Skip to main content

2018 Infiniti QX80 gets a new face, more tech, better road manners

In a world of car-based crossovers, the 2018 Infiniti QX80 stands out. Based on the Nissan Armada, the QX80 is the Japanese luxury brand’s answer to luxury SUVs like the Land Rover Range Rover and Cadillac Escalade, and one of the last of the old school body-on-frame SUVs.

A thoroughly updated the QX80 unveiled at the 2017 Dubai Motor Show indicates that this old dog can still learn some new tricks. While crossovers may have the advantage when it comes to fuel economy and overall refinement, a more traditional SUV like the QX80 is still the way to go if you plan to do any serious towing or off-roading … or just want to drive a big, imposing vehicle.

Recommended Videos

The 2018 QX80 borrows some styling elements from the QX80 Monograph concept that debuted at the 2017 New York Auto Show earlier this year. An updated version of Infiniti’s trademark “double-arch” grille, as well as new headlights, give the QX80 a fresh look and visually tie it to other models in Infiniti’s lineup. The fender vents may look like unnecessary bling, but they actually help deliver more air to the engine, Infiniti says.

That engine is the same 5.6-liter V8 used in last year’s QX80. Output is unchanged at 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, which is channeled to the wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive optional. Infiniti claims the QX80 will do 0 to 62 mph in 7.5 seconds, reach a top speed of 130 mph, and tow up to 8,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Since the QX80 is based on the Nissan Armada, which in turn is a rebadged Nissan Patrol, genuine off-road capability is part of the package as well. Like all big SUVs, though, capability comes at the cost of fuel economy. The QX80 gets an EPA-rated 16 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive, and 15 mpg combined with four-wheel drive.

To make the QX80 feel like a luxury vehicle and not just a truck, Infiniti says it added soundproofing materials to make the cabin quieter, and retuned the suspension for a more comfortable ride. The optional rear-seat entertainment system now features larger screens and more input options, while the layout of dashboard buttons and icons on the main 8-inch touchscreen have been revised in an effort to make using the controls easier.

Like its Nissan Armada sibling, the QX80 gains a new streaming video rearview mirror for 2018. The device can act as a conventional mirror, or display feed from a rearview camera, increasing rearward visibility. A host of electronic driver aids are available, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, forward autonomous emergency braking, and backup collision intervention.

The 2018 Infiniti QX80 will arrive in U.S. showrooms before the end of the year. Pricing starts at $65,745 with rear-wheel drive, and $68,845 with four-wheel drive. Both prices include a mandatory $995 destination charge.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Read more
Tesla just scrapped the Cybertruck range extender
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

The writing was pretty much on the wall for the Cybertruck range extender last month when Tesla removed the option from its website. Now, it’s officially scrapped it and is refunding the $2,000 deposits that customers put down for the $16,000 battery pack. 

“We are no longer planning to sell the range extender for Cybertruck," Tesla said in a message to customers on Wednesday, adding, "As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full.”

Read more
Zoox recalls robotaxis after Las Vegas crash, citing software fix
zoox recall crash 1739252352 robotaxi side profile in dark mode

Amazon's self-driving vehicle unit, Zoox, has issued a voluntary safety recall after one of its autonomous vehicles was involved in a minor collision in Las Vegas. The incident, which occurred in April 2025, led the company to investigate and identify a software issue affecting how the robotaxi anticipates another vehicle’s path.
The recall, affecting 270 Zoox-built vehicles, was formally filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Zoox said the issue has already been addressed through a software update that was remotely deployed to its fleet.
Zoox’s robotaxis, which operate without driving controls like a steering wheel or pedals, are part of Amazon’s entry into the autonomous driving space. According to Zoox’s safety recall report, the vehicle failed to yield to oncoming traffic while making an unprotected left turn, leading to a low-speed collision with a regular passenger car. While damage was minor, the event raised flags about the system’s behavior in complex urban scenarios.
Establishing safety and reliability remain key factors in the deployment of the relatively new autonomous ride-hailing technology. Alphabet-owned Waymo continues to lead the sector in both safety and operational scale, with services active in multiple cities including Phoenix and San Francisco. But GM’s Cruise and Ford/VW-backed Argo AI were forced to abandon operations over the past few years.
Tesla is also expected to enter the robotaxi race with the launch of its own service in June 2025, leveraging its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. While FSD has faced heavy regulatory scrutiny through last year, safety regulations are expected to loosen under the Trump administration.
Zoox, which Amazon acquired in 2020, says it issued the recall voluntarily as part of its commitment to safety. “It’s essential that we remain transparent about our processes and the collective decisions we make,” the company said in a statement.

Read more