2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport
The 2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport delivers a premium driving experience. (Credit : Jack Kazmierski)
What sets the Sport trim apart from the rest of the QX80 family is its “sleek, darkened” appearance. (Credit : Jack Kazmierski)
The upscale passenger cabin is an oasis of tranquility. (Credit : Jack Kazmierski)
The QX80 can seat seven or eight in business-class-like comfort. (Credit : Jack Kazmierski)
The ride height can be adjusted to suit road conditions, and to allow for easier access to the passenger cabin. (Credit : Jack Kazmierski)
A nine-inch touchscreen is for all HVAC functions, drive mode selection and electronic air suspension control. (Credit : Jack Kazmierski)
If we had to sum up the 2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport in a single word, that word would have to be “premium.” The QX80 is Infiniti’s luxury flagship SUV, and 2026 marks the first model year it’s available in a Sport trim.
You could argue that “Sport” is a bit of a misnomer since this trim is more about how the QX80 looks, and less about how it performs. That’s because all QX80 models come with the same capable 3.5L V6 turbocharged engine that makes a satisfying 450 hp and 516 lb.-ft. of torque, the same smooth-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters), and the same all-wheel drive system.
What sets the Sport trim apart from the rest of the QX80 family is what Infiniti calls a “sleek, darkened” appearance. Tiago Castro, VP of Infiniti Americas explains the idea behind this design concept: “We know that luxury drivers are looking to make a bold entrance wherever they go, so for 2026 we are dramatically amplifying QX80’s Artistry in Motion styling with a Sport grade offering a sleek, darkened appearance.”
This design upgrade includes a new front grille; a restyled front bumper; unique 22-inch wheels; darkened exterior trim, mirror caps, lower bumper, roof rails and emblems; a Dusk Blue colour scheme inside the passenger cabin; dark matte chrome accents; dark brown wood trim; and graphite headliner and pillars. The dark colour scheme and dramatic accents give the QX80 Sport a bold presence, which nicely complements its athletic stance and masculine features.
Upscale cabin
The QX80 is more than just a pretty face, however. For starters, the upscale passenger cabin is an oasis of tranquility, offering all occupants a comfortable ride with plenty of legroom—yes, even in the third row. Soft-touch materials cover anything and everything that passengers might lean against or rest an arm on, and the generous use of leather, wood and suede add to the ambiance with an air of luxury.
For 2026, the QX80 is available in three well-appointed trims: Luxe, Sport and Autograph. Standard creature comforts abound, and include tri-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated leather first- and second-row seats (Autograph trim adds heated leather third-row seats), 10-way power first-row seats with four-way power lumbar support (Sport trims adds first-row massaging seats; Autograph trim adds first- and second-row massaging seats), and much more.
Top tech
The QX80 is packed with tech. Standard equipment includes remote engine start; a nine-inch touchscreen for all HVAC functions, drive mode selection and electronic air suspension control (Autograph trim gets an additional LCD control panel for HVAC and seat control integrated into centre console in the second row); one-touch easy 3rd-row access (a button on the second-row seats automatically slides and tilts the seats forward for easy access to the third row), to name but a few of the noteworthy features.
Two large 14.3-inch screens dominate the dashboard—one replaces the traditional analog gauges in front of the driver, and the other is the infotainment hub. The graphics are crisp, and the touchscreen menus are easy to navigate. All trims come with Google Built-in with Maps, Assistant and Play;wireless Apple CarPlay; wireless Android Auto; a wireless charging pad; eight USB-C ports; Alexa Built-in; SiriusXM Satellite radio, and a Klipsch 14-speaker sound system (Sport and Autograph trims get 24 speakers).
Safety systems
All trims come with a very long list of standard safety systems (much too long to itemize here). Infiniti’s ProPILOT Assist 1.1 system is standard on Luxe and Sport trims, providing stress-free highway driving with intelligent cruise control and lane centering. Autograph models, on the other hand, get the upgraded ProPILOT Assist 2.1 system, which builds on Assist 1.1 by adding hands-free driving on mapped highways, automatic lane changes and the ability to autonomously overtake slower vehicles.
The QX80 has also been recognized by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with a Top Safety Pick+ rating.
Big and brawny
The QX80 is Infiniti’s largest SUV. It’s big and brawny, and it can seat seven or eight (depending on the trim) in business-class-like comfort. It also boasts plenty of room for cargo (623L behind the third row; 2,860L with with the second and third rows down), plus a towing capacity of 8,500 lb.
Fortunately, the 450 hp V6 is up to the challenge, and more than capable of delivering a spirited driving experience, keeping in mind the size and weight of this luxury flagship SUV.
If your executive fleet calls for a capable and comfortable SUV with a “sleek, darkened” appearance that will help you make a bold entrance wherever you go, then the QX80 Sport might be the oasis of tranquility you’ve been looking for.
Price and Specifications
Year Make Model Trim
2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport
Base Price
$118,995
Notable Options
None
Price as Tested (including freight, PDI, federal luxury tax)
$128,054
Powertrain
3.5-litre V6 Turbo
Transmission
Nine-Speed Automatic
Horsepower
450 hp
Torque
516 lb.-ft.
Fuel Economy (according to NRCan)
15.0/12.3/13.8 L/100km (city/hwy/comb)
Fuel Economy (observed)
14.4 L/100km (comb)
