Porsche Cayenne vs INFINITI QX80

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne was available in two distinct styles: the standard SUV with a squared-off rear end and the sporty Cayenne Coupe. The lineup ranged from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo GT, each with unique exterior features. The GTS trim, which was the focus of this review, boasted high gloss black trim and bronze exhaust tips. Its front fascia, specific to the GTS, featured larger air intakes and tinted headlights. The 21-inch wheels in anthracite gray and red brake calipers added to its sporty appeal. Inside, the Cayenne offered extensive customization options, from color choices to seat belts, though these could significantly increase the price. The cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a dashboard-mounted shifter toggle for added storage space.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 embraced a bold, blocky design typical of body-on-frame SUVs. It featured a tall, upright stance with high shoulder lines and a simple two-box profile. The front showcased a striking black grille with vertical slats inspired by a bamboo forest, flanked by LED headlights and piano-key daytime running lights. At the rear, a taillight light bar echoed the piano key design. The QX80 Sport trim introduced a wider mesh pattern for its frameless grille and dark matte chrome exterior trim. Inside, the QX80 offered a modern and luxurious experience with four screens, including one for rear passengers. The interior featured high-quality materials like aluminum and open-pore wood trim, while the Sport models boasted a Dusk Blue interior theme.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, all capable of delivering impressive performance. The base model featured a 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the Cayenne S offered a V8 engine with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT, available only as a coupe, delivered a staggering 650 hp. Plug-in hybrid options were also available, with up to 729 hp for peak performance. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, produced 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque. It could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 171 mph. The GTS trim struck a balance between sporty and comfortable driving, with precise steering and an active suspension system. Optional carbon ceramic brakes provided ample stopping power, and the GTS transformed into a comfortable commuter in Normal mode.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 transitioned from a 5.6-liter V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 450 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. The engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive as standard and full-time four-wheel drive as an option. The QX80's 4WD system lost low-range gearing, focusing on Auto and 4H modes. The twin-turbo V6 provided immediate power delivery, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds. The body-on-frame platform offered increased torsional rigidity and lateral stiffness, maintaining a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. The QX80 featured front and rear double-wishbone suspension with coil springs, and air springs with adaptive dampers were available on higher trims. Despite its size, the QX80 exhibited notable body lean, and the steering was direct but heavy. The ride quality was generally comfortable, though Sport mode made it jiggly on rough surfaces.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a la carte customization, with limited standard features. The base model included eight-way power-adjustable seats, heated but not cooled or massaging. Two-zone climate control, soft-close doors, a heated steering wheel, and ambient lighting were available. Higher trims like the GTS added a GT Sport steering wheel and Race-Tex headliner. The options list was extensive, allowing for customization of interior materials and features. However, the Cayenne lacked a third row, accommodating only five passengers. The standard Cayenne provided 27.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to over 60 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The coupe version offered slightly less space, and plug-in hybrid models had reduced cargo capacity.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 was a spacious SUV, measuring 211.2 inches long with a 121-inch wheelbase, accommodating up to seven passengers. Synthetic leather and eight-way power-adjustable seats with lumbar adjustment were standard. Higher trims offered leather upholstery, ventilation, and massage functions. The second-row captain's chairs were heated and power-adjustable, with ventilation and massage available on top trims. The third-row bench provided ample space for adults or children and was heated in the Autograph trim. Power-folding third-row seats were standard, though controls were buried in touchscreen menus. Cargo space was generous, with 22 cubic feet behind the third row, 59 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first row.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne featured a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster with up to seven views, including the classic Porsche five-circle design. A 12.3-inch touchscreen display housed the Porsche Communication Management system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Spotify, Apple Music, satellite radio, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The screens were well-organized and responsive, with voice control options. A head-up display provided essential information, though it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne included four high-speed USB-C charging ports and a cooled wireless charging area.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 boasted a pair of 14.3-inch screens—a digital instrument cluster and an infotainment touchscreen. Another touchscreen angled from the center console to the center stack. The infotainment system featured Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. A 5G connection enabled a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote services. The infotainment screen was user-friendly, but the lower screen's climate and drive mode controls were buried in sub-menus. The QX80 excelled with features like a 14-speaker Klipsch audio system, with a 24-speaker system available on higher trims. Three-zone automatic climate control was standard, with a biometric cooling system on top trims. Additional tech included a head-up display, dashcam, in-car camera, and a surround-view camera system with multiple views.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard safety features like parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning were optional. Porsche's advanced adaptive cruise control system, InnoDrive, was not tested. The Cayenne had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS for safety.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies, including automatic emergency braking, high-beam assist, adaptive cruise control, ProPilot Assist 1.1, forward-collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, active blind-spot monitors, rear automatic braking, parking sensors, lane-departure warning, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and a surround-view camera system. ProPilot Assist 2.1 was optional, offering hands-free driving on certain highways. The QX80 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, though NHTSA ratings were not available.