2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph: Five Thoughts
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 is a barge of an SUV—an over-the-top three-row beast with opulent finishings and distinctive character. In a tough field that includes heavyweights like the Mercedes GLS, Cadillac Escalade, and Lincoln Navigator, the QX80 is a solid flagship SUV for Infiniti, drawing customers to the brand in search of something a bit different than the Detroiters or Germans.
Redesigned for 2025, it’s an entirely new animal. Here are five thoughts.
It’s A Party Inside:
And at $114 large, it should be. The Autograph trim, the top-of-the-line variant, has everything. My passengers enjoyed massages, the 24-speaker Klipsch sound system (we went heavy on Springsteen this weekend), and the center-console cooler, which swallowed a huge Yeti drink bottle.
The materials and trim present well. I took note of the ash wood, suede headliner, and quilted leather seats. The ambient lighting adds to the upscale feel. Infiniti’s interior styling is gaudier than Lincoln and Mercedes, but fairly in line with the dynamic of Cadillac and Lexus.
It’s a good vibe for Infiniti. When it’s doing things right, that means taking risks with design, like at the peak of the Shiro Nakamura era.
The Powertrain Is A Major Upgrade:
It goes without saying that the old QX80 had grown long in the tooth, particularly under the hood with its lumbering 5.6-liter V8. Now running the company’s 3.5-liter V6, which produces 450 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, the QX80 has significantly more get-up-and-go.
Teamed with the nine-speed automatic gearbox, the QX80 is smooth and a bit of a sleeper SUV. It can really move when merging onto expressways and jockeying for lane position. I fondly remember the 5.6-liter V8, but its time has passed for things like the QX80.
I’m Not Sure About The Styling:
The QX80 has always been a polarizing design, going back to its days as the QX56. But hey, Infiniti is going for it, and I applaud that. I like the LED light strips and huge grille in front. The square-on-wheels silhouette is fine, and it’s imposing at the curb. I rolled up to a pool at a classy golf club, and the Infiniti stood out even there. It could be a flex, but it could also be a Hyundai Palisade, and that’s not a jab at either SUV.
The Little Things Matter:
The Android infotainment worked great. The steering is a bit heavy—as you would expect given the 22-inch alloy wheels you need to turn—but it’s not a beast to park or maneuver. The driving position and visibility are surprisingly good, as the corners of the SUV feel like they’re in a different area code. I actually felt pretty confident behind the wheel. ProPilot Assist and all of the cameras and other warnings were also helpful and worked as designed.
The Best Are Still Better:
If you’re going to spend this much money on a large SUV, I’d go with the Navigator or Escalade. But the QX80 is a major step forward for Infiniti and a credible entry into a posh segment.
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Greg Migliore is AutoGuide's Editorial Director. He has covered the auto industry for two decades, most recently as editor-in-chief of Autoblog. He's also been an editor at Automobile and Autoweek. He's a graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University and the Yale Publishing course. Greg is a member of the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards jury.
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