7 Things I Love About the Infiniti QX80 Luxury SUV
Jill Robbins
|
Sometimes luxury is a need not a want (don’t judge me).
If you’re shopping for a full-size luxury SUV — or even if you’re just curious to read whether or not a full-size luxury SUV is a fit for your life — check out the 2020 Infiniti QX80 in action. Lots of room, lots of style and loads of connectivity and safety features make this rugged beauty worth a second look.
I’m a mom, and the car I drive has to fit. It has to make sense as an everyday people mover to get my kids to the seemingly endless places they have to go. The cargo area has to adapt to what I need it to do, whether that’s stocking up on Capri Sun and toilet paper (don’t be jealous of my glamorous life) or holding bags and adventure gear for a “jump in the car and go” weekend away.
And did I mention “look good while doing it?” Because that’s important, too!
Now, let’s see how the Infiniti QX80, which has a starting price of about $71,000 (fully loaded, about $93K), and a V8 engine that produces 400 HP, measures up.
Related: 9 of the best 3-row SUVs, from luxury to affordable
The Infiniti QX80 checks all the boxes. Photo: Jill Robbins
1. Comfort Everywhere
Even though I’m the driver or front seat passenger 99.99% of the time, I appreciate the comfort and legroom in the second and third row seats. Most of the time, it’s my husband and I in the front and our two boys in the second row but for the odd times that I’m riding in the second or third row — like when we’ve got company or are going somewhere with another family — I love that I don’t feel cramped in the second and third rows.
The second row seats are heated, which those of you in colder climates will appreciate. The third row reclines and allows whoever is sitting in the way back to get really comfy. That was a nice surprise — third-row riders often end up sacrificing their comfort to make everyone fit. Now, they don’t have to.
Related: Why the 2019 Infiniti QX50 might be the most beautiful car on the road.
The Infiniti QX80 in action. Photo: Jill Robbins
One of the best comfort features is the climate control which allows each row to have control over their own heating and A/C. If you have a larger family, you know this is a “stop arguments before they start” feature. Your family might argue about something in the car, but it won’t be that the front seat is freezing out the back seat.
2. Apple CarPlay + Android Auto
I know Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are rapidly becoming standard on new -model vehicles, but it’s seriously at the top of my “can’t live without it” list whenever I test drive a car. Being able to connect quickly to my preferred mapping app and to play my music from my phone the same way I do in the house is a huge convenience, no matter where — or what — I’m driving.
I don’t travel long distances as part of my regular day, but I do spend a lot of time in the car taking my kids everywhere they need to go and having “my stuff” makes a big difference. That extra bit of personalization can make all the difference.
Comfortable seats in all three rows – yes, really. Photo: Jill Robbins
3. Staying Connected with the Infiniti QX80. All the time.
Whether I’m working from my car while my kids are at martial arts practice (yes, I really do that) or road tripping with the family and wanting to connect to entertainment options, the Infiniti QX80 has it covered.
The Infiniti QX80 has a WiFi hotspot that allows me to connect and meet a deadline while still getting my kids taken care of. When we’re on long trips and my kids want to stream movies or connect to one of their games, this feature comes in very handy. It’s a really great feature for anyone trying to manage the complexities of the day-to-day grind as a working parent.
Bonus? No matter which (endless) options for technology you choose, the Bose speakers are rad and really kick your experience up a notch. It’ll take your experience from “good” to “great” in an instant.
Relate: 9 things I loved about the Lexus UX 250H, an urban hybrid crossover.
Photo: Jill Robbins
4. Safety Safety Safety!
I want to be safe and feel safe when I’m driving. You do, too. I think parents have an extra layer of worry when it comes to safety behind the wheel. My boys are 10 and still legally required by the law in our state to sit in child booster seats. I love that the Infiniti QX80 offers assistive technology to add that extra layer of peace of mind.
Here are some safety features that make the Infiniti QX80 awesome:
- Warning to brake when a car in front is too close, along with the ability to predict when that front car will stop
- Blind spot warning
- Lane departure prevention
- 360-degree cameras that alerts you to any moving objects around you
- Adaptive cruise control and distance control, which make it easier for you to maintain a safe distance to the car in front of you
- Alert that something is in your path when you’re backing up
Also, transporting kids can be distracting. Any parent who has ever wished for a mute button to cancel out the “he’s touching me” situation from the rear seats gets this. The safety features on the Infiniti QX80 give drivers extra protection from distractions – it’s almost like having a built-in spotter that takes care of all the chatter around you so you can keep your eyes on the road.
The roomy front console holds my purse and camera. The second row console also has lots of room for the essentials you keep in your car. Photo: Jill Robbins
5. Storage Space
Where we’re going to put all of our stuff is one our biggest considerations when we buy a new car. Is it going to have adequate space to fit our lives? We like to travel a lot, and there are four of us. Can a car accommodate all of our bags and any other gear we need to take along with us? Is there room for a good Costco or Sam’s Club haul? And can we get the “soccer wagon” in and out of the back with ease?
The Infiniti QX80 checks all the boxes we need.
The center consoles in the front seat and between the two captain’s chairs in the rear seat also offer a lot of space. You can store a medium-sized handbag, electronics, or other things on-the-go families need in the car, like diapers, snacks, headphones, or car toys. I like to store evergreen activities for the kids there so I don’t have to remember to pack them every time we hiit the road.
Related: The best 7-seaters for school carpools
The seating is comfortable and I like the elevated position. Photo: Jill Robbins
Wait — Is the Infiniti QX80 Just a Family Car?
The Infiniti QX80 makes a great family ride, but it’s definitely not a car exclusively for families. There’s a lot of flexibility with seat configuration — you can fold down all of the third row or just a part of it — so you can adjust it to haul whatever (or whoever) you need to in style.
The roomy second row is great if you have a child in a car seat — you’ve got plenty of room to adjust the seatbelts and make sure they’re properly and safely strapped in — without crouching.
It’s handy if you’re frequently transporting larger goods, like furniture or big electronics. If you’re a younger person that often serves as the designated driver for parties or trips, then you have plenty of space to do that handily. It’s tough to imagine a need the QX80 can’t fill.
The Infiniti QX80 is great for active families. Photo: Jill Robbins
6. How High?
I like the height on this vehicle. Most of the 2020 and 2021 mid-size and crossover SUV models sit lower to the ground unless they’re specifically designed for off-roading. This one sits just over 9″ from the ground. While I appreciate the sleekness and efficiency of those newer designs, I like sitting up high and being able to have that over-watch view of the road.
I’ll also add that for a bigger SUV, the Infiniti QX80 was easy to maneuver. Sometimes, there’s a learning curve with getting a feel for the boundaries of your front end, but I was comfortable in this one right off that bat. It’s not like you’re trying to drive a boat.
7. Looks Aren’t Everything, But…
…they count! At least, I find that’s true for me. If you love how your ride looks, you will be happier in it, and you’ll want to be seen in it.
This car just looks sharp. It has the perfect blend of style and functionality. Its high ride height gives it a commanding look, and the continuity in the design between the side windows is sleek.
Disclosure: Infiniti provided me with a QX80 to test and review. All opinions are my own.
Have a thought or comment? Share it with us on social media! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. And be sure to sign up for our email newsletter!
