The capable and elegant full-sized 2018 Infiniti QX80 continues to turn heads with its road presence and also sees a few updates from the previous model year. The bold exterior combined with the luxurious and spacious interior make the 2018 QX80 a great choice for larger families that need seating for seven or eight passengers. In the crowded full-sized SUV space, the QX80 stands out from the crowd with its bold and aggressive road presence.
BOLD EXTERIOR DESIGN
SUVs are meant to be big and audacious and that’s definitely the first impression given off by the exterior of the 2018 Infiniti QX80. The beefy front end blends all its curves into a pleasing and sporty look by successfully blending together the mesh grille, chrome highlights and sleek headlights.
The side view of the 2018 QX80 really helps showcase how spacious the interior will be, while also providing some nice design cues like the side air vent, chrome side mirrors and huge wheels. The rear end looks a bit clunky but successfully showcases the utility side of the QX80’s massive tailgate and spacious cargo area.
Overall the exterior design is quite pleasing combining the sporty front end that means business with the more traditional rear end highlighting its versatility.
LUXURIOUS INTERIOR
Inviting, spacious and elegant are a few words that come to mind when you first step into the 2018 Infiniti QX80. The luxurious interior includes features like plush, quilted leather seats, tri-zone climate control, polished wood grain highlights throughout and 13 cup holders!
The driver sits tall and gets a panoramic field of view in the 2018 QX80, and all occupants benefit from the super comfy yet supportive plush leather seats. The quilting adds a premium touch to the already top of the line seats, while the second row passengers get captain’s chairs and the third row passengers still get enough space to feel comfortable.
Versatility is top notch, which is to be expected for a full sized SUV like the 2018 QX80. Cargo space behind the 3rd row is some of the best in class, while the power folding third row seating can be raised or lowered from buttons in the cargo area. A fold flat 3rd row combined with flat folding captain’s chairs in the second row ensure maximum versatility no matter what combination of passengers and cargo you need to haul.
An 8 inch touch screen adorns the dash to control the majority of options. While the usability is quite straightforward, many have commented that the infotainment system is outdated due to various factors including the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While on the more basic side of things, I found the touch screen to be simple to use and straightforward to navigate the desired features.
PERFORMANCE AND DRIVE
Cruising in the 2018 Infiniti QX80 is quite pleasant, comfortable and quiet, but there’s immense power ready at a moment’s notice through the 5.6L V8 engine outputting 400hp! A responsive throttle makes for quick accelerations and 400hp ensures there’s no shortage of power no matter how full a load you’re transporting. Paired with a seven speed automatic transmission, the 2018 QX80 is fast, powerful and smooth through the entire power spectrum. Despite its enormous size, the QX80 does the 0-60 in only 5.9 seconds!
The smooth steering and bump absorbing suspension combined with the Hydraulic Body Motion Control feature make for a quiet, comfortable and smooth cruise in the 2018 Infiniti QX80. This advanced feature readjusts suspension to minimize body lean and bounces through turns and bumps. The electronic steering and adaptive suspension make for easy control through turns and an overall feeling of driving in a sedan, which is very impressive considering the size of the QX80 and its high seating position.
The 2018 Infiniti QX80 sits pretty much at the top of the class for its towing capacity of 8,500lbs, outdone only by the 2018 Lincoln Navigator with 8,700lbs. On the other end of the spectrum, the 2018 QX80 sits towards the bottom of its class for fuel efficiency, which is to be expected for a 400hp V8 power house. The competition with the twin turbo V6 engines sit at the top, but make no mistake that all full sized SUVs will guzzle gas as expected, due to their size, weight and large engines. The QX80 achieves a fuel consumption of 17.4 L/100km in the city and 12.2 L/100km on the highway.
FINAL THOUGHTS
With the 2018 Infiniti QX80’s a starting price tag of $77,350, after adding a complicated array of packages, some of which require adding other packages, the final price can quickly escalate. You will get a lot of vehicle for the price, but such is the case with most full-sized SUVs in the market. Overall, the 2018 QX80 is a solid choice for luxury, a very smooth and sophisticated ride, spaciousness and towing capacity.
