USED: 2016 Infiniti QX80 : Luxury and Comfort for a Spring Break Road Trip with Kids
Anuja De Silva
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New experiences – a road trip through Georgia with the 2016 Infiniti QX80.
A spring break road trip through Georgia was a first for us on many levels; our first road trip through the South with both kids (ages 4 years & 10 months) and the first time that hubby and I were flying solo with no adult helpers on vacation. Since we were looking for a car that would fit our small party of four, imagine our surprise when we were handed the Infiniti QX80 with third row seating (fitting seven passengers) for review.
Luxury features on Infiniti QX80. Credit: Anuja De Silva for A Girls Guide to Cars
Infiniti QX80 luxury features
With a striking dark blue exterior, the Infinit QX80 was a standout. Discovering its many amenities was quite an adventure for us. With two seats in the second row and a third row that fit three adults comfortably, the seven seater SUV had a spacious layout.
Having become accustomed to compact cars, our four year old son exclaimed, “This is like traveling in our living room!”
The leather seats and climate control in the front and second rows made it a very comfortable ride. I was able to keep myself a little warmer without having to negotiate with my cold weather loving husband and son.
The power sliding moon roof was ideal for letting in the fresh spring air and sunshine. The heated steering wheel came in handy in the cooler evenings.
Impressive display control features. Credit: Anuja De Silva for A Girls Guide to Cars
Superior safety that complements its size
For someone who normally drives a compact vehicle, driving a big SUV took some getting used to. I started out cautiously but – after getting familiar with its safety features – I was soon confident at the wheel.
Sensors are used to continuously monitor and analyze your speed relative to the vehicle ahead of you. It not only warns the driver with a push back vibration but also engages automatic brakes if the driver takes no action.
Another safety feature highlight is the lane departure prevention that keeps your vehicle from unintentionally drifting. If the vehicle moves towards the adjacent lane, first you will hear an audible warning, then a brake is applied to help you guide the vehicle back into its lane.
Spacious second row seats and storage. Credit: Anuja De Silva for A Girls Guide to Cars
The intelligent cruise control which automatically adjusts the speed depending on traffic was a great feature – especially for a long road trip.
The all view camera made parking easy despite the large size of the car.
Entertainment: A must have for family travel
The Bluetooth connectivity, DVD capability for second row seats, and surround sound speaker system managed to keep all of us entertained during the drive.
The voice recognition system can be activated to enable hands free connectivity while driving. You can find address through the GPS or access Help options during an emergency.
With an active NavWeather subscription, you can view weather information on the display which was very useful during our road trip.
The multiple USB charging ports could be accessed from all rows making it easy to charge several devices at once.
Plenty of space in the interior and trunk. Credit: Anuja De Silva for A Girls Guide to Cars
Plenty of storage without feeling cramped
Having tried other luxury SUVs (which were a little low on trunk storage) we were surprised by the space available in Infiniti QX80. We could fit all our luggage and a stroller with space to spare even without having to fold the third row seats.
Multiple cup holders and the storage compartment between seats was useful for keeping bottles and snacks organized during the long drive.
But the layout with two separate seats in the second row was a little challenging with two kids in car seats. We had to move our four year old to the third row when I had to travel in the back while giving a bottle to the baby. Having experienced the Infiniti QX80 from each row, I can vouch for equal levels of comfort with great leg room on all three rows.
What We Loved
- Leather interior with quilted seats
- Front sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors
- Dual climate control for front & second row seats including heated seats in the second row
- Navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity
- 12-volt power outlet in cargo area & multiple USB charge ports
- Around view camera
- Remote engine start
- Rain sensing front shield wipers
- Heated steering wheel
- Intelligent cruise control
- Lane departure prevention system
- Trunk space and power folding third row seats
- All wheel drive and the impressive oversized wheels
What You Need To Know
- Base price of the QX80: $63 250; price of the loaded Limited edition model we tested: $89,845
- Fuel economy is 13 MPG city/19 MPG highway and 15 MPG combined
- Premium fuel recommended
- 4-Year/60,000 mile basic limited warranty; 6-year/70,000 mile powertrain limited warranty; 7-year unlimited mileage corrosion limited warranty
- 24 hour roadside assistance and complimentary service loan car
Disclosure: Infiniti provided the QX80 for our test drive; opinions expressed here are all my own
