2026 Infiniti QX80 Review – Redefining Luxury With Boldness, Brains, and Brawn
Experience the all-new 2026 Infiniti QX80 – a luxury flagship SUV with a twin-turbo V6, ultra-premium cabin, driver-assist technology, 8,500-lb towing, and international marketability. Complete review with features, price, and verdict.
The Story of the QX80
Luxury SUVs are today’s version of castles. They’re designed to safeguard, awe, and demand respect at each intersection. Cadillac Escalade and Lexus LX have dominated the kingdom for ages, but BMW X7 and Mercedes GLS brought European attitude. The Infiniti QX80? It was that invitee to the ball who arrived overdressed, unprepared, and sat quietly in the corner for years.
But 2026 is different. The new QX80 takes center stage with aplomb. Born in 2004 as the QX56, rechristened in 2014 as QX80, this SUV was once all brute size and V8 brawn. But the 2026 one is a redo: more advanced, high-tech, and fashion-conscious flagship. Infiniti dubs it “Artistry in Motion.” We call it finally playing in the big leagues.
Interior – Where Luxury Meets Innovation
One step inside and you’ll know Infiniti didn’t cut corners this time. The cabin feels like it was designed not just to transport you, but to spoil you.
Build Quality
The leather is smoother. The stitching is tighter. Panels align with surgical precision. Even the tiny switch has a satisfying click. This is Infiniti’s best interior—ever. The Autograph trim elevates things further with quilted seating and open-pore wood. The Sport model goes darker, with Dusk Blue and black accents that whisper “executive cool.”
Comfort and Features
Dual 14.3-inch displays (infotainment + digital cluster) rival any German competitor.
Secondary 9-inch control panel for climate and seat control (touch-sensitive but logical).
Klipsch® Reference sound system with as many as 24 speakers. It’s so powerful, you’ll feel sinful playing anything less than records-quality jazz.
Biometric cooling system scans passengers and focuses airflow—high-tech, high-fancy, and unexpectedly handy.
Tri-zone climate control, massaging front seats, and ambient lighting with 64 colors create the mood.
Room for up to 8 passengers with adaptability cargo space up to 101 cu-ft.
It’s not luxury—it’s luxury with surprise-and-delight technology that puts a smile on your face.
Performance – Twin-Turbo Confidence
The old V8 is gone, replaced by a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. Downsizing? You bet. But here’s the surprise—it’s more powerful.
450 horsepower, 516 lb-ft torque
9-speed automatic transmission with responsive and refined feel
RWD standard, AWD available (Sport and Autograph only come AWD)
Towing capacity: 8,500 lbs (your horse trailer, boat, or camper is secure)
Fuel economy: 16 mpg city, 19–20 highway
This engine is smoother and more powerful than the previous V8, with greater low-end authority. No, it won’t make you think you’re driving a BMW M SUV, but that’s not what the QX80 is for. This SUV is about commanding presence on the highway, not cutting corners.
Safety – A Luxury SUV That Keeps An Eye On Your Back
Buyers in this class expect all safety and driver-helper tricks in the playbook. The 2026 QX80 doesn’t disappoint.
Features standard include:
Predictive Forward Collision Warning (it watches two cars in front, not one)
Automatic Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection
Blind Spot Warning & Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
Lane Departure Prevention
Trailer Blind Spot Monitoring
Advanced tech:
Pro PILOT Assist 1.1 for hands-on highway assistance
Pro PILOT Assist 2.1 only for Sport & Autograph do hands-free lane changes and driving
This is not luxury—it’s peace of mind.
Capabilities – The Hidden Muscle
Luxury SUV shoppers need comfort, but they also need muscle. The QX80 provides both.
Dynamic air suspension: drops to highway speed for aerodynamics, rises for off-road clearance.
Walk-in third row access through one-touch folding seats.
Quieter cabin—3 dB quieter on highways, 4 dB quieter in city driving.
Stronger chassis (+25% torsional rigidity, +57% lateral stiffness).
This SUV feels more planted, stable, and hushed, whether you’re chauffeuring clients or hauling a trailer up a mountain pass.
Pricing and Availability – Luxury That Doesn’t Pretend to Be Cheap
The QX80 is positioned as a true flagship, and pricing reflects that.
Pure RWD – $83,750
Pure 4WD – $86,850
Luxe RWD – $90,850
Luxe 4WD – $93,950
Sport AWD – ~$101,950–$104,000
Autograph AWD – $111,500
Expected in dealerships late summer 2025, with global availability across the U.S., Canada, Middle East, and Asia.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Bold, fresh design with presence
Luxurious, tech-packed interior
Twin-turbo V6 with strong towing capacity
Advanced driver assistance (Pro PILOT 2.1)
Much quieter and more refined than its predecessor
Cons:
Top trims are expensive
Fuel economy still behind hybrid competitors
No electrified powertrain option in 2026
Final Verdict – Infiniti’s Redemption Arc
The 2026 Infiniti QX80 tastes like redemption. For so long, this SUV had an identity crisis—was it a value Escalade? A Japanese LX alternative to the Lexus? Now, it finally stands on its own: a confident, bold, luxury SUV that can hold its head high in any crowd.
It won’t replace a German SUV for performance junkies, nor will it woo eco-conscious buyers without a hybrid or EV option. But for buyers who want space, luxury, power, and exclusivity—with a dash of Japanese design flair—the QX80 finally makes sense.
It’s not just Infiniti’s flagship anymore—it’s Infiniti’s statement.
FAQs – 2026 Infiniti QX80
Q: Is the 2026 Infiniti QX80 worth buying?
A: Yes, if you want a full-size luxury SUV with strong towing, premium interior, and modern safety tech. It’s now a real rival to Escalade, Navigator, and Lexus LX.
Q: How much horsepower does the 2026 Infiniti QX80 have?
A: 450 hp and 516 lb-ft torque by its twin-turbo V6 engine.
Q: Does the Infiniti QX80 have third-row seating?
A: Yes, it seats up to 8 passengers with improved access and folding seats.
Q: What is the towing capacity of the 2026 Infiniti QX80?
A: Up to 8,500 lbs when so equipped.
Q: When is the 2026 Infiniti QX80 available?
A: Anticipated launch in late summer 2025, in key worldwide markets
