2016 INFINITI QX80 Review

For 2016, Infiniti offers a limited-production QX80 Signature Edition that includes the Driver Assistance and Split Bench Seat packages, a special tan interior and minor exterior styling tweaks.

High levels of luxury, comfort and tech make the three-row 2016 Infiniti QX80 a solid pick among large luxury SUVs.

While there are plenty of car-based crossovers that get better fuel economy and are more space-efficient inside than the 2016 Infiniti QX80, not a single one of those minivans-in-disguise models looks as cool as the QX80. Alright, maybe "cool" is a matter of opinion in this case. Still, there's no doubt that the big Infiniti makes a statement with its huge grille, one-of-a-kind headlights and distinctive shape. It's an announcement to the world that you're going big, and you really don't care what anyone thinks.

Happily, the QX80 packs plenty of muscle behind its sinister mien. With a 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 at your beck and call, authoritative acceleration and relaxed towing ability (up to 8,500 pounds worth) come easy. A little-known fact is that this Infiniti is based on the legendary Nissan Patrol, a rugged SUV that's seen duty on tough terrain around the world, so there's a respectable amount of off-road capability baked in, too.

Unlike many a milquetoast crossover SUV, the 2016 Infiniti QX80 stands out with brash styling.

Throw in a decidedly upscale interior with three rows of seats and it's clear that the QX80 is well equipped for just about anything you'll want to do with it. But it's not the only three-row luxury SUV worth considering. The 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is a great choice thanks to its adult-friendly third row and superior overall refinement. Conceptually, the off-road-capable 2016 Lexus LX 570 comes closest to the QX80 (it's based on the similarly legendary Toyota Land Cruiser), while the all-American 2016 Cadillac Escalade makes a bold statement all its own. In final measure, all are solid picks. But if you want something with character, the inimitable 2016 Infiniti QX80 is the way to go.

Powering the 2016 Infiniti QX80 is a 5.6-liter V8 engine that produces 400 hp and 413 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard. Four-wheel drive (with low-range gearing) is available as an option. Properly equipped, the QX is capable of towing up to 8,500 pounds and, if so optioned, also features a self-leveling rear suspension.

In Edmunds testing, a 2015 QX80 with four-wheel drive accelerated from a standstill to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, which is a little quicker than average for this vehicle segment. The EPA estimate for the rear-wheel-drive QX80 is 16 mpg combined (14 city/20 highway), while the four-wheel-drive model drops to 15 mpg combined (13/19).

The 2016 Infiniti QX80 comes with stability and traction control, antilock brakes, a 360-degree parking camera, front-seat side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front active head restraints. Included with the Infiniti Connection telematics service are automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle notification, remote door access and locking, geo-fencing and max speed notifications.

The optional Driver Assistance package adds adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and intervention, frontal collision warning and mitigation and a back-up collision mitigation system.

In Edmunds brake testing, a QX80 with 22-inch wheels stopped from 60 mph in only 113 feet, a figure we're accustomed to seeing from much lighter passenger cars. This is an astonishing result for a 3-ton SUV.

The standard 5.6-liter, 400-hp V8 puts a lot of punch at your disposal. Even though our last QX80 test vehicle weighed in at 6,043 pounds, the V8 makes that weight melt away when you dip into it. Shifts from the seven-speed automatic are smooth and swift. On the highway, the QX feels solid and stable, and road and wind noise are largely absent.

A strong V8 is the norm for luxury SUVs, but the 2016 Infiniti QX80 also possesses uncommon agility.

With four-wheel drive, the QX can handle some limited off-road excursions thanks to its low-range gearing and tough suspension. Yet Infiniti's big SUV is also blessed with uncommon agility, particularly when it's fitted with the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, which reduces body roll around tight turns to the point that the QX almost feels light on its feet. The downside is that ride quality suffers somewhat, though the decline in comfort has less to do with the optional suspension itself than the large 22-inch wheels that are mandatory with the upgrade. We advise taking a QX80 for a thorough test-drive over a variety of surfaces before opting for these wheels.

Inside, the 2016 Infiniti QX80 offers a handsome cabin that's enhanced by the generous use of high-quality materials. Technophiles will appreciate the wide array of bells and whistles, including the Around View Monitor that offers a 360-degree top-down view of the area around the vehicle. Just as important is the fact that technophobes have nothing to fear, because the QX's electronics interface is very easy and intuitive to use. Only picky shoppers, perhaps, will object to the fact that this interface has been around for quite a while now, and it doesn't have the freshest look or feel.

As you'd expect, the QX80's front and second-row seats offer a high degree of comfort. The 60/40-split power-folding third-row seat has less legroom than the third rows in other large luxury SUVs, though it's passable on short trips and usable on a regular basis by kids. On the hauling front, the QX80 can swallow 16.6 cubic feet of stuff behind its third row, 49.6 cubes with the third row folded and a healthy 95 cubes with both rear rows folded.

As in most three-row SUVs, the third row is best left to occupants of smaller stature.