Photo by Vince Taroc.

Photo by Vince Taroc.

If you were to conduct a word association exercise with the 2016 Infiniti QX80 AWD model, two words immediately come to mind — powerful and luxurious.

The word “powerful” comes to mind after experiencing your first quick acceleration up a freeway on-ramp from its 5.6L V-8 engine that can generates 400 hp and 413 lb.-ft. of torque.

The Infiniti QX80s is very sure-footed for a full-size SUV due to a high-stiffness frame structure that enhances ride comfort while reducing noise, vibration, and harshness. In addition, an advanced Hydraulic Body Motion Control system helps to reduce body lean in turns, resulting in improved ride comfort for passengers in all three rows.

Another nice feature of the QX80 is an automatic rear leveling system that seeks to maintain uniform ground clearance and departure angle — even when towing or carrying cargo — by automatically adjusting the air pressure in the system's air bladders.

Photo by Vince Taroc.

Photo by Vince Taroc.

The word “luxurious” comes to mind after first sitting behind the wheel of the QX80, which features standard 7-passenger seating capacity, with 8-passenger capacity available. Inside, the QX80 is roomy, with a high seating position for all occupants. Leather-appointed seating is standard for all three rows, along with leather-wrapped grab handles and an Ultrasuede headliner

The driver’s seat is 10-way power adjustable, including two-way power lumbar support. The front passenger’s seat is eight-way power adjustable, including two-way power lumbar support.

With luxury also comes a galore of safety features. The QX80’s standard Around View Monitor with Front and Rear Sonar System includes the Moving Object Detection (MOD) system. Around View Monitor utilizes four small super-wide-angle cameras — mounted on the front, side and rear of the QX80 — to provide a virtual 360° view of objects around the vehicle, helping to maneuver it in tight spots. The MOD function helps enhance the driver’s situational awareness by providing visual and audible warnings (front or back range object detection) if the system detects large moving objects, such as when pulling out of a parking space.

Included in the Driver Assistance Package are Intelligent Brake Assist with Forward Emergency Braking and the new Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Backup Collision Intervention, Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range), Blind Spot Warning, Distance Control Assist, and steering wheel switches for the Safety Shield technologies.

The Deluxe Technology Package includes Blind Spot Intervention, Lane Departure Warning, and Lane Departure Prevention.

Related Photos: Infiniti's QX80 Luxury SUV

About the author
Mike Antich

Mike Antich

Former Editor and Associate Publisher

Mike Antich covered fleet management and remarketing for more than 20 years and was inducted into the Fleet Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Global Fleet of Hal in 2022. He also won the Industry Icon Award, presented jointly by the IARA and NAAA industry associations.

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