2019 Infiniti QX80 Review

Marrying a new Limited trim level with a 2018 redesign, the 2019 Infiniti QX80 offers a commanding profile and a range of luxury SUV features, but it still needs some key upgrades to rank as high as you do in it sit three-row SUV.

The 2019 Infiniti QX80 offers a big and bold design.

The QX80 makes a statement, especially in the Limited trim level I tested with AWD, and that's what you'd expect from a $91,000 SUV.

A powerful 5.6-liter V8 engine offers plenty of power for your needs, and this big SUV never feels slow. It's also quite comfortable thanks to the great seats and smooth ride. The 2019 QX80 offers good handling, more standard safety features, and plenty of cargo space.

While there's a lot to love about the QX80, the infotainment system is in dire need of an update to at least add Apple CarPlay and an updated infotainment interface.

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2019 Infiniti QX80 Drive & Performance

The 2019 QX80 defies expectations when you get behind the wheel and go. Despite being a large vehicle, the 5.6-liter V8 under the hood has more than enough power, delivering good acceleration and plenty of power while cruising at high speeds on the freeway. Handling is good, especially for such a large SUV, and it's fairly easy to lug around friends and family in comfort without worrying about the overall size holding you back.

There's plenty of power under the hood, but it's definitely not petrol.

Ride quality is good, even with the Limited Trim's 22-inch wheels. With high ground clearance and all-wheel drive, it's ready for wet and slippery winters. It also negotiated a steep incline to get into a canyon for an afternoon of outdoor activities. Part of that ride quality comes from the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, which is a fancy way of saying the suspension adjusts to minimize pitching around corners and improve the overall ride feel. That makes a noticeable difference in a large vehicle like the QX80.

There are plenty of driver assistance features, but you won't find Pro Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving mode you can select on the Infiniti QX50.

When you're ready to take a small RV or toy to the lake, the QX80 is capable of a maximum towing capacity of 8,500lb.

Fuel economy is a tricky point because this V8 doesn't sip while driving. You can expect 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway. That's behind the competition.

2019 Infiniti QX80 Interior & Design

Inside is a spacious and luxurious interior.

The interior of the 2019 QX80 is spacious and luxurious with a high seating position and a nice mix of premium leather and beautiful gray wood grain on the Limited trim level I tested.

One of the hallmarks of the QX80 and Armada is the high seating position. It works really well in the QX80, where it feels natural and matches the overall size of the three-row SUV.

The front seats are very comfortable and adjustable. The heating and cooling came in handy on a warm week in June. The large center console offers plenty of storage space and there are several storage compartments available.

The spacious and yet very luxurious second row, which is also well suited for adults with two captain's chairs and a center console, plays to the strengths of the size even more. It's also great for kids, thanks to the theater pack in our model, which includes dual screens and headphones for keeping kids entertained. It would be nice to see an option for a panoramic sunroof in the rear to bring more light into the back rows.

Legroom is limited in the third row, but it's great for kids. Thanks to the longer vehicle length, there is an impressive amount of storage space in the rear of the QX80, even when using the third row of seats. If you need more space, the third row folds down at the touch of a button. There is also a small storage space under the main hold to organize odds and ends.

I'm a fan of the big design that catches the eye on the street and in a parking lot. Sitting high, the QX80 is a sharp-looking luxury SUV with the vehicle's length and appealing lines.

2019 Infiniti QX80 Infotainment, Tech & Safety

The QX80 needs an infotainment system update, which is dated compared to the competition. The 8-inch touchscreen is easy to use and you can turn on a hotspot to share the internet connection, but the user interface doesn't look or feel connected to the rest of the QX80. There's also no support for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which would make the state of this system easier.

The infotainment system feels dated and doesn't support Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.

A 15-speaker Bose sound system delivers excellent sound quality throughout the cabin, and the Bluetooth system works well for phone calls.

The Limited trim level tested came with the Theater package, which adds two 8-inch screens on the rear that can play media from the built-in DVD player or via an HDMI connection. This pack also includes a 120V power outlet and another USB port so you can plug in a gaming system or other device and play on the screens. Sound comes through the SUV's speakers or through the two wireless headphones that come with it.

There's a range of driver comfort and safety features, including intelligent cruise control to keep you in traffic flow, lane departure warning and avoidance, blind spot warning and intervention, and backup collision intervention. Lane departure and blind spot functions are not standard.

The rearview mirror is a neat trick that turns into a screen that displays a rear view stream from your rear camera, so you can always see out of the mirror, even when people or cargo are in the way.

Standard on all trim levels is forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, which is great to see. It also comes with standard automatic high beams. The 360-degree camera system is a must-have and makes maneuvering into and out of tight spaces easier.

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