2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph Pushes The Boundaries In The Segment Challenging The Flagships

A cousin to the Nissan Armada the QX80 hasn’t really had a physical makeover since 2017. Unveiled at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, the 2025 model has taken a giant leap forward, with a hefty dose of exterior styling and pretty much every tech available in the Nissan/Infiniti arsenal. A new powertrain has also come to the rescue of the aging V8 that used to sit under the hood.

The 2025 QX80 is on a mission to bring Nissan’s luxury division back into the game. And Infiniti has certainly gone all-in on this. And that includes introducing the QX80 before the more mainstream Nissan Armada arrives later this year.

What's New in The 2025 QX80?

Almost everything is new in the 2025 Infiniti QX80 compared to the previous model. We have new exterior, new luxury interior, biometric climate control and other tech upgrades.

• Interior Luxury Focus: The emphasis seems to be on maximizing passenger comfort with features like heated seats for the third row (a first for QX80), massaging seats available in both the first and second rows (another first), and individual audio control for each seat.
• Biometric Climate Control: This segment-first tech uses in-car sensors to detect passenger temperature and automatically adjust the climate control for everyone's comfort.
• Tech Upgrades: A new "Monolith Display System" featuring two large, integrated high-definition screens dominates the dashboard. Infiniti InTouch Services get a next-generation upgrade, and the QX80 is the first Infiniti to offer ProPILOT Assist 2.1 driver assistance technology.

Trims and Pricing of The 2025 Infiniti QX80

The 2025 Infiniti QX80 offers a range of trims to suit your needs and budget, starting at $84,445 for the Pure trim and reaching up to $112,590 for the top-of-the-line Autograph model. Here's a breakdown of the trims and their starting prices:

• Pure ($84,445): This base trim offers a compelling starting point for those who want the core QX80 experience with features like a powerful engine, spacious interior, and standard Infiniti intelligent all-wheel drive.
• Luxe ($91,545): Stepping up to the Luxe trim brings additional comfort and convenience features, possibly including a premium sound system, upgraded interior materials, and advanced driver-assistance technologies.
• Sensory ($102,640): The Sensory trim emphasizes technology and style, likely featuring the latest Infiniti infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, and unique design elements.
• Autograph ($112,590): The top-of-the-line Autograph trim boasts the ultimate in luxury and technology for the discerning buyer. Expect the most premium materials throughout the cabin, the most advanced driver-assistance features, and potentially exclusive design touches both inside and out.

It's important to note that these are starting prices and the final price can vary depending on the options you choose. 

What Is Unique About The 2025 Infiniti QX80?

Biometric Cooling: This segment-first technology uses biometric data from passengers to automatically adjust the climate control for maximum comfort.

Heated seats for the third row: This is a first for the QX80 and provides additional comfort for passengers in the back.

Massaging seats in the second row: This is another first for the QX80 and makes those long rides even more relaxing for everyone on board.

Individual Audio: This available technology allows passengers in each seat to control their own audio settings.

Electronic Air Suspension: This is a first for an Infiniti vehicle and provides a more comfortable and customizable ride.

Engine, Power and Transmission

The 2025 Infiniti QX80 throws out the idea of sacrificing power for luxury. All trims come standard with a potent twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine, packing a hefty 450 horsepower. This translates to brisk acceleration, making it easy to merge onto highways or pass slower vehicles.

Here are some key points about the QX80's engine. The 450-horsepower engine delivers a responsive and powerful driving experience, ideal for a large SUV. Even under hard acceleration, the engine remains quiet and refined, contributing to the luxurious feel of the cabin. A nine-speed automatic transmission seamlessly handles the engine's power, delivering a smooth and comfortable ride.

Also, the QX80 offers some flexibility when it comes to drivetrain options. Pure and Luxe trims allow you to choose between rear-wheel drive for potentially better fuel efficiency, or all-wheel drive for enhanced traction in all weather conditions. Sensory and Autograph higher-end trims come standard with all-wheel drive for maximum capability.

2025 QX80's Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates fuel economy of up to 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway for rear-wheel-drive models. These are fairly typical figures for a large, luxurious SUV.

All-Wheel Drive Impact: Opting for all-wheel drive, which comes standard on Sensory and Autograph trims, sacrifices a slight bit of fuel efficiency. In this case, expect ratings to drop by 1 mpg in both city and highway driving compared to the rear-wheel-drive option.

Real-World Numbers: Exact figures can vary depending on driving conditions and habits. The mentioned source hasn't yet conducted their own highway fuel economy test, so real-world numbers might differ slightly from EPA estimates. My average MPG was about 18.7 miles per gallon city/highway.

Exterior

The 2025 QX80's silhouette remains very square, very American, with a more imposing grille and redesigned daytime running lights that evoke a bamboo forest, Infiniti tells us, while the full-width taillights use more than 300 LEDs to imitate the reflections of light on a body of water. A welcome lighting sequence is activated as the vehicle approaches.

While the QX80 largely retains its tall, boxy shape, a few tweaks have refined the shape, added some athleticism and eliminated some of the old model's distracting styling cues.

The side windows are no longer surrounded by a garish chrome surround and are much cleaner, with a more tapered presentation at the rear, which gives an impression of ease.

The top-of-the-range Autograph model inherits a little touch of originality with a badge under the window. At the rear, there is a light bar across the width, which once again helps to bring the silhouette back to the ground. The standard 22-inch wheels have a unique design with the Autograph version.

It is the entire front bumper, however, that defines the new stylistic signature. The design of the grille seeks to imitate the way a bamboo forest grows, while the headlights are pushed outward and downward. The daytime running lights are made up of nine separate lighting sections, each of a different size.

The new hood design is sleeker, with a more sloping front lip to help improve airflow. A very unique style, but one that leaves no doubt that this is a QX80, but a sportier and more stylish one. Its boxy styling is still a style that doesn't appeal to a majority, though, and some might still prefer something more shapely, like a BMW X7 or Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.

Interior Design and Space

The interior of the new 2025 QX80 is a clear departure from its predecessor, with high-quality materials and an ergonomic layout. The seats are wide, plush and comfortable, making long drives enjoyable. The new design also improves cargo space, with 28 percent more room behind the third row and 17 percent more behind the second row compared to the previous model.

The rest of the cabin has also been completely reworked. There's more room in all rows, more storage, and Infiniti claims that access to the third row is the best on the market. 

However, while the QX80 outperforms models like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS in terms of cargo space, it still falls short of the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and Jeep Grand Wagoneer in terms of overall capacity.

Two 14.3-inch high-resolution, configurable screens placed side by side dominate the dashboard. The infotainment system integrates various Google functions, including the assistant and navigation via Google Maps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available.

Wide-angle front camera technology relays an image to both screens to help with maneuvering in parking lots, tight garages or even trails. Then, with the transparent hood feature, the driver can see a projected image of what’s behind the vehicle’s hood, helping to spot curbs, car wash entrance rails and other obstacles.

Another interesting feature, this time in the second row, is the optional biometric cooling, which senses when a passenger may be feeling hot and automatically directs cool air toward them. This allows for a comfortable temperature to be reached in 50% less time than with standard climate control alone.

All occupants will enjoy the new Klipsch audio system with up to 24 speakers and 1,200 watts of power. That said, only front passengers have speakers in the headrests, for example, to hear navigation prompts or phone calls.

Ride Quality and The Drive

Features like the Standard air-spring suspension (except Pure trim) provide a comfortable ride. This suspension system helps to smooth out bumps and road imperfections, providing a more luxurious driving experience.

However, please remember that the QX80 is a large and heavy SUV. While the air suspension does a good job, you might feel some jarring over very rough roads. Overall, the cabin remains quiet and well-isolated during cruising, thanks to the powerful engine and refined suspension system.

Here is what I will say. The 450-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine provides ample power for a large SUV, making merging and passing a breeze. 

Acceleration of the 2025 Infiniti QX80 is described as brisk, with reviewers noting that the engine remains quiet and refined even when pushed hard.

There's a general consensus that the QX80's handling isn't its strong point, given its size and weight. Other reviewers recommend the QX80 for comfortable cruising rather than sporty handling.

But despite the firmer ride over rough roads for some, I would says the 2025 QX80 prioritizes a comfortable and quiet driving experience. The powerful engine, smooth transmission, and standard noise-cancelling features contribute to a refined driving experience.

Overall, the 2025 Infiniti QX80 is a luxurious and feature-packed SUV that offers a unique combination of comfort, technology, and capability.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.

References: Coup D'Oeil, LeGuide De L'Auto,