2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Volvo XC90

The 2020 Volvo XC90 showcased a pinnacle of modern Volvo design, proving that a large SUV could be as aesthetically pleasing as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim featured blacked-out, honeycomb grille treatments, black window surrounds, mirrors, a more aggressive chin spoiler, and bright 22-inch rims, adding a touch of elegance to its already handsome figure. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights and tall, thin, curving LED taillights were standard, enhancing its distinctive look. The interior, with its Thunder Grey Metallic paint and beige-leather and aluminum accents, exuded luxury. The seats, known for their comfort and support, offered power-adjustable thigh extensions and optional massage, making long drives a pleasure. The cabin's quality materials and craftsmanship, including a Swedish flag tag and a twist-action ignition knob, highlighted Volvo's attention to detail.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, boasted a commanding presence with modern exterior details like welcome lights, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, and adaptive front lighting. The refreshed design from 2018 included LED fog lights, headlight washers, and LED taillights. The QX80's upscale cabin featured soft-touch materials and a generally attractive layout, though some trim pieces fell short compared to competitors. The center stack prominently featured piano-black plastic, which was prone to fingerprints. The QX80 Edition 30 tester highlighted the vehicle's luxurious appointments, though the overall design felt less modern than some rivals.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for the vehicle's size. The T6, with a supercharger and turbocharger, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing better performance. The Polestar tune boosted these numbers to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft. Despite these enhancements, the XC90's acceleration was not linear, and the engine noise was unrefined. Fuel economy was also a concern, with the T6 AWD rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The T8 plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, but its added weight and limited electric range diminished its appeal. The XC90's handling was comfortable but lacked sportiness, with lifeless steering and significant body roll.

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 substantial weight well, though the transmission was clunky when downshifting. Fuel efficiency was a major drawback, with the RWD model rated at 14 mpg city, 20 highway, and 16 combined, and the 4WD model at 13 mpg city, 19 highway, and 15 combined. The QX80 offered good off-road capability with Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes. Two steering systems were available, with the vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assist steering providing better control. The QX80's ride was smooth, thanks to the standard rear auto-leveling suspension, and it had an 8,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2020 Volvo XC90's Sensus infotainment system was faster and more responsive than previous models, though it relied heavily on the touchscreen for climate controls. The cabin layout was stellar, with seven seats standard and an optional integrated booster cushion for young children. The first and second rows offered generous legroom and comfort, while the third row was tight and best suited for small children. Cargo space was ample, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available. Sightlines from the driver's seat were excellent.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 featured plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, with tighter third-row seating best 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 options. 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 offered 95.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded, and a power liftgate was standard.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 came standard with Volvo Pilot Assist, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The R-Design trim featured a Bowers & Wilkins stereo with 19 speakers and 1,400 watts of power, providing an exceptional audio experience. The portrait-oriented touchscreen was high-resolution and easy to navigate, though onboard apps were slow to load. The instrument panel could display the map between analog-style dials but lacked major reconfiguration options.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80's standard features included an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for split functionality. 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 were standard. Upgrades included two 8.0-inch displays, a rear-seat entertainment system, and a WiFi hot spot. A 13-speaker Bose stereo was standard, with a 17-speaker system available. SiriusXM services came with a four-year trial period, providing real-time traffic, weather, and fuel price information. The infotainment system was functional but lacked modern design.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though the latter's headlight test lowered its rating to a Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a driver-attention monitor, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's commitment to safety was evident in its use of high-strength steels and advanced airbag systems.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, while lacking some of the latest driver-assist features, offered a good roster of standard and available safety technology. Standard 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 QX80 received "good" scores in IIHS moderate overlap front and side crash tests and moderate risk of rollover from NHTSA.