2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was significantly larger than its siblings, the QX50 and QX60. For 2020, it was available in two trims: Luxe and Limited. The QX80's exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern features like welcome lights, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, and adaptive front lighting. The SUV also featured automatic on/off LED headlights with high beam assist, body-color running boards, a power-sliding tinted moonroof, and roof rails. Buyers had a choice of nine paint jobs and three interior color schemes, with the Limited-grade models getting matte silver and open-pore Ash wood trim. Despite the upscale cabin filled with soft-touch materials, some trim pieces didn’t match the quality found in other luxury SUVs. The infotainment system was updated to a sleeker, more modern display, but the center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained its decade-old body shell with updates over the years, including the trademark spindle grille and new triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t see any styling changes but added silver 18-inch wheels as standard on the Premium trim. The GX’s tough, aggressive look was distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn’t meet modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim. The GX’s interior ergonomics were outdated, with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. Despite these drawbacks, the dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The QX80’s powertrain handled its heavy load well, though the transmission was clunky when downshifting. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with the RWD model getting 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, while the 4WD model dropped to 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The QX80 Luxe offered both rear- and four-wheel drivetrains, while the Limited came standard with 4WD. The SUV excelled in off-road conditions with Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes. Steering was light and manageable at low speeds but required constant attention at higher speeds. The optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system and standard rear auto-leveling suspension contributed to a smooth ride and stable towing, with an 8,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX’s performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The 5,130-pound SUV felt sluggish at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Stopping the GX also required advanced planning due to its weight. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, and Crawl Control. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and respectable off-road metrics, though it was outperformed by the Land Rover Discovery in some areas.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, with tighter third-row seating best suited for children. 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 or Alcantara with quilting and contrast stitching. The driver’s seat was 10-way power-adjustable, and the passenger’s seat was eight-way power-adjustable, both with lumbar support. Heated and climate-controlled front seats were standard, with heated second-row seats available. The QX80 provided ample cargo space, 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. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile offered excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, with an optional power-folding third row. The third row was best for children, and accessing it was challenging due to the second-row seats. The GX had less cargo space than competitors, with 64.7 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. With the third row up, cargo space was minimal.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 featured an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower 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, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Optional upgrades included two 8.0-inch rear-seat displays, a WiFi hot spot, and a 17-speaker Bose system. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Two USB ports were available for the first two rows, but none for the third row. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a user-friendly interface despite the primitive design.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered a good roster of standard and available safety features, including 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 QX80 received "good" scores in moderate overlap front and side crash tests from the IIHS and had better side crashworthiness ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.