Every man and his dog seems to be chasing old Toyota and Lexus V8 SUVs these days, but they’re not the only path to dependable, body-on-frame luxury. The second-generation Infiniti QX80 (a QX56 before 2014), delivers the same proven V8 power and durability with a tougher pedigree than most buyers realize.
Underneath, it shares much of its hardware with the legendary Nissan Patrol, giving it genuine off-road credibility to match its plush cabin. Best of all, the Infiniti has largely gone under the radar, meaning you can still land a clean, low-mileage example for the same money as a new Subaru Crosstrek.
Big V8 Luxury Without The Big Price
2024 Infiniti QX80Infiniti
New car prices are higher than ever. Even a non-luxury compact SUV like the current 2026 Subaru Crosstrek starts at $26,995, before destination charges and the usual fees inflate the price even further. But for roughly the same money, you can slide behind the wheel of a full-size Infiniti QX80 (or QX56), in some cases with part of Infiniti’s six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty still intact.
Infiniti has introduced a third-generation QX80 for the 2025 model year, but it ditched the V8 in favor of a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. The second-generation model, which debuted for 2011, came exclusively with Nissan’s familiar 5.6-liter V8, an engine used across a wide range of Infiniti and Nissan vehicles. It delivers smooth, effortless power and, thanks to its naturally aspirated design, avoids much of the added complexity that comes with modern turbocharged engines. That simplicity should pay dividends for owners planning to keep one for the long haul.
2024 Infiniti QX80Infiniti
The second-generation SUV launched as the QX56 for 2011 before adopting the QX80 name for 2014 as part of Infiniti’s company-wide rebranding. A mild refresh arrived for 2015, followed by a more substantial update for 2018 that introduced new styling. A final update arrived for 2022, introducing a modern infotainment system with a touchscreen display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. Buyers with room in the budget should target 2022-and-newer examples for the latest technology. Still, because the underlying mechanical package remained largely unchanged throughout production, older examples shouldn’t be overlooked.
How Much To Pay Today
2024 Infiniti QX80Infiniti
Searching the CarBuzz Marketplace and other popular online classifieds reveals multiple examples of the second-generation QX80 (and QX56) for sale, with prices starting as low as $6,000. At that price point, however, buyers should expect odometer readings approaching 200,000 miles or vehicles with previous accident damage. Compare that with the similarly aged Lexus LX, and the difference becomes clear. You won’t find a 2011 model-year or newer LX for less than $15,000, and even at that price point, examples typically have well over 200,000 miles.
The Infiniti looks even more appealing as budgets increase. Around $15,000, you can buy clean QX80 examples roughly a decade old and with fewer than 100,000 miles. Apply the same mileage limit to the Lexus, and you’ll need to spend at least $33,000. The Toyota Land Cruiser, the LX’s platform twin, won’t offer much relief either. Used examples command even higher prices, showing just how much buyers value the brand’s legendary reputation for durability.
Returning to our original premise of spending roughly the same money as a new Subaru Crosstrek, around $27,000, the QX80 starts to look like a serious bargain. While that budget only buys a well-used Lexus LX or Toyota Land Cruiser, it can secure a pristine QX80. We’re talking 2020 to 2022 examples with around 60,000 miles.
In short, it’s built like a tank, priced like a cheap SUV.
400 HP And More: Key Specs
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Underpinning the vehicle is the Y62 platform engineered for the global Patrol, i.e. Nissan’s legitimate rival to the Toyota Land Cruiser, as opposed to Nissan’s pickup-based F-Alpha platform that featured in the first-generation QX56 and left it feeling somewhat crude for a luxury SUV as a result. The move to the Y62 platform also shifted production of the QX56 from the US to Japan.
More importantly, it brought a level of sophistication that was rare among full-size SUVs at the time. Available Hydraulic Body Motion Control used hydraulic circuits linking the suspension dampers to reduce body roll in corners without the need for stiff anti-roll bars, helping the big Infiniti feel more composed on the road while maintaining a comfortable ride. The platform also featured independent double-wishbone suspension front and rear, along with twin-tube shock absorbers, and an automatic rear-leveling air suspension that maintained a consistent ride height and departure angle when towing or carrying heavy loads. Despite its luxury focus, the QX56 offered genuine off-road credentials thanks to those Patrol bones, including 9.2 inches of ground clearance and a four-mode terrain management system on four-wheel-drive models.
2017 Infiniti QX80 Engine BayInfiniti
Then there was the VK56VD 5.6-liter V8, one of Nissan’s best modern engines. Featuring direct injection and the company’s VVEL variable valve lift system, it produced 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, making it one of the most powerful engines in the segment when new. The V8 was paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission featuring manual control and downshift rev-matching, and delivered a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. Despite increased performance over its predecessor, the second-generation QX56 delivered roughly 10 percent better fuel economy. Rear-wheel-drive models were slightly more efficient, but most examples on today’s used market are equipped with four-wheel drive, which carries EPA ratings of 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined.
Inside, the QX56 offered the kind of luxury expected from a flagship SUV. Standard equipment included leather seating for all three rows, navigation, a Bose 13-speaker audio system, a surround-view camera, heated front seats, power-folding third-row seats, and a power liftgate. Higher trims added semi-aniline leather, climate-controlled front seats, heated second-row seats, and a rear-seat entertainment system with dual screens.
The original infotainment system feels dated by modern standards, but that’s less of a concern than it might seem. A 2022 update brought a much more modern setup, and retrofitting that system into earlier models has become a popular upgrade, adding the smartphone integration many owners consider essential today.
The QX80’s Long-Term Appeal
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Though Infiniti doesn’t carry the same reputation for reliability as, say, Toyota or Lexus, the second-generation QX56/QX80 is a vehicle owners can feel confident in. JD Power awarded the final 2024 model a quality and reliability score of 89 out of 100, and earlier examples also scored highly. In fact, RepairPal ranks the QX80 first among luxury full-size SUVs for reliability, while CarComplaints lists relatively few reported issues, with the 2011 and 2019 model years appearing to be the most problematic.
The Lexus LX still holds the gold standard for long-term durability, which helps explain its much stronger resale values. However, the Infiniti isn’t far behind and generally proves more dependable than many examples of the Cadillac Escalade and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, with the Mercedes known for packing more complex electronics and racking up pricier repair bills. Importantly, a well-maintained QX80 can easily cover high mileage, making condition and service history far more important than the number showing on the odometer.
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Prospective buyers should pay particular attention to the rear air suspension, Hydraulic Body Motion Control system on equipped models, and the operation of the SUV’s many electronic features. The V8 and seven-speed automatic are generally durable, though some early examples suffered from timing-chain stretch, which can result in a rattling noise and expensive repair bills if left unaddressed. In other words, a thorough pre-purchase inspection remains money well spent.
A Bargain That Won’t Stay Secret Forever
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The second-generation QX56/QX80 remains one of the best family haulers on the market, combining the Nissan Patrol’s rugged platform with V8 power, decent three-row luxury, and surprising durability at bargain prices. But that window may not stay open forever. As buyers priced out of appreciating Lexus LX and Toyota Land Cruiser models discover the Infiniti, demand will likely rise. Add in the loss of the V8 in the latest QX80, and now may be the time to grab one of the older examples while they’re still reasonably priced.
Sources: Infiniti, CarComplaints, JD Power, RepairPal
