If you’re in the market for a luxury SUV, you may have seen the new Infiniti QX80. It’s ideal for families with a lot of passengers thanks to its three spacious rows and large cargo area. The QX80 is so popular that it’s frequently a target for vehicle theft.

The Infiniti QX80 currently retails for around $66,000. With more upgrades, you could end up paying somewhere in the neighborhood of $100,000 for this SUV. The QX80 also has a high ownership cost due to one big factor: fuel economy. If you don’t want to pay a lot at the pump, you may want to avoid this car entirely.

The Infiniti QX80 has terrible fuel economy

Large SUVs aren’t known for being good on gas, but the QX80 is exceptionally bad. According to Consumer Reports, it only has a combined average of 15 mpg. The website estimates that a year’s worth of gas costs around $2,190. 

The model tested by CR had available four-wheel drive. If equipped with two-wheel drive, the QX80 gets a combined 16 mpg. The EPA also estimates a much higher yearly fuel cost than CR. Two-wheel drive models are expected to cost $2,900 yearly, while four-wheel-drive models cost over $3,000.

Emergency handling

Consumer Reports was also critical of the QX80’s emergency handling. CR conducts an avoidance maneuver safety test on all its vehicles to determine how quickly each can avoid a sudden obstacle. The QX80 was not particularly speedy in this test, with a maximum speed of only 48 mph.

CR also found that the vehicle itself was a hassle to maneuver in general. During the road test, testers described the QX80 as cumbersome and quite the road hog. They also noted that the QX80 wasn’t very good at turning around tight corners because of its size. Hydraulic Motion Control is available for drivers who don’t want a lot of body lean. Still, even with this function equipped, it didn’t kick in quickly enough to make a difference.

Is the Infiniti QX80 a terrible vehicle?

If fuel economy isn’t a huge concern, the Infiniti QX80 is an excellent luxury SUV. The vehicle may be difficult to drive on tight city roads, but there’s no vibration inside the cabin. Its acceleration is also quite high for a large SUV. It has a 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds.

Every QX80 comes with a 5.6-liter V8 paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. It’s capable of 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. This makes it one of the most powerful SUVs on the market, though some critics found that it was slow to downshift.

Inside, the QX80 is packed with plenty of technology to keep everyone entertained. A center dual-touchscreen, smartphone integration, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and four USB ports are all standard. The optional rear-seat infotainment setup provides two extra touchscreens for the backseat. 

Alternatives for better fuel economy

Even with all the QX80’s perks, drivers may be hesitant to spend a lot of money on a gas guzzler. If you want to spend less on fuel, the Acura MDX may be a better option. While not as powerful as the QX80, the Hybrid version gets an exceptional combined 27 mpg. Regular versions have a combined rating of 21-23 mpg.

If you don’t want to miss out on precious cargo space, the newest Range Rover is a great option. The base model’s engine gets a combined rating of 22-24 mpg. If you pay extra for the plug-in hybrid powertrain, this figure jumps to a whopping 42 mpg. Its $95,000 price tag is eye-watering, but it may be worth it considering all the money you’ll save on fuel.