Who knows where our constantly accelerating quest for large SUVs is heading? There are a number of them on the market already, but the future may well be best described by the all-new Infiniti QX80 for the 2025 model year. 

Yes, 2025 is a ways away, but the QX80 is futuristic enough to bridge that gap.

Infiniti is Nissan’s upscale arm, and while Nissan makes the Armada for its mainstream monster, the QX50 has been Infiniti’s flagship for consumers who tow large trailers or who have four kids of a lot of friends to fill those interior seats.

If it was just a shell, the QX80 would command a substantial sticker price. But this vehicle was the “Autograph” version, top of the line, with so many features it must have been difficult for the marketing folks to keep up as their stickers rose.

It comes so loaded that it carries a base price of $109,900, and as-tested the only option was $695 for premium paint, running the sticker to $112,590 after destination charges.

This one is all about the features, so let’s start with the more obscure ones. At the rear, I noticed a puddle of liquid under the back bumper, and on closer scrutiny, I noticed what appeared to be a low-hanging trap-door, a narrow, horizontal fixture, and because it was partially filled with rain-water, it seemed like a curious item. 

Then I realized it was hinged, and when you brought it up to close it, it locked into place. It was designed to keep the multi-sized trailer-hitch clean and unmolested. It just happened to also capture any available rain-water.

Another nice touch is the small running board located at the two rear doors, making it easier to hop in and out without Olympic high-jumping capabilities. And those rear buckets, optional, can slide up and back for the ease of occupants, and also fold down for added storage. All that makes it easier to hop into the third-row seats, which are three on a bench that also has a for-down backrest. 

Like the luxurious front buckets, the seats in the second and third row also are semi-aniline leather, perforated to enhance heating and cooling, at your selection by button.

The front buckets stress driving control, which also comes naturally to the QX80. It starts under the hood, where a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 makes 450 horsepower and 516 foot-pounds of torque. 
With a 9-speed automatic, governed by paddle shifters, and all-mode all-wheel-drive, the QX50 can tow up to 8,500 pounds of trailer with its integrated Class IV tow hitch. A trailer sway control and back-up assist would be big helps if you are trailering. Auto-hold and hill start assist are other driver features.

Dynamic digital suspension and electronic air suspension keep the road shocks from intruding from the 22-inch tires on the alloy wheels, which make the big truck feel agile and gives you security while driving. It also aids the safety of the QX80, which includes everything you can think of and maybe a few things you can’t.

There is forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert is accompanied by blind-sport warning and blind-spot intervention, plus trailer blind-spot warning, and lane departure prevention. Front and rear sonar systems feed a 3D around-view dash monitor, and an in-car camera can record from a dash-cam.

Adding to the pleasure of occupants, the QX80 is equipped with a Hybrid radio in the Klipsch Reference Premiere audio system with 24 speakers, which include headrest speakers for individual listening. 
All that information and need for controls can be easily governed by dual 14.3-inch Monolith displays, with a 9-inch lower touchscreen control panel.

Google is built-in with the navigation system, and Alexa is built in if you need a back-seat driver hidden in the dash. Wireless Car Play and Android Auto complete the picture. And all of that is standard, thanks to the lofty price tag.

Up above your heads, a panoramic moonroof stretches from front and over the second row, and the sequential welcome lighting has personalized ambient lights that can be adjusted from among 64 colors — the better to cast shadows on the open-pore, ash wood trim with metal inlays.

The advanced climate control system has biometric cooling, and there is a front console “cool box” for keeping snacks fresh. The heated and cooled first and second-row seats also have a massage feature, in case you want to opt-out of driving for the next hour or so.

Hard to imagine that, however, because the QX80 is such a pleasure to drive. It is, without question, big. And expensive. But have you priced a Suburban, Expedition, or the largest beasts from Toyota and Lexus? 

Nissan’s decision that if people want big, hefty SUVs, they could make one with the best of them. Even if it takes a couple years for its model year to get here.