the market for being a more pocket-friendly luxury SUV that can move 7 people in comfort.