LOOKS

I’ve always been a fan of the looks of the Infiniti lineup, which are unique enough that Infiniti vehicles are clearly distinguishable from their competition on the roadways (something not all vehicles can claim).

The good news is the design continues to be impressive, and is even improving. Some design tweaks on the exterior (both ends), plus an upgraded approached to the interior, make this vehicle as sharp as any of its luxury competitors. In the past, I’ve heard rumblings from some in the past that Infiniti was a pretender in the luxury class in the area of styling, but I doubt anyone would say that about the QX80.

Inside, seating is well-made, attractive and comfortable, and Infiniti’s familiar analog clock highlights a dashboard with controls that are well-designed for ease of use.

Inside there is the usual issue of the back row being a bit of a tight fit, but it’s rare to find a vehicle where this is not the case. Head space is ample in the QX80, and the front two rows are extremely cozy and feature all the tech comforts you could want. Seating tops out at seven or eight people, depending on configuration.

For those who really want to splurge, the pricey Limited Package will spruce things up and get you an upgraded leather interior, upgraded leather on steering wheel, dark chrome finish on the wheels and trim, and other attractive upgrades. Definitely cosmetic stuff here, and it looks great without it, but it’s there for those who want the whole shebang.

ENGINE, HORSEPOWER

Here’s a large part of the reason these type of vehicles are still around -- power and towing ability. A full-sized, truck-based SUV can do worlds better than any crossover in these areas, and the QX80 is no exception. If you don’t want an actual pickup truck but do want some of the benefits they do provide, a full-size SUV with similar underpinnings is the best option.

My test vehicle featured a 5.6-liter, V8 engine that offers 400 horsepower and 413 lb.-ft. of torque. It also offers a 7-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode.

My test vehicle was all-wheel-drive (rear-wheel drive is also offered), and had features like Snow Mode, Tow Mode and Hill start assist. Towing capacity is rated at 8,500 lbs., a number beaten by some trucks but quite solid for an SUV.

Do most people need a vehicle with this kind of size and power? Absolutely not. But for those who do, these kind of performance numbers are important. And finding a vehicle that can both get the family around, and tow impressively at the same time, is pretty rare.

Driving the QX80, I knew that the vehicle was going to get moving quickly, and powerfully, whenever I hit the gas. One other thing to note is that while the QX80 tips the scales at nearly three tons, it’s not difficult to maneuver, as the independent double-wishbone front and rear suspension meant that handling was better than one would expect from such a large vehicle.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
Technology is an area where Infiniti has a long tradition of being in the forefront, and they continue to impress with the QX80. Navigation worked very accurately, the vehicle responded well to voice commands, and LED headlights will clear a bright path for you as you drive the QX80.

Their backup camera with its AroundView monitor continues to be one of the most impressive I’ve seen and should prevent any collisions when you are getting out of your driveway or parking space.

Driver Assistance package includes: Blind spot warning, backup collision intervention, intelligent brake assist with forward emergency braking and collision warning, and is one of the packages I would recommend adding. The blind spot warning system works well, and brake assist slows you down if you are about to be in a collision.

Deluxe tech package includes: Climate-controlled front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, lane departure warning, blind spot intervention, and more. Some good stuff here, but not as critical as the Assistance package.

The rear-seat theater package includes two 7-inch color monitors and heated second-row seats. If you have kids and want to take the car on road trips, this is recommended.

Last but not least, the Infiniti Connection features allows for automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle notification, remote door access/locking, and the ability to get notifications if the vehicle goes over a certain speed or outside of a certain area.

MPG
Official numbers for fuel economy on the QX80 AWD model are not very economical -- 14 city/20 highway/16 combined, if you’re lucky. But compared within its class, the numbers are about on par with what you should expect. As I said before, it is a nearly three-ton vehicle with a V8 -- you know what you’re getting in this area with that kind of vehicle.

PRICE
As with all upscale vehicles, the QX80 is going to cost you many many pennies.
The final price of my decked-out test ride came in at $89,845 (almost 9 million pennies).
The base version of the QX80 AWD model starts at $66,350, and the difference was made up with a variety of packages (Driver assistance ($2,100); Theater package ($2,400); Deluxe technology ($5,550); Limited package ($10,000); 22-inch tire and wheel package ($2,450). Much of this can probably be skipped, but it’s available if you want the full luxury and comfort experience.

BOTTOM LINE

While Infiniti is not at the sales levels of some of its rivals in the luxury vehicle world, the QX80 and its continued upgrades are a bold strike by Infiniti to get those numbers moving in an upward direction. At the luxury level, it’s hard to change minds once buyers become loyal, but the sales numbers are showing a positive trend for Nissan’s luxury line, and the QX80 may help continue that trend.

The overall size of the QX80 is probably a deterrent for many luxury SUV buyers, and many of these folks will likely end up going down to the QX60 -- Infiniti’s more approachable mid-size SUV offering that is also very impressive -- but if you’ve got a large family to carry around on a regular basis, and want to do it in supreme style, the QX80’s design is very welcoming and is one of the vehicles you’ll definitely want to consider taking for a test ride -- along with capable competitors such as the Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon XL and the Lincoln Navigator.
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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.