The Infiniti QX80, long a forgotten pick in the full-size luxury SUV segment, has been soldiering on in mostly the same form since 2010. That’s a long time for a class that values the latest and greatest, and though its Nissan Patrol bones are solid enough, it’s well past time for a major update. Enter the second-generation 2024 Infiniti QX80, a prototype of which was spotted cruising around southern Ontario, Canada over the weekend.
The two-box shape looks pretty familiar, if a bit boxier, while the front end sees the usual Infiniti grille flanked by new vertically-stacked headlights. The fenders are wider and more pronounced than the old truck as well. Word is we’ll get a good look at the exterior design details via the QX80 Monograph concept that’s due to be shown this summer.
Of course, the real improvements will have to come on the inside, and we don’t have any information on cabin looks or tech yet.
What we do know is that Infiniti Chairman Peyman Cargar told Automotive News last year that the company believes the QX80 is its most important model and is dedicated to getting this one right. And they need too—Infiniti’s sales have been in a tailspin for years as the brand has suffered from the lack of a defined identity and being tied to the hip with Nissan. That presumably means prepping it for electrification too, though there’s been no word on powertrains other than a report of the 5.6-liter V8 being swapped for a turbo V6 (of course).
What do you think? Enough to pull Infiniti out of the fire, or too little too late?
Editor’s note 6/21/23 @ 7:45p ET: A previous version of this story misidentified the vehicle as the next-generation Hyundai Palisade. It’s been completely rewritten as a result. The Drive sincerely regrets and takes full responsibility for the error.