2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2022 INFINITI QX80, at first glance, bore a strong resemblance to the Nissan Armada, sharing its platform, mechanicals, and general layout. This wasn't necessarily a drawback, as both SUVs were considered good-looking. The QX80's size was just right, not too big or too small. Its front-end styling was unique, thanks to the distinctive Infiniti grille, which was prominent but not overdone. LED lighting was tastefully integrated, and the conservative use of chrome added an upscale look. The stylish 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels on Premium Select and above further enhanced its exterior.

Inside, the QX80's cabin featured unique and upscale materials compared to the Armada, though Nissan's design theme was evident. The Sensory-trim test vehicle had tasteful wood trim and attractive quilted semi-aniline Saddle Brown leather seats. Despite these fancy touches, the QX80's style was becoming outdated. While the cabin was upscale and comfortable, it fell short of the high bar set by competitors in the premium full-size SUV market segment.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued to impress with its mature and sophisticated look. The exterior design featured Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof illusion created by dark supporting pillars. The SL and Platinum trims included LED fog lamps, and active grille shutters and underbody covers improved airflow. The slightly bulging liftgate completed the sleek design.

Inside, the Rogue's cabin followed a layered dash design trend, with contrasting colors and surfaces in some trims. The center console was a highlight, featuring an electronic gear selector lever, open space beneath for storage, large cupholders, a wireless charging pad, and a big storage cubby. The 9-inch center infotainment display was positioned near the driver’s eye line, and the instrument panel varied from a 7-inch display on lower trims to a 12.3-inch digital screen on upper trims. The Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats were comfortable, and the second row offered good legroom and ample space for passengers. Fit and finish were exemplary, especially on the top-of-the-line Platinum model.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine with 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine delivered strong performance and a pleasing exhaust note, though it was thirsty and required premium fuel. The seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control and manual mode provided smooth and seamless shifts. The QX80's power delivery was linear, and the transmission handled various driving conditions well. The QX80, based on the global Nissan Patrol, offered impressive off-road capability with a computer-controlled transfer case and ample ground clearance. It had a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and managed to control body lean during cornering or quick maneuvers, thanks to the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost from its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine featured Variable Compression technology, adjusting the compression ratio for optimal power or efficiency. The new engine improved the Rogue's performance and fuel economy, achieving an EPA estimate of 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The Rogue's CVT transmission had wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension provided a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering offered good feel and a tight turning diameter.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its tall ride height, aided by a grab handle for shorter drivers. The cabin was spacious, with good front-seat head- and legroom and commendable forward visibility. The power-sliding moonroof was smaller than panoramic designs, and the third-row seating was cramped for adults. Cargo space was limited compared to competitors, with 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 power-operated liftgate and third-row seats were slow to operate, but the illuminated kick plates and welcome lighting added a premium touch.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue offered smart storage solutions throughout the cabin, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, a tray beneath the console, and cubbies in the dash. Rear-seat passengers had storage options and USB ports for charging devices. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue's cargo area provided 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and voice recognition. A Bose 13-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Performance Series Bose system on the Sensory trim. The QX80 also included multiple USB ports, illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and a wireless smartphone charger. However, it lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system due to its older architecture.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. Navigation used Google Maps and Waze with voice commands, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on upper trims. ProPilot Assist, Nissan’s hands-on driver-assist technology, was available and integrated with the navigation system on models with ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link, providing predictive speed control based on road conditions.

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

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. It also had ten supplemental airbags, extended crumple zones, Intelligent Driver Alertness technology, and rear door alert. ProPilot Assist provided Level 2 advanced driver-assist capabilities, and the enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link added predictive speed control. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS for the 2021 model.