2015 Infiniti QX80 Limited testdrivenow.com VIDEO REVIEW

2015 Infiniti QX80 Limited VIDEO REVIEW

There’s been a renaissance of sorts lately in the large, luxurious body-on-frame SUV segment with all-new or refreshed models debuting from a number of manufacturers. But when it comes to the ultra-luxury faction, this new Infiniti QX80 Limited raises the bar – awash in fine leather and wood that’ll have you seeing Bentley.

Whether it’s a Lexus LX, Cadillac Escalade, or any other luxo-utility of similar avoirdupois, not a single one can match the styling grandeur of the ornate QX80. Though it’s anything but reserved, I’ve always appreciated Infiniti’s ability to design a vehicle like this with a touch of retro elegance, avoiding the boxy, butch look of the others. And now for 2015, the QX80’s updated appearance further harmonizes its brutish gracefulness with a new front fascia, grille and LED lighting.

But that’s not the headline, per se. Nope, that belongs to this new Limited Package valued at $10,000. When you check that box, every other one on the order form automatically populates to generate one fully-loaded model with no options other than color – of which 3 are exclusive to the Limited, including this Mocha Almond. It’s only available with all-wheel drive, and after a few nominal accessory add-ons like the roof rail crossbars and illuminated kick plates the sticker crosses $90 grand, landing here at $91,245. And when it says Limited it means it, with this version virtually built to order with dealers getting less than 1 per month. Any skepticism I had prior to taking delivery immediately vanished as soon as I opened the door. This isn’t the typical mythomania propagated by the auto industry – what you see here is the real deal. The range of rich, earthy colors, silver accents and real wood appointments is a feast for the eyes and executed with a hand-crafted level of quality.

This cabin truly is gorgeous with its Truffle Brown semi-aniline leather and matte-finish wood. And it feels and smells as authentic as it looks. Sure, there are a few overlooked moments – such as the lack of interior LED lighting, the absence of Blu-ray and the yesteryear central gauge display – but all-in-all this is a QX80 worthy of the Limited badge.

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