2018 Infiniti QX80 Pros vs Cons

Fans of the previous QX80 models will be delighted to know that the 2018 Infiniti QX80 carries on the tradition of looking sharp while also being a stand-out performer on the road. Almost everything on the vehicle seems well-thought-out, and the materials lining the cabin let you know that you are riding in the lap of luxury.

What's New for 2018?

While there are not too many noticeable changes, some slight adjustments were made to the exterior of the 2018 Infiniti QX80. The double-wave hood has a more lifted appearance, which makes the double-arch grille stand out even more.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2018 Infiniti QX80 – The Pros

1. The Towing Capacity

If you have a trailer that you want to tow, the 2018 Infiniti QX80 has a starting towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. This tops a few of the QX80's more notable competitors. The tow-hitch and seven-pin wiring harness come standard on the vehicle, and the QX80's suspension allows for load-leveling.

2. Superb Handling

While the steering is about average, the QX80's handling is top-notch. Stability control is continuously active, and there is virtually no body roll while making turns. In fact, even some of the sharpest turns feel quite stable thanks to the QX80's hydraulic suspension.

3. The Luxurious Look

The 2018 Infiniti QX80 is luxurious inside and out. The premium leather interior is exquisite and extremely well-sewn. Also, the wooden paneling looks shiny and accents the leather quite gracefully. On the outside, the redesigned front fascia is eye-catching and looks a little bit more contemporary than the outgoing 2017 model.

4. The V8 Engine

One of the biggest things that draws customers to the 2018 Infiniti QX80 is the standard V8 engine. This 5.6-L V8 is paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (although AWD is optional and recommended), and it is capable of generating an impressive 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. This massively powerful engine is capable of getting the hefty QX80 from 0 to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds, which is excellent for this class.

5. Secure Braking Abilities

Braking on the QX80 feels secure and reliable. While the pedal has a soft feel to it, it provides plenty of feedback and won't go down to the floor. When forced to make a panic stop from 60 to 0 mph, the QX80 stops in a mere 116 feet, which is excellent for its size.

6. An Excellent Off-Roader

Looking for a strong off-roader? Then the QX80 might be a vehicle you should test drive. This SUV gets a huge amount of traction when you take it off-the-beaten-path and has a suspension that ensures that the vehicle smoothly rolls over uneven surfaces. As long as you stick to equipping the smaller tires, you should have a thrilling off-roading adventure in the QX80.

7. The Quiet Ride

Silence is golden, and the 2018 Infiniti QX80 nails it on noiselessness. Even the throttling from the powerful V8 engine is relatively muted. The only time you will hear any noise is when you get the vehicle going at highway speeds, as a little bit of wind noise trickles in. Otherwise, the cabin keeps quiet.

8. The Spacious Interior

The third-row seating might feel small, but it is actually spaced out a little bit better than some of its competitors. Even so, the front and second-row areas are quite cavernous and provide ample head, shoulder, leg, and hip space.

9. Excellent Visibility

Visibility on the 2018 Infiniti QX80 is excellent, even with the third-row headrests obscuring a slight amount of the rear view. The windows and windshields are wide, and the pillars are slender enough. The standard 360-degree camera works extremely well at detecting anything that comes into the vehicle's blind spots.

10. Many Standard Tech Features

There is a long list of standard technological features on the QX80. Some of these features include a 360-degree surround-view camera, an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, navigation, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2018 Infiniti QX80 – The Cons

1. A Diminished Ride Quality On the Larger Wheels

The 22-inch wheels look nice, but they just don't feel that nice, as they tend to let a lot of bumps seep into the cabin. On the smaller wheels, however, there aren't nearly as many noticeable interferences.

2. A Cramped Third Row

The third row is cramped. This is a problem that many luxury vehicles with third-row seating have, and there are definitely smaller third-rows out there. However, average-sized adults will have some trouble fitting in the rear of the QX80.

3. Seats Lack Some Comfort

Unfortunately, for being a luxury vehicle, the seats seem to lack a bit of comfort. The front seats aren't as adjustable as what you will find on other luxury vehicles. Also, the second-row seats lack adjustability, too. It seems that the seats are more about being aesthetically pleasing than comfortable to sit in.

4. Climate Control is Finicky

Some of the climate control functions are finicky. Temperatures never seem to remain stable. Instead, they alternate between feeling like they're barely there and being overpowering.

How it Stacks up to the Competition:

2018 Infiniti QX80 vs. 2018 Cadilllac Escalade

The 2018 Cadillac Escalade is one of the QX80's biggest competitors for the model year. The Escalade is extremely powerful thanks to its standard V8 engine and provides a smooth and silent ride. The biggest downside is that the Escalade's third-row seating is extremely tiny. Even children have difficulty fitting in the third-row seats.

2018 Infiniti QX80 vs. 2018 Lexus LX 570

The 2018 Lexus LX 570 is another major competitor for the model year. It has a massive list of standard safety and tech features, gives a smooth ride quality, and is an excellent off-roader. However, it too suffers from a cramped third row which does not even fold flat, making toting bulky cargo rather difficult.

Conclusion

The 2018 Infiniti QX80 is glamorous, inside and out. It is also powerful and rugged for being a luxury vehicle. The towing capacity makes it an attractive option, as does the QX80's impressive off-roading dynamics. While the cramped rear seat and lack of comfortably-padded seats are annoying, these gripes are pretty minor. Overall, the QX80 is a solid and capable luxury SUV that is worthy of, at the very least, a test drive.