Textual content by Tom Appel
2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport 4WD
Class: Premium Giant SUV
Nation of manufacture: Japan
Seating capability: 5
Shade: Radiant Whereas
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | A |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | A- |
| Gas Financial system | B- |
| Worth | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 450-horsepower 3.5-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged V6 |
| Transmission | 9-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | 4WD |
Miles Pushed: 133
Noticed gasoline economic system: 15.5
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 16/19/17 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas kind: Premium fuel
Base worth: $101,950 (not together with $1995 (vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Sport Exterior Package deal ($1060), Inside Lighting Package deal ($1060), particular paint ($1900)
Worth as examined: $107,965
Audio-System Model
Klipsch
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Wonderful
Professionals and Cons
The good: Sport trim stage no much less snug or accommodating
The nice: Stylish cabin, respectable gasoline economic system for the category
The not so good: requires premium-grade gasoline
Overview
Although the Lincoln Navigator arrived in showrooms first, it was the Cadillac Escalade that broke by way of the pop-culture wall. The chrome-covered and leather-based-lined Chevrolet Tahoe arrived for the 1999 mannequin 12 months, and shortly turn into certainly one of Caddy’s best-selling fashions.
Cadillac Escalade
Embraced by rap artists and rap tradition usually, the Escalade justified its steep worth with simply the appropriate mix of glitz, passenger consolation, and, for many who wanted it, actual utility.
Now in its fifth technology, the Escalade has accounted for near 600,000 gross sales for Cadillac and Common Motors, every producing an astonishing estimated $15,000 in revenue. In case your calculator doesn’t go to 10 digits, that’s $9 billion.
Premium Giant SUV Gross sales and Costs
It stands to cause, then, that different producers would need in on what seems to be straightforward cash. In case you might be unfamiliar, right here’s a listing of premium giant SUVs, 2025 gross sales:
Cadillac Escalade (57,481)
- 2026 base-price vary: $93,995-$173,895
BMW X7 (31,575)
Land Rover Vary Rover (29,403)
Lincoln Navigator (22,185)
Mercedes-Benz GLS (21,804)
Infiniti QX80 (13,590)
Grand Wagoneer (5133)
Lexus LX (7464)
Jeep Consolidation
Notice that the lower-price Wagoneer will turn into a part of the Grand Wagoneer vary for 2026. Transferring ahead, not all Grand Wagoneer gross sales will signify luxurious automobiles. That is additionally true of the GMC Yukon lineup, which incorporates mainstream fashions in addition to premium Denai trim-level examples.
And whereas Cadillac and BMW rule the big-ute roost, different manufacturers are possible promoting sufficient of them to get pleasure from a number of the big-ticket income that comes with enjoying on this section.
QX80 Historical past
It wasn’t so way back that we at Shopper Information questioned why Infiniti was bothering to discipline an entry on this section. The automobile itself, the QX80 wasn’t particularly compelling, and gross sales volumes had been low.
New for the 2004 mannequin 12 months, the QX80 by no means caught the flamboyant of customers on this section, and has by no means impressed us a lot right here at CG. All this modified for 2025. Utterly redesigned, the up to date QX80—which is carefully associated mechanically to the Nissan Armada—was improved dramatically, particularly by way of experience, dealing with, and cabin quietness. A lot so, that we named the large Infiniti a 2026 Greatest Purchase, together with the Armada.
QX80 Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2026, the QX80 is obtainable in 4 trim ranges:
- Pure ($85,940)
- Luxe ($93,040)
- Sport ($104,040)
- Autograph ($113,690)
2027 QX80 Pink Sport
A Pink Sport trim stage is rumored for 2027. The high-performance QX80 variant may see as a lot as 600 horsepower from the three.5-liter V6, in addition to suspension and chassis upgrades designed to enhance dealing with. No phrase but on pricing or remaining specs.
Engines
All QX80 fashions are powered by a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6; a V8 engine is now not accessible. That’s effective with us because the V6 returns extra energy and higher gasoline economic system than the V8 did. Rated at 450 horsepower, the QX80 engine mates solely to a 9-speed automated transmission.
Pure and Luxe fashions come customary with rear-wheel drive; 4WD is a $3000 choice. Sport and Autograph variants come customary with 4WD.
Solely One wheelbase
Not like the Escalade and Navigator—and Grand Wagoneer—the QX80 just isn’t provided in standard- and long-wheelbase variations. Using on a 121-inch wheelbase, and 211 inches lengthy general, the one QX80 providing is available in at nearly precisely the identical dimension because the standard-length Cadillac.
QX80 Sport Trim Degree
New for the 2026 mannequin 12 months, the Sport trim stage boasts plenty of upgrades designed to assist Infiniti’s largest—and heaviest—providing really feel, effectively, sporty. Gear upgrades embody a transfer to huge 22-inch wheels and tires, distinctive suspension and steering calibration, distinctive tuning of the truck’s Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS), and, as famous above, customary 4WD.
Additionally distinctive to the Sport trim stage are plenty of exterior and cabin trim particulars, that are too quite a few to listing right here.
2025 QX80 Autograph Overview
Having lately evaluated a QX80 in top-tier Autograph trim (you’ll be able to learn that evaluation right here) we’d wish to take this chance to share our impressions of the Sport, and the way the distinctive tools and tuning impacts the general driving expertise.
Take a look at automobile
Shopper Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2026 QX80 Sport in Radiant White. Together with the vacation spot cost, our take a look at automobile got here to $107,965.
Steering
The German model’s appear to have a deal with on tips on how to make an enormous SUV experience and deal with effectively, however we’re impressed by the precision and directness of the setup discovered within the QX80. Although too giant to be really sporty, the QX80 does reward aggressive driving with the sort of steering suggestions that helps make commuting—or curvy rural roads—all that rather more enjoyable.
Trip and Dealing with
Whereas the Sport could lean rather less in corners than different QX80 trim ranges, it’s our seat-of-the-pants impression that experience high quality has not been compromised. Nor has cabin quietness (see under). So, aside from the worth enhance over a Luxe mannequin, going with the Sport is just about a guilt-free proposition.
Cabin Appointments
Relying in your definition of luxurious, the Sport cabin could enchantment to your sense of minimalist sophistication, or it could simply appear a little bit uninteresting. Whereas many sporty trim ranges—particularly in luxurious automobiles—together with multi-colored seat upholstery and contrasting stitching, the QX80 Sport impresses as an alternative with top-notch supplies and well-executed workmanship. We suspect that the high-performance Pink Sport, when t arrives, will boast a extra aggressively décor theme.
Quietness
Possibly the large 22-inch alloy wheels clunk a little bit, however we could be imagining issues. For essentially the most half, the QX80 Sport retains the cabin quietness of different mannequin trim ranges, which implies the large SUV stays a relaxed freeway hauler appropriate for very-long, stress-free journeys.
Worth
We recognize the brand new Sport, particularly its racy exterior trim updates, and subtly enhance steering and dealing with. Going with the game means shelling out greater than $10,000 further to your SUV, but when the feel and appear enchantment, we are saying, why not?
Actually just a bit one thing for mother and/or dad, or whomever does many of the driving, the Sport provides a little bit aptitude, and a little bit enjoyable, to the day-to-day technique of commuting, purchasing, and basic schlepping. We recognize the trouble.
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2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport Footage
(Click on under for enlarged photographs)