2014 INFINITI QX80 Review

When planning this article, I cannot help but think of the QX80 is a ‘reliable Range Rover,’ a smoother and better-handling Land Cruiser, or an Escalade with actual class.

But throwing sand never wins any points in life. So let’s stick to the high road with this newly-renamed QX56 model for 2014.

A few extra packages enter the fray for 2014, including a huge number of laser/radar and sonar-based active safety elements as standard — and even more with the optional Tech Package.

400-horsepower through a seven-speed automatic continues with this chain-driven marvel of a V8 — and the big QX80 is even offered as a simple rear-drive configuration for those in arid climates like Arizona. Or Abu Dhabi.

So, is the QX80 a cynical restyle of the Nissan Armada? It is easy to assume this is the case — but you would be dead wrong. The first QX56 was, indeed, a bit of a badge/stickers job on the outside even while the interior carries 400-pounds of extra comfort materials over the work-a-day Armada.

But while the original Armada soldiers forward — the QX80 actually was fully redesigned only a few years into its stint on the global Infiniti sales books. A blend of more-upright layouts for the seating and a thorough chassis overhaul means that the Armada and QX80 are distant cousins as best these days.

This comes into sharp relief when considering the QX80 comes from Japan, while the Armada from a US assembly plant. For car people: this means they are completely different machines. It also brings a standard of quality execution that is beyond volume-car-lines.

The Infiniti (and Lexus) flagship factories are slow, detailed-obsessed and attentive to the low, low volumes of cars they produce. It is not that the Lexus LS460 has smarter robots to build it than the ES350 in Kentucky — but just much more freedom to stop the line, make changes, and ensure things are perfect.

Versus stopping the line: I think much more handcrafting means the cars may not be on a moving assembly floor at all. But this is speculation.

The QX80, if we’re not mistaken, is now assembled in the old Q45 shop — indicating a max output volume per head that might make Bentley blush. Fewer than 10,000 units, we estimate, from a staff of thousands. That is attention to detail — and that is also a major benefit of this luxury hauler versus the Armada, Suburban, Yukon, Escalade, Expedition… all of them.

But this car’s real laser-guided target is the new Range Rover. The Infiniti is larger in all dimensions, seats seven in proper padded seating, and may outlive even a Range Rover assembled in 2020. There simply is not the same quality of production-level engineering in any English car factory, we regret to report.

So is the QX80 just as unburst-ably-tough as Land Cruiser or Lexus LX570? Yes, these are the QX80’s closest kindred spirit.

But while the Land Cruiser is still mighty wobnbly and insecure in corners, the QX80’s lower roof keeps things chill even in 100-mph-plus sweeping corners.

Will it love gravel roads like an Escalade? Oh yes. And this truck, unlike any previous Escalade at least — will keep the interior fittings tight over years of washboard surfaces. Many Yukon Denali XL owners will know what we refer to here — a cacophony of trim rattles is the Suburban’s classic first-birthday-gift for many owners who push the trucks beyond urban comfort zones.

The QX80 is actually a real hoot to drive — in the way that flogging any big, powerful truck is — but also a sweet companion when simply trying to nap quietly in the middle row of captains chairs.

Is the QX80 without faults? No. The LED accents in the headlamps are a bit passe — while the lower foglamps are halogen and do not match the HID hue above. It is also, perhaps, a bit too subtle for many Q7 or Escalade aspirants. But, for many shoppers, the fewer rap-video appearances the better at maintaining the QX80’s quiet excellence.

Quiet. And rattle-free — of course.

2014 Infiniti QX80 Pricing

MODEL	SUGGESTED LIST PRICE (1)	ENGINE	TRANSMISSION
QX80	$62,550	5.6L V8	7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode
QX80 AWD	$65,650	5.6L V8	7-spd auto w/ manual shift mode

FACTORY INSTALLED OPTIONS	SUGGESTED LIST PRICE (1)	QX80	QX80 AWD
Theater Package	$3,100	•	•
Tire & Wheel Package	$2,400	•	•
Deluxe Touring Package	$4,650	•	•
Technology Package	$3,250	•	•
Split Bench Seat Package	No Charge	•	•

REAL-LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

PORT INSTALLED ACCESSORIES	SUGGESTED LIST PRICE (1)	QX80	QX80 AWD
Roof Rail Crossbars	$325	•	•
Rear Bumper Protector	$270	•	•
Moonroof Wind Deflector	$190	•	•
Cargo Mat, Cargo Net & First Aid Kit	$200	•	•
Illuminated Kick Plates	$405	•	•

(1) Manufacturer Suggested List Price. Dealer sets actual price. Prices and specs are subject to change without notice.
Excludes tax, title, license and destination charges. Destination and handling $995.

Infiniti QX80 Technical Specifications, Features and Options

Source of Production: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Assembly Plant Location: Kyushu, Japan

ENGINE
Type	VK56VD
Orientation	Longitudinally-mounted
Cylinders / configuration	V8
Block / head composition	Aluminum / aluminum
Displacement	5.6 liters
Horsepower	400 @ 5,800 rpm
Torque	413 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Bore x stroke (mm)	98 x 92
Compression ratio (:1)	10.8
Maximum engine speed	6,000 rpm
Induction system	Naturally aspirated
Valvetrain	DOHC 32-valve; silent chain, single stage
Fuel delivery system	Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG)
Mounts	2 solid (side), 1 solid (rear)
Recommended fuel	Premium unleaded
Emission certification level	Tier2-Bin 5 / LEV2-LEV
Exhaust	Single exit/main and secondary mufflers

ELECTRICAL
Electronic ignition system			S
Starter rating		12 volt
150 amp alternator
Battery	Amp-hour rating; 82Ah
Trailer towing – 7 pin trailer harness plug with connector			S

TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SYSTEM		2WD		4WD
Drive configuration		2WD		4WD
Transmission type		Automatic; 7-speed with manual shift mode, Adaptive Shift Control, Downshift Rev Matching (DRM)
Automatic transmission oil cooler		S
Gear ratios (:1)
	1^st	4.887
	2^nd	3.170
	3^rd	2.027
	4^th	1.412
	5^th	1.000
	6^th	0.864
	7^th	0.775
Transfer case / crawl ratios
Axle		–	TBD
4WD high		–	1.0
4WD low		–	2.7
Crawl ratio: 1^st		–	38.5
Crawl ratio: 2^nd		–	24.9
Crawl ratio: reverse		–	31.8
Final drive ratio (:1)		2.937
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)		S
Traction Control System (TCS)		S
2- or 4-wheel active brake limited slip (ABLS)		S (2-wheel)		S (4-wheel)
Snow-mode function		S
Hill Start Assist		S
Tow Mode function		S
Final drive ratio (:1)		2.937
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)		S
Traction Control System (TCS)		S
2- or 4-wheel active brake limited slip (ABLS)		S (2-wheel)		S (4-wheel)
Snow-mode function		S
Hill Start Assist		S
Tow Mode function		S

BODY/CHASSIS
Body type		Body-on-frame
Primary materials		Corrosion-resistant and high-strength steel
Class IV trailer hitch		S
Skid plate	Radiator	S

BRAKES
Front: Vented disc 13.78 x 1.18 in.	S
Rear: Vented disc 13.78 x 0.79 in.
4-wheel disc brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) 4 channels/4 sensors
Brake Assist
Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)

SUSPENSION AND STEERING
Front suspension	Double-wishbone
Front stabilizer bar (vehicles without Hydraulic Body Motion Control system)	S
Rear suspension	Double-wishbone
Rear stabilizer bar (vehicles without Hydraulic Body Motion Control system)	S
Auto leveling rear suspension	S
Hydraulic Body Motion Control system	O (deletes stabilizer bars)
Dual-Flow Path® twin-tube shock absorbers	S
Steering type	Rack-and-pinion
Power-assist	Engine speed-sensitive
Steering ratio (:1)	19.7
Turns (lock-to-lock)	3.5
Turning diameter (curb-to-curb)	41.6 ft

WHEELS AND TIRES
Wheels
20 x 8.0-inch forked 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels	S
22 x 8.0-inch 9-spoke forged aluminum-alloy wheels	O
Tires
P275/60R20 all-season tires	S
P275/50R22 all-season tires	O
Full-Size spare tire and alloy wheel	S
Location	Behind rear axle
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (direct sensor type) with Tire Inflation Indicator	S

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS (inches)
Wheelbase	121.1
Overall length	208.3
Overall width	79.9
Overall height w/ roof rack	75.8
Front track width	67.5
Rear track width	67.9
Angle of approach (degrees)	20.9
Angle of departure (degrees)	22.3
Ramp angle (degrees)	20.7
Ground clearance (inches)	9.2
Step in height – 1^st row	22.4
Step in height – 2^nd row	22.8

EXTERIOR FEATURES AND OPTIONS
Body color front and rear bumpers, center section				S
Chrome grille, door handles and window moldings				S
Headlights		Automatic on/off High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon		S
		Fog lights (front fascia mounted)		S
		Windshield Wiper Interlock		S
		Adaptive Front lighting System		O
		(AFS) w/auto-leveling headlights		O
		Headlight washers		O
Glass	Windshield			UV-reducing, noise-insulated
	Driver and front passenger windows			UV-reducing, noise-insulated
	Rear door glass			Dark privacy glass
	Rear quarter windows			Dark privacy glass
	Rear liftgate			Dark privacy glass
Wipers			Front windshield	Rain-sensing, variable intermittent
			Rear liftgate	Intermittent with washer
Outside mirrors		Power folding	S
		Heated	S
		Power adjust	S
		Reverse tilt-down feature	S
		Integrated turn signals	S
		Courtesy lamps	S
		Auto dimming	S
Body-color running boards with integrated front and rear body-color splash guards			S
Roof rack		Side rails	S
		Cross bars	Accessory
Power sliding tinted glass moonroof with one-touch open/close			S
Power rear liftgate			S

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS (inches)
First row
Head room with sunroof	39.9
Shoulder room	63.8
Hip room	59.2
Leg room	39.6
Second row
Head room	40.0
Shoulder room	63.5
Hip room	58.4
Leg room	41.0
Third row
Head room	36.8
Shoulder room	60.5
Hip room	48.8
Leg room	28.8

INTERIOR FEATURES AND OPTIONS
10-way power driver’s seat, including 2-way power lumbar support	S
8-way power passenger’s seat, including 2-way power lumbar support	S
Leather-appointed seats	S
Semi-aniline leather-appointed seats	O
Driver and front passenger Active Head Restraints	S
Dual occupant memory for driver’s seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors, linked to individual Intelligent Keys	S
Entry/exit assist for driver’s seat and steering wheel	S
Heated front row seats	S
2^nd row captain’s chairs with tip-up easy entry for 3^rd row	S
Remote tip-up 2^nd row seats for easy 3^rd row entry/exit	O
Heated 2^nd row seats (outboard)	O
Fold-flat 2^nd and 3^rd row seats	S
Driver and front passenger seat back pockets	S
Power 60/40-split fold-flat and reclining 3^rd row bench seat	S
9 cupholders and 4 bottle holders	S
12V power points: 2 I/P mounted, 1 in rear of front center console, 1 in cargo-area luggage trim panel	S
120V outlet in rear of front center console	O
Steering wheel: 4-spoke leather-wrapped w/ illuminated cruise control and audio switches, power tilt and telescopic adjustment; heated	S
Heated 2^nd row seats (outboard)	O
Fold-flat 2^nd and 3^rd row seats	S
Driver and front passenger seat back pockets	S
Power 60/40-split fold-flat and reclining 3^rd row bench seat	S
9 cupholders and 4 bottle holders	S
12V power points: 2 I/P mounted, 1 in rear of front center console, 1 in cargo-area luggage trim panel	S
120V outlet in rear of front center console	O
Steering wheel: 4-spoke leather-wrapped w/ illuminated cruise control and audio switches, power tilt and telescopic adjustment; heated	S
Heated 2^nd row seats (outboard)	O
Fold-flat 2^nd and 3^rd row seats	S
Driver and front passenger seat back pockets	S
Power 60/40-split fold-flat and reclining 3^rd row bench seat	S
9 cupholders and 4 bottle holders	S
12V power points: 2 I/P mounted, 1 in rear of front center console, 1 in cargo-area luggage trim panel	S
120V outlet in rear of front center console	O
Steering wheel: 4-spoke leather-wrapped w/ illuminated cruise control and audio switches, power tilt and telescopic adjustment; heated	S

INSTRUMENTATION
Fine Vision electroluminescent meter gauges	S
Speedometer
Tachometer
Engine temperature
Oil pressure
Voltage
Tire pressure warning
Shift position indicator
Tire pressure display in vehicle info screen
4WD indicator/warning	S on 4WD

AUDIO SYSTEM
Bose® 13-speaker Premium Audio System, including two subwoofers, AM/FM radio, single in-dash CD/DVD player with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control			S
Bose® Cabin Surround® Sound System with digital 5.1 decoding and 15 speakers			O
Streaming Audio via Bluetooth® wireless technology			S
USB connection port for iPod® interface and other compatible devices			S
SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately)			S
Auxiliary audio/video input jacks in front console			S
Illuminated steering wheel controls:		Audio	S
		Cruise control
Antennas	In-glass audio and diversity		S
	Body-color satellite radio
Theater Package with dual 7.0-inch color monitors, 2 sets of wireless headphones, remote control, auxiliary audio/video input jacks, 120V power outlet			O

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE FEATURES
Power windows with one-touch auto/up down with auto-reverse feature	S
Power door locks with illuminated switches, with anti-lockout feature and automatic locking
Remote keyless entry – operates locks, windows, rear liftgate
Tri-Zone Automatic Temperature Control system with microfilter
Mild-flow vent located on upper instrument panel, rear seat heater ducts under front seats
Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System
Power tilt and telescopic steering column
Front center console with adjustable armrest, storage compartment and 12-volt outlet
2^nd row center console armrest with two storage compartments
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® Universal Transceiver
Sequential welcome lighting illuminated entry system and ambient light
Fine Vision electroluminescent gauges
Infiniti Controller, 8-inch color touch-screen display
Infiniti analog clock
Infiniti Intelligent Key with illuminated Push Button Ignition
Cruise control with steering wheel-mounted switches
Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with Lane Guidance and 3D building graphics
Infiniti Voice Recognition for audio, navigation and vehicle information systems
NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Information (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately)
NavWeather with Real-Time Weather and 3-day forecast (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately)
Zagat Survey® Restaurant Guide
Around View® Monitor with Front and Rear Sonar System and Moving Object Detection (MOD)
Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with auto recirculation, Plasmacluster® air purifier, Grape Polyphenol filter	O
Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range)	O
Distance Control Assist (DCA)	O

CAPACITIES
Seating capacity	7 – with 2^nd row captain chairs 8 – with optional 2^nd row bench seat
Total interior volume – pass. plus cargo (cu. ft.)	167.9
Cargo volume – behind 3^rd row (cu. ft.)	16.6
Fuel tank (gals.)	26.0
Engine oil (qts.)	8.0
Engine coolant (qts.)	15.6
Maximum towing capacity (lbs.)	8,500
Maximum tongue weight (lbs.)	850

CURB WEIGHTS		2WD	4WD
Curb weight (lbs.)	Front	2,851	3,040
	Rear	2,782	2,837
	Total	5,633	5,878
Weight distribution		51/49	52/48
GVWR (lbs.)		7,300	7,500

EPA MILEAGE ESTIMATES (actual mileage may vary)	2WD	4WD
City	14	14
Highway	20	20
Combined	16	16
EPA Size Class	SUV

SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES
Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors	S
Driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags (SRS)
Roof-mounted side-impact supplemental curtain air bags with rollover sensor for outboard occupant head protection for all three rows
Front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS)
Front seat Active Head Restraints
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with individual tire pressure display and Tire Inflation Indicator
LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) (outboard positions only for vehicles with Optional 2^nd Row Bench Seat)
Power door locks with automatic locking system and child safety rear door locks
Infiniti Vehicle Immobilizer System
Vehicle Security System
Auto Hazard Warning Signal
Energy-absorbing steering column	S
Zone Body construction w/ front and rear crumple zones
Hood-buckling creases
Knee bolsters
Shift interlock system
Body side reinforcements
Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	O
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	O
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)	O
Front Pre-Crash Seat Belts	O

PACKAGES AND OPTIONS
Theater Package: Dual 7-inch color monitors, two wireless headphones, wireless remote control, auxiliary audio/video input jacks, 120V power outlet, heated 2^nd row seats (outboard only), remote tip-up 2^nd row seats for easy 3^rd row entry/exit	O
22-inch Wheel Package: 22×8.0-inch 9-spoke forged aluminum-alloy wheels, 275/50R22 all-season tires	O (requires Theater Package)
Split Bench Seat Package: 2^nd row split bench seat with 60/40-split folding (deletes 2^nd row Captain’s Chairs and 2^nd row center console)	O (requires Theater Package)
Deluxe Touring Package: Bose® Cabin Surround® Sound System with digital 5.1 decoding and 15 speakers, Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, Climate-controlled front seats, semi-aniline leather-appointed seating, Mocha Burl trim, Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with auto circulation, Plasmacluster® air purifier, Grape Polyphenol filter, 2^nd row footwell courtesy lights, and headlight washers	O (requires 22-inch Wheel Package)
Technology Package: Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Distance Control Assist (DCA), Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Blind Spot Intervention®, Front Pre-Crash Seatbelts, Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) with auto-leveling headlights, Backup Collision Intervention (BCI)	O (requires Deluxe Touring Package)

S – Standard O – Optional

Tom Burkart

Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.

He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.

Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.