The 2026 INFINITI QX80 SPORT emerges as a significant contender in the luxury SUV market, showcasing a complete overhaul from its predecessor. This newly introduced trim level for INFINITI's flagship full-size, body-on-frame SUV combines robust performance with an elevated sense of luxury and a distinctive athletic appearance. Designed to accommodate up to seven passengers, it directly challenges established rivals in the upscale utility vehicle segment. The enhancements span from a more potent powertrain to a meticulously redesigned interior and an innovative adaptive suspension system, all contributing to a driving experience that prioritates both dynamic capability and passenger comfort. This model signifies INFINITI's commitment to pushing boundaries in automotive design and engineering, offering a sophisticated and powerful option for discerning buyers.
Scheduled for release in late summer 2025, the 2026 INFINITI QX80 is a full-size, body-on-frame luxury SUV engineered to seat seven occupants comfortably. This vehicle enters a competitive arena, aiming to surpass models such as the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon Denali, and Cadillac Escalade. A cornerstone of INFINITI's product portfolio, the new QX80 boasts a thoroughly revamped interior. Key interior highlights include heated and ventilated seating for the first and second rows, with the option of heated third-row seating, a first for the model. This meticulous attention to passenger well-being across all rows is intended to establish a new paradigm for luxury within the brand. The 2026 QX80 will be offered in several distinct trims: PURE, LUXE, the new-for-2026 SPORT, and AUTOGRAPH, each catering to varying preferences for luxury and features.
Under the hood, INFINITI has moved away from the previous V8 engine, opting instead for a more efficient and powerful twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. This new engine delivers an impressive 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission that can power either the rear wheels or all four wheels. While sharing its fundamental powertrain and platform with the Nissan Armada, especially its performance-oriented NISMO variant, the QX80 is distinctly refined to emphasize luxury and a sporty character, diverging from the Armada's more utilitarian focus.
For enhanced ride dynamics, higher-tier trims feature an Electronic Air Suspension system, complemented by Dynamic Digital Suspension. This advanced system allows the vehicle to automatically lower by 1.2 inches at higher speeds, optimizing aerodynamics. When stationary, the suspension can descend by 2.8 inches to an 'Easy Access' level, facilitating effortless entry and exit for passengers and simplified cargo loading. Conversely, for off-road excursions, the system can raise the QX80's ride height by 2.1 inches above its normal setting. Despite its luxurious appointments, the QX80 retains its SUV utility, capable of towing up to 8,500 lbs when properly equipped. It also includes an innovative 'Trailer Blind Spot Warning' system, effective for trailers up to 33 feet in length. Unlike some competitors that offer multiple size variants, INFINITI maintains a single, comprehensive QX80 model with a unified powertrain, streamlining the ownership experience.
The 2026 INFINITI QX80 SPORT trim distinguishes itself with a bold, dark-themed aesthetic, featuring blacked-out exterior elements and a uniquely styled interior. This includes a revised front grille, a redesigned front bumper, and exclusive 22-inch wheels. The darkened accents extend to the exterior trim, mirror caps, lower bumper finishers, roof rails, and emblems, creating a cohesive and assertive visual statement. Inside, the SPORT treatment introduces a distinctive Dusk Blue color scheme, accentuated by dark matte chrome finishes, a graphite headliner and pillars, and open-pore wood trim on the instrument panel and doors. The seats are outfitted with black and blue inserts, featuring a unique diamond-pattern perforation across all three rows. The QX80 SPORT is available in several exterior colors, including Mineral Black, Radiant White, Grand Blue, or Dynamic Metal, with the latter three offering an optional contrasting Black Obsidian roof for added stylistic flair.
According to Tiago Castro, vice president of INFINITI Americas, the QX80 continues to set new benchmarks in luxury SUV design and technology, driving strong sales. Castro highlights that the 2026 SPORT grade is a direct response to luxury drivers' desire for a distinctive presence, dramatically amplifying the QX80's "Artistry in Motion" with its sleek, blacked-out appearance.
The 2026 INFINITI QX80 is slated to arrive at dealerships in late summer 2025, with a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $83,750. Building on the impressive redesign of the Nissan Armada, there is considerable anticipation that the new QX80 will also deliver an exceptional driving and ownership experience. Automotive reviewers are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to conduct evaluations, promising that comprehensive insights into its performance and features will soon become available to the public.