2026 Infiniti QX80 -The 2026 Infiniti QX80 goes above and beyond expectations while costing less than luxury rivals like the Cadillac Escalade.Towards the end of June, most parts of the country were facing a sweltering heat wave. It was difficult to escape in the Carolinas, but I stayed cool and comfortable as the humidity intensified and the crickets sang into the evening hours, thanks to the 2026 Infiniti QX80. The lavish, Nissan-born SUV seemed to take care of my every need before I even realized it.There are tons of surprising, luxe features to discover. But what's even more shocking is how the Infiniti QX80 delivers more for less. The Sport model that I reviewed rings in at about $108,000. And before you say, "Oof, that's expensive," the comparable Lincoln Navigator model starts at about $119,525, and the similarly appointed Cadillac Escalade Platinum model has an MSRP of $122,795.AdvertisementAdvertisementLooking at the competition, the QX80 feels like a loaded bargain with plenty of standard amenities for comfort and convenience. While I felt a little fatigued due to its gigantic bus-like size at times, the tech and semi-automated driving system and adjustable air suspension alleviated all traffic-related stress. If you were on the fence about the QX80, here are five reasons you should take a second look.This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.1. For its Size, The 2026 Infiniti QX80 Is Exciting And Easy To Drive What a face, right?! – Credit: Allison BarfieldThe 2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport has tons of tantalizing power thanks to its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 450 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. This large SUV feels in charge with confident and smooth acceleration. Plus, thanks to its abundance of torque, it can easily tow up to 8,500 lbs.While it has plenty of speed to pass others and merge into traffic, it also confidently comes to a stop. The brakes have plenty of power to slow this gigantic three-row SUV down without being overly aggressive or choppy. The body is well-balanced, too, with an optional electronic air suspension setup with electronically adjustable shocks so you don't feel your stomach lurch around sharp curves (but you can throw 'er into Sport for a tighter ride if you want to).AdvertisementAdvertisementThe steering is tight and precise, with an excellent turning radius that's tighter than the SUVs it's up against (no 40-point turns need apply). Turning around in small parking lots and on light off-roading trails was easier than expected. It made it feel like a linebacker who does ballet in their free time: big, but poised, even without four-wheel steering.2. Tough Angle? Don't Worry, There's A Camera For ThatThe 2026 Infiniti QX80 can go off the pavement – Credit: Allison BarfieldBecause the 2026 Infiniti QX80 is loaded with cameras, there isn't a single blind spot to worry about. When I first fired up the engine, I saw a message saying that the driver recorder's memory was full. I didn't exactly know what to do about that, but I learned that traffic is recorded on an integrated dash camera, and space is automatically deleted to always provide the last 15 minutes of driving events. So, if an accident occurs, you have proof of the events ready to go.The rear window is pretty far away from the driver's seat in the QX80, and that makes sense, as the SUV is 17.6 feet long. However, the digital rearview mirror displays what's behind you with a crisp and clear resolution. The view is still there even if your cargo space is packed to the roof with everything the entire family needs for vacation.Also, the 360-degree camera view and other parking views are so precise and accurate. It helps you easily parallel park, pull into small driveways, and navigate crowded parking lots with ease. The views and guiding lines enable you to reverse at a normal speed instead of acting like a giant snail.3. Comfort Extends To Every Infiniti QX80 RowAdults fit in the third row of the 2026 Infiniti QX80 – Credit: Allison Barfield – Credit: Allison BarfieldIt doesn't matter what size and shape you are. The front seats in the 2026 QX80 are massive with tons of adjustment controls. Everything from the lumbar support to the length of the thigh support and everything in between can be tweaked for your comfort from the massive central screen. The seats are plush and supportive for hours of comfort and even have an invigorating massaging feature.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe second row seats are equally comfortable and supportive with tons of space for stretching out. For the first time, I found that the front and second row seats are heated and ventilated. I've never seen ventilation go beyond the first row. What a pleasant surprise to cut down on people battling for the front passenger seat.The third row is also comfortable despite having less space to take advantage of. People around 5'1" like myself can easily fit without any complaints. Plus, the third row reclines, allowing you to relax back there! On top of that, every row has air vents and plenty of USB-C ports to keep all the screens charged up.4. Storage Space Is EverywhereNot a bad side profile either… – Credit: Allison Barfield – Credit: Allison BarfieldThe 2026 Infiniti QX80 provides 22.0 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which expands to a whopping 59.0 cubic feet behind the second row. With the seats folded flat, you can access up to 101.0 cubic feet of cargo space. If you need even more room for your stuff, take advantage of the stout towing capacity with a hitch cargo carrier. Or, you know, a trailer.If you carry a lot of items on your person, like a purse, sunglasses, and a large water bottle, there's a place to put them. The center console is deep and wide, and there's a pass-through cubby under the gear shifter, similar to what we see in EVs. Along with other trays and cubbies, the door pockets are spacious, and there are 12 cup holders. Don't forget about the convenient hidden storage compartments under the cargo floor.AdvertisementAdvertisementManaging the space is simple thanks to one-touch power-folding seats. The second and third row fold flat in the blink of an eye, and the buttons are accessible from the cargo hold and second row. Also, the doors open wide, allowing you to easily load up car seats. If you find the liftover height to be too tall for loading heavy, bulkier items, then use the adjustable air suspension to lower the ride height.5. The Infiniti QX80 Has Endless Customization Options2026 Infiniti QX80 Interior – Credit: Allison BarfieldThe Infiniti QX80 SUV gets personal in the best way. First, the vibrant ambient interior lighting has 64 available options to cater to your vibes. The 24-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system has deep customizable acoustic control as well. On that note, the speakers that are built into the headrests are incredibly unique. Navigation instructions are gently relayed through the speakers instead of aggressively playing over the audio system.Then you can create customizable driver profiles to save your settings. This way you don't have to fix everything that your husband changes when he's behind the wheel. In my experience, people never adjust the settings back to the way you left them. These settings are also connected and controlled via smartphone apps.While there are plenty of diverse driving modes for Eco, Sport, Snow, Tow, and Standard, you can also create a Personal mode with all your preferred settings for braking, acceleration, and ride height. For example, for off-roading, the suspension raises 2.1 inches above the normal ride height.Bonus: Let's Talk About ProPilotAssist 2.1Even the rear end is stylish – Credit: Allison BarfieldThe 2026 Infiniti QX80 is available with the ProPilotAssist 2.1 advanced hands-free highway driver-assistance system. While going hands-free is a bit nerve-racking, I've done it with Ford, General Motors, and Genesis vehicles to see how they compare with keeping your attention, maintaining a proper distance from other vehicles, and executing lane changes.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe QX80 system indicator changes from green to blue in areas where the system is available, and it seems to be pretty intelligent and safe. It accounts for other cars all around you and suggests when to make lane changes to get around traffic and to efficiently reach your exit. You use the steering wheel or turn signal indicator to let the system know that you would like to change lanes. It completes the process pretty quickly! In other cars, the hands-free systems tend to linger too long.Also, it ensures that you pay attention to the road by warning you with alerts if it catches you looking away or keeping your eyes closed. If you ignore the warning, the car will slow down and pull over. This helps my confidence in trusting the system as other cars didn't do anything when I purposely looked away from the road. Sensors and cameras visually track your eyes and the location of your hands.The 2026 QX80 offers a free ProPilotAssist 2.1 trial on higher trim levels. But once that runs out, you can either buy it outright for $3,300 or subscribe for $299.88 annually, which is about $24.99 per month. And at a price that's lower than Infiniti's competitors, it's just another little detail that makes the QX80 feel more expensive than it is.