The full-size luxury SUV market is dominated by well-known longtimers like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, but that hasn’t stopped others from making repeated runs at the kings of the segment. The 2025 Infiniti QX80 shows that an old dog can learn new tricks — but are they enough?
Infiniti really went back to the chalkboard for its update of the 2025 QX80 Autograph.
Hmm … maybe?
The QX80’s been around for a while, but been a second tier option in the segment. With wonky interior offsetting a decent powertrain, it was tough to love the QX80 as much as some of the more refined, more established players in the market.
A new look
However, Infiniti really went back to the chalkboard for its update of the 2025 QX80 Autograph trying to ensure that not only did it not fall short, but it exceeded the better-selling vehicles in the segment.
After a week in the all-new QX80 Autograph, I can say it’s a vast improvement over its predecessor in every area, starting with the exterior remake. The new model has a strong, definable look and personality. Like so many in this group, it starts with Infiniti’s massive double-arch front grille. In the center of that grille is the Infiniti logo that illuminates at night.
Flanking the top of the grille are two slit-like LED headlights that give it an aggressive, forceful look. It looks like you own the road when you’re behind the wheel of the QX80. The aforementioned headlamps fade into the side of the ute to what is, well, an unremarkable profile. It looks like so many of its competitors. To be fair, it’s hard to make a big rectangle look like anything other than, well … a big rectangle.
However, the rear of the QX80 features a taillamp that spans the width of the liftgate, making it look almost broad-shouldered and modern at the same time. The rear bumper curls up almost making it look like a small mullet. Overall, it’s good looking vehicle, especially from the front.
The new model has a strong, definable look and personality.
A new powertrain
Like most full-size SUVs, the 2025 QX80 follows the trend of moving away from gas-thirsty V8s to more economical, but just-as-powerful turbocharged 6-cylinder engines. In this case, the QX80 relies on a new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 putting out 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
Complementing the new engine is a 9-speed automatic transmission which improves low end
acceleration 27% and overdrive fuel economy 12% contributing to both responsive acceleration and efficient highway cruising. It’ll also two 8,500 pounds, which is best in its class.
The new combination provides a 10% improvement on fuel economy, Infiniti says. Rear-wheel drive models get 16 mpg city and 20 highway while four-wheel drive vehicles return 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. Most of my time was spent tooling around on local roads and I managed to average 16.2 mpg. All this to say: mash the go-pedal and it will comply — with a little zeal.
The overall ride was nice. It wasn’t floaty but it wasn’t a road hugger either. Infiniti’s done a good job making the Armada platform tow like a truck, but ride like a nice minivan.
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