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
|
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
|
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
|
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
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 |
||
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 – 1st row |
22.4 |
Step in height – 2nd 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 |
2nd row captain’s chairs with tip-up easy entry for 3rd row |
S |
Remote tip-up 2nd row seats for easy 3rd row entry/exit |
O |
Heated 2nd row seats (outboard) |
O |
Fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seats |
S |
Driver and front passenger seat back pockets |
S |
Power 60/40-split fold-flat and reclining 3rd 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 2nd row seats (outboard) |
O |
Fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seats |
S |
Driver and front passenger seat back pockets |
S |
Power 60/40-split fold-flat and reclining 3rd 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 2nd row seats (outboard) |
O |
Fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seats |
S |
Driver and front passenger seat back pockets |
S |
Power 60/40-split fold-flat and reclining 3rd 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 CONVENIENCEFEATURES |
|
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 |
|
2nd 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 2nd row captain chairs8 – with optional 2nd row bench seat |
|
Total interior volume – pass. plus cargo (cu. ft.) |
167.9 |
|
Cargo volume – behind 3rd 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 |
|
S – Standard O – Optional
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.