Infiniti’s full-size luxury SUV came back swinging with a complete redesign last year, and for 2026, it’s building on that momentum with a new Sport trim that adds a darker, moodier personality. The 2026 Infiniti QX80 review story is really about a brand trying to reclaim its spot in a crowded luxury SUV fight. Can a twin-turbo V6, a stunning interior, and some serious attitude get the job done?
- The QX80 uses a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 making 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
- The 2026 QX80 lineup includes four trim levels: Pure, Luxe, Sport, and Autograph.
- The QX80 can tow up to 8,500 lbs when properly equipped.
A V6 That Hits Harder Than the Old V8
If you’re mourning the loss of the old 5.6-liter V8, take a breath. The new twin-turbo V6 makes 50 more horsepower than the old V8 and 103 more pound-feet of torque. That’s a meaningful bump in real-world grunt, and reviewers agree it performs well in a vehicle of this size.
The QX80 Sport uses that 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 to produce smooth, confident power, making it easy to bring this large SUV up to highway speed, and passing cars feels effortless. The nine-speed automatic is unobtrusive as well. Two-wheel drive models return an EPA-estimated 16 city, 20 highway, and 18 combined MPG. Four-wheel drive versions come in at 16 city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they’re on par with every full-size luxury SUV in this class.
With this engine, the QX80 can tow up to 8,500 lbs. The 2026 model also benefits from a stronger frame with 57% greater lateral stiffness, so it can haul trailers up to 33 feet long.
The New Sport Trim Adds Some Attitude
For 2026, a new QX80 Sport model replaces last year’s Sensory trim. The Sport is all about attitude, not acceleration. It wears a crosshatched grille, a more aggressive bumper, blacked-out trim, and dark 22-inch six-spoke wheels. Inside, the cabin continues the theme with Dusk Blue and black leather seats, a graphite headliner, dark chrome accents, and deep brown wood trim. The Sport also packs a 24-speaker Klipsch audio system, massaging front seats, and 64-color ambient lighting.
The ride quality benefits from electronic air suspension and dynamic digital suspension, and these systems work together to smooth out rough pavement and keep the cabin stable. It’s a relaxing SUV to travel in, and passengers will appreciate how settled it feels on long stretches of highway. That said, you will feel its size when the road narrows, because this is a tall and heavy SUV, and on curvier roads, you feel its weight, especially at higher speeds.
Inside the Cabin and Tech Setup
The QX80 seats up to eight with a warm, upscale space from the moment you settle into the driver’s seat. Every QX80 gets dual 14.3-inch infotainment screens with Google built-in and in-vehicle 5G data with Wi-Fi. With eight airbags protecting occupants, every model has a surround-view camera system, lane departure prevention, traffic sign recognition, and intelligent cruise control with traffic stop-go.
The 3D Around View Monitor gives you eight selectable camera angles with a full 360-degree view, and the wide front camera gives a 170-degree look ahead when pulling out of tight spaces. The system’s Moving Object Detection warns of pedestrians or obstacles nearby. One sticking point is the driver assistance tech. The Autograph version comes standard with ProPilot Assist 2.1, which is a genuinely good system. Sadly, every other version, including the six-figure Sport tester, comes with the 1.1 version, which is far less enjoyable to use.
Another miss for tech-focused buyers is that rear-seat entertainment still isn’t available in this vehicle, which is surprising given the market and the six-figure price tag.
Trim Levels and Pricing
Pricing for the 2026 QX80 lineup (4WD models) starts at $86,850 for the Pure, $93,950 for the Luxe, $102,645 for the Sport, and $112,195 for the Autograph. The expanded range now runs four trim levels, with rear or all-wheel drive on Pure and Luxe models. The Sport and Autograph trims are AWD only.
That’s a lot of money, especially if you haven’t shopped lately in the large luxury SUV category, but if you go shopping in this segment, the Infiniti Sport will likely hold a price advantage over the competition.
Where the QX80 Fits in the Luxury SUV Fight
The QX80 has some strong competitors, including the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, and brand perception is a big part of luxury, making it a difficult fight for Infiniti without generous incentives. Infiniti would do well to reconsider its pricing or find ways to make this SUV sharper, smarter, or more capable without changing the price. Making it even faster, far more capable off-road, or adding enough luxury that there’s no question about value for a buyer’s dollar could be the path forward.
If you want a full-size, three-row luxury SUV that wraps you in high-quality materials, puts out legitimate power, and tows with confidence, the 2026 QX80 is a strong contender. The new Sport trim gives it a visual edge, and the twin-turbo V6 is a real upgrade over the outgoing V8 in every measurable way. The question is whether buyers will pick Infiniti over brands with bigger name recognition. For those who do, there’s a lot to like here.
