Infiniti is a brand in dire need of some fresh products. The Q50 and Q60 are on their way out and the QX50 and QX55 are slowing in sales, but the company's freshest product, the Pathfinder-related QX60, saw a 77.3% increase in sales last year. The all-new 2025 Infiniti QX80, a flagship full-size SUV, comes at a crucial time during what the Japanese luxury brand is calling a renaissance.

Despite being the oldest vehicle in its segment (the first-generation QX80 was first launched twenty years ago under the QX56 name), sales of the second-gen QX80 actually increased by a whopping 76.2% in 2023 to 12,696 units. Those numbers trail far behind segment leaders like the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator, but Infiniti is hopeful that this long-awaited third-generation model can help close that gap.

The 2025 QX80 arrives with an updated platform, fresh styling, upgraded technology, and a new twin-turbocharged V6 under the hood that is related to the one in the Nissan Z. This isn't just a targeted shot at the American luxury establishment, it's a precursor to what we can expect from the Infiniti brand moving forward. CarBuzz was invited to find out how bright Infiniti's future looks from behind the wheel of the QX80 along the roads around Nappa Valley, California.

First Drive events provide our initial impressions of a vehicle in a restricted environment under certain time constraints. Keep an eye on CarBuzz for our comprehensive Test Drive review which will follow soon.

Exterior: New, But Still Familiar

Infiniti describes the 2025 QX80's styling as an evolved version of its "Artistry in Motion" design language. Evolved seems like the perfect word to describe the exterior, which clearly looks like a QX80, but builds on the previous model with much more modern elements. A huge double-arch grille conveys the vehicle's massive size and, together with the DRLs, is supposed to mimic the organic shape of a bamboo forest. Those sleek LED running lights appear as if they were branches sprouting from the grille, animating when the vehicle is unlocked.

At the back, a long taillight bar features over 300 smoked LEDs resembling keys on a piano. The Infiniti logo up front now has some 3D depth and lights up at night, while the rear badge has been replaced in favor of the word "Infiniti" spelled out, similar to Lexus. The new QX80 is sllightly longer and wider than the outgoing model, although the wheelbase stays the same.

• 2025 Infiniti QX80

  Length

  211.2 inches

  Wheelbase

  121 inches

  Width

  83.3 inches

  Height

  76.6 - 77.9 inches

• 

  2024 Lexus LX

  Length

  200.5 inches

  Wheelbase

  112.2 inches

  Width

  78.3 inches

  Height

  74.2 - 74.6 inches

• 

This new QX80 is a bit taller than its predecessor, but width is the most obvious change. The QX80 no longer looks as slab-sided, as if a strong wind might flip it over. 20-inch wheels still come standard, while the upper trim levels have 22-inch wheels that actually look small by modern standards, but deliver a comfortable ride with plenty of sidewall. Seven colors are available, but Infiniti only had its new Dynamic Metal on-hand for us to drive.

Interior: Welcome To The Present

Even with an infotainment update back in the 2022 model year, the outgoing QX80 struggled to hide its age. This 2025 model starts over from scratch with new materials, a revised layout, and more importantly, cutting-edge technology. Dual 14.3-inch displays look and feel modern, powered by Google for voice command and navigation. Don't worry, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay remain available and function wirelessly. Those screens are tied to a 14-speaker or 24-speaker Klipsch audio system, the latter of which packs a great punch. There are even speakers in the headrests that let you hear a phone call while music plays in the background.

A separate nine-inch touchscreen displays climate controls, meaning you don't have to leave screens to change the temperature or fan speed. Infiniti added a new Biometric Cooling feature that can detect when passengers are too hot and cool them more quickly. Heated and cooled massage seats are available in the first and second rows, plus heated seats in the third row. We drove the top Autograph trim, which features semi-aniline leather that feel on-par with anything found in a Cadillac, Lincoln, or Jeep product.

As expected, a 360-degree camera is available, but Infiniti added a new Invisible Hood View that makes it easier to navigate crowded parking lots and see past the QX80's tall front end. There's even a built-in flash camera that records inside and outside the vehicle.

Practicality: Better At The Family Stuff

Though it hasn't grown much on the outside, the 2025 QX80 makes better use of its interior space compared to the outgoing model. The QX80 delivers seating for up to eight passengers on all but the top trim, although captain's chairs and seating for seven is standard. Headroom drops slightly in the new model, but shoulder and hip room is increased marginally. Legroom has increased significantly in all but the second row, but real-world space feels more usable than the previous model.

For cargo hauling, the new QX80 improves in every metric. Space behind the third row grows by 5.4 cubic feet for a total of 22 cubes, while storage behind the second row increases by 9.4 cubes. Overall storage space is now rated at 101 cubic feet, compared to 95.1 cubes in the outgoing QX80. The Cadillac Escalade is slightly larger at 109.1 ft³ as is the Lincoln Navigator with 103.4 ft³ on offer. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer remains the largest in its class with 116.7 cubic feet of space.

Performance: E-Z Acceleration

Infiniti has finally retired its venerable 5.6-liter V8 engine, which had been in service since 2010. It's replaced by a "new" 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that's heavily related to the 3.0-liter version in the Q50 and Nissan Z. Here it develops 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque - increases of 50 hp and 103 lb-ft, respectively over the old V8. This engine is mated to Infiniti's newer nine-speed automatic transmission, replacing the aging seven-speed, going out to rear-wheel-drive or optional four-wheel-drive. The QX80 is rated to tow up to 8,500 pounds, but does not include an integrated brake controller.

Despite having more power and torque, the QX80 didn't perform quicker according to our testing equipment. We clocked 6.52 seconds to 60 mph, which is about a half-second slower than the old V8. We'll have to wait to retest the QX80 on familiar roads to see if we can improve on that figure - Infiniti hasn't made any claims about the benchmark sprint.

On the plus side, fuel economy has improved, but only for the city and combined cycles. City fuel economy increases from 14 to 16 mpg on RWD models and from 13 to 15 mpg on 4WD models. Highway mpg remains the same as the V8 in both RWD or 4WD. Overall, combined fuel economy increases from 16 mpg to 18 mpg on RWD models, and from 15 mpg to 17 mpg with all four wheels driven.

Driving Impressions: Less Boat, More Float

The outgoing QX80 felt more like yachting than driving, but this new model makes huge strides to feel less boat-like. Most trim levels get four-corner air springs (formerly available in the rear only) with what Infiniti calls Dynamic Digital Suspension. The suspension lifts and lowers to aid ingress and egress as well as improve the aerodynamics. It also measures vehicle motion to adjust the damping force, thus reducing body roll and controlling vertical movement over bumps. Choppy mountain roads around Napa didn't upset the ride, even with sizable 22-inch wheels equipped.

Whereas the outgoing QX80 felt tippy and wayward if it even approached a corner, this new model shrinks around the driver and feels more athletic and controlled. Infiniti has also replaced the outgoing hydraulic steering with a more modern electric unit, which delivers more precision without as much heaviness. There's still a nice weight to the steering, but it no longer feels overly heavy and cumbersome to use.

Overall, the powertrain delivers smooth acceleration, with some turbo lag at low RPM. Having more gears in the transmission improves power delivery, meaning the car never feels caught off guard if you suddenly mash the throttle. The engine emits a nice wail, similar to the Nissan Z Sports car. Some owners might miss the V8 rumble, but we think the V6 is an improvement. This is also the first Infiniti model to get ProPilot Assist 2.1, which enables hands-free driving on select highways. It worked well in our short time with it, but requires the driver's hands on the wheel for lane changes, meaning it's less advanced than Cadillac's Super Cruise.

Pricing: Higher Price, Higher Goals

The 2025 Infiniti QX80 finally feels like its living in the same decade as its competitors. As a result, it's now priced accordingly. The QX80 Pure RWD starts at $82,450 ($85,550 with 4WD), which is $8,300 more than the 2024 QX80 base Luxe model. Infiniti is quick to point out the new Pure trim comes with far more standard equipment than last year's entry-level trim. Stepping up to the 2025 Luxe brings the price to $89,550 ($92,650 with 4WD), and the Sensory gets 4WD standard at $100,645. A flagship Autograph trim level joins the QX80 lineup, also with 4WD standard, starting at $110,595. This is more than any previous QX80, but it's still less expensive than the priciest Escalade, Navigator, and Grand Wagoneer models, with Lexus LX Ultra Luxury models costing around $135k.

For the first time since the QX80 became the QX80, we finally consider it as more than just a bargain in the segment. We used to make excuses for the QX80, saying, "at least it costs less than an Escalade." The 2025 QX80 boasts features that you can't get in any Escalade, and it now drives just as well. There is an updated Escalade on the way for the 2025 model year, so it remains to be seen if Infiniti can hold onto its advantage. This is a huge step forward for Infiniti, the first of several needed to reach the brand's former glory.