2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph Review

The Infiniti G35 shook the world when it launched in the early part of this century.

For the first time, there was a true rival to the decades-long dominance of German luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and it was on this achievement that Infiniti managed to thrive. 

After years of letting its vehicles languish, Infiniti is finally updating its lineup in hopes of once again becoming a top contender in the luxury market. Now gone is the white whale, and in its place is the redesigned 2025 Infiniti QX80 — an SUV that actually seems like it's from this decade.

Power 7 / 10

Much like other brands, Infiniti has decided to ditch the large naturally-aspirated V8 of old for a smaller twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6. While 450 hp is certainly a healthy figure, when motivating an SUV that weighs upwards of 2,700 kg (5,952 lb), some of that power is certainly lost. The QX80 isn’t quick, nor should it be. It's an SUV that’s intended to be used mainly for long highway cruises and suburban drives, where its performance is more than adequate to overtake slower traffic. The transmission, however, was a little jerky at times during this test, which was most noticeable when getting up to speed.

Styling 7.5 / 10

The QX80 has taken massive aesthetic strides to differentiate it from its predecessor. The new design approach is far more contemporary, with sharper lines and thinner headlights, which give it a cleaner yet more aggressive look. The Autograph trim tested here is also offered with an optional contrast-coloured roof ($1,200), which helps offset the size of the large greenhouse.

The new interior styling is cleaner, too, with most physical buttons and controls of old moved to the touchscreen. The cabin is complemented by subtle ambient lighting and machined metal trim on the dashboard. Unlike the interiors of some of its rivals, this one isn’t overwhelmed by screens.

Driving Feel 8 / 10

Driving such a large, imposing vehicle can be intimidating, but the QX80 doesn’t feel as big as it is from behind the wheel, handling like a smaller SUV instead. Its steering is very light and decently responsive, making manoeuvring such a large SUV a breeze. The ride quality is also excellent thanks to the standard air suspension that’s capable of absorbing bumps in the road with ease. Take the QX80 into a city centre, however, and its size and weight become more noticeable. 

Fuel Economy 6 / 10

The QX80 has a combined fuel consumption rating of 13.8 L/100 km (15.1 in the city and 12.2 on the highway). After hours of highway driving, the QX80 managed an indicated average of 10.7 L/100 km, a significant improvement over its official rating. However, after a few short trips in the city, it was burning an atrocious 26.0 L/100 km, far worse than advertised, and not much better than the old V8. 

Practicality 9 / 10

The QX80 offers plenty of interior space, and opting for a version with a second-row bench seat will maximize passenger capacity (eight occupants instead of seven). The trunk space is rather small with the third row upright, but is sufficient for a few shopping bags. Folding down the third row naturally opens up room for more cargo, with 1,670 L behind the second row and 2,860 L with those seats stowed. All seats are also power operated in the top Autograph trim, with the second and third rows having the ability to be controlled by a panel in the trunk or with buttons on the seats themselves. Passenger comfort is also good, with even the third row having enough leg- and headroom for adult occupants.

Features 7 / 10

The QX80 offers the fancy tech it needs to compete in this segment, including audio zoning, which allows the driver or front-seat passenger to have select isolated audio playing that rear occupants can’t hear. The QX80 also comes with biometric sensing that can detect if the occupants are hot or cold and adjust the climate settings accordingly. Its ProPilot semi-autonomous driving works as advertised, but it’s not as advanced as some other systems. The heated, ventilated, and massaging front and rear seats in the top trim are nice, and even the third-row seats are heated.

User-Friendliness 7.5 / 10

Getting settled inside is a relatively easy task. Getting your phone configured to the wireless Apple CarPlay system and accessing basic settings is very straightforward. Similarly, configuring the instrument panel with navigation, music, or whatever else you’d want displayed is also easy, and the interface itself was fast and responsive during this test. However, accessing more in-depth functions can be a little confusing. For example, the personalized drive mode settings are found in a sub-menu rather than with the rest of the related functions.

Comfort 8 / 10

Its adjustable air suspension paired with a quiet cabin makes for a very subtle ride. The front seats are comfortable and very well bolstered, offering heat and ventilation. The second-row seats are also heated and cooled in the Autograph trim, and there are plenty of places to charge phones.

Value 6.5 / 10

The MSRP for the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph is $124,995, while the entry-level trim is $104,995 and the mid-grade Sensory is $113,955. Freight adds $2,495 to each of them, plus they’re all subject to the federal luxury tax. In the full-size luxury SUV segment, the QX80 is one of the more competitive choices, being about $10,000 to $30,000 less than some rivals. However, those looking for value should check out the Nissan Armada, which shares a platform with the QX80. 

Otherwise, there are certain features that lag behind, like the indicator and wiper switches that feel as if they could have been upgraded for something more premium, or the fact that it doesn’t have soft-close doors like many of its German rivals. On the other hand, most other materials inside feel adequately luxurious.

Safety 9 / 10

The QX80 does a good job of monitoring its surroundings. The blind-spot sensors worked well and warned of approaching traffic when changing lanes. Likewise, the lane departure warning system will vibrate the steering wheel if you stray from the designated markings. Similarly, Infiniti’s ProPilot Assist 2.1 system is a competent semi-autonomous setup that does its job as advertised. The QX80's cameras were also a great help when manoeuvring in tight spaces. 

The Verdict

The previous QX80 was in production for nearly 15 years and was showing its age. The  redesigned version addresses a lot of issues from before. The engine choice raises a question of its own, as the V6 is not that much more efficient than the V8 it replaces, especially in the city. The price increase is also significant, with a massive bump of about $25,000, which moves the QX80 decidedly upmarket. This is the greatest issue with the 2025 Infiniti QX80: it's a fine SUV that does everything asked of it, but it feels a bit ambitious in its pricing, entering a new strata where it needs more to stand out.