Infiniti has carved out a reputation as a brand that knows a thing or two about luxury, but the Japanese automaker has been a little quiet as of late. Infiniti hasn’t rolled out a new model since the QX55 in 2021, and its full-size SUV offering––the QX80––was starting to look a little outdated with the last refresh hitting the market in 2018. That all changes going into 2025 as Infiniti introduces the QX80’s long-awaited third generation. While it’s easy to grumble about a model that’s gone almost 15 years between generations, Infiniti looks to be making up for lost time with a fresh new take on the full-size SUV that includes a bevy of modern features, luxurious materials, and a striking new exterior informed by the brand’s new design language. The QX80 is setting the tone for Infiniti’s future plans, which will see the introduction of both new gas and electric models, but what does the SUV itself have to offer? Read on as we break down five of the features that really set the 2025 QX80 apart from its predecessor and see why the SUV was worth the wait.
#1 – New Turbocharged Engine
One of the most significant changes for the QX80’s third generation can be found under the hood. While the full-size SUV was previously offered with a 5.6-liter V8 across every trim, Infiniti has made an important update with the introduction of a new, twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. At first, the loss of those two cylinders might seem like a downgrade, but when you factor in the addition of a little forced induction, it’s hard to imagine that drivers will be upset by the new V6 setup.
While the outgoing V8 offered a respectable 400 hp, the new V6 leverages a twin-turbo design to produce 450 ponies across all four trims. The new engine is also an upgrade in terms of torque, boasting 516 lb-ft rather than the second-gen model’s 413 lb-ft. While the forthcoming QX80 has yet to be put through the battery of tests that come with every new model year, we expect that extra 103 lb-ft of torque to make all the difference when it comes to acceleration. The 2024 QX80 was already pretty swift for a nearly three-ton SUV, with a zero to 60 mph time of six seconds, but the new 2025 version should have no problem shaving a few tenths off of that figure.
While a little extra power is certainly well appreciated, it’s the new twin-turbo V6’s impact on fuel economy that really makes the most compelling case for the 2025 model. The 2024 QX80 posted an estimated fuel economy of 16 MPG combined, which, while not an outlier in the full-size segment, certainly wasn’t about to win the SUV any awards from the tree-hugging set. Infiniti says the new V6 will increase the QX80’s efficiency by around 20 percent, which should help the model edge a little closer to the 20 MPG mark. The QX80’s towing capacity looks to be unchanged by the new engine and should remain around the same 8,500 lbs we saw from the last model.
#2 – Cameras Galore
When it comes to cameras, the Infiniti QX80 is about as well-stocked as your average Hollywood studio. The brand has loaded its flagship SUV with a full suite of cameras that are designed to improve everything from safety and convenience to passenger comfort, starting with the Tri-Zone Advanced Climate Control System’s Biometric Cooling feature. This space-age system uses an infrared camera to detect the body temperature of the second-row passengers and can adjust the climate controls to cool them off or warm them up as needed while saving the driver from having to constantly adjust the AC controls at the passenger’s every whim.
The QX80 is also loaded up with a full complement of exterior cameras that give the SUV the ability to pull off a few neat tricks. Front Wide View essentially allows drivers to see around corners or parked cars by sending the feed from a camera mounted at the very front edge of the grille. A few extra degrees of viewing angle can make all the difference when it comes to road safety and is especially important in a vehicle as large as the QX80, where coming to a stop can take a little extra time and space.
While the Front Wide View is certainly a boon to the SUV’s safety credentials, it’s the SUV’s Invisible Hood View that really caught our attention this time around. The feature uses a network of exterior cameras to essentially erase the hood from the feed shown on the QX80’s infotainment display, allowing drivers to get a comprehensive view of the vehicle’s surroundings and any unseen obstacles. Technology like Invisible Hood View can mean the difference between a near-miss and a costly accident, and it is a welcome addition to the mix.
#3 – New Trims
Infiniti is kicking off the QX80’s third generation with a couple of new trims for 2025. The company has given drivers a new entry-level option as well as a new, decidedly premium Autograph trim that represents the most luxurious QX80 to date. This addition marks an important refresh to the QX80’s trim offerings, expanding the lineup to four distinct trims. Before we get into the differences, we should outline the things the four trims have in common. All are powered by the same 450 hp twin-turbo V6, have a drive mode selector with Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, Tow, and Personal settings, and offer available four-wheel drive.
The Pure trim represents the first addition to the lineup and provides drivers with a new entry-level option. Starting at $82,450, the trim includes dual 14.3-inch Monolith infotainment screens from which drivers and passengers can access Infiniti InTouch services, a connected services system that allows for access to navigation, entertainment, security, and Wi-Fi. The Pure also comes with a full slate of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Intervention, and more.
All trims from the Luxe on up are treated to Infiniti’s air-spring suspension system, which, when combined with the QX80’s new platform, goes a long way toward improving the full-size SUV’s overall ride comfort. The Luxe trim also adds a slick heads-up display and climate-controlled leather seating in the first and second rows, but it’s the Sensory trim that gets our pick for being the most well-rounded QX80 of the bunch. The penultimate trim adds massaging front seats, a smart rearview mirror, stylish Light Path welcome lights, and an ambient lighting system that gives the driver a chance to select from 64 unique accent colors. This trim is also where the 24-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere sound system enters the mix, as well as Infiniti’s Tri-Zone Advanced Climate Control System with Biometric Cooling.
The QX80’s new Autograph trim is the most luxurious version to date, thanks to the addition of the brand’s ProPILOT Assist 2.1 driver assist technology. This hands-free driving tech is a nice way to reduce the stress of everyday driving, but it’s just one of the tech features that set the Autograph trim apart from the rest of the lineup. The range-topping trim also comes standard with second-row captain’s chairs, quilted semi-aniline leather seating across all three rows, and an in-vehicle camera system that should come in handy for those planning to use the QX80 as their family vehicle. With a live video feed of the second row displayed right on the dash-mounted Monolith infotainment screen, parents can keep an eye on unruly kids without craning their necks and risking an accident.
#4 – Premium Audio Tech
Aside from the premium materials, styling, comfort, and convenience features, premium audio systems are one of the main attributes that set luxury models like the QX80 apart from the rest of the market. Infiniti certainly seems to have taken this message to heart when it comes to the redesigned QX80, outfitting every trim with a comprehensive sound system that turns the full-size SUV into a rolling concert hall. Those opting for the Pure and Lux trims will be treated to a 14-speaker Klipsch audio system, but it’s the available 24-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere version that is really the stuff of an audiophile’s dreams.
The premium audio system doesn’t just add 10 additional speakers to the mix; it also sees the introduction of new one-inch titanium tweeters for enhanced response and clarity, mid-bass drivers embedded in the doors, and an eight-inch TriPower subwoofer that handles all the low-end frequencies. The 24-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere’s most unique feature might be the brand’s High Line roof-mounted speakers, which, when powered by the Panasonic DJX 3D Surround algorithm, provide a true surround sound experience that ensconces both the driver and passengers in a full bath of sound.
Klipsch and Infiniti have also treated the QX80’s sound system to a new, modern interface, but it’s the inclusion of new headrest speakers for the driver and front passenger seat that allows the SUV to pull off its coolest trick. The QX80’s interior is already pretty well insulated from road noise and other distractions that might come through on a hands-free call, but what about interference from within the cabin itself? Infiniti has engineered around this issue by integrating a new feature that will filter out cabin noise––including music––while piping a phone call directly into the headrest-mounted speakers. Since there’s nothing worse than listening to one side of a phone conversation, Infiniti has made sure the system also works in reverse. The SUV’s stereo can be turned up to prevent passengers from eavesdropping on the call, drowning the conversation out with music and allowing passengers to enjoy their own little bubble of tranquility.
#5 – New Platform
The QX80 hasn’t just been redesigned for its third generation; it’s also riding on an entirely new platform. The new base, which is borrowed from the Nissan Patrol currently sold on the international market, comes with some marked advantages over the previous design. First and most importantly, we’ll cover what hasn’t changed. The QX80 still employs a sturdy body-on-frame design that gives the vehicle the sort of heavy-duty construction that’s so vital in the full-size segment. This approach should come in handy if you’re ever looking to do a little light off-road driving, where the increased stiffness of the body-on-frame base can be vital when it comes to preventing long-term damage from twisting forces and impacts.
Speaking of stiffness, Infiniti says the new Patrol-based platform is 57 percent stiffer than the previous version. That stiffness should pay dividends when it comes to reducing body roll and vibrations, giving the nearly 6,000 lb SUV an important boost in terms of driveability. The platform also allows the full-size model to accommodate Infiniti’s air-spring suspension system, which, in addition to improving ride comfort, can lower the suspension by 1.2 inches to improve the SUV’s aerodynamics. It’s also helpful in terms of entry and egress, lowering by as much as 2.8 inches to make climbing in and out of the cabin just a little bit easier.
Something for Everyone
The third-generation QX80 improves on an already winning formula, introducing new performance, comfort, tech, and convenience upgrades that make the latest version of the full-size luxury SUV one of the best to date. Crossover models might be all the rage in today’s SUV market, but there’s simply no competing with the sort of utility, size, and comfort that traditional body-on-frame models can provide. That’s not to say Infiniti hasn’t learned a few things from the crossover segment, like prioritizing ride comfort and responsiveness with the new platform. Whether you’re the type of driver who’s motivated by the more powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, the network of cameras that allow for a new level of convenience and safety with features such as Biometric Cooling, Front Wide View, and Invisible Hood View, or just want to see what it’s like behind the wheel of the new, range-topping Autograph trim, the 2025 Infiniti QX80 has something for everyone.
