2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Ford Explorer had a design that fit well within Ford's SUV lineup, sharing a family resemblance with models like the Escape, Edge, and Expedition. Its exterior featured sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive grilles that varied by trim level, ranging from black to full chrome. The Explorer offered six trim levels, with prices starting at $32,925 and climbing to $52,730. Inside, it provided three rows of seating as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dashboard was clean, featuring an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and a rotary gearshift that freed up storage space.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80, while sharing a platform with the Nissan Armada, had a unique front-end styling with a distinctive Infiniti grille. Its LED lighting and tasteful use of chrome added to its upscale look. The QX80's cabin featured more upscale materials compared to the Armada, with wood trim and quilted semi-aniline leather seats in the Sensory trim. However, despite its luxurious interior, the QX80's design was starting to feel dated compared to its competitors. The cabin was comfortable and attractive, but it fell short of the high standards set by other premium full-size SUVs.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds and was powered by a 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The Limited Hybrid trim offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, producing 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, while the sport-oriented Explorer ST offered 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. It featured a seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control and manual mode. The QX80's power delivery was smooth and linear, and it handled well for a tall, nearly three-ton SUV. The QX80 offered a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and had a computer-controlled transfer case for 4WD models. Its Hydraulic Body Motion Control system helped manage body lean during cornering and quick maneuvers.

The 2021 Ford Explorer had seating for seven in the base trim, with captain's chairs in the second row for other trims, reducing seating capacity to six. It offered 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers and 21 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row deployed. With all seats folded, the Explorer provided 81 cubic feet of cargo room.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its tall ride height. It offered good head- and legroom in the front seats and commendable forward visibility. The QX80 could hold up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench-seat package, but the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space measured 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2021 Ford Explorer came with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard, offering AM/FM radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, and Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system. Higher trims featured a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The Explorer also provided multiple USB ports and 12-volt power points, with a 110-volt AC power outlet available on higher trims.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. It also included navigation, voice recognition, and Infiniti InTouch connected services. A Bose 13-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker system available on the Sensory trim. The QX80 also had a wireless smartphone charger and a dual-screen rear entertainment system.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. It came with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite, including auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 came with standard safety features such as forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure prevention, forward-collision warning, backup collision intervention, a smart rearview mirror, and adaptive cruise control. It also included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners for second-row passengers. The QX80 received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from NHTSA, with the 2021 model receiving four stars for overall crash protection.