A Comprehensive Review of the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph showcases a significant evolution, featuring a complete redesign that brings a sharper, more contemporary aesthetic to the large luxury SUV segment. Its interior has been meticulously upgraded, offering enhanced comfort and a sophisticated ambiance, complete with advanced technological integrations. Under the hood, a new twin-turbo V6 engine delivers a notable boost in power and efficiency, replacing the previous V8. While the vehicle excels in luxury, spaciousness, and audio quality, certain design choices for climate controls and gear shifting present ergonomic challenges, which Infiniti may address in future iterations. Ultimately, the new QX80 Autograph stands as a strong contender for those seeking a modern, powerful, and lavish full-size SUV.
This latest iteration of Infiniti's prominent SUV represents a profound transformation from its predecessor, which maintained its design for an extended period. The 2025 model has been entirely re-envisioned, boasting an exterior that is both bold and contemporary, successfully shedding any outdated appearances while retaining its imposing stature. Inside, the cabin has undergone a dramatic enhancement, moving away from a dated aesthetic to one of opulent sophistication, designed to rival top-tier competitors. The powertrain sees a significant upgrade, with a more efficient yet powerful twin-turbocharged V6 engine taking the place of the earlier, less efficient V8, leading to improved performance and fuel economy. Despite these advancements, some functional aspects, particularly concerning the user interface for climate control and gear selection, have been identified as areas for potential refinement to elevate the overall driving experience.
Elevated Design and Luxurious Appointments
The 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph introduces a fresh design ethos, moving beyond the long-standing previous generation. This full-size SUV now showcases a contemporary and assertive exterior, aligning it more closely with modern luxury vehicles without sacrificing its characteristic commanding presence. The interior has received a comprehensive overhaul, transforming from a previously dated environment into a sanctuary of high-end comfort and advanced technology. The Autograph trim, in particular, offers exclusive design elements such as dark chrome accents and large 22-inch wheels, contributing to its distinguished appearance. This redesign positions the QX80 as a formidable competitor against other luxury SUVs, balancing sophisticated elegance with a powerful road presence.
Infiniti has meticulously refined the QX80's styling, bestowing upon it a more chiseled and imposing look. The exterior is marked by flush door handles and darkened pillars, which create a seamless and stealthy profile. The distinctive split LED headlights and taillights add a modern touch, while the optional two-tone paint scheme artfully diminishes the vehicle's perceived height, enhancing its sleekness. The removal of the traditional Infiniti logo from the liftgate in favor of elegant lettering under a full-width LED strip further modernizes its rear fascia. The interior upgrade is equally impressive, featuring sumptuous semi-aniline leather, intricate quilting, and open-pore Ash Wood trim with metal inlays, all contributing to an atmosphere of refined luxury. While the abundance of piano black surfaces is prone to fingerprints, it does not detract from the cabin's overall premium feel. The front seats are exceptionally comfortable, offering superior support, and the second-row Captain's Chairs ensure a lavish experience. Crucially, the third row now provides significantly increased legroom, making it comfortable for adults and enhancing the vehicle's overall versatility and passenger comfort.
Performance and Driver Experience Refined
Underneath its newly sculpted exterior, the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph benefits from a significant powertrain upgrade. The previous 5.6-liter V8 engine has been replaced by a more advanced twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6, which not only boosts horsepower and torque but also improves fuel efficiency. This new engine, paired with a nine-speed transmission, delivers robust acceleration and smooth power delivery, making highway maneuvers effortless. Despite its considerable size, the QX80 accelerates surprisingly quickly. However, the driving experience is slightly hampered by a lack of tactile feedback in the steering and brake systems, and some ergonomic challenges with the climate control touchscreen and electronic gear shift buttons.
The shift to a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine represents a substantial leap forward for the 2025 QX80, offering 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque—a significant increase over the outgoing V8. This enhanced power translates into impressive on-road performance, allowing the large SUV to reach 60 mph in approximately six seconds. The nine-speed automatic transmission ensures seamless gear changes, contributing to a refined and powerful driving experience. While the steering is light and sufficiently accurate, it offers minimal feedback, and the braking system, though effective, lacks progressive feel, making precise stopping judgments challenging. The vehicle's ride is remarkably stable, thanks to adaptive dampers and hydraulic body motion control, which mitigate body roll and maintain a composed feel, even on winding roads. Despite its considerable dimensions, the QX80 remains poised, though navigating tight spaces requires reliance on features like the transparent hood camera system due to its sheer scale. Fuel efficiency also sees a noticeable improvement, particularly in normal driving modes, providing a more economical operation compared to its predecessor. The premium 24-speaker Klipsch audio system stands out, offering exceptional sound clarity and powerful bass, further elevating the luxurious cabin experience.