Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Auto
  3. News

Infiniti Unveils Major Facelift for the 2018 QX80

By

The ludicrous, 755-horsepower Corvette ZR1 wasn’t the only vehicle to be revealed at this year’s Dubai Motor Show. Infiniti chose the Middle Eastern oasis for the introduction of its refreshed QX80 luxury SUV.

Positioned as a more affordable challenger to Cadillac’s Escalade, Land Rover’s Range Rover, Lexus’ LX, and Toyota’s Land Cruiser, the Infiniti QX80 has been one of the Japanese luxury manufacturer’s most important models. Now that the premium SUV market is among the fastest growing automotive segments, Infiniti is ready to give the QX80 a facelift.

The current generation QX80, which has been on sale since 2010, is a rugged yet comfortable oaf, but its bulbous exterior is hard to excuse. Thankfully, its biggest blemishes have been attended to for 2018. Inspired by the QX80 Monograph Concept that debuted at this year’s New York Auto Show, the new QX80 sports Infiniti’s trademark “double-arch” grille; thinner, piercing headlights; higher fenders; updated taillights; and a re-sculpted lower front fascia.

Recommended Videos

Other improvements to the QX80 are less dramatic. The restyled front end delivers more air to the engine, there are some new interior colors and materials, the interior gains more sound deadening, the suspension has been retuned, and there’s a new streaming rearview mirror. Apart from these tweaks, the 2018 model uses the same 5.6-liter V8 engine good for 400 hp and 413 pound-feet of torque, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and either a rear-wheel drive or optional four-wheel drive setup. Hammer the throttle and the QX80 will hit 60 mph in 7.5 seconds and top out at 130 mph.

2018 Infiniti QX80
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Thanks to the QX80’s body-on-frame underpinnings, it is able to tow up to 8,500 pounds, making it among the most capable SUVs in its class. V8s are fun, and four-wheel drive platforms are rugged, but these elements make the QX80 inefficient to the tune of 16 mpg combined (rear-wheel drive).

Safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, forward autonomous emergency braking, and backup collision intervention.

Prices for the 2018 Infiniti QX80 starts at $65,745 with rear-wheel drive, and $68,845 with four-wheel drive.

Images courtesy of Infiniti.

Miles Branman
Miles Branman
Former Contributor
Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…
Rolls-Royce celebrates July 4 with three exclusive vehicles
Rolls-Royce has closet ties to the US than you might think
Architecture, Building, Office Building

Many things make you think of America, cowboy hats, bald eagles, air conditioning. But Rolls-Royce might be one of the last things that spring to mind when you're thinking of the U S of A.

Despite the German-owned luxury marque being about as British as it gets, Rolls has decided to celebrate the USA’s 250th birthday by delivering three vehicles. One in red, one in white, and one in blue. According to Rolls, this collection consists of a Bohemian Red Cullinan which “represented the strength, courage and entrepreneurial spirit that have defined America for 250 years.” An English White Phantom which “reflects the nation's founding ideals, timeless elegance and enduring pursuit of excellence.” and a Iguazu Blue Ghost which “symbolizes innovation, optimism and the limitless horizons that continue to define the American spirit.”

Read more
Max Verstappen loathes F1’s LEGO parade ahead of British Grand Prix– and he’s unapologetic about it
Max Verstappen is not a happy camper.
Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen is one of the most intense Formula 1 drivers. That intensity was on display when he expressed his feelings about the upcoming LEGO parade on Sunday at the British Grand Prix.

The Red Bull driver didn't hold any punches when sharing his disdain for the event, and it makes you wonder if Verstappen will participate in such a thing ever again.

Read more
Carlos Sainz proposes penalty that could radically change F1 qualifying landscape
Carlos Sainz proposes grid penalty after Verstappen's qualifying crash in Austria
Carlos Sainz

It's been nearly a week since George Russell won the Austrian Grand Prix at the famed Red Bull Ring, but there's still significant fallout following his pole-position win in Q3, courtesy of Spanish driver Carlos Sainz, who is proposing a severe penalty for drivers who trigger yellow and red flags during qualifying sessions.

For the uninitiated, the drama unfolded one day before the main event during Q3, when Red Bull's Max Verstappen crashed at the second-to-last corner on his final lap. The crash prompted a single-waved yellow flag, which Russell, who races for Mercedes-Benz, adhered to by lifting when passing through a single-waved yellow-flag zone, per F1's rulebook. Despite being forced to lift, Russell's final lap was more than good enough to earn him pole position.

Read more