Used 2017 INFINITI QX80

Luxurious as Beverly Hills, powerful as a Hollywood mogul, and more ruggedly handsome then Brad Pitt’s stunt double, the new 2017 Infiniti QX80 ranks in the uppermost tier of full-size SUVs. It’s big, spacious, capable and smooth as clouds with an artistic interior wrapped in genuine leather and wood trim. It offers 7- or 8-passenger seating in three rows, a long list of high-tech and convenience features and it’s powered by a big 5.6-liter V8 that makes 400 horsepower and big oil-company profits. Starting around $66,000, the new Infiniti QX80 competes with the Lexus LX, Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, BMW X5, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and its virtual twin, the new 2017 Nissan Armada. No slackers in this group; all are imposing, opulent and capable everywhere.

From behind the wheel of the 2017 Infiniti QX80, you soon begin to feel invincible. With each mile you feel coddled, cradled and comfortable, but most of all, you feel invincible. This full-size SUV has a body-on-frame construction and a truck-type chassis, yet it handles and rides exceptionally well. The optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control helps, reducing body lean in corners and enhancing the ride. Although the QX80 weighs almost three tons, the 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 and its 7-speed automatic transmission move it with certainty but not without sacrifices in fuel economy. The big QX80 really thrives on the highway where the interior is extremely quiet and the ride defines “smooth.” In tighter spaces, such as the grocery-store parking lot, that size is problematical, but the Around View camera and front and rear parking sensors help describe the boundaries. All-wheel drive (AWD) offers high- and low-range modes.

The 2017 Infiniti QX80 certainly delivers the utmost luxury buyers of high-end SUVs expect. Leather and wood are everywhere, and every surface, every material, every shape remind the owner that this is a premium vehicle. The analog clock, an Infiniti trademark, looks like a fine wristwatch. There’s seating for either seven or eight passengers in three rows; with seven the middle row has wonderful captain’s chairs, with eight it’s a folding bench. Either way, there’s generous space in all directions, and 3rd-row accommodations are suitable for most adults and have convenient power folding for when cargo is the priority.

Nobody will overlook the new 2017 Infiniti QX80 as it stretches nearly 209 inches long and stands almost 76 inches tall. But size aside, this is a boldly styled, athletically proportioned SUV with a tough stance, old-school detailing and wearing enough chrome for four Bentleys and a Rolls. No apologies here. Up front is one of the boldest statements of a grille/headlight/hood layout that you’ll find. Along the front fenders are big chrome vents. Large windows provide good views while massive rear lights wrap around the corners and stretch well into the liftgate.

PREDICTIVE FORWARD-COLLISION WARNING
If a vehicle ahead of you stops suddenly, the QX80, which senses velocity and distance, delivers an alert so you can take appropriate action. However, unlike some more advanced systems that will intervene and brake for you if necessary, the new QX80 will not take action on its own.

ALL THE OTHER DRIVING AIDS/SAFETY FEATURES
Purchase the new QX80 with the Driver Assistance Package, and the SUV is chock-full of useful driving aids and safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and the innovative Backup Collision Intervention that applies the brakes to avoid a collision when traveling in reverse, like backing out of that tight parking spot.

There are three trim levels to choose from: the base QX80 with rear-wheel drive (RWD), QX80 AWD (all-wheel drive) and QX80 AWD Limited. Standard equipment includes leather seating, navigation system, power liftgate, tri-zone climate control, moonroof, heated front seats and steering wheel, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and Around View monitor with Moving Object Detection. Also included is a one-year complimentary subscription to the Infiniti Connection telematics system with concierge service and vehicle information sent to your phone, a 13-speaker Bose AM/FM/CD/DVD Premium Audio System with USB connection and Bluetooth streaming, and front and rear sonar parking sensors.

The new 2017 QX80 Limited adds Welcome Lighting under stainless-steel side steps, Truffle Brown leather with silver stitching, Matte Finish Ash Wood accents and many additional trim and luxury appearance items. Most options are bundled into various packages: A Driver Assistance Package, which we recommend, has several safety features including blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warning; the Theatre Package brings dual 7-inch rear-seat monitors, wireless headphone and remote control to keep the kids happy; a Tire and Wheel Package includes larger 22-inch 14-spoke wheels; and a Split Bench Seat Package increases seating capacity from seven to eight passengers.

Infiniti’s new QX80 is powered by an impressive 5.6-liter V8 that makes 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. Both RWD and AWD models have Hill Start Assist and Snow Mode to help you get moving when roads are slick. AWD models operate with a rear-drive bias but constantly adjust power between the front and rear wheels as necessary. All models feature a 7-speed automatic transmission with a manual-shift mode and downshift rev-matching. Towing capacity is a stout 8,500 pounds. One compromise to such a big and powerful SUV is fuel efficiency, or lack thereof. With RWD the EPA fuel-economy numbers are 14 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and with AWD those numbers fall to 13 mpg and 19 mpg.

5.6-liter V8
400 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm
413 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 mpg (RWD), 13/19 mpg (AWD)

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.