Designfax weekly eMagazine

Subscribe Today!

Archives

View Archives

Partners

Manufacturing Center
Product Spotlight

Modern Applications News
Metalworking Ideas For
Today's Job Shops

Tooling and Production
Strategies for large
metalworking plants

2026 Infiniti QX80 first-ever Sport grade

Infiniti QX80 Sport 2026. [Credit: All images courtesy of Infiniti]

 

 

Introduced last year with a striking all-new design, the flagship QX80 full-size SUV from Infiniti now includes the first-ever 4WD Sport grade. New for 2026, it boasts a distinctive darkened exterior with unique 22-in. wheels, exclusive interior styling, a standard electronic air suspension, heated and massaging front seats, a killer sound system, and a powerful 450-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine. It sits just under the highest level Autograph trim and seats up to eight.

The dramatic makeover for the QX80 Sport begins with a new front grille, a restyled front bumper and a unique 22-in. wheel design. The exterior is replete with darkened elements: exterior trim, mirror caps, lower bumper finishers, roof rails, and emblems. Within the cabin, the Sport treatment includes a stunning Dusk Blue color scheme, with dark matte chrome accents, graphite for the headliner and pillars, open pore wood trim for the instrument panel and doors, and black/blue seat inserts, including unique diamond-pattern perforation.

QX80 Sport is available in Mineral Black, Radiant White, Grand Blue, or Dynamic Metal -- all but black can optionally be paired with a contrasting Black Obsidian roof.

The standard VR35DDTT 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged engine is rated for 450 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Electronically controlled variable intake valve timing contributes to crisp throttle response. Complementing the engine is a 9-speed automatic transmission with a wide gear ratio range that enables both responsive acceleration and efficient highway cruising. QX80 has a standard towing rating of 8,500 lb when properly equipped.

The new twin-turbo engine uses a super-alloy called Mar-M for the turbocharger turbine wheels to ensure high-temperature durability, plus scavenging oil pumps -- inspired by the legendary Nissan GT-R -- to ensure oil pressure even during extreme G-forces or when driving on slopes. Engineers also placed crucial electrical components as high as possible in the engine bay to help keep them protected.

The SUV's frame has 25% greater torsional stiffness and 57% greater lateral stiffness versus the preceding QX80, contributing to a more composed ride and more responsive handling, with fewer vibrations. Infiniti also significantly enhanced the new QX80's sound deadening, resulting in the vehicle's cabin being as much as 3 decibels quieter than its predecessor on the highway and 4 decibels quieter in urban and suburban driving.

All models feature a drive mode selector with Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow, Tow, and Personal settings. Each mode features unique tuning for the powertrain response, electric power steering, driver-assistance features, and, if equipped like on the QX80 Sport, Dynamic Digital Suspension and 4WD.

Electronic Air Suspension and Dynamic Digital Suspension are standard on the QX80 Sport. The air suspension lowers by 1.2 in. at speed for aerodynamic improvements. When parked, it can lower by 2.8 in. from normal to an Easy Access level -- easing ingress and egress of passengers or loading of cargo. For use in more rugged terrain, an Off-road setting raises the air suspension 2.1 in. above QX80's normal ride height. The SUV rides on P275/50HR22 all-season tires.

The Dynamic Digital Suspension constantly measures the vehicle's motion and calculates the required damping force for electronically controlled dampers. By regulating vehicle motions, reducing body roll around curves, and minimizing up-and-down motions over rough roads, the system delivers smoother and more in-control lane changes and enhanced ride quality.

VIDEO: QX80 Sport B-roll walkaround (no sound). [Credit: Infiniti]

For the overall vehicle design, sleek, multi-element LED daytime running lights (DRLs) on either side of the upper grille are styled to resemble Infiniti's digital piano key elements and complement the illuminated Infiniti emblem. At the lower corners of the front fascia are the vehicle's combination lamps, along with discreet air curtain vents that help aerodynamically optimize air flow around the wheel wells.

The sleek, minimalist design theme is especially evident in profile. Flush door handles, which automatically present themselves when the vehicle is unlocked, result in a cleaner, tidier appearance and contribute to QX80's aerodynamic performance.

In the rear, a full-width LED lighting element draws the eye with over 300 LEDs. Its segmented design recalls the appearance of the grille and DRLs, while its curved profile was inspired by the tranquil reflections of light upon a body of water.

These lighting elements create a dramatic welcome sequence that includes activating the available Infiniti Light Path. When the vehicle unlocks, the Infiniti emblem illuminates.

The inside of the 2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport beautifully and deliberately blends form and function, providing a luxurious surrounding for all on board. Soft-touch materials abound, with particular attention paid to layering them over any hard parts where passengers' arms or elbows may rest upon them. Additionally, elements like leather appointments, wood trims, suede, and metal seamlessly integrate with high-tech items like touchscreens.

A standard panoramic moonroof, with one-touch open/close, tilt, and a power-sliding sunshade, allows more natural light into the cabin when desired.

QX80's dashboard uses two 14.3-in. displays. Ahead of the driver is a configurable meter with three views: Classic, Elegant, and Enhanced. The color head-up display is included on the QX80 Sport and helps keep key information in the driver's sight line.

The center display thoughtfully incorporates connected technology into the cabin with Google built-in. A 9-in. touchscreen mounted below the infotainment display provides convenient control of all climate functions, as well as front seat heating or cooling operations and QX80's drive modes selection.

Lighting can also help set the mood with available 64-color Personalized Ambient Lighting, incorporating light pipes in the dashboard and doors.

The QX80 Sport takes the audio experience to an even higher level with a Klipsch Reference Premiere Audio System with 24 speakers, 1,200 W of power, and Individual Audio functionality. Distinguishing features include titanium tweeters, four High Line roof-mounted speakers, an 8-in. TriPower subwoofer, and a 24-channel amplifier. The segment-exclusive Individual Audio feature allows the driver to hear only certain audio elements -- such as navigation directions, music, or phone calls -- from their seat.

QX80 brings first-class comfort and convenience to all three rows of seating. To start with, it has available heated third-row seats. The first two rows come with heated and ventilated seats on the QX80 Sport. The standard QX80's massaging front seats are offered in the second row.

Segment-first Biometric Cooling is also included on the QX80 Sport. It helps keep those in the second row at a more comfortable temperature. An infrared sensor integrated into the vehicle's headliner detects when a passenger is hot and adjusts the temperature and air flow to direct cool air to the second row.

Several advanced camera systems are also included. Front Wide View uses camera information to provide a wide, 170-degree view to the sides of the vehicle. That viewing angle allows for "seeing" past parked cars or around corners in tight garages. Invisible Hood View uses advanced image processing to take footage from the vehicle's exterior cameras to project an image of what's directly in front of the vehicle onto the in-car displays. The result is as if one could see right through the engine bay, helping spot curbs in narrow drive-through lanes and a lot more.

QX80 has a spacious cargo area that makes it simple to bring along all of life's needs. Cargo room is 22 cu. ft behind the third row and 59 cu. ft behind the second-row seats. The available air suspension can lower the QX80's rear height to ease loading and unloading, making cargo access more convenient. The second and third rows feature power fold and raise functions.

QX80 includes an extensive list of technologies intended to help the driver avoid collisions, including Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Intervention, and Lane Departure Prevention. Trailer Blind Spot Warning additionally works when towing trailers up to 33 ft in length.

QX80 Sport also features ProPILOT Assist 1.1, which combines Intelligent Cruise Control with steering assistance to aid the driver in staying centered in their lane.

VIDEO: QX80 model walkaround and brief feature set descriptions. [Credit: Infiniti]

The 2026 Infiniti QX80 is offered in Pure, Luxe, Sport, and Autograph grades. AWD is optional on most grades but standard on the QX80 Sport.

The 2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport will reach retailers late summer 2025 with a starting MSRP of $102,645. Learn more at infinitiusa.com/vehicles/suvs/qx80/models-specs.html#.

Source: Infiniti

Published September 2025

Rate this article