2025 Infiniti QX80

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 was completely redesigned this year, and honestly, Infiniti fixed a lot of the things that frustrated me about the previous generation. The old QX80 had one of my least favorite car seat setups ever, but this version finally feels like a true luxury SUV that actually works for families.
- Third row finally works for car seats: all three third-row seats now have top tether anchors, plus one set of lower anchors behind the passenger-side seat, which is a huge improvement over the older models.
- Second row seats slide for better third-row space: I love that the captain’s chairs are finally on tracks, so you can actually adjust legroom for whoever’s sitting in the third row.
- The car seat tilt feature is genuinely helpful: you can tilt the second-row seat forward with a car seat still installed, which makes third-row access so much easier for real families.
- Full car seat hardware in both captain’s chairs: both second-row seats have lower anchors and top tether anchors, so installs feel much more straightforward.
- The third row is actually usable: I was pleasantly surprised by the width back there, and I could realistically see fitting an adult between two car seats if needed.
- Ceiling vents and charging ports in every row: every row gets good airflow and USB-C ports, and on the AUTOGRAPH trim you even get heated third-row seats.
- I actually like the fixed running boards: normally you see power running boards at this price point, but I kind of appreciate having one less moving part that could break later on.
- The luxury feel finally matches the price: this redesign feels so much sleeker and more intentional, and it finally separates itself from just feeling like a dressed-up Nissan Armada.
The Exterior
The Redesign Finally Feels Luxury
The 2025 INFINITI QX80 was completely redesigned this year, and I honestly think Infiniti nailed the exterior update. The old QX80 always felt overly bulky and overdone to me, but this new version feels so much cleaner, sleeker, and more intentional. It still has that big full-size SUV presence, but now it actually looks refined instead of just massive.
I also think this redesign finally separates the QX80 from the Nissan Armada in a much bigger way. The previous generation looked way too similar inside and out, especially considering the price point, but this finally feels like a true luxury SUV.
The Squared-Off Shape Feels More Modern
One of the biggest changes I noticed right away was the overall shape. The old QX80 had a much rounder, bubblier look, and this redesign completely changes that. Everything feels more squared off and structured now, which gives it a stronger and more upscale presence on the road. Honestly, it feels like the QX80 finally grew into itself.
The Exterior Details Feel More Intentional
There are a lot of smaller exterior touches that make this SUV feel far more high-end than the previous generation.
- Two-tone roof option: I think this makes the QX80 feel much more modern and luxury-focused
- Flush door handles: they stay hidden until you walk up to the vehicle, which keeps the side profile really clean
- 22-inch wheels on the AUTOGRAPH trim: they look bold without feeling overstyled
- Clean rear design: I love how much more streamlined and edited down the back end feels now
- Hidden rear wiper: tucked up higher so the rear looks less cluttered
- Lighting design: the front and rear lights feel much more upscale and intentional than before
I Actually Prefer The Fixed Running Boards
One thing that surprised me was how much I liked the fixed running boards. Normally at this price point you’d expect power running boards, but honestly, I kind of appreciate having one less moving part that could break later on.
For families constantly loading kids in and out, practicality like that actually matters.
First Row
The first row of the 2025 INFINITI QX80 feels dramatically more upscale than the previous generation. The old interior always felt dated to me and honestly looked too similar to the Nissan Armada, but this redesign finally gives the QX80 the luxury feel you would expect at this price point.
There are still a few things I would change, especially when it comes to the controls, but overall this feels like a huge improvement.
The Screens Make The Cabin Feel Much More Modern
The wide display setup immediately stands out when you get inside. It gives the look of one continuous screen across the dashboard, and it instantly makes the cabin feel more high-end.
Some of my favorite first-row tech features include:
- Digital dashboard: clean, modern, and easy to read
- Head-up display: keeps important information in your line of sight
- Rear camera mirror: especially helpful when passengers or car seats block the back window
- Headrest speakers: such a smart feature for moms who want navigation or music without blasting the whole car
The Climate Controls Aren’t My Favorite
My biggest frustration in the first row is all the piano gloss black trim around the climate controls and center console. It shows fingerprints immediately, and because so many functions are built into the touchscreen, it just never looks clean for very long.
I also still prefer physical buttons and knobs for climate controls. Infiniti added vibration feedback when you press the screen, which helps, but I still think traditional controls are easier to use while driving.
The Storage Setup Feels Family Friendly
The center console setup works well for everyday family life.
- Wireless charging pad: tucked away for a cleaner look
- Pass-through storage area: useful for larger bags or extra items
- Covered cupholders: keeps the cabin looking sleek
- Cool box center console: helpful for drinks, snacks, or even storing breast milk on the go
The Front Seats Finally Feel Luxury
The front seats are incredibly comfortable, especially on the AUTOGRAPH trim. Heated, ventilated, and massaging seats combined with the panoramic sunroof and suede headliner make the cabin feel properly upscale.
Second Row
families using car seats. Infiniti fixed several of the issues I had with the previous generation, and this setup feels dramatically more functional for everyday family life.
Both Captain’s Chairs Have Lower Anchors And Top Tether Anchors
In the AUTOGRAPH trim I tested, the QX80 comes with captain’s chairs, and both second-row seats have a full set of lower anchors and top tether anchors for car seat installation.
The seats themselves are wide and comfortable, and I had plenty of space sitting back there at nearly 6 feet tall. I also really appreciated that the second-row seats are finally on tracks, so you can actually slide them forward and backward depending on how much third-row legroom you need.
Bench Seat Adds A Fifth Lower Anchor
If you choose one of the lower trims with the second-row bench seat, Infiniti also includes a fifth lower anchor in the middle seat position.
I have not personally tested the bench configuration yet, but based on the owner’s manual and spacing, I do think this could be a good candidate for three-across setups.
The Car Seat Tilt Feature Makes Third-Row Access Easier
One of my favorite upgrades is the new car seat tilt feature for third-row access. Infiniti changed the old fold-and-flip setup, and now the second-row seat can tilt forward even with certain car seats installed.
I tested this with a rear-facing Evenflo Revolve, and while it did work, it definitely depends on the car seat you’re using. The functionality is a huge improvement over the previous generation, but because the movement is power-operated, it is slower than I would prefer during quick school drop-offs or pickup lines.
The Giant Center Console Limits Walkthrough Space
The one thing I still do not love is the massive center console between the captain’s chairs. It makes the second row feel more luxurious, but it also removes the ability to easily walk through to the third row.
That said, families with older kids will probably appreciate all the amenities back here:
- Heated and ventilated captain’s chairs: available on the AUTOGRAPH trim
- Massaging second-row seats: definitely adds to the luxury feel
- Multiple USB-C ports: easy charging access throughout the row
- Second-row climate controls: built into the center console
- Ceiling air vents: available for both second and third rows
Third Row
The third row in the 2025 INFINITI QX80 is a major improvement over the previous generation, especially for families using car seats. Infiniti finally added more tether anchor coverage back there, and the overall space feels much more usable than before.
All Three Third-Row Seats Have Top Tether Anchors
This is one of the biggest upgrades for families. The previous QX80 had a frustrating third-row setup, but now all three third-row seats include top tether anchors. There is also one set of lower anchors located behind the passenger-side seat.
For parents trying to maximize car seat flexibility in a full-size SUV, that change alone makes a huge difference.
The Third Row Feels Wide Enough For Families
I was pleasantly surprised by how usable the third row felt overall. The width back there is decent, and I could realistically see an adult sitting between two car seats if needed. During my test, I had a Graco SlimFit LX3 and an Evenflo booster installed, and the space still felt manageable.
Passengers in the third row also get:
- Ceiling air vents
- USB-C charging ports
- Cupholders
- Available heated third-row seats on the AUTOGRAPH trim
Non-Removable Headrests Limit Some Car Seat Fits
One thing I do wish Infiniti changed is the headrest design in the third row. The outer headrests are not removable, and certain car seats do not install well against fixed headrests.
Some seats, like the Graco SlimFit LX3 I tested, worked well here, but not every car seat will. I would have loved removable headrests to make the third row even more flexible for families.
Trunk
The trunk space in the 2025 INFINITI QX80 feels usable for everyday family life, but if you regularly travel with a stroller, sports gear, luggage, or a full third row, this is definitely an area to pay attention to.
The Third Row Limits Cargo Space Behind It
With the third row upright, the cargo area feels smaller than some competitors in the full-size SUV category. I could absolutely fit groceries, backpacks, or everyday essentials back here, but larger strollers or bulkier gear could get tight pretty quickly.
Infiniti also added a split-level cargo shelf system. I understand the idea behind it, especially for separating smaller items, but personally I would rather have one larger open cargo area for strollers, laundry baskets, and sports equipment.
Folding The Third Row Makes The Space Much More Practical
Once the third row is folded down, the QX80 becomes much more functional for larger hauls. Infiniti includes power-folding third-row seats with controls right inside the trunk, which makes the setup easy to use.
Families Who Need Maximum Cargo Space May Want A Longer SUV
If you regularly use all three rows and need a ton of storage space at the same time, larger options like the Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, or Ford Expedition MAX will still give you noticeably more room behind the third row.
Safety
The 2025 INFINITI QX80 Earned An IIHS Top Safety Pick+
The 2025 INFINITI QX80 earned a 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Seat Belt Pretensioners Are Included In The Front And Second-Row Outboard Seats
The QX80 includes seat belt pretensioners in the:
- Front seats
- Second-row outboard seats
Pretensioners help tighten the seat belt during certain types of crashes to better position occupants in their seats.
Standard Driver Assistance Features Cover Everyday Family Driving
The 2025 QX80 includes several standard safety and driver assistance features from Infiniti, including:
- Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
- Blind Spot Warning
- Blind Spot Intervention
- Lane Departure Prevention
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Predictive Forward Collision Warning
The 2025 QX80 Is Much More Car Seat Friendly Than Before
The previous-generation QX80 had one of my least favorite car seat setups in the full-size SUV category, so I was very curious to see what Infiniti changed for 2025. Thankfully, this redesign fixes several major issues and makes the QX80 much more functional for families using multiple car seats.
Both Second-Row Captain’s Chairs Include Lower Anchors And Top Tether Anchors
In the AUTOGRAPH trim I tested, both second-row captain’s chairs include a full set of lower anchors and top tether anchors. The seats are also now mounted on sliding tracks, which makes it much easier to balance second- and third-row legroom around your car seat setup.
On bench seat trims, Infiniti also adds a fifth lower anchor in the middle seat position, which could make this a good option for certain three-across setups.
The Car Seat Tilt Feature Helps With Third-Row Access
One of the best updates for 2025 is the new car seat tilt function. The second-row seat can tilt forward even with certain car seats installed, which is a huge improvement over the previous generation.
I tested this with a rear-facing Evenflo Revolve 360 Slim, and while it worked, the functionality will depend on the specific car seat you are using.
All Three Third-Row Seats Now Have Top Tether Anchors
This is one of the biggest upgrades in the entire vehicle. Infiniti now includes top tether anchors in all three third-row seats, plus one set of lower anchors behind the passenger-side seat.
During my test, I installed:
- Evenflo Revolve 360 Slim
- Graco SlimFit LX3
- Evenflo booster seat
The third row felt surprisingly usable with these installed, and I could realistically see fitting an adult between two narrower car seats if needed.
Fixed Third-Row Headrests May Affect Certain Car Seats
The outer third-row headrests are not removable, which can affect compatibility with certain car seats. The Graco SlimFit LX3 worked well during my test, but this is definitely something I would double-check depending on the seat you plan to use.
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