It was already clear more than a year ago, during our first drive, that the QX80 had a lot riding on its broad shoulders. This is Infiniti’s flagship, no qualifiers. Following what we cautiously called a step in the right direction, the brand is now pushing further with a new trim named the Sport.
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So, how exactly does a 6,127-pound (2,779 kg) SUV wear a “Sport” badge without coming across as slightly ironic? Short answer: it doesn’t. But there’s more to the story than just that, and while this next part may sound a bit bleak, stick with us, it gets better.
This new Sport grade of the QX80 is nothing more than an appearance package aimed at the vain. It features a restyled bumper, unique 22-inch wheels, darkened trim, a dark blue interior treatment, open-pore wood, and a graphite-colored headliner.
What does that have to do with being sporty? We’re not sure, but it seems Infiniti isn’t either, because this version has the exact same drivetrain and running gear as any other QX80, aside from the base model that doesn’t get air-ride suspension.
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That’s right. Despite a price tag that starts in the six-figure range, the QX80 Sport delivers zero performance upgrades. No bump in horsepower or torque, no extra chassis tuning, no diet plan to shed weight. At this point, it might as well come with racing stripes and a faux diffuser.
All of which is to say, it’s easy to look at this SUV on paper and have a dour attitude. However, behind the wheel, it’s surprising in more ways than one. Buckle up. Let’s go for a ride in what is probably the most important Infiniti this side of whatever the brand is cooking up to actually battle BMW and Mercedes.
Looks That Do the Talking
Photos Stephen Rivers for Carscoops
From the outside, it’s hard to ignore the presence that this SUV has. Everywhere one goes in it, the QX80 makes a statement, and that’s a great thing for the brand. Even this Sport model with the updated grille manages to be imposing and aspirational in plenty of settings. Blacked-out mirror caps, roof rails, emblems, and lower bumper accents are appropriate, given the market.
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Our test car featured a two-tone paint job with black on the upper half and stark white on the bottom. These shades drove home the darker accents even more and certainly didn’t detract from the vibe the QX80 is aiming for. Buyers have the option of picking it up in a handful of other colors, though, including Mineral Black, Grand Blue, or Dynamic Metal.
Inside the Cabin
Photos Stephen Rivers for Carscoops
Inside, the SPORT trim trades traditional luxury cues for something moodier and more modern. Dusk Blue upholstery, black-and-blue seat inserts with diamond-pattern perforation, graphite headliner and pillars, dark matte chrome accents, and open-pore wood all combine into a cabin that feels bold without being tacky. It’s confident, purposeful, and genuinely one of Infiniti’s best interiors to date.
The dash is attractive, but we’d love to see the end of piano black plastics and the very odd climate control screen. What’s weird is that there’s plenty of space for physical buttons below that ancillary screen, but rather than use it, we get drive mode buttons and little else. That said, it’s an intuitive layout once one is familiar with it.
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The cabin is also full of luxury items that not every competitor offers. Both the second and third rows get access to power outlets, heated seats, and climate vents. Second-row riders get their own climate control settings for optimal comfort. Ingress and egress to the third row is simple thanks to an easily foldable second row.
Cargo space is copious, too, with 20.4 cubes behind the third row. Of course, for those who need more, it expands with the seats down. That task is a breeze since both rows are power-adjustable from the rear or from the driver’s seat itself. That technology is one space where Infiniti really does a lot of heavy lifting.
Tech That Shines, and Some That Doesn’t
Certain tech features land squarely in the win column. For example, the front seats have a massaging option that works really well. The entire car rests on an air-ride suspension that both lifts and lowers the vehicle based on the scenario. Driving around town, it’ll raise itself up to soften potholes and broken pavement that can make a sharp impact at slow speeds. On the highway, it’ll hunker down to achieve better driving dynamics and more fuel efficiency.
The infotainment system is good too, with bright graphics, logical menus, and snappy responses. The driver’s cluster is somewhat configurable, easy to sort out, and is also available with a heads-up display, which we enjoyed using.
Then there’s the sound system, which is simply amazing. The Sport and Autobiography trims get a Klipsch Reference Premier 24-speaker setup, and it’s about as crisp, clear, and featureful as any other we’ve tried. Infiniti even places speakers in the front seat headrests, and they’re not just for fun.
When a call comes in on the phone connected to the car, it can route to just the driver’s headrest speaker. The other speakers continue playing whatever audio was already on, and the driver can both hear and respond to their caller without it sounding odd on either end. That’s a win for both audiophiles and those who just love good, practical advancements in technology.
At the same time, the tech-obsessed might struggle to like this SUV. For instance, rear-seat entertainment still isn’t a thing in this car, which is comical given the market. As I mentioned in our original review of this SUV, my 2010 Ford Flex has rear-seat entertainment screens. How this 2026 SUV with a six-figure price tag doesn’t just baffles me. That’s just a minor gripe, though.
The only real issue with technology in the QX80 is the lackluster driving aids. The Autograph version that starts at $112,195 (before destination) comes standard with what Infiniti calls ProPilot Assist 2.1. It’s a genuinely good system. It’s intuitive and feels like a natural driving partner.
Sadly, every other version of the QX80, including our six-figure tester, comes with the 1.1 version of the system. It’s far less enjoyable to use. Oftentimes, it’ll bounce from one lane marker to the next, alerting the driver that it’s too close to the lane marker even though it basically put itself in that position. It was so maddening after a few earnest attempts at use that i just quit trying it.
Drive Impressions
The seating position in the QX80 is almost comically tall. That was the main takeaway a year ago, and it’s no different today. That’s not a bad thing necessarily, but in past testing, it made the whole SUV feel like it was pitching and rolling over harshly in turns. This time, something feels different, even if it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what. The 2026 QX80 Sport drives far better than the Autobiography we tested in 2024.
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Body roll only shows up when pushed beyond reasonable limits. The tires grip well, the steering feels sharper, and the brakes are easy to articulate under heavy load.
The drivetrain continues to be (mostly) a bright spot as well. Rated at 450 horsepower (336 kW) and 516 lb-ft (699 Nm) of torque, it’s responsive once the turbos gain boost. The nine-speed automatic is unobtrusive as well. On the highway, it’s a bruiser. Overtaking other cars is a breeze, and it’s easy to see why Infiniti markets the QX80 as a private jet for the road.
Up Against the Heavyweights
There’s never been a worse time to build a sell a three-row luxury SUV than now. We know that because we’ve tested most of them, including the Jeep Wagoneer, Range Rover, Land Rover Defender, and more. They all seem a bit more articulate than the Infiniti.
Whether that comes down to fit and finish, driving dynamics, tech, or luxury, it’s just the reality we’ve noticed. It’s not as quick as most rivals, it’s no more fuel efficient, it lacks the off-road capability some have, and the cabin doesn’t feel as special.
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The QX80 isn’t a bad luxury SUV by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it’s a delightful place to spend time, but it’s a jack of all trades and a master of none. For those who simply want an all-around comfortable luxury SUV with no major standout feature aside from presence and a banging sound system, it’s a solid choice.
But buyers interested in deeper strengths, whether that’s outright performance, advanced features, or lavish materials, will find stronger cases elsewhere, from BMW, Porsche, Jeep, Land Rover, and others.
Final Thoughts
In the end, this SUV and its value and success come down to cold, hard cash. I’ll never be sad to see a QX80 roll up for testing during a week. It’s comfortable. It’s classy. And for whatever reason, it drives a lot better than it did a year ago. That all said, I’m also never going to consider paying six figures for one. SUVs in that realm include options from Porsche, Land Rover, Range Rover, BMW, and Mercedes.
Until the QX80 can out-drive, out-tech, or out-luxury those brands, it’ll need to find another way to be worth the price it demands. On the flip side, there’s a real direction Infiniti could go if it’s willing. Last year, Jeep openly admitted that it went astray with the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer.
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It priced them too high for the market and as a result, they struggled to sell well. That’s despite the fact that the Wagoneer drives better than it has any right to and can go off-road like few other SUVs of its size.
Infiniti would likewise do well to reconsider its pricing or, if that’s not an option, where it can make this SUV sharper, smarter, or more capable without changing the price at all. Make it even faster, make it far more capable off-road, or add enough luxury that there’s no question that Infiniti offers more for a buyer’s hard-earned dollar. We fear that anything short of such measures could leave the QX80 languishing in being good, but not great for years to come.
