Best Sibling? 2025 Infiniti QX80 vs. 2025 Nissan Armada

Americans have a long-lasting love of massive SUVs, and lately the full-size SUV segment has been having a huge boom. They are expected to have not just huge space and capability, but also tons of luxury as well. Two of the newest entries into the market are siblings to one another – the Nissan Armada on the mainstream side and the Infiniti QX80 on the luxury side. We spent time with both and think you might just be surprised how similar they are despite their drastically different prices. So, who wins in a 2025 Infiniti QX80 vs. 2025 Nissan Armada battle? Let’s compare them to find out!

Pricing and Equipment

Large SUVs certainly carry large price tags these days, so let’s briefly dive into that first before we get into all the exterior, interior, cargo and driving elements.

Obviously, as expected, the Nissan will carry a lower price than the more luxurious sibling. With all the options, we’re sitting at a touch under $85,000.

MSRP (Platinum Reserve 4WD): $79,900 | Options: $2,900 | Destination: $2,010 | Total: $84,810

That may seem like a lot, but the loaded Autograph QX80 comes in a whopping $28,000 more expensive. Its price tops out at $112,590, all in.

MSRP (Autograph 4WD): $109,900 | Options: $695 | Destination: $1,995 | Total: $112,590

Exterior Design

The name of the game with big SUVs has always been to have an imposing design and certainly these two accomplish that mission. With a keen eye you may be able to tell these SUVs are related, but overall, the Armada goes for a more truck-like appearance and the QX80 a bolder look. You have more chrome on the Nissan Platinum Reserve, and as far as lighting, both have premium projector LED headlights.

That’s not to say there aren’t differences, though. Only the Infiniti has animations and illuminated logo, and only the Nissan has LED fog lamps.

Heading on around to the side, you’ll see some family resemblance, and as far as length, the Infiniti is just a tiny bit longer due to the different bumper designs. Definitely make sure to get out those tape measures to see if they will fit in your garage and note that neither offer an extended wheelbase version like some of the rivals have.

Lengths: Armada: 209.6-inches |  QX80: 211.2-inches

Regardless, for style, they have large 22-inch alloys and both the QX80 and Armada offer two-tone roof schemes.

Moving to the rears, the QX80 has a rounded glass look and the Armada goes for a boxier appearance. As far as features, they both have full-length and fully-LED taillights, spoilers, plus a hidden wiper to keep it from being as weathered.

As body-on-frame SUV’s, they also have a large amount of towing capability. To be exact, it’s 8,500 lbs on which is better than most other rivals.

Armada: 8,500 lbs. | QX80: 8,500 lbs.

Additional Features

Now as far as other features, both have fully loaded mirrors with heating, power folding, blind spot monitoring and auto-dimming. Only the Infiniti includes auto-dimming on both driver and passenger sides, though.

Past that, they also have every single active safety system as standard equipment in these loaded models. Surprisingly, Nissan also allows the Armada to option on ProPilot 2.1, which enables some hands-free highway driving and matches that capability offered on the QX80.

Warranty-wise, the Infiniti takes the lead. It offers a longer basic, powertrain, and complimentary service period.

Infiniti: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 4yr/60k mi | Powertrain: 6yr/70k mi | Comp Main: 3 years

Nissan: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 3yr/36k mi | Powertrain: 5yr/60k mi | Comp Main: 2 years 

Anyway, that’s the end of the bold exteriors, but the bigger part of this comparison is definitely on the insides, so let’s get into that.

Interior Design

Now, walking up the vehicles, both are obviously going to have smart entry systems with remote start. The Nissan doesn’t have sensors behind the door handle to unlock, while in the Infiniti, they theatrically pop out on approach and do have sensors.

Interestingly, neither of them has power running boards or soft close doors, despite the prices.

Now glancing inside the interiors of these two, you’ll see some similar and different aspects. But before we dive into that, let’s start with the seats. 

Despite the initial color difference, we have real leather seating on both SUVs, although the Infiniti uses a more premium and supple semi-aniline leather.

For features, they are heated, ventilated, have memory functions, and are highly adjustable with things such as 4-way lumbar. Both also include seat massaging, but only the Infiniti QX80 has power bolster adjustment, useful for that next post-Thanksgiving drive.

Now getting inside and breaking down the bigger point of overall material quality, these two impress. While they are quite similar, the QX80 levels up, as expected, with generous use of leather, genuine open-pore wood, and other boujee materials like a suede headliner. While the Armada is extremely nice, it can’t quite match the specialness of the QX80’s cabin.

Now let’s start to look around and assess individual items, starting with our gauge clusters. Both have massively upgraded the tech for 2025 and feature a 14.3-inch display serving as the gauge cluster. In addition, they also have the same large head-up display, and pulling back, they have heated, power-adjusting, leather-wrapped steering wheels, as well as rain-sensing wipers. Both even include leather airbag covers.

Storage and Technology

Next up is the major point category of interior storage, where, as you might expect, both excel. Now normally, the refrigerator cool box included only on the Infiniti, takes up quite a bit of the console space but that’s not the case here. They are nearly identical and also have the same size cupholders and wireless phone chargers. The large center pass through is also the same, so overall, we’ll call this area even.

That space is due to the compact nature of the push-button shifter on both. To help you navigate these big SUVs, they have the expected 360-degree cameras with many view selections and are also including advanced options such as 3D spin view and being able to expand the front camera view to the gauge cluster screen.

But before we get into all the other tech in the main screens, it’s time to talk audio. This is one area where both have had a big glow up this year. They’re utilizing new Klipsch systems, but the Infiniti’s more advanced version is impeccable. It has double the speakers with incredibly rich audio quality, plus is including special features such as speakers in the headrest that can isolate out phone calls and navigation instructions without disturbing the rest of the car.

QX80: 24-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere Audio

Armada: 12-speaker Klipsch 600-Watt Audio

Moving on from that, let’s talk climate controls, which is one area that’s completely different between the siblings. The Infiniti went for a more high-tech approach and is using a separated 9-inch screen for climate controls, while the Armada uses a traditional button setup. Overall, after spending time with both, the Nissan’s adjustments are a lot easier to use while driving.

Both models have 3 zones of adjustment and include a feature called biometric cooling. This system uses infrared sensors to monitor the driver and passenger’s body temperatures and adjust the climate according to that. 

Alright so now that we are past the unusually complicated climate systems, let’s talk about those main screens. Just like the gauge clusters, both are using the exact same 14.3-inch dual display setup. That’s not a bad thing, though, as both have Google built in, wireless versions of AA and ACP, plus excellent graphics and performance.

Finally, for the front of the cabins, both have auto-dimming mirrors with garage openers and rear camera ability. Plus, both include large panoramic moonroofs.

Rear Seats and Cargo

Now let’s head for the important back areas. Right off the bat you can see that the QX80 goes for the executive seating style arrangement, while the Nissan has a traditional captain’s chair setup. 

As far as space is concerned, despite riding on the same platform their figures are ever-so-slightly different, but not more than the 5% threshold required to score a point. 

QX80: 37.6-inches of legroom | 36.2-inches of headroom

Armada: Legroom: 39.2-inches | Headroom: 37.8-inches

Space-aside, you will be spoiled with luxury amenities. That’s even more true in the Infiniti since its seats are power adjusting instead of manual, ventilated in addition to heated, and even power massaging.

Additionally, while both have captain’s chairs, this Infiniti has a full center console with storage and a screen to adjust all kinds of settings compared to just cupholders on the floor in the Armada.

But we’re not done yet: both also have two USB C ports and a 12v outlet, though oddly enough, do not have window sunshades.

Alright, now let’s move to the next row of seats. Previously, neither SUV had a very good third row but that changes this year. Their folding mechanisms are easy to use and don’t require child seat removal to access them, and as far as space, are identical. They easily fit adults comfortably and there are three seats with power reclining abilities. As the cherry on top, the Infiniti adds heating for those way-back seats.

QX80: Legroom: 32.9-inches | Headroom: 36.2-inches

Armada: Legroom: 32.9-inches | Headroom: 36.2-inches

Moving around back to the cargo, both have hands-free power tailgates, and once they open, it shouldn’t be a surprise they are nearly identical in capacity. The Infiniti does hold the slight advantage behind the third row, however, that advantage evaporates since in the other two seating configurations the difference is not enough to score a point.

QX80: Behind 3rd Row: 22.0 cu.ft. | Behind 2nd Row: 59.0 cu. ft. | Maximum: 101 cu. ft.

Armada: Behind 3rd Row: 20.4 cu.ft. | Behind 2nd Row: 56.3 cu. ft. | Maximum: 97.1 cu. Ft. 

Both have power-folding third-row seats, buttons to fold the second row from the cargo area, spare tires, and air suspensions that lower to make loading in cargo easier.  

But that’s it for the insides, let’s take this fight to the streets and see how they stack up there!

Powertrains

As siblings, it should come as no surprise to you that both Armada and QX80 have traded the V-8’s of their past generations for the same twin-turbocharged V-6. They do make different power figures, 425 and 450 to be exact, in the Armada and QX80 respectively. Torque is the same in both, and acceleration is impressive despite their size.

QX80: 3.5L Twin-Turbo V-6: 450 hp | 516 lb.ft

Armada: 3.5L Twin-Turbo V-6: 425 hp | 516 lb.ft

As far as the transmissions are concerned, they both use a 9-speed automatic and power is put to the ground via 4WD systems.

Test Drive and Fuel Economy

While these SUVs have bones that underpin the very off-road capable Patrol overseas, these will likely spend far more time on-road than off-road. As such, let’s talk about ride quality. 

One of the biggest upgrades to Armada and QX80 this year is a full air suspension standard. That means they handle bumps in the road surprisingly well and let in a lot less vibrations than most other body-on-frame SUVs. 

Furthermore, both have special suspension tuning systems that work hard to compensate for body roll. From our experience, it is quite effective when you take them on a backroad. 

It’s also important that family SUVs are very quiet, which is why here at Car Confections, we take a sound level reading of every vehicle we test out. Decibel readings are on a logarithmic scale and the smallest difference an adult can usually discern is 1 dB. These two are within spitting distance of one another, although Armada was tested in Tennessee on a media drive so it can’t be counted as official.

QX80: 53.7 dB @ 55 MPH

Armada (TN): 54.0 dB @ 55 MPH

Finally, when it comes to fuel economy, both get the same 17 MPG combined figure. While that’s not too efficient, it is worth noting the 25HP advantage in the Infiniti means you must use premium fuel as opposed to regular in the Nissan. That’ll certainly cost you more over the life of the vehicle.

QX80 4×4: 15/19/17 MPG

Armada 4×4: 16/19/17 MPG

Resale, Reliability, and Value

In our reviews and comparisons, we are also adding in reliability and resale information to give you a better picture of the overall value beyond just the original MSRP. 

Beginning with reliability, we developed the Combined Reliability Index, which considers several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. Nissan is rated at 2 slots below the industry average for all brands in reliability, and Infiniti is also below industry average reliability by 5 slots to be exact.

We also put Mason’s economics degree to work to develop a detailed Predicted Resale Value tool. After 5 years and 60,000 miles, Nissan retains a predicted 50.56% of its value and Infiniti comes in at 41.2% after 5 years.

Resale is obviously important because it determines how much money you get back, but we can’t forget about the price difference at the original purchase. The Infiniti QX80 costs a whopping $27,780 more than the Nissan Armada.

I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.

2025 Infiniti QX80 vs. 2025 Nissan Armada Winner!

Now that’s it for this family comparison between to brand-new SUVs! Now let’s discuss who should be “your” personal winner based on those preferences…

Armada: 

• Best value ($28k less expensive)
• Physical controls for climate
• More truck-like design

QX80: 

• More luxury features (especially back seats; massaging, heated/vented, heated third row)
• Interior materials
• Longer warranty and Infiniti dealer experience

Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!

Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!