2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was significantly larger than its siblings, the two-row QX50 and three-row QX60. For 2020, it was available in two trim levels: Luxe and Limited. The QX80's exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern features such as welcome lights, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, and adaptive front lighting. The SUV also included conveniences like body-color running boards, a power-sliding tinted moonroof, and roof rails. Buyers could choose from nine paint jobs and three interior color schemes, with Limited models featuring matte silver and open-pore Ash wood trim. Despite improvements in cabin materials, some trim pieces lagged behind competitors, though the fit and finish were generally good. The updated infotainment system added a modern touch, but the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints.

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 55 TFSI with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. New for 2020 was the performance-tuned Audi SQ7 with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. The Q7 55 TFSI, starting at $60,800, was available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. Design updates for 2020 included new front and rear styling, wheels, and lighting elements, aligning the Q7 with the flagship Q8 model. The test vehicle featured 20-inch turbine-style wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat all-season tires. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather and Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays, was upscale and high-tech, with multi-color ambient lighting adding a soothing vibe at night.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, shared with the Nissan Armada, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the QX80 delivered a smooth but measured acceleration. However, its fuel efficiency was a drawback, with the RWD model getting 14 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg combined, while the 4WD model achieved 13 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway, and 15 mpg combined. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes and had a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. The SUV's steering systems varied by trim, with the Luxe model featuring engine-speed-sensitive power-assist steering and the Limited model having vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assist steering. The QX80's suspension, including the optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system, provided a relatively smooth ride and kept the SUV grounded around turns.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI introduced a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system to conserve fuel. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the Q7 offered several driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, and Allroad. The 55 TFSI drivetrain accelerated the 5,082-pound SUV from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, with a maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The EPA estimated the Q7's fuel economy at 18 mpg combined, and during testing, it averaged 21 mpg. The Prestige trim included an adaptive air suspension, with settings for different driving conditions. The Q7 excelled in both on-road and off-road performance, with agile handling and a quiet cabin, thanks to dual-pane acoustic side window glass.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, but the third row had limited legroom, making it suitable for small children or pets. Standard seating for seven included captain’s chairs in the second row, with an optional 60/40 split-folding bench. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, with Alcantara seats featuring quilting and contrast stitching as an option. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable with two-way power lumbar support, while the passenger’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable with the same lumbar support. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated outboard second-row seats available. The QX80 had a heated, leather-wrapped, tilting, and telescoping steering wheel, and a dual-occupant memory system for the driver’s seat, mirrors, and steering wheel. Cargo space was generous, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2020 Audi Q7, though a three-row SUV with seven-passenger capacity, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat was suitable only for young children, with a flat, featureless cushion. When the third-row seat was in use, cargo space was limited to 14.2 cubic feet, but folding it down expanded capacity to 35.7 cubic feet, and folding both rows provided 69.6 cubic feet. The Q7's cabin was comfortable for a family of four, with the Prestige trim’s eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats proving agreeable for long trips. The second-row seats offered ample legroom and thigh support, with four-zone climate control, heated rear cushions, and rear side window shades ensuring comfort. The panoramic sunroof was perfect for sightseeing and stargazing. However, interior storage was limited, with the center console and dashboard screen taking up most of the space, leaving the glove compartment and door-panel bins for personal items.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came standard with an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for split functionality between navigation and audio system information. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Optional upgrades included two 8.0-inch rear-seat entertainment displays, a WiFi hotspot, and a 17-speaker Bose stereo system. SiriusXM services, including Travel Link and Traffic, were available with a complimentary four-year trial period. The infotainment system was user-friendly but not particularly modern in design, responsive enough to avoid frustration but otherwise unremarkable.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured new Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response technology, combining a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen with an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect subscription services, including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. While the MMI Touch Response was an improvement over the previous setup, dry fingertips sometimes made the virtual buttons unresponsive. The user interface was intuitive, and once set up, required minimal interaction. A volume and tuning knob on the center console and excellent voice-recognition technology made it easy to use. The Prestige trim included a full-color head-up display, though it was invisible with polarized sunglasses, and a Bose premium sound system, which Audi replaced with a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system for 2021.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, being an older model, lacked some of the latest driver-assist features but still offered a good roster of standard and available technology. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic collision notification. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, distance-control assist, and lane-keep assist. The IIHS rated the QX80 "good" in moderate overlap front and side crash tests, while the NHTSA rated it better for side crashworthiness than front, with a moderate risk of rollover.

The 2020 Audi Q7 came equipped with numerous advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS). The Executive Package with Premium Plus trim or the Prestige trim offered upgrades, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assistance, and lane-centering assistance. The Q7's HD Matrix LED headlights provided excellent illumination, though the IIHS rated them "poor" for excessive glare. The adaptive cruise control worked well, but the traffic-sign-recognition technology caused issues by misreading signs, leading to unexpected braking. Active Lane Assist also proved problematic, often feeling like it had a mind of its own. The IIHS gave the Q7 the highest ratings for collision protection, with only the headlight assessment preventing a "Top Safety Pick+" nod.