Infiniti QX80 2018 review
Test Drive

Infiniti QX80 2018 review

The world of tall, large luxury SUVs, like the latest generation Infiniti QX80, occupies that rarefied air, high in the car market, that I will never breathe — and that suits me.

You see, as much as I admire these plush cars, even if I had the money and desire to buy them, I would be so worried about accidental damage to the exterior (shopping carts or other drivers' sensory parking) or damage to the interior caused by children (nausea). in the car, spilled food or drink, blood from being hit by siblings in the second row) that I can never fully relax while driving. (News: I heard from Infiniti that the QX80's upholstery has a dirt-repellent finish.)

These expensive station wagons certainly have their fans, and now, with extensive exterior and some interior changes, does the Nissan Patrol Y80-based QX62 really offer something that sets it apart from other premium large SUVs? Read more.

Infiniti QX80 2018: S Premium
Safety Rating-
engine's type5.6L
fuel typePremium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency14.8l / 100km
Landing8 Places
Price from$65,500

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10


Prices haven't changed: there's one model and it's still $110,900 pre-traffic, and that price doesn't include paint other than the standard Black Obsidian; metallic paint costs an additional $1500. Changes beyond the previous model's standard list of features include 22" 18-spoke forged alloy wheels (up from 20"), 8.0" Infiniti InTouch color touchscreen (up from 7.0"), new Espresso Burl color trim, new chrome trim around the perimeter, updated upholstery stitching throughout, quilted leather pattern on the seats, new headlights, LED fog lights and more. There is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The QX80 gets 22-inch 18-spoke forged alloy wheels.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10


The bulk of the facelifted QX80's styling changes are on the exterior and include, above all, new LED headlights with a redesigned, sleeker but more aggressive front end than its predecessor's with softer, rounder curves.

The hood of the new QX80 is 20mm higher than before and has been extended by 90mm; the side steps have been stretched 20mm wider, and the power tailgate has been redesigned to include sharper, thinner rear LED taillights, while the bumper is visually wider.

The entire body has a higher visual center of gravity thanks to this latest series of design changes making the SUV taller, wider, wider and more angular overall.

The entire body has a higher visual center of gravity thanks to this latest series of design changes making the SUV taller, wider, wider and more angular overall.

The interior includes a larger and chunkier redesigned center and rear console, as well as the aforementioned premium touches such as a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, updated upholstery stitching, semi-aniline quilted leather pattern on the door panels and seats, and stainless steel. steel door sills, all of which add a premium feel.

The interior includes a larger and shorter redesigned center and rear console.

The QX80 looks better than it was, but since the previous one was quite heavy on the eyes, the 2018 version can still polarize opinions.

How practical is the interior space? 7/10


The QX80 is a big car - 5340mm long (with a 3075mm wheelbase), 2265mm wide and 1945mm high - and when you sit inside it, it looks like Infiniti designers and engineers must have been working hard to make the most of the space given to them. driver and passengers seem to sacrifice neither style nor comfort.

And in this large open space inside the cabin, it's easy to get comfortable. Soft-touch surfaces throughout - door panels, armrests, center console edging - and the seats are unsurprisingly soft and supportive, but tend to get slippery when moving quickly. changes in speed or direction, or when climbing steep hills off-road. (It was fun to watch the front seat passengers slide inside during the 4WD cycle)

If you are open, you will be well served; large glove box; overhead storage of sunglasses; on the center console there is now a roomy compartment for storing a smartphone; double cupholders have been enlarged to accommodate two 1.3-liter cups with handles (compared to one 1.3-liter cup and a 950 ml container); the USB port has been moved to the other side of the center console to make it easier to reach; Storage space under the front passenger armrest is now a 5.4-litre compartment capable of holding up to three vertical 1.0-litre bottles or tablets.

The QX80 has a total of nine cup holders and two bottle holders.

There is a sunroof if you want natural light from above.

Second-row passengers now get 8.0-inch entertainment screens (up from 7.0-inch) and two additional USB ports.

Second row passengers now get 8.0-inch entertainment screens.

The second-row reclining seats are easy enough to operate, and the 60/40 power third row folds flat and reclines.

The QX80 is available in both seven and eight-seat configurations, with a two- or three-seat rear seat configuration.

There is a 12V outlet in the cargo hold.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10


The previous generation 5.6-liter V8 petrol engine ([email protected] and [email protected]) remains, as does the seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shifting. It also has Infiniti's All-Mode AWD system that offers Auto, 4WD High and 4WD Low settings, as well as terrain-appropriate modes (sand, snow, rocks) to dial in.




What is it like to drive? 7/10


In the world of luxury SUVs, big is king, and this thing is definitely on the edge of being big, but it doesn't often feel too bulky for its own good, or too bulky to handle with precision in Melbourne's busy morning traffic. .

We did quite a lot of driving during this event - highways, back roads, gravel roads and a decent amount of 4WD driving - and surprisingly, surprisingly, it was pretty good, especially when things like that usually exhibit smooth ride and handling. old poorly spring sofa on wheels.

However, it felt heavy at times and showed significant body roll when cornering at speed or even some sections of slow, bouncy off-road, so I'd hate to experience what it would be like without the hydraulic body motion control. However, we were willing to forgive him any wobble when that healthy V8 growl kicked in as we gave him a kick.

The QX80 felt heavy on top at times and exhibited significant body roll.

The 22″ tire/wheel combo is not the way I would go if I was going to use the QX80 for any off-road riding, but having said that, we handled them just fine, with road tire pressure, more decent off-road a loop.

It has a ground clearance of 246 mm and angles of 24.2 (entry), 24.5 (exit) and 23.6 (arrival).

The QX80 has coil springs all around and was only caught when it drove through a couple of unexpected potholes in a dirt road.

The QX80 has coil springs all around and was only caught when it drove through a couple of unexpected potholes in a dirt road.

This Infiniti model has a claimed tare weight of 2783kg, but you wouldn't have guessed that that's a lot of kegs because it's been driven over steep and slippery bush roads, over deep mud ruts, over greasy rocks, and through several knee-deep mud pits. easily. It was as easy as pulling up, switching terrain modes, and selecting settings: 4WD High, 4WD Low, or Auto. It has a lockable rear diff and a very effective hill descent control system that we tested on some pretty steep sections of trail.

It's great to see that car manufacturers aren't afraid to subject their SUVs, even expensive luxury ones, to a decent off-road loop when launching, because it shows they're confident in their abilities.

The maximum drawbar pull of the QX80 with brakes is 3500 kg and 750 kg (without brakes).

How much fuel does it consume? 6/10


The QX80 is claimed to consume 14.8 l/100 km. We think the fuel consumption figure is very optimistic, and if QX80 owners are passionate about towing boats - as Infiniti believes - or if they take up 4WD, then this figure will quickly climb much higher.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

4 years / 100,000 km


guarantee

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10


The QX80 does not have an ANCAP safety rating. Standard safety technologies include Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Parking System, Forward Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Prevention (including Lane Departure Warning), Distance Assist and Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Infiniti Smart Rear View Mirror /Patrol (which can display video from the vehicle). the camera is mounted on top of the rear windshield) and more. It has two ISOFIX points on the second row seats.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10


Warranty 100,00 year/12km. The service interval is 10,000 months / 1346.11 km. The total cost over three years is $US XNUMX (including GST). 

Verdict

A petrol QX80, actually a bling-heaped Y62 Patrol, is a curious beast; a big, bold premium SUV that is far better suited to the US and Middle East markets than ours. However, it does have a premium feel, it is very smooth to drive, and the exterior and interior changes have improved what has so far been a controversial model for a brand with a small but growing fan base. Infiniti sold 83 previous QX80s in 2017 and hopes to sell 100 new vehicles in 2018; they have their jobs, but if brand trust is worth a few sales, who knows, they might even top a ton.

Is the QX80 worth its high price, or is it just too much money for something that doesn't even have basic connectivity features?

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