Cute-utes have gotten so environmentally responsible, these days, it's sometimes hard to remember why their bigger brothers, the SUVs, ever held the environmental notoriety they once had.
The Infiniti QX80 is here to remind us why. Massive, impossibly heavy, brawny and – yes – ridiculously gas-guzzling, the peculiar QX80 is a fitting challenger to Cadillac's Escalade as King of the Pack. As if to underscore the big-is-beautiful theme, this new QX80 is even bigger than the previous generation.
With its 400-horsepower V-8, brawny body-on-frame construction and 8,500-pound towing capacity, this yacht has the room and heft to take you on vacation with both the neighbour's kids and a 25-foot trailer in tow.
Unlike mere utilitarian SUVs, however, you'll also feel like you've brought your living room with you. The interior's quiet is disturbed only when the engine is put to work, and then only slightly, leaving you free to enjoy the excellent Bose subwoofer-boosted sound system and admire the fine craftwork that has gone into its ash-wood trim and buttery semi-aniline leather. Even the curved dash seems to be reaching out to give you a hug.
Outside, the looks are more of an acquired taste. It looked a bit like an elephant on wheels – tall, bulky and firmly planted. It has a certain retro quality, with its Buick- style faux exhaust portals on the fenders that harkens back to the glorious excesses of 1950s Detroit.
This, however, is unlike any elephant you've ever ridden. The outstanding independent double-wishbone suspension front and back and hydraulic body motion control system gives the QX80 a smooth ride while at the same time making the vehicle feel impossibly light and agile. With the help of that wicked V-8, there were moments when you could actually lose track of the fact that you were driving a tank.
Until, that is, you tried to corner on snowy winter roads. There, the Bridgestone Dueller H-T all-season tires were no match for the weight and G-force at play – breaking into skids with predictable regularity. Shod with this rubber, the QX80 in winter is borderline dangerous.
Yet, the vehicle has some great safety features, including ultra-bright xenon headlights with pop-up washers, blind-spot warning, intelligent brake assist and predictive forward-collision warning.
A Western Canadian winter is a cruel place to test any vehicle, but the QX80 passed with flying colours. With the exception of the penalty of fuel consumption that comes with frequent cold starts, it barely noticed the double-digit, sub-zero temperatures. Mysteriously, the front windshield never gathered frost overnight, the vehicle jumped into action at a touch of its push-button start, the heated steering wheel was a gift from God and the rig warmed up quickly. And – no small feat – unlike many other fine cars, this one didn't betray even the slightest squeak on frigid mornings.
The QX80 is unquestionably a vehicle only for those who have the money to buy and fuel it, and for those who won't mind being branded environmental outlaws. It's an kind of in-your-face opulence that might appeal to the nouveau riche, the same folks who aren't ashamed to be caught wearing fur.
You'll like this SUV if ... You value opulence, power and campy looks over reasonable fuel consumption and agility.
TECH SPECS
- Base price: $74,650;
- As tested: $91,815
- Engine: 5.6-litre V-8
- Horsepower/torque: 400 hp/413 lb-ft
- Transmission: Seven-speed automatic with manual-shift mode
- Drive: 2WD/AWD
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 17.2 average, regular fuel
- Alternatives: Acura MDX, Audi Q7, BMW X5, Cadillac Escalade, Lexus GX, Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln MKT, Mercedes-Benz GLS, Range Rover, Volvo XC9
RATINGS
- Looks: Massive, gangly, unapologetic. It’s oddly appealing in the same way you might find a massive sea turtle.
- Interior: The open-pore, matte finish, ash wood trim pieces and premium semi-aniline leather highlight a tastefully luxurious cabin. Controls are reasonably convenient and logically laid out.
- Technology: Too many active electronic driver-assist and safety aids to list. Favourites include the front driver-collision sensor and the useful but at-times annoying blind spot warning lights.
- Performance: For a vehicle approaching nearly three tonnes in weight, the QX80 is surprisingly agile. Its upgraded 22-inch alloy wheels shod with Bridgestone Dueller H-T tires may be perfectly serviceable on dry pavement but are not suitable for winter conditions.
- Cargo: The cavernous interior provides lots of room for up to eight passengers and luggage.
The Verdict
8.0
The rich and tasteful interior of this well-put-together vehicle is its greatest asset. Though beefy, smooth and powerful, it loses marks for its lack of fuel frugality.
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