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What's the difference?
The world of upper large luxury SUVs, like Infiniti’s latest-generation QX80, occupies that rarefied air, way up high in the car market, that I’ll never breathe – and that’s okay with me.
You see, as much as I admire these plush vehicles, even if I did have the cash and the inclination to buy one, I’d be so worried about incidental damage to the exterior (shopping trolleys or other drivers’ touch-parking) or children-induced damage to the interior (car sickness, spilled food or drink, blood from sibling punch-ups in the second row) that I’d never be able to fully relax while driving the thing. (Newsflash: I’ve heard from Infiniti that the QX80’s upholstery has a soil-resistant coating.)
These pricey wagons certainly do have their fans though and now, with extensive exterior changes and some interior ones, does the QX80, based on the Y62 Nissan Patrol, actually offer anything to set it apart from other large premium SUVs? Read on.
First launched in 2008, the BMW X6 created history (and a new car category) with its coupe styling on an SUV framework.
It was a polarising effort but one that opened up the SUV market for those wanting the size and presence of an SUV without compromising on the sporty styling of a smaller car.
The 2024 X6 has had a facelift and that brings a more athletic and robust kerb-side appeal that might swing a few fence sitters onto the side of liking it.
The already pleasant interior has been polished with extra customisations available on trims and accents. The technology has seen the biggest upgrade and it now features a more streamlined mild-hybrid component to the engine. It all positions the X6 well and truly within the rank of luxury.
For the last week I’ve been driving the mid-spec xDrive40i M Sport variant to see how the facelifted model holds its own against rivals, the Audi Q8 55 TFSI Dynamic Black and Mercedes-Benz GLE450 4Matic Coupe.
The petrol-only QX80, really a Y62 Patrol with shedloads of bling, is a curious beast; a big, bold status-boosting premium SUV, which is much better suited to the US and Middle East markets than ours. However, it has a real premium feel, is very smooth to drive and the exterior and interior changes have improved what has so far been a divisive model for a brand with a small but growing fanbase here. Infiniti sold 83 of the previous QX80 in 2017 and is hoping to move 100 of these new ones in 2018; they have their work cut out for them, but if brand confidence is worth a few sales, who knows, they might even top the ton.
I was not expecting to like the BMW X6 xDrive 40i M Sport as much as I do. The styling is still polarising but the facelift will throw more people towards the liking rather than disliking side of the fence. The cabin and boot are super practical and the X6 nails all the premium elements you expect at this level. It’s driving and handling are what win me over, though.
My son loves this one and doesn’t want to hand it back. My husband also noted how nice he thought the X6 was… and that’s saying something for a born and raised 'country boy'!
The bulk of the facelifted QX80’s design changes have been to the exterior and include, most noticeably, new LED headlights with a redesigned, sleeker but more aggressive front end than its predecessor’s softer, more rounded curves.
The new QX80’s bonnet is 20mm higher than before and has been extended 90mm; the side steps have been stretched 20mm wider, and the power tailgate has been re-designed to include sharper, thinner, rear LED taillights and the bumper is visually wider.
The whole body has a higher visual centre of gravity, with this latest raft of design shifts giving the SUV a taller, broader, wider and more angular overall appearance.
The interior includes a bigger, chunkier redesigned centre and rear console and those aforementioned premium touches, such as leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, updated upholstery-stitching, semi-aniline quilted leather patterning on door panels and seats, as well as its stainless-steel sill plates, all add to the premium feel.
The QX80 looks better than it did but, as the previous one was pretty hard on the eyes, the 2018 version may still polarise opinion.
SUV coupe styling with its raised platform and pinched bum just doesn’t do it for me usually but I like it on the new X6 model. The facelift helps the X6 appear more athletic and just plain meaner than the previous version.
The front end sees the most change with new adaptive LED headlights and a bigger 'kidney' grille. The kidneys are illuminated, which adds to its night-time presence and the extended blacked-out intake vents at the front and around the car make it look sharp as hell.
The weird prong on the side mirrors has been dropped in favour of a more seamless design (hurrah) and the 22-inch alloy wheels give total va-va-vroom sport-vibes.
On the interior, the dashboard has been revamped with a more pronounced shape and a curved display panel that houses the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.8-inch multimedia system.
The air-vents now blend more into the dash but the little knobs for them might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
The ambient lighting is customisable and the quilted seats look beautiful but purists will wince on learning it’s synthetic leather, especially at this price point, but it feels and looks very nice.
The QX80 is a big unit – 5340mm long (with a 3075mm wheelbase), 2265mm wide and 1945mm high – and, when you’re seated inside it, it feels like Infiniti designers and engineers must have worked hard to maximise the space afforded them for driver and passengers without seeming to have sacrificed any style or comfort.
And that big open space inside the cabin is easy to get comfortable in. There are soft-touch surfaces everywhere – door panels, arm rests, centre-console edging – and the seats are unsurprisingly soft and supportive but tend towards slippery when there are quick changes in speed or direction, or when tackling steep downhills off-road. (It was fun to watch front-seat passengers slip-slide around inside during the 4WD loop)
If you’re up-front you’re well catered for; big glovebox; overhead sunglasses storage; the centre console now has a roomy smartphone storage area; the twin cupholders have been upsized to cop two 1.3-litre cups with handles (up from one 1.3-litre cup and a 950ml container); the USB port has been moved to the other side of the centre console so it’s easier to get to; the storage area under the front passenger arm-rest is now a 5.4-litre compartment, able to hold up to three upright 1.0-litre bottles or tablet devices.
There are nine cupholders and two bottle-holders in total in the QX80.
There’s a sunroof if you get the urge for natural light from above.
Second-row passengers now get 8.0-inch entertainment screens (up from 7.0-inch) and two additional USB ports.
The tip-up second row seats are easy enough to operate and the third row is power 60/40 split-fold-to-flat and reclining.
The QX80 is available with both seven- and eight-seat configurations, with the back seat in a two- or three-seat formation.
There is a 12V outlet in the cargo area.
You know you’re in a large SUV when you slide into the X6 because the cabin has a lot of space in both rows.
But also because of the higher centre console design, you feel tucked into the car despite the higher seating position. It makes it feel far sportier than your typical SUV.
Even back rowers enjoy decent legroom and headroom, despite the panoramic sunroof and sloping roof design. Six-footers should be relatively comfortable in both rows but it's best to reserve the middle seat as a sometimes position for adults. The raised floor won’t allow true comfort for a longer trip.
Let’s chat luxury because there’s plenty to be had with the electric front seats and their cloud-like comfort.
The electrically-adjustable side bolsters and adjustable lumbar support makes it feel like you’re being cuddled by the seat and also hold you in place in a turn. The extendable under-thigh supports minimise leg fatigue on a longer trip.
However, the back seat is almost as comfortable as the fronts in terms of cushioning. You also sit in, rather than on top of the seats which is a nice change for an SUV.
Individual storage is great in both rows and up front you get a dual-opening middle console, glove box and a handy utility area that houses the cupholders and two phone pockets.
There is also a storage nook on the driver’s side that will comfortably hold a wallet.
In the rear you enjoy two map pockets on the front seat backs and retractable cupholders in the fold-down armrest.
The armrest houses a shallow device holder and sits at a good height. Both rows enjoy deep storage bins in each door and a large drink bottle holder.
Happily, the holder is tilted towards the user, rather than away which is what you usually see.
The boot is a great size at 580L with all seats in use. There’s a little lip that has practical metal scuff plates but otherwise the loading space is level.
The hands-free powered tailgate is welcome and the handy 40/20/40 split on the back row opens up your storage options.
You get a temporary spare tyre underneath the floor and it’s cool how the floor has a gas strut, which makes the area much easier to access.
The concertina-style cargo cover is a bit dicky to use but I like how solid it is. It could easily double as a shelf by itself.
Charging options are abundant with a total of two 12-volt ports, a USB-A port, three USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad to choose from throughout the car. But it is annoying to use the pad when the front cupholders are in use.
I like having hardened kickplates on the backs of the front seats because my seven-year old loves putting his feet on everything.
The higher ground clearance makes this an easy car to get in and out of but it also makes for a great view for my son. He finds the doors a little heavy to close but the massive door grab handles help!
Amenities in the rear row make it a pleasant space to be in for kids and adults alike. You have reading lights, map pockets, two storage shelves and directional air vents.
There is manual climate control in this row, too, but it feels at odds with the rest of the high tech in the car.
On that note, the updated technology looks gorgeous.
The head-up display is clear and the digital instrument panel offers plenty of customisation. It's a super handy feature to access your recent call log via the steering wheel controls and see it pop up on the instrument cluster.
The touchscreen multimedia system is responsive but you can also use the rotary dial to get around it. There is a stack of information in it, though, which will take a bit to get your head around. Can’t fault its graphics, it looks hot, but some users may feel flustered at first.
The system has built-in satellite navigation that features an augmented reality feature, which overlays dynamic instructions on the video feed. What makes it practical is how it can be viewed on your instrument cluster, which means more on-road focus for the driver.
There is wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, with the latter being simple to connect to. You don’t have the important climate control buttons/dials up front and I find it annoying to access the multimedia screen to change climate and fan speed settings.
What you lack in controls there is more than made up for in the centre console. There are a lot of buttons, from the push-button starter, rotary control wheel and everything in between.
Even after a week, my mind still has a mini freeze looking at them while on the go.
Pricing has not changed: there is one model and it still costs $110,900 before on-roads and that price does not include paint other than the standard Black Obsidian; metallic paint is $1500 extra. Changes over and above the previous model’s standard features list include 22-inch 18-spoke forged alloy wheels (up from 20-inch), Infiniti’s InTouch 8.0-inch colour touchscreen (up from 7.0-inch), new Espresso Burl coloured trim, new chrome finishes all-round, updated upholstery-stitching everywhere, quilted leather patterning on seats, new headlights, LED foglights and more. There is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
There are three variants for the X6 before you jump up to the performance M grade. Our test vehicle is the mid-spec xDrive40i M Sport model and will cost you $144,900 before on road costs.
That places it in the middle of its rivals and you get a well-specified model for the price tag but our test vehicle has also been fitted with a few extras, like the 'M Sport Package Pro' which adds a darkened grille and accents throughout the car, an M Sport exhaust system, red M Sport brake calipers and the M Sport signature colour stitching in the seat belts. All of that adds $2308.
Our test model also has the 'Enhancement Package' which tacks on $4616 but you get some great items like the crystal glass accents on the rotary dial and push-start button and a premium Harman Kardon surround sound system.
It also adds big 22-inch alloy wheels, a tyre pressure monitoring system and a temporary spare tyre which replaces the standard run-flat tyres on the base model.
Oh, and the 'M Brooklyn Grey Metallic' paintwork adds $1539. Just sayin’ it will cost you a pretty penny but it’s not outrageous for a luxury SUV.
Other standard equipment includes synthetic leather trims, electric front seats with heat function, electrically adjustable steering wheel, sports paddle shifters, M Sport styled scuff plates and badging, exterior puddle lamps and a full suite of LED lights including adaptive headlights.
You also enjoy a panoramic sunroof, adjustable lumbar support on both front seats, as well as extendable under-thigh support.
The drivers seat features two memory positions and comfort entry/exit functions (the seat and steering wheel slide back for you to get in and out of car).
For practicality, there is a hands-free powered tailgate, pre-entry climate control with programable entry time and a boot floor that features a gas strut for easy access.
We’ll touch on the tech later but the highlight is a new curved display panel that houses the 12.3-inch digital instrument screen and 14.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system.
The previous generation’s 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine (298kW@5800rpm and 560Nm@4000rpm) remains, as does the seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control. It also has Infiniti’s all-mode 4WD system, which offers Auto, 4WD High and 4WD Low settings and it has terrain appropriate modes (sand, snow, rocks) able to be dialled in.
The xDrive40i M Sport has a 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with maximum outputs of 280kW and 540Nm. That’s 30kW and 90Nm up from the previous model.
It has a smooth eight-speed auto transmission and is all-wheel-drive.
The facelift sees the addition of a new mild-hybrid system which makes for almost imperceptible stop/start functionality when idling and a smidge better on-road fuel economy.
With a 0-100kmh sprint time of 5.4-seconds, it’s obvious that it has plenty of power to have fun with.
The QX80 is claimed to use 14.8L/100km. We reckon that fuel-consumption figure is very optimistic and if QX80 owners are partial to towing boats – as Infiniti reckons they are – or if they tackle some 4WDing, then that figure is going to climb much higher quite swiftly.
Expectations for a thirsty engine were high, considering the hefty power available, but this version of the X6 has proved to be quite economical.
The xDrive40i M Sport variant has an official combined cycle fuel economy figure of 9.3L/100km but my real-world usage averaged 8.8L/100km.
That’s after mostly open-road driving with only a little ‘city’ thrown in but I didn't hesitate to use the power, so I'm happy with the result.
The X6 has a big 83-litre fuel tank and based on my usage, you’d see a driving range of around 943km, which is great.
BMW only recommends a minimum 95 RON petrol to be used.
In the world of luxury SUVs big is king and this thing is definitely on the chunky side of big, but it doesn’t often feel too cumbersome for its own good, or too bulky to steer in and out of Melbourne’s bustling morning traffic with precision.
During this event, we did a fair chunk of driving – highway, country roads, gravel roads and a decent bit of 4WDing – and, surprise, surprise, it did pretty well, especially when things of this ilk usually exhibit the ride and handling of an old poorly-sprung couch on wheels.
It did, however, feel top-heavy at times and revealed substantial body-roll when pushed around corners at speed or even during some sections of slow, bouncy off-roading, so I’d be reluctant to experience what it would be like without hydraulic body motion control. However, we were willing to forgive it any rocking-and-rolling when that healthy V8 growl kicked in as we gave it the boot.
The 22-inch tyre-and-wheel combination is not the way I’d go if I was going to use the QX80 for any off-road forays but, having said that, we did fine on them, at road tyre pressures, over a decent off-road loop.
It has 246mm of ground clearance and 24.2 (approach), 24.5 (departure) and 23.6 (ramp-over) angles.
The QX80 has coil springs all-round and it was only ever caught out when it thumped through a couple of surprise potholes along a dirt road.
This Infiniti model has a claimed tare mass of 2783kg, but you wouldn’t have known it was that many kegs because it powered up steep and slippery bush tracks, through deep muddy ruts, over greasy rocks and through a few knee-deep mud holes with ease. It was as easy as pulling up, switching your terrain modes and dialling in your setting: 4WD High, 4WD Low or Auto. It has a locking rear diff and very capable hill descent control, which we tested on a few rather steep sections of track.
It’s nice to see vehicle manufacturers unafraid to put their off-roaders, even their pricey luxury ones, through a decent off-road loop at launch because it shows they have confidence in its capabilities.
The QX80 has a maximum braked towing capacity is 3500kg and 750kg (unbraked).
The X6 is a thoroughbred on the road. It’s wide stance and massive wheels provide a well-balanced and grippy on-road ride experience.
Seriously, the tyres feel glued to the road even in the wet. Confidence is high with this one.
There is plenty of power to enjoy and you don’t feel like you’re digging deep for it, either, when you have to get up to speed or overtake.
It has the handling and power of a much smaller and sportier car but at no point does it feel wild or reckless to drive. It’s got a certain elegance and maturity to its handling.
Despite those massive wheels, the ride comfort is fantastic with the adaptive suspension. You still feel the road but you’re not knocked about by it. It’s very much a driver’s car in that sense but passengers still feel well-cushioned.
The cabin is insulated and you get basically no road noise or wind noise but occasionally you get some feedback from the tyres depending on the road surface. Longer journeys are comfortable and quiet.
The steering is light enough that you don’t feel like you’re hauling a massive SUV around but is still responsive. Meaning you can tackle a winding road or urban traffic easily.
When it comes time to park it, you’ll love having the 360-degree view camera system. It’s the best and clearest system I’ve sampled.
Add the front and rear parking sensors and no car space is an issue. But if you’re unsure, you can use the Park Assist feature to help out.
The QX80 does not have an ANCAP safety rating. Safety tech as standard includes blind spot warning, intelligent parking system, forward emergency braking, lane departure prevention (incorporating lane departure warning), distance control assist and predictive forward collision warning, Infiniti/Patrol intelligent rear view mirror (which can display video from a camera mounted in the upper rear windshield) and more. It has two ISOFIX points in the second-row seats.
The X6 has an extensive safety list and I like the SOS emergency call button and front cross-traffic alert. Both are great to have but the latter is particularly useful on a large SUV like this, especially in the city or driveways.
Other standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, autonomous emergency braking, LED daytime running lights, forward collision warning, side collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping aids, lane departure warning, intelligent seat belt reminders, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree view reversing camera, traffic sign recognition, driver fatigue monitor, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality. As well as an SOS emergency call button and stolen vehicle tracking.
The X6 hasn’t been tested by ANCAP, so it’s unrated but it is based on the X5, which achieved a five-star rating in 2018. However, it only features six airbags which is low for a family car.
There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard seats and three top tethers in this row. Two seats will fit best but I reckon you could squeeze a third in if you had to.
There’s plenty of room for front passengers when you install a 0-4 rearward facing child seat, too, which is good.
It has a four year /100,00km warranty. Service intervals are scheduled at 12 months/10,000km. The total cost for three years is $1346.11 (GST included).
The ongoing costs are surprisingly reasonable for a large luxury SUV! Like its rivals the X6 enjoys a five-year/unlimited km warranty.
However, you can pre-purchase a servicing plan for up to five years or 80,000km, whichever occurs first, for a flat $2400. Or an average of $480 per service which is inexpensive for this class.
Service intervals are also good at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.