I by no means thought I would say this, however the 2018 Infiniti QX80 appears to be like fairly darn good. That is surprising given how droopy the 2017 model appears to be like and that this new mannequin is only a mid-cycle refresh. Nevertheless, Infiniti’s designers have accomplished a heck of a job with this facelift and its largest mannequin has come away wanting like one thing you would possibly truly need to drive.

That mentioned, that is only a refresh and, for higher or worse, the 2018 QX80 remains to be just about the identical SUV it was earlier than.

Design

The largest modifications are the visible ones. Infiniti’s designers have utterly revamped the QX80 with a brand new look that is all new from the A-pillar ahead. I am not simply speaking new headlights and a bumper; the SUV’s complete fascia has been reshaped.

The grille is wider and extra upright. The LED headlamps aren’t simply new; they sit increased up on the brand new fascia, giving the QX80 a extra commanding and fashionable look than the previous mannequin’s droopy eyes. Even the brand new fender vents appears to be like extra fashionable and fewer droopy.

Out again, the modifications are much less dramatic. The taillights are utterly new and required that the ability liftgate even be reshaped. The chrome bar that when floated in the course of the liftgate now stretches between the brand new lights, anchoring them. An odd side-effect of the brand new rear design is that the flip sign indicators have been moved down into the brand new rear bumper, which type of makes them tougher to see.

Infiniti has additionally elevated the width of the aspect steps by 20mm (zero.79 inch) to make getting in or out simpler.

Consolation

The redesign continues within the inside, the place the QX80 receives extra redecoration. The carpet is plusher, which, together with different insulation revisions, cuts down on street noise and helps preserve the SUV’s cabin quieter at freeway speeds. The cockpit is so quiet that I may barely hear or really feel the V8 engine when idling or buzzing alongside whereas cruising.

The remainder of the cabin supplies get an improve as nicely. Leather-based is commonplace, however a brand new semi-aniline leather-based choice steps up the luxuriousness and softness of the contact factors. There’s new stitching and quilting on the doorways and dashboard and new burl wooden trim. A brand new saddle brown shade choice offers drivers a further alternative along with the returning wheat and graphite palettes.

The remainder of the inside modifications are small, however considerate. The middle console, for instance, has been redesigned to accommodate espresso mugs in its cupholders and now additionally has a spot to your cellphone to take a seat and extra space beneath the armrest for stowing tablets.

The entrance USB ports have been moved to a extra accessible place on the backside of the dashboard and are joined by extra USB ports on the second row that now help high-speed charging of iPads or telephones.

Expertise

Whereas on the second row, I additionally took be aware of the brand new rear seat leisure choice, which steps as much as twin Eight-inch shows which might be an inch bigger than final yr’s. The brand new system options Wi-Fi connectivity and accepts inputs from HDMI, USB or a DVD participant on the entrance row. The system could be managed through distant out again or from the dashboard by mother and father and incorporates a 110-volt outlet for powering sport consoles.

Different new tech consists of the flexibility to lock or unlock the doorways remotely through Infiniti’s Amazon Alexa talent. This specific trick works by means of the Infiniti Connection wi-fi telematics system, which additionally permits distant monitoring, honking the horn, turning on or off the sunshine and different telematics options. Equally, you’ll be able to nonetheless entry Infiniti Join through a smartphone working the automaker’s app.

Regardless of the brand new tech out again and being remotely linked, the QX80 remains to be saddled with the identical previous InTouch tech from the earlier technology. The display’s a bit nicer and the software program a tad smoother, however that is nonetheless a technology behind Infiniti’s newer fashions, missing Android Auto, Apple CarPlay or every other important smartphone integration past iTunes connectivity with iPhone gadgets and Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming for the remainder.

Security options

Along with the QX80’s already stable suite of security tech, the SUV positive factors the automaker’s new Sensible Mirror digicam system. This function permits the motive force to flip a swap to activate an always-on rear digicam feed that’s displayed on the glass of the rearview mirror on the prime of the windshield.

We have seen this method earlier than on GM automobiles just like the Cadillac CT6 and Chevy’s Bolt. Right here, it proves to be particularly helpful given the QX80’s poor pure rear visibility and elevated chance that the rear view can be blocked by passengers’ heads or cargo piled excessive. Simply take some time to get used to wanting at the mirror as a substitute of by means of it earlier than you hit the street.

The Sensible Mirror is along with the QX80’s common rear digicam that solely prompts when reversing and is displayed on the dashboard show. It may possibly additional be augmented by the automaker’s Round-view digicam system, which incorporates entrance, aspect and a 360-degree stitched views at low speeds.

The QX80’s lane departure prevention and distance-sensing adaptive cruise applied sciences persist unchanged from the earlier mannequin yr, together with entrance and rear computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The automaker’s Distance Management function can be nonetheless there to assist forestall following too carefully, even when adaptive cruise is not lively. The driving force help tech is beginning to present its age — significantly the brake-based, fairly than steering-based, lane departure prevention system — however the QX80 nonetheless does a greater than ample job of holding its human cargo protected.

Efficiency

The QX80 sees small modifications and tweaks nearly throughout. The one exception is within the efficiency division; there’s simply nothing new right here.

The 2018 mannequin is powered by the identical 5.6-liter V8 engine mated to the identical 7-speed computerized transmission. It is nonetheless accessible in both rear or four-wheel drive and boasts the identical Eight,500 pound towing capability.

The experience is snug and quiet and physique roll, squat and dive typical of a tall SUV is saved in test by the Hydraulic Physique Movement Management system. The hydraulic system (which replaces the stabilizer bar) helps preserve the physique flat round corners whereas additionally permitting the extra unbiased wheel motion than a bar to absorb bumps. The system additionally permits a little bit of rear auto-leveling, which retains the tail from sagging when loaded up or towing.

There are not any surprises right here. Should you learn Emme’s review of the 2017 QX80 and thought, “That sounds nice, however I want it appeared higher,” the 2018 QX80 suits that invoice completely. Nevertheless, in the event you have been hoping for a extra environment friendly transmission or any efficiency tweaks, you have bought just a few years extra to attend for the true subsequent technology.

The 2018 Infiniti QX80 is arriving in dealerships now with a brand new look and its new revisions beginning at $64,750 for 2WD and $67,850 for 4WD. Earlier than vacation spot expenses, that is a $900 improve over final yr and cash nicely spent in the event you have been already bought on the QX80 and simply need the very best model.

For the remainder of you unaligned luxurious SUV consumers, the improved QX80’s closest competitors would be the Lexus LX570, which additionally not too long ago underwent a revision. However past that, the Infiniti faces extra steep competitors from newer fashions with extra environment friendly efficiency and extra fashionable tech. Lincoln’s new EcoBoost-powered Navigator springs to thoughts.