2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2022 Volvo XC60

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 showcased a blend of Nissan Armada and Infiniti design elements. Its body shell, roofline profile, and rear window curve were reminiscent of the Armada, while the front fenders featured similar vents. Unlike many modern SUVs that adopted unibody construction for added rigidity, the QX80 retained a body-on-frame construction, maintaining a separate body and chassis. The front-end styling, introduced in 2018, was distinctly Infiniti, with a grille and headlight design that gave the QX80 an assertive yet not overly aggressive look. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base trim and 22-inch wheels on higher trims, added to its appeal.

Inside, the QX80's design closely mirrored the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and standard leather upholstery enhancing its luxurious feel. However, the dashboard shape, 4WD selector, and other switchgear were clearly carried over from the Nissan sibling. Despite the foot-operated parking brake, the interior still felt luxurious, though it might not satisfy buyers seeking exclusivity.

Volvo made subtle styling changes to the 2022 XC60, including a new front fascia with “air blades” for a sportier look, a rear bumper that hid the tailpipes, and new wheel designs. The front grille was reworked to house sensors for driver-assist systems behind a heated Volvo logo. The XC60 shared its Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform with the XC90, S90, S60, V90 Cross Country, and V60 Cross Country. The interior remained largely unchanged, featuring a clean design with a portrait-oriented touchscreen and minimal clutter. The B6 R-Design test car had aluminum mesh speaker grilles and textured seats, adding flair to an otherwise subdued interior. The Inscription trim level offered Nappa leather upholstery and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. It delivered 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, which was slightly less than some competitors but still ample for a large SUV. The engine was responsive, making highway overtaking stress-free, though the transmission shifts could have been smoother. The QX80's body-on-frame construction, combined with independent suspension and rear auto-leveling, provided a comfortable ride, though some shudders were noticeable over bumps. The QX80 felt less composed in corners, with noticeable body roll, but the speed-sensitive power steering promoted a relaxed driving style. The QX80 excelled in towing and off-road capability, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and a 4WD drivetrain with low range and a forward skid plate.

For 2022, the Volvo XC60 introduced new B5 and B6 mild-hybrid powertrains, replacing the previous T5 and T6 engines. Both powertrains combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter generator, adding 13 horsepower in short bursts. The B6 also featured an electric supercharger. The B5 produced 258 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, while the B6 delivered 295 hp and 310 lb-ft. Both used an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the B5 offering FWD or AWD and the B6 exclusively AWD. The B6 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, while the B5 took 6.5 seconds. The XC60 provided a calm, relaxed driving experience, with a quiet cabin and comfortable ride, enhanced by optional air suspension. The XC60 Recharge plug-in hybrid offered 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque, with a zero to 60 mph time of 5 seconds. The Polestar Engineered version increased output to 415 hp and 494 lb-ft, with a zero to 60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, and featured Öhlins adjustable dampers, Akebono brakes, and a front strut bar.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 was a three-row SUV with a standard seven-seat configuration, featuring second-row captain’s chairs and a center console. An eight-seat configuration with a 60/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was optional. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and an eight-way front passenger’s seat, both with two-way lumbar support. Sensory models added heating and cooling. However, the front seats lacked thigh support, which could be uncomfortable on long trips. The QX80 offered competitive passenger space, with even the third row accommodating adults. Cargo space was 16.6 cubic feet with all seats in place, 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 95.1 cubic feet with both the third row and second-row captain’s chairs folded. The center console could open from both the front and back, but storage space was limited, and the front-door cupholders were not well-shaped for holding drinks.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 maintained its competitive passenger space, with above-average front-seat headroom but below-average rear-seat headroom. Legroom in both rows was about average for the segment. Mild-hybrid models offered 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 49.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Plug-in hybrid models had slightly less cargo capacity, at 21.1 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 49.3 cubic feet with the rear seats down. The XC60 provided a commanding driving position with good forward and rear visibility, aided by large exterior mirrors.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 featured the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system with 8.0-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a built-in WiFi hotspot, and navigation. Standard features included Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system, with optional upgrades to a 17-speaker Bose system and a Theater Package rear-seat entertainment system. The touchscreens were supplemented by analog controls, but the user interface was not intuitive, requiring trial and error to operate. The Smart Rearview Mirror, which could switch to a streaming-video display, and the Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were helpful features.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 received a tech overhaul with a 9-inch touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Bluetooth, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Optional features included a head-up display and upgraded audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins. The new system integrated Android-specific features like Google Assistant for voice control and Google Maps for navigation, with the ability to sync Android user profiles and access third-party apps via the Google Play Store. The system also supported over-the-air software updates and promised full iPhone compatibility. The digital instrument cluster could display a map or a “Calm” setting to minimize distraction.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) did not test the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention.

The 2022 Volvo XC60 had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA for the 2022 model year, but the 2021 model received the IIHS’s highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, automatic post-collision braking, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. New features for 2022 included Ready to Drive Notification and Emergency Stop Assist. The optional Pilot Assist system combined adaptive cruise control and automated lane centering for highway driving.