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Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie CarInfiniti QX80 vs Lexus GX 460
The Infiniti QX80 and Lexus GX 460 are big SUVs with luxurious amenities, plenty of tech, and ample capability. See how they stack up in our comparison.
A Battle of Luxury SUVs
When it comes to shuttling lots of people and stuff in style, big luxury SUVs are hard to beat. If a bit of off-road adventuring is also part of your equation, the Infiniti QX80 and Lexus GX 460 are options that can do it all. With body-on-frame construction, ample V8 power, and true 4WD, these beefcakes take a throwback approach to the land yacht sized vehicle. Both truckish SUVs are in their respective second generation that dates back to 2010, though they both benefit from regular improvements in the tech, safety, and amenities departments that continue to make them compelling for consumers.
Infiniti QX80 vs Lexus GX 460 Specs
Size is the most noticeable aspect to a 2022 Infiniti QX80 – it’s massive at 17 ½ feet long, 80” wide, and 76” tall. All that steel adds up to a roughly 5,700 curb weight, so it’s fortunate that the only powertrain is a stout one. A naturally aspirated V8 with 5.6 liters of displacement, it cranks out 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. The 7-speed automatic routes that juice to the rear wheels normally, though all models have the option of 4WD for an additional $3100. Fuel efficiency is not the large Infiniti’s strong suit with EPA estimates of 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway for RWD models. Subtract one from each figure when equipped with 4WD. That being said, there is a 26-gallon gas tank, which translates to a bladder busting 520 miles of highway range.
No one would call a 2022 Lexus GX 460 small, but in comparison to the huge Infiniti, it’s not quite so imposing. “Only” 16 feet long, the Lexus is 8” narrower and 2” shorter than a QX80, which of course translates to less weight. A 5,100-pound curb weight is still a whole lot of SUV to move around, but the GX also sports a healthy V8 power plant. With 4.6 liters of displacement, it puts out 301 hp and 329 lb-ft of torque paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Like the QX80, it is the only powertrain offered, but unlike its competitor, the Lexus comes standard with full-time 4WD thanks to its Land Cruiser roots. Unsurprisingly, like Infiniti, Lexus is not crowing about the GX 460’s fuel economy, which comes in at 15 mpg around town and just 19 mpg on the highway.
Driving and Performance
As it’s based off the same underpinnings as a Nissan Titan full-size truck, the 2022 Infiniti QX80 is quite stout on the towing and rough-roading front. In both RWD and 4WD configurations, it can tow as much as 8,500 pounds and comes standard with a Class IV hitch receiver, 7-pin wiring harness, and integrated trailer sway control. Four-wheel-drive models come with a 2-speed transfer case and the ability to select automatic 4WD along with High and Low range. The 9.2” of ground clearance should be enough for most off-roading adventures owners would be willing to take this $70,000 SUV on.
All four corners feature independent suspension with a double wishbone setup and on top-of-the-line Sensory trim, the Hydraulic Body Motion Control System is fitted. A slick but simple approach to reducing shake, rattle, and roll in the curves and on the trail, this feature pushes hydraulic fluid to the corner that needs stiffening via a network of undercarriage pipes negating the need for a power source.
The 2022 Lexus GX 460 is also descended from a rugged predecessor, in this case the Toyota Land Cruiser. So, there is a distinctly stronger emphasis on 4×4 capability starting with the fact that 4WD is the only drivetrain configuration available. Owners can let it run in automatic mode, functioning like a typical all-wheel-drive system, or can choose from 4-High and 4-Low ranges as needed. Multi-Terrain Select, part of a 4×4 package, lets drivers choose from modes like Loose Rocks or Mud/Sand. Also included in the package is a low-speed crawling mode and Multi-Terrain Monitor with multiple camera views including under the vehicle.
Four-corner independent suspension, consisting of double wishbones all the way around and a four-link rear, helps with on-road composure as does the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System that adjusts the stabilizers bars to reduce body roll and improve handling. Top-spec Luxury models go a step further with an adaptive suspension featuring Normal, Sport, and Comfort modes. Towing capacity comes in at 6,500 pounds and while trailer sway control is included, you’ll need to pony up for the connection hardware.
Luxury Comfort and Interior
Three rows of seating in the QX80 offer spaces for seven or eight occupants depending on second-row configuration. Captain’s chairs come standard, but that middle row can be fitted with a 3-position bench at no cost. Various grades of leather cover the interior with the choice of a two-tone scheme like Saddle Brown with Charcoal Burl that looks appropriately upscale. Acoustic front glass and triple-zone climate control keeps the cabin cozy as do the standard heated front seats and steering wheel. Options like heated rear outboard seats, ventilated fronts, and Plasmacluster ionization-enabled HVAC add to the creature comforts. The third row’s 29” of legroom leaves it best suited to kids, but middle row passengers are treated to 41” of stretch-out space. With both middle and third rows down, the latter of which features power-operated folding, opens the Infiniti up to 95 cubic feet of storage volume. That figure drops to 49 cu-ft with the middle row upright and 16 cu-ft with all rows in the raised position.
Lexus flips the script with a standard second-row bench in the GX 460 and the option, for additional cost, to add captain’s thrones. The third row is a pair of seats versus a bench so max occupancy is seven, but everyone will be comfortable thanks to automated climate control, a moonroof, and climatized cushions for front and middle row passengers. The GX is smaller in all dimensions versus the Infiniti, including inside where second row legroom is 34” and max cargo volume is 65 cubic feet. Also, you’ll need the highline Luxury model to access real leather upholstery and power-folding rear seats.
Trims and Features
Luxe, Premium Select, and Sensory are the trim options for an 2022 Infiniti QX80 and range from $71,995 on up to $86,245 for a top-spec 4WD model. 20” wheels and full LED lighting grace the exterior of base models with dark finished 22” rims an option. Driver conveniences include heated side mirrors with auto-dimming, rain-sensing wipers, and a rearview mirror that can switch between a regular mirror and a live-stream camera view of the rear. Power-adjustable, heated front seats swathed in leather are standard, but quilted-semi aniline leather and the advanced climate control system is reserved for Sensory models. All QX80s are equipped with a 12.3” touchscreen infotainment display that manages Apple and Android smartphone mirroring, 3-D navigation, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system. A dozen driver-assist systems are also on hand like intelligent cruise control with lane departure prevention, an around-view monitor, and backup collision intervention.
Entry point for a base 2022 Lexus GX 460 is $56,500 and with that, buyers are treated to 18” alloys, heated side mirrors, faux leather upholstery, and power-adjustable front seats. A 10.3” touchscreen is lineup standard and handles infotainment duties like Apple, Alexa, and Android integration, navigation, and the Wi-Fi hotspot. For $57,835, Premium trim adds 19” wheels, climatized front seating, a heated second row, and tri-zone HVAC controls. Captain’s chairs for the second row are optional as is the Mark Levinson 17-speaker stereo and darkened Sport Design exterior trim. Luxury is the top GX 460 model that, for $66,010, comes with semi-aniline leather upholstery, a wood and leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and cargo area cover. An optional $1570 Off-Road package adds a host of 4×4 goodies like low-speed rock crawling control, a fuel tank skid plate, and transmission oil-cooler. Across the GX lineup, 10 airbags and active-safety systems like blind spot monitoring, pre-collision warning, and dynamic cruise control are standard fare.
Buy the Infiniti QX80 or Lexus GX 460?
Though both the 2022 Infiniti QX80 and 2022 Lexus GX 460 cater to an audience seeking room to spread out and rugged capability draped in a luxurious wrapper, they approach it from two distinct angles. The QX80 is about as big as these SUVs get, so if you need all the space, Infiniti has you covered. It also boasts better towing capacity, a longer list of driver-assistance aids and more robust standard tech features.
However, at $66,000, the top-line Lexus GX 460 Luxury starts at $9,000 less than a base, 4WD-equipped QX80. Although, it is smaller and can’t tow quite as much, plus the list of tech and safety systems is a bit lighter. On the other hand, it sports a much higher level of standard and available off-roading equipment if that’s a priority. Both of these large luxury SUVs will cart around a family with all their stuff, they just handle that job from a different perspective and price point.
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