2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph Video, Review, And Pricing

By: Uday Mohan
April 12, 2025

Let me get this off my chest right off the bat: I’ve never really been a fan of the Infiniti brand when it comes to the styling direction or overall design of their vehicles. It always felt like they were stuck in an infinite loop of rinse and repeat with each new model year. So when I was assigned the QX80 for this review, I wasn’t exactly enthusiastic — that is, until I went to pick up the vehicle. And then, my friends, it was a literal jaw-drop moment. The definition of a flagship is “the finest, largest, or most important one of a group of things,” and what stood before me was exactly that.

2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph - Driveman.ca

Whoever is in charge of Infiniti’s new design direction deserves a massive raise. The completely overhauled, redesigned, and re-engineered QX80 Autograph proudly wears the flagship badge in every sense of the word. Starting with the exterior, the new QX80 stands tall and wide, with a redesigned front fascia that features a massive double-arch grille accented by an illuminated Infiniti badge. The headlights take on a completely new approach: narrow, multi-element LED daytime running lights on either side of the upper grille, with combination lamps below them.

This design renaissance extends across the exterior. Gone are the traditional door handles — the QX80 now comes equipped with self-presenting handles that extend as you approach and retract when locked, improving aerodynamics and enhancing the clean design. Around back, you’ll find a full-width LED lighting assembly featuring over 300 LEDs. The smoked-finish lamps illuminate in a vibrant red, with a pronounced upper section and a series of horizontal light bars below. Supporting all this design work is an all-new Electronic Air Suspension and Dynamic Digital Suspension, paired with stunning 22-inch exclusive aluminum alloy wheels.

Shifting to the interior, things really go up a notch. The appointments, technology, creature comforts — everything seems to revolve around one theme: hospitality. It may sound odd to describe a vehicle this way, but Infiniti clearly took this mindset to heart. The interior is inspired by the Japanese aesthetic principle of miyabi, which focuses on elegance, refinement, and courtliness. This is reflected in the entire ownership experience: when you approach the QX80, the door handles extend, the illuminated grille badge lights up in tandem with sections of the DRLs, and a geometric walkway is projected via the puddle lamps to guide you in.

Inside, soft-touch materials, semi-aniline leather across all three rows, wood trims, and glossy piano-black accents are layered throughout. These organic elements blend seamlessly with high-tech features like dual 14.3-inch displays offering deep customization and a wealth of information — much of which I barely scratched the surface of. Below those sits a third 9-inch haptic feedback display, providing dedicated HVAC controls, drive mode selection (Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, Tow, and Personal), and ride height adjustments.

And the luxury isn’t limited to the front row. Between the second-row captain’s chairs is another screen, giving rear occupants access to HVAC controls, seat heating and cooling, massaging functions, and seat positioning. Both front and second-row seats include massaging functions and 4-way power lumbar support. As a segment first, the QX80 also introduces Biometric Cooling — a feature using infrared sensors in the headliner to monitor second-row passenger body temperature and automatically adjust airflow and climate in real time. If that’s not thoughtful hospitality, I don’t know what is.

The QX80 is packed with tech, but I’ll highlight a few standouts. First, built-in front and rear dash cams continuously record while driving and when parked. That peace of mind in a high-end SUV is a welcome touch. There’s also an interior camera that, while not groundbreaking, has smart integration. You can use the mobile app to check if you’ve left anything behind in the vehicle — a genuinely helpful feature.

The 360° camera system makes maneuvering this nearly 17.5-foot-long, almost 8-foot-wide SUV surprisingly easy. Additional camera views include Invisible Hood View, Front Wide View, and a 3D Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and 360 spin capability. Other premium touches include a head-up display, motion-activated liftgate, console cool box, and integrated Google Built-In for seamless app access and voice control.

But the crown jewel, in my opinion, is the Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system. With 24 speakers, 1,200 watts of power, and metal-trimmed headrest-mounted speakers, it offers a unique “Individual Audio” experience. Drivers can take a phone call or receive navigation prompts privately — without disrupting other passengers.

Under the hood, all QX80 trims come equipped with the all-new 3.5L twin-turbo VR35DDTT V6 engine, delivering 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque — gains of 50 hp and 103 lb-ft over the previous generation. Power is sent through a 9-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth delivery and crisp shifts in any drive mode.

That said, I had two critiques. First, while the V6TT has more than enough grunt and smoothness, a V8 might have offered greater refinement to match the QX80’s upscale vibe. Under heavy throttle, the engine note felt a bit too present in the cabin, which somewhat clashed with Infiniti’s efforts to deliver flagship-level refinement. Second, the suspension. While composed on the highway and smooth roads, it struggled with body control over uneven surfaces.

And despite the impressive tech and luxurious feel, you can’t escape the realities of size and weight — namely, poor fuel economy. Rated at 15.1 L/100 km in the city and 12.2 L/100 km on the highway, the QX80 is officially listed at 13.8 L/100 km combined. In my mixed driving, I observed closer to 19.8 L/100 km, which translated to around 450 km on a full 80L tank of premium fuel.

In summary, the QX80 Autograph marks a massive shift in Infiniti’s mindset and direction, and I, for one, am thrilled to see the change. Our tester came with every conceivable feature except the kitchen sink — which, frankly, could probably fit somewhere inside. The as-tested MSRP came in at $128,690 CAD. If you’re considering one, take it for a spin. You just might walk away surprised. I’m looking forward to the Infiniti renaissance.

Vehicle Specs

Segment: Luxury Full-Size SUV
Engine: 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6
Horsepower: 450 hp
Torque: 516 lb-ft
Fuel Efficiency (City/Highway/Combined): 15.1 / 12.2 / 13.8 L/100 km
Observed Fuel Economy: 19.8 L/100 km (mixed driving)
Base Price: $124,995 CAD
As-Tested Price: $128,690 CAD