Infiniti Q80Neil Vorano/The Globe and Mail
If room for seven or eight is a priority, that next new-vehicle purchase is going to have to be something big. Even a full-size passenger car is limited in its capacity, so a large SUV is in the cards.
And it can't get much larger than the Infiniti QX80; it's longer than the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, two other behemoths in its class, and is one of the most imposing vehicles on the road. Yes, city driving is a challenge; thankfully, cameras at all four corners make parking possible.
But as large as the QX80 is in stature, it matches that in luxury. Easily one of the more beautiful interiors of any car, the seats are – of course – huge, and extremely comfortable and cosseting, covered in the most supple leather. The level of technology on this Limited model is on a grand scale, too, with options such as built-in theatre monitors behind the front seats and predictive automatic emergency braking. There's not much to leave you wanting should you check all the option boxes.
With captain's chairs in the second row, this gargantuan effectively carries around four people in grand luxury; third-row passengers will be eating their knees. (Granted, there is a more practical bench seat available for the second row.) And with the electronically operated back row deployed, cargo space shrinks to 470 litres, so no hockey bags or multiple sets of luggage with a full load of people. A high stature also means passengers literally need to pull themselves into the cabin in a not-so-graceful manner.
But its handling is surprising. This is a 2,671-kilogram beast, and yet it takes corners without bobbing or diving, with an overall ride that is composed and smooth, thanks to Infiniti's optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control System.
Everything about the Infiniti QX80 is writ on a grand scale. So, who is this made for, anyway? It seems almost too luxurious for hauling a family of muddy kids from soccer practice. And an executive might not appreciate having to pull up like they're getting into a pickup. But for this type of opulence with towing power and versatility, the QX80 is a good combination. And many other people agree, too: the QX80 topped the list for large premium SUVs in a recent J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study in the United States. Sometimes bigger really is better.
You'll like this car if ... You have aspirations of being both a long-haul trucker and an executive.
TECH SPECS
- Base price: $74,650; as tested: $96,315
- Engine: 5.6-litre V-8
- Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 16.9 city/11.9 highway, premium gas
- Alternatives: Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator
RATINGS
- Looks: The design is perhaps best described as controversial. Its bulbous snout dominates the overall look and makes the SUV appear larger than it is; imagine seeing that giant grille filling your rear-view mirror. Huge 22-inch wheels add to the imposing stature.
- Interior: It’s beyond just a good layout; the burled wood and leather used here are of the highest calibre. The seats are supremely comfortable and anything that needs to be touched just feels like quality. It may be a chore to pull yourself into the cabin but, once there, you won’t want to leave.
- Performance: With 400 hp, the V-8 pulls strong and smooth, thanks in part to an excellent seven-speed transmission, and the SUV is rated at 3,855 kg for towing.
- Technology: As you’d expect for a premium brand’s most expensive SUV, standard features and options are almost endless.
- Cargo: With the third row down, cargo space is decent, more than the Escalade but less than the Navigator. Up front, a huge box sits between the seats and various cup holders and smaller compartments are good for the smaller stuff you don’t want to lose.
The Verdict
8.0
It's not suited for everyone, but the QX80 offers everything you'd expect from this segment: the highest level of luxury combined with an imposing presence, towing power and room to stretch out inside.
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