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2019 Infiniti QX80: contemporary, commanding presence
Published 1:30 am Friday, March 8, 2019
Week two of Snowpocalypse, the 2019 Infiniti QX80 full-size SUV landed in my driveway.
And talk about perfect timing!
The QX80 is the flagship of Infiniti’s wide-ranging SUV fleet and offers a powerful, contemporary and commanding presence – snow or no snow. Not to mention a luxury mindset with premier amenities for every passenger.
With seating for up to eight adults in three rows, the QX80 got me to work every day, and sometimes with colleagues who were not as fortunate with the cars parked in their respective driveways.
Powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the duo generates 400 horsepower and 413 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the perfect choice for towing big boy toys. It features adaptive shift control and manual shift control, which helps when slowing in icy conditions without actually having to hit the brake.
The other secret weapon for snow was all-mode four-wheel drive and a computer-controlled transfer case with 4H, 4L, Snow and tow settings. QX80 delivered pinpoint control and also delivered superior road clearance. Plus it had the heft to slice and dice fresh snow and slush with equal aplomb.
Totally redesigned last year, the 2019 version adds standard forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection and predictive forward-collision warning, along with an exclusive new model, the QX80 Limited – which just happened to be my tester.
Fortunately, none of that new standard equipment was put to the test.
Limited is the premier expression of Infiniti, and includes exclusive content, such as custom dark machine-finished 22-inch wheels, matte silver open-pore Ash wood trim, and satin chrome elements. Along with the Luxe trim level, Limited stands apart with a refined and spacious cabin that features high-quality materials, a handcrafted finish and advanced driver-assistance technologies.
At 210.2 inches in length, 75.8 inches tall with roof rails, 79.9 inches wide and a 121.1-inch wheelbase, the QX80 is a beast. I couldn’t even get the snow off the roof without a step stool and broom.
There is a price to be paid, however. The QX80 is rated at 13 miles per gallon in city driving, and probably got even less traversing the snow.
My favorite interior feature – and believe me, I could fill up this entire space with just some of them– was the Bose Cabin Surround sound system with 15 speakers that includes AM/FM/XM/CD, and DVD viewed through two screens mounted to the back of the front passenger captain’s chairs. Not to mention two USB ports, Bluetooth, wireless remote control, two headphones, rear 120V outlet with headphone jacks – you get the point.
The same could be said for the Infiniti’s safety features. If I had to pick just one to rave about, it would be the front and rear sonar system which is critical in operating intelligent cruise control that measures the following-distance between cars and automatically slows and accelerates to maintain your pre-set distance. It’s magic, and even better when the weather dictates following at a safe distance.
QX80 costs a small fortune, but is worth every penny. My piggy bank is not full enough, so I’ll have to make do dreaming about my joyful week in the snow!
Base Price: $91,095
Price As Driven: $91,450
Destination charge is included in the base price. Vehicles are provided by the manufacturer. List price may vary at local dealerships.