The all-new 2025 Infiniti QX80 reimagines the luxury body-on-frame full-size SUV for its third outing and switches to a contemporary styling, and packs a downsized powertrain that's still more capable than the old-school 5.6-liter V8 it replaces.
The design is basically the Infiniti QX80 Monograph Concept translated into series production. It's quite staggering because the flowing lines still don't mask the sheer bulkiness of this massive SUV, and Infiniti did this on purpose – they even called the profile "anti-wedge." This is also the newest evolution of the company's design, so we expect to see its elements translated into other models in the near future.
The luxury Japanese brand also hopes that its "expert craftmanship" will lead to "supreme" comfort and an impressive outing in front of the live audience when the QX80 debuts alongside the general public at the 2024 New York International Auto Show. It will go on sale this summer with Pure, Luxe, Sensory, and Autograph trims, the first available also with RWD alongside 4WD, and with a starting MSRP of $82,450.
Of course, the outgoing QX80 is slightly cheaper at a starting quotation of $74,150 compared to $82,450, both excluding the $1,995 destination and handling charge. The new generation is also hitting one major threshold – none of the 2024 QX80 trims surpass $88,450, but the 2025 QX80 surges to $100,645 with the Sensory 4WD and to $110,595 with the Autograph 4WD models. That's a hefty jump, right?
Still, Infiniti believes it will be well worth it. The company has one world-first system called 'Front Wide View,' which projects a 170-degree image across the cockpit's two 14.3-inch screens, essentially allowing the driver to 'see' past parked cars or around corners. The segment-firsts include the Klipsch Reference Premiere Audio, Individual Audio, or the Biometric Cooling function; the brand's all-new systems range from ProPilot Assist 2.1 to a full electronic air suspension for the body-on-frame chassis.
Inside the cabin, there are two 14.3-inch 'monolith-style' displays projecting the Invisible Hood View or Infiniti's new InTouch with Google built-in infotainment system. Gadgets are also in abundance, like the remote-controlled rear seat, Infiniti Light Path, or the 64-color Personalized Ambient Light, among others. However, one of the major changes occurred under the hood where the old-school 5.6-liter VK56VD V8 and 7-speed automatic transmission were dropped in favor of a new VR35DDTT 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine, rated for 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
Don't cry about the larger mill, though, as Infiniti has added 50 horsepower and 103 lb-ft versus the outgoing QX80. Also, a nine-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear or all four wheels "with a 40% wider gear ratio range, allowing for both responsive acceleration and efficient highway cruising." Also, the new (optional) Electronic Air Suspension and Dynamic Digital Suspension have settings that can lower it by up to 2.8 inches to an Easy Access level when parked or raise it by 2.4 inches above the normal ride height for off-road adventures.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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