Cars com : Is the 2021 Infiniti QX80 a Good SUV? 5 Things We Like, 4 We Don’t June 11, 2021

To say that theInfiniti QX80is an aging design is both charitable and accurate. In a marketplace full of large luxury SUVs brimming with technology, advanced powertrains and suspensions that belie their massive weight, the QX80 feels ancient by comparison.

Related:2021 Infiniti QX80 Review: Don't Rock the Boat

That's because it is, at least by luxury vehicle standards. Last redesigned in 2011 when it was called the QX56, the QX80 has since seen only minor changes and is indeed a relic compared to many competitors. Updates along the way have helped keep it in the game, but the QX80 still looks and feels old school compared to the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator. Even its Nissan sibling, the Armada, has a more modern infotainment system.

But like a Victorian mansion or collectible antique furniture, aging designs are not necessarily without appeal - it just depends on what your priorities are. The QX80 remains a comfortable and capable choice, with plenty of room in the first two rows and a competitive price.

For Cars.com's complete evaluation of the Infiniti QX80, click the link above. For a quick look at five things we like about the 2021 Infiniti QX80 and four that we don't, read on.

Things We Like

1. Powerful Engine

With a 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V-8 under the hood that does without the aid of updated tech like turbocharging or cylinder deactivation, the QX80 gets the job done with good old-fashioned grunt. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the powertrain moves this 5,700-pound SUV smoothly and effortlessly, with quick acceleration off the line and plenty of reserve for passing.

2. Advanced Safety Features

The QX80's standard equipment includes forward collision warning, automatic front and rear emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind spot intervention, along with a 360-degree camera for help with tight maneuvers. You also get a smart rearview camera that lets you see what's behind you when passengers would block a conventional mirror's view.

3. Ample Towing Capacity

The QX80 is rated to tow up to 8,500 pounds when properly equipped, more than enough for the boats and camping trailers of most weekend warriors. Curiously, however, although it is wired for a brake controller for those heavy loads, the QX80 isn't available from the factory with one. You'll have to find a brake controller on the internet or through a local mechanic or parts source.

4. Comfy Seats

Seats in the first two rows of the QX80 are big, nicely padded and comfortable for the long haul, with plenty of adjustments and leg and head room to stretch out. Things aren't so accommodating in the third row, which is hard to get into and cramped once you're there.

5. Competitive Price

For all its capability, safety features and premium branding, the QX80 is something of a bargain among large luxury SUVs. Our mid-trim Premium Select test vehicle with four-wheel drive came to $79,490 including the destination charge and a smattering of options. That's less than the entry price of competitors such as the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.

Things We Don't Like

1. Clumsy Ride and Handling

Nobody buys a large SUV for its crisp handling dynamics, but this is an area where the QX80 really shows its age. Competitors have done a commendable job masking their size and weight by delivering both a composed ride and relatively little body lean in corners. Not so the QX80, with its vague steering and old-school boat feel. It soaks up bumps like a pro, but feels ponderous and heavy doing so from the helm.

2. Dated Interior

Buyers in this category justifiably expect an interior packed with the latest tech wrapped in contemporary style, but that is not what you'll find inside the QX80. It's plenty posh inside, but the dual-screen multimedia system looks and feels well past its freshness date in spite of a 2020 update. The screens tend to wash out in sunlight, and graphics can be hard to read. On the positive side, the QX80 uses some physical controls in addition to the touchscreens, which we think is a good thing. But even the layout of those is somewhat wonky.

3. Lousy Fuel Mileage

Large luxury SUVs are not known for fuel economy, but the QX80 is worse than some others. Our tested QX80 with 4WD is EPA-rated at 13/19/15 mpg city/highway/combined, using premium fuel. Four-wheel-drive versions of the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator are at least a little better at 14/19/16 mpg and 16/20/17 mpg, respectively. Both are also available with a diesel engine, something you can't get in a QX80.

4. Cramped Third Row

A big reason many people buy a large SUV is to carry a bunch of people, and here the QX80 falls short. While the first two rows are spacious and comfortable, the third row is awkward to get to and too small for adults. Access is easiest by folding one or both of the second-row seats forward, and then it's still a big step up and in. Once you're there, there's not much head and legroom.

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