New Infiniti QX80 new car review
- Equipment and boot space
- V8 petrol performance and refinement
- Towing and off-road credentials
- Poorly packaged with flat seats
- Huge thirst cripples range
- Sub-par steering and dynamics
Infiniti wants to awaken its sleeping giant.
Yawning out from a three-year slumber without having had much attention, the 5.3-metre-long and 1.95m-tall QX80 now rouses to what Infiniti claims is one of its largest mid-life facelifts ever. The Nissan Patrol-based seven-seat upper-large SUV gets new LED headlights at the front, greater definition to a front grille that now stands taller, beefier rear bumpers, and a foglight and tail-light treatment that become more horizontal to emphasise width.
Inside the alterations to the facelifted QX80 are less obvious, limited to new 8.0-inch DVD screens, a rear-view mirror that can turn into a forward camera for greater visibility, plus extra quilted leather upholstery and thicker trim padding. Likewise underneath the suspension has been softened by 30 per cent, and extra sound deadening improves the ability to hold a conversation with passengers by 5.0 per cent, according to Infiniti.
Small changes, though at least the $110,900 plus on-road costs pricetag is also unchanged.
Nor has the 5.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine shifted in specification, and with 298kW of power at 5800rpm and 560Nm of torque at 4000rpm, it also still shifts this 2783kg heavyweight (via a seven-speed automatic) from standstill to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
As before there is not a diesel in sight for this Middle Eastern express, especially given its only other market – the US – overwhelmingly prefers petrol as well. So best shield your eyes from the digits clicking over on a service station bowser, because 14.5 litres per 100 kilometres is the official combined-cycle consumption claim. On a drive through rural Victoria, that was the best managed two-up on a freeway, so expect 20s around town.
At the very least occupants can still enjoy a gorgeous petrol engine. The V8 is distant in its acoustics, but very obviously charming, and it blends in well with the terrific wind and road noise suppression measures. Even on 22-inch wheels the ride quality on fixed suspension is decent, only becoming floaty over big heaves and jittery over successive corrugations. For such a heavy and large vehicle, it’s good – but car-like it ain’t.
Cruiseliner-esque is closer to the mark for the steering, which is incredibly light on the centre position and awfully vague on either side of it. Even navigating through gently winding countryside it instils the driver with little confidence in the handling of the vehicle, although once turned in to a bend the Infiniti doesn’t go completely out to sea. Put your foot down, and cruiseliner turns speedboat as the nose rises and points to the horizon.
While the QX80 is huge on the outside, though, it isn’t brilliantly packaged inside. The front seats and middle row may be cloaked in lovely leather, but they are flat and completely unsupportive. The twin seats in the third-row, which electrically rise and fall as required, are positioned close to the floor and they force occupants’ legs to be crimped, knees sky high.
The toys provided – three-zone climate control with vents for every row, back-seat USB and HDMI ports for the twin DVD screens with wireless headphones, and reclining backrests – add to enjoyable touring comfort, but the budget front switchgear and low-resolution touchscreen (without digital radio or Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) remain rooted in 2008.
Hailing from a similar era is the monochromatic trip computer display sans digital speedometer, let alone a head-up display. It’s a fairly snoozy facelift inside, then.
The clear highlight is the 1405-litre boot in five-seat configuration, or about triple the volume of some half-the-price medium SUVs, while even with all seven seats in use the 470L capacity exceeds that of any small hatchback.
Factor in the 3500kg towing capacity, locking centre differential with hill-descent control, along with that enormous boot, and it remains clear that this Infiniti is about excelling at the same simple virtues that its Patrol cousin does: size, towing, and off-road prowess. Indeed the QX80 traversed several hilly, rocky paths at the national media launch without fuss.
For six-figure pricing and in 2018, however, it feels as though Infiniti has been asleep at the wheel with this facelifted QX80. A new-generation Land Rover Discovery 5 delivers V6-diesel torque and efficiency, smarter interior packaging, it weighs 500kg less, comes with similar equipment but offers a classier cabin, and it tows an identical amount. Its standard air suspension even can be raised to deliver 283mm of ground clearance, versus 246mm here.
As decent as the QX80 is in isolation, then, as far as mid-life facelifts go Infiniti has been too gentle with the rousing of this giant.
2018 Infiniti QX80 pricing and specifications
Price: From $110,900 plus on-road costs
Engine: 5.6-litre V8 petrol
Power: 298kW at 5800rpm
Torque: 560Nm at 4000rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, AWD
Fuel use: 14.5L/100km
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