2021 Honda CR-V vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Honda CR-V, despite its popularity, had a rather generic appearance that blended in with other compact crossovers. Its styling was nearly identical to its competitors, with only minor details like the grille and some chromed plastic features setting it apart. The CR-V was available in eight colors, but most were shades of gray, black, or white, with vibrant colors like Aegean Blue Metallic and Radiant Red Metallic being rare and limited to higher trims. Inside, the CR-V offered a modern look with angular seats and a choice of black, gray, or ivory cloth or leather, depending on the trim level. However, competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offered more distinctive styling, especially at mid-tier trims.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared a platform and mechanicals with the Nissan Armada but had a unique front-end styling with a distinctive Infiniti grille. The QX80's LED lighting and tasteful use of chrome added to its upscale look, and the 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels on higher trims further enhanced its exterior. Inside, the QX80 featured upscale materials like wood trim and quilted semi-aniline leather seats, but its design was starting to feel dated compared to its premium full-size SUV competitors. Despite its attractive and comfortable cabin, the QX80's interior fell short of the high standards set by its rivals in the luxury SUV market.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was not designed for high-performance driving but offered smooth and steady acceleration with its 190-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It took about 7.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, which was competitive within its class. The CR-V's continuously variable transmission (CVT) provided a predictable driving experience, though it lacked the engagement of conventional transmissions found in competitors like the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. The CR-V came standard with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Its suspension setup provided decent handling and ride quality, making it a reliable choice for everyday driving.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80, on the other hand, boasted a powerful 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine delivered robust performance and a satisfying exhaust note. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the QX80 offered smooth and seamless power delivery. The QX80's off-road capabilities were impressive, thanks to its body-on-frame construction and available four-wheel drive with a computer-controlled transfer case. It also had a generous towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. Despite its size and weight, the QX80 managed to control body lean during cornering, thanks to the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system.

The 2021 Honda CR-V was designed to comfortably fit five people and their gear. It offered 102.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 75.8 cubic feet of total cargo space with the rear seats folded. Depending on the trim, the CR-V featured different tailgate options, from manual to power-operated and hands-free versions. However, roof rails were only standard on the top Touring trim. Overall, the CR-V provided ample space and practicality for everyday use.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its tall ride height, but once inside, it offered a spacious and airy cabin. It could accommodate up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench seat, though the third row was cramped for adults. The QX80's cargo space was limited compared to its competitors, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and slow-folding third-row seats were convenient but time-consuming.

The 2021 Honda CR-V's base LX trim had a basic 5-inch color screen with Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims featured a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The audio system varied by trim, with the Touring trim offering a 300-watt system with a subwoofer. Charging ports were plentiful in all but the base trim, and the Touring trim included a wireless phone charger.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The top Sensory trim had a 17-speaker Bose system, while other trims had a 13-speaker setup. The QX80 also included multiple USB ports, a wireless smartphone charger, and a dual-screen rear entertainment system. However, it lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system due to its older architecture.

The 2021 Honda CR-V excelled in safety, earning a five-star NHTSA overall crash test rating and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It featured the Honda Sensing system, which included a multi-angle rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and auto high-beam headlamps. The only feature not standard on the base LX trim was blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 came with standard safety features like forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure prevention, forward-collision warning, backup collision intervention, a smart rearview mirror, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety features included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners for second-row passengers. The QX80 received a four-star overall crash protection rating from NHTSA for the 2021 model, but the 2022 model had not been rated by IIHS at the time of writing.