2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Genesis GV80

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was a flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, known for its substantial size compared to the smaller QX50 and QX60 models. It was available in two trim levels: Luxe and Limited. The QX80's exterior had been refreshed in 2018, giving it a more 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 boasted LED fog lights, headlight washers, and LED taillights. The QX80 was equipped with automatic on/off LED headlights with high beam assist, enhancing its road illumination capabilities. Comfort and convenience were prioritized with features like body-color running boards, a power-sliding tinted moonroof, and roof rails. The interior offered three color schemes and improved material quality, though some trim pieces lagged behind competitors. The cabin was upscale with soft-touch materials, but the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints.

The 2021 Genesis GV80, as Genesis' first SUV, was a fresh design that balanced innovation with brand styling cues. It featured a two-box design with a long hood and short front overhang, accented by slit vents and a massive trapezoidal grille with a diamond mesh. The grille was flanked by the signature "Quad Lamp" LED headlight array, establishing a distinctive Genesis look. The GV80's rear echoed the front with Quad Lamp taillights and twin trapezoidal tailpipes. The interior was sleek and uncluttered, emphasizing width and spaciousness. The dashboard integrated technology seamlessly, with a bridge-like center console and minimal controls. The cabin was adorned with authentic materials like real wood and leather, creating a luxurious environment. The GV80's design was both elegant and functional, making it a standout in the luxury SUV market.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Despite its heavy build, the QX80's powertrain managed the load well, though the transmission was less smooth when downshifting compared to competitors. Fuel efficiency was a downside, with the RWD model achieving 14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined, while the 4WD model fared slightly worse. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Steering was light and manageable at low speeds, but required constant attention on highways. The optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system improved handling, and the SUV had a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 offered two engine choices: a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The V6 models came standard with AWD, while the four-cylinder models had RWD with optional AWD. An eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters was standard. The GV80 featured independent multi-link suspension and an electronically-controlled suspension with road preview on 3.5T models. The 2.5T engine was lively but could feel strained, while the 3.5T was smoother and quieter, thanks to active noise cancellation. Fuel economy for the 2.5T was 21 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined with RWD, while the 3.5T AWD achieved 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush seating in the first two rows, but the third row was cramped, suitable for children or pets. It accommodated seven passengers with standard captain’s chairs in the second row, or eight with an optional bench seat. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather, with Alcantara options. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable, and the passenger’s seat was eight-way adjustable, both with lumbar support. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with available heated second-row seats. The QX80 provided 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sophisticated interior with a focus on technology and ergonomics. The center console housed a rotary gear selector and a multimedia controller with dual control capability. The HVAC panel used capacitive touch buttons with intelligent masking to prevent accidental misuse. The second row was spacious and comfortable, with available power seats and window shades. A third row was standard on 3.5T AWD Advanced+ models, increasing capacity to seven. The third-row seats had a power-fold function and were split 50/50, offering flexibility for cargo and passengers.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came with an 8-inch upper and a 7-inch lower infotainment touch screen, allowing for split functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, and a moonroof. A 13-speaker Bose stereo was standard, with an optional 17-speaker system. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern in design.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 featured a sixth-generation Genesis UX infotainment system with a 14.5-inch HD screen and user-configurable split-screen displays. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with over-the-air updates and cloud profiles. The GV80 offered a digital key function for Android users, allowing keyless entry and vehicle configuration via an app. Genesis Connected Services provided a range of features, including remote start, vehicle health reports, and destination search. A head-up display and a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster were available on higher trims. The audio system ranged from a standard 12-speaker setup to a 21-speaker Lexicon Quantum Logic Surround system.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, and a surround-view camera system. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The QX80 received "good" scores in some IIHS crash tests and had a moderate risk of rollover according to NHTSA.

The 2021 Genesis GV80 was equipped with 10 airbags, including a front-center airbag, and a suite of driver-assist features. These included blind-spot collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, and adaptive cruise control with machine learning. The GV80 also offered highway-driving assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Genesis aimed for top safety ratings, though official scores were pending.