The luxury SUV segment is packed with heavy hitters, but Infiniti has done something smart with the 2026 QX80 Sport. Instead of reinventing the wheel, Infiniti took its completely redesigned QX80 and added a new Sport trim that brings a more aggressive look and a healthy dose of premium features. If you liked last year’s redesign but wanted something with a little more attitude, this is probably the one you’ll want to look at.
I was fortunate to get to spend some time with the new Sport model, which replaces the former Sensory trim. It doesn’t add horsepower or performance upgrades, but it does bring a distinct appearance package and several luxury enhancements. The Sport receives dark chrome exterior accents, unique 22-inch wheels, a revised front fascia, premium interior materials, massaging front seats, upgraded audio, and exclusive styling touches.
Infiniti took an already handsome luxury SUV and gave it a darker, more athletic personality. And I don’t mean darker, like mysterious, I mean darker in the literal sense.
Under the hood sits a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that produces 450 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. Power is routed through a 9-speed automatic transmission, and the Sport model comes standard with all-wheel drive.
This engine replaced the old V8 during the 2025 redesign, and honestly, it’s a major improvement. The turbocharged V6 delivers strong acceleration while maintaining impressive towing capability. When properly equipped, the QX80 can tow up to 8,500 pounds, making it a capable choice for boats, campers, and utility trailers.
The QX80 was never a vehicle that blended into traffic, but now with this Sport appearance it is even more of a standout. At more than 211 inches long, it has serious road presence. The front end features Infiniti’s large double-arch grille, illuminated emblem, slim piano-key LED lighting, and flush-mounted door handles that help modernize the design. The Sport trim adds a dark chrome grille, exterior accents and 22-inch wheels. It all adds up to a more aggressive appearance.
If Infiniti was trying to make this look more luxurious, they accomplished that is this SUV makes an expensive first appearance.
Inside, Infiniti made the same intentions with an interior that really stands out and impresses. For the Sport trim of the QX80 there’s leather upholstery, diamond-pattern stitching, massaging front seats and biometric cooling technology. Yeah, you read that right, biometric cooling technology which uses an infrared sensor mounted in the headliner to monitor second-row occupants for signs that they’re getting hot. When the system detects excess heat, it automatically adjusts the climate system. Talk about futuristic!
A luxury SUV can be futuristic but it still needs to handle basic family duties, and the QX80 does that well. The cargo numbers indicate that with 20.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 56.3 cubic feet behind the second row and overall cargo area of 97.1 cubic feet. That means there’s space for luggage, sports equipment, road-trip gear, or large shopping runs without much passenger compromise.
There’s dual 14.3-inch displays that handle instrumentation and infotainment duties. Overall the system is intuitive and has all the connectivity and smart phone adaptability you’d expect. The Sport trim has a 24-speaker Klipsch audio system that should satisfy even serious music enthusiasts.
Nobody buys a full-size luxury SUV expecting hybrid-car efficiency, but the QX80’s numbers are reasonable for its size.
EPA estimates for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) version are 16 mpg/city and 19 mpg/highway.
If fuel economy is your top concern, there are better options. But if you need space, towing, luxury, and capability, these figures are about what you’d expect in this segment.
Of course all of this luxury comes at a hefty price. My tester had an MSRP of $101,950. With some special appearance packages and fancy lighting package that included 64-variable ambient lighting options, my tester’s final price was $108,160 which destination charge.
It’s impossible to call the 2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport the total package. But it sure does check all the boxes for everything you’d want in a big luxury SUV. Infiniti has taken an already impressive redesign and added a trim that looks more distinctive and feels even more upscale.
Jimmy Dinsmore is a syndicated, freelance automotive journalist. Email him at jimmydinsmore73@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @driversside
2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport
Price/As tested price………………… $101,950/108,160
Mileage…………………………………… 16 mpg/city; 19 mpg/hwy
Engine……………………………………… 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6
Horsepower……………………………… 450 hp/516 lbs./ft.
Transmission……………………………. 9-speed automatic
Drive Wheels……………………………. All-wheel drive
Final Assembly Point………………… Los Angeles, CA
