Infiniti has tried and tried hard to compete with the world’s flagship luxury SUVs – land jets like the Cadillac Escalade, Lexus LX, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Range Rover. Despite delivering very nice vehicles, Infiniti never quite achieves sales success. Putting an upscale Asian spin on it, the 2025 QX80 Autograph touches glory.
There has always been something very Zen about Infinitis, going back to the original Q45 sedan. And that’s evident in this one’s flowing black tall grass grille, eyebrow LED driving lights, and stacked headlamps in the lower facia. Retractable doorhandles, 22-inch wheels and fixed running boards run clean. The black floating roof adds a hint of attitude, as do thin taillamps that wrap over the liftgate. A little fancy Autograph logo in the rear windows hint at luxury within.
Step into a cabin that’s not particularly original, but is positively lush with open pore ash wood, sueded headliner, and deep diamond-stitched leather seats. Front and rear captain’s chairs offer heat, ventilation, and massagers. The third row and steering wheel are heated too. Keep soda and water chill in the console cool box. It all fits under a panoramic sunroof and is doused in a choice of 64 ambient lighting colors.
Check the audio system. You want Bose? Nah, been there. Harman Kardon? Bowers & Wilkins? Forget it, everybody uses them. Instead, Infiniti tapped Indianapolis-based Klipsch for its 24-speaker audio system that includes headrest speakers. I’m down for it – have long owned one of their walnut Bluetooth speakers. Good stuff.
Twin dash screens are becoming trite, but the QX80’s 14.3-inch panels are crisp and intuitive, augmented by a smaller 9-inch screen for key functions below. Devices connect easily through wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and console charging, but also tap Google built-in and Alexa commands. “Invisible hood view” allows a clear camera-rich path ahead.
That hood looks even better from inside where its fabulous curves form a prow of powerful proportions.
A big V8 engine was once expected in this class, but times change. The Caddy has a V8, Lincoln doesn’t. Infiniti chose a twin-turbo V6 delivering 450 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque through a paddle-shifted 9-speed automatic transmission that gets it road-ward through all-wheel-drive. Proving its rugged credentials, the QX80 tows 8,500 lbs. of speedboat or luxury RV. Invest in petrol funds as the QX80 returns just 16/19-MPG city/highway.
That engine’s cradled amongst good bones, based on the global Nissan Patrol that rolls stateside as the Nissan Armada. It’s a big truck, but drives smaller with sharp steering and an air suspension that virtually eliminates rough roads while controlling wayward motions on the highway. Where some competitors seem like they’re auditioning for track duty, this one’s content carrying families plus their totables and potables while drivers enjoy a head-up display and hands-off cruising on approved highways.
Safety systems abound. Automatic emergency braking, blind spot intervention, and rear auto brake actively keep fenders painted while trailer blind spot warning and trailer sway control aid drivers when taking boat or camper.
I’ve driven way too many six-figure SUVs lately and this one is no exception. The QX80 starts at $82,450, but came to a breath-taking $114,845 in Autograph trim with fancy seats and Klipsch speakers. Here’s the thing, though. Nissan Armadas start at a much more palatable $57,520 if you like the QX80, but crave a price half as dear and can skip some carnal luxuries.
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