Flagship luxury SUVs have been getting a lot of attention recently since many of them have been getting redesigned. The newest option to enter the segment right now is the all-new 2025 Infiniti QX80, which has taken the brand to new heights. But there is also another venerable nameplate from a Japanese luxury automaker: the Lexus LX 600. So, who wins in a $100,000+ battle between the 2025 Infiniti QX80 vs. 2024 Lexus LX? Well let’s find out now!
Pricing and Equipment
While it’s not as much of a consideration for people spending well over 6-figures on a vehicle, we will still go ahead and mention the pricing quickly before we get into all the exterior, interior, cargo and driving elements.
Starting with the Lexus, we have one of the highest trim levels, called F-Sport. All in, we’re sitting at a steep $113,000.
MSRP (F-Sport 4WD): $107,125 | Options: $4,890 | Destination: $1,350 | Total: $113,365
Pretty much everything about the QX80 is new for the brand, but this loaded Autograph also represents a new ceiling for pricing. Its price tops out at $112,590, all in.
MSRP (Autograph 4WD): $109,900 | Options: $695 | Destination: $1,995 | Total: $112,590
By the way, if you want to get the best price from local dealerships and access to invoice pricing info for these two models or any vehicle, we have a tool on our website to do just that. Click here for more information!
Exterior Design
The name of the game with this kind of SUV for a long time was bling and shiny things everywhere, but that has begun to fade away. You can see that with these two, which still have some chrome and silver elements, but have largely moved to dark finishes on the grilles. They have bold designs, including with the headlights.
Despite the unique designs, they both have full-LED projector headlights, neither have fog lamps, and the Infiniti has animations.
Heading on around to the side, this is a great place to get a sense of just how big these two SUV’s are. Lengthwise, the QX80 has a huge advantage of over 11 inches. You’ll see later in this comparison just how much space these SUV’s have on board, and neither SUV offers an extended wheelbase option like Escalade and Navigator.
Lengths: LX: 200.6-inches | QX80: 211.2-inches
Regardless, 22-inch alloys attempt to fill out the large wheel wells, and the QX80 Autograph also gives you two-tone roof options.
Moving to the rears, the QX80 has a rounded glass look that covers up the d-pillar, and as far as features, they both have fully-LED taillights, spoilers, hidden exhaust outlets and a hidden wiper on the Infiniti.
As body-on-frame SUV’s, they also have tow hitches in the back with a large amount of capability: 8,000 and 8,500 lbs of towing, which gives the Infiniti the edge.
LX: 8,000 lbs. | QX80: 8,500 lbs.
Additional Features
Now as far as other features, both have fully loaded mirrors, and they both also have every single active safety system as standard equipment in these loaded trim levels. Both also have advanced systems that allow for some hands-free highway driving, but the Infiniti’s ProPilot system is more capable than the Lexus’ system that only works at under 25 MPH.
Warranty-wise, both models are covered longer than their German rivals, but the QX80 has some additional benefits. Its basic warranty lasts 10,000 more miles and it has 3 years of complimentary maintenance over the LX.
INF: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 4yr/60k mi | Powertrain: 6yr/70k mi | Comp Main: 3 years
LEX: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 4yr/50k mi | Powertrain: 6yr/70k mi | Comp Main: 1 Visit
Anyway, that’s the end of the exterior, but the bigger part of this comparison is definitely on the insides, so let’s get into that.
Interior Design
So, walking up the vehicles, both are obviously going to have smart entry systems to unlock the doors, and the door handles are electronic on the Infiniti so they pop out on approach.
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 very different design themes but plenty of luxury, regardless. And let’s start the details off with the seats.
In both luxury SUVs, we have semi-aniline leather seating, with very different shades of red, to say the least. Of course, they are also heated, ventilated, have memory functions, and are highly adjustable with extra adjustments such as thy extension. The other nice thing on the QX80 is full power massaging for relaxation after a long day at work or on the golf course.
Now getting inside and breaking down the bigger point of overall material quality, these two both have impressive elements. Obviously, we have lots of leather, genuine metal or wood, and other soft materials abound on both, but the new QX80 does a better job of spoiling the occupants with special touches like a suede headliner.
Now let’s start to look around and assess individual items, starting with our gauge clusters. While the Infiniti moved to a 14-inch display attached to the main one, like the Escalade, the Lexus continues with a more traditional design. It’s only partially digital so you have a lot more options in the QX80, and both models have head-up displays as you would expect.
Pulling back, both SUVs have heated, power-adjusting, leather-wrapped steering wheels, as well as rain-sensing wipers.
Storage and Technology
Next up is the major point category of interior storage, where, as you might expect, both excel. In addition to a lot of storage, each model has opted for the cool box console refrigerator to keep drinks cold. Those are effectively the same size and they both have wireless charging pads, but the QX80 space advantage kicks in with the center pass-through space under the console.
That is due to the compact nature of the QX80’s push-button shifter vs. the Lexus with a regular shifter. When you shift into reverse, both SUV’s have the expected 360-degree cameras with many view selections, but the QX80 has advanced options such as 3D spin view and expanding 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. It goes without saying that these high-end audio systems both sound terrific with 24 and 25 speakers, respectively. Sound quality is top-notch on both and very enjoyable to listen to in both, so we will call this area even.
QX80: 24-speaker Klipsch Reference Premiere Audio
LX 600: 25-speaker Mark Levinson Premium audio
Moving on from that, let’s talk climate controls, which are one of the few similar areas between the two of them. They both decided to utilize a separate screen for most of the functionality, but the LX makes it easier to adjust the temp while driving with physical controls for that.
Additionally, the Lexus has 4 independent zones instead of 3 on the Infiniti, but the QX80 fights back with an industry-first trick up its sleeve: biometric cooling. This system uses sensors to monitor the driver and passengers body temperatures and adjusts the climate according to that instead of just cabin temperature. This would eliminate the need to adjust the temperature after a workout for example.
Alright so now that we are past the unusually complicated climate systems, let’s talk about those main screens. Again, Lexus goes traditional here with a 12.3-inch pop-up style screen. The QX80’s infotainment side is 14.3 inches and visually has better resolution and graphics.
As far as features, both have navigation and wireless versions of AA and ACP, with the main difference being that the QX80 has Google apps built-in, like Maps and Assistant.
Finally, for the front of the cabins, both have auto-dimming mirror systems but only the QX80 has a camera system.
Additionally, only the Infiniti has a panoramic sunroof, which is not offered at all on the Lexus.
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 Lexus makes that available only on the $130,000 Ultra Luxury model. But if you want the extra person, this is something to consider.
Now as far as space is concerned, the LX is more like a mid-size SUV than a full-size which means it falls behind the Infiniti in legroom and especially headroom.
QX80: 37.6-inches of legroom | 36.2-inches of headroom
LX 600: 36.6-inches of legroom | 38.9 -inches of headroom
Space-aside, when you are sitting in the seats, you will be spoiled with luxury amenities. The QX80 seats are power adjusting instead of manual, and both are heated and ventilated, however, only the Infiniti has massage back here as well, unless you get the $135,000 Ultra Luxury.
Note: massage is available on the $135,000 Ultra Luxury Lexus LX.
While some may prefer the extra seat on the Lexus, which cannot get captain chairs except on that top model again, this Infiniti has a center console with storage and a screen to adjust all kinds of settings.
There are still even more features to mention: neither model has rear seat entertainment screens, the Infiniti has more plugs, and only the Lexus has sunshades for the side windows.
Alright, now let’s move to the next row. Previously, the QX80’s third row was not a great place to spend time, but with this new model, they have created a very nice space. We do see a space and comfort discrepancy here in favor of the QX80 since the Lexus only has two seats back here, less leg and headroom for those seats, and much more thy support for those seats since they are further off the ground.
As the cherry on top, the Infiniti adds heating for those way-back seats.
QX80: Legroom: 32.9-inches | Headroom: 36.2-inches
LX: 31.1 inches of legroom | 35.2 inches of headroom
Moving around back to the cargo, both have hands-free power tailgates, and once open, the QX80 again has the advantage with the seats in every configuration. At the maximum level, there’s a gigantic 44.8% difference between the two of them, which is certainly something worth considering you like to travel with a lot of stuff.
QX80: Behind 3rd Row: 22.0 cu.ft. | Behind 2nd Row: 59.0 cu. ft. | Maximum: 101 cu. ft.
LX 600: 3rd row: 11.0 cubic feet / Behind 2nd row: 44.0 cubic feet / Max: 64.0 cubic feet
Both have power-folding third-row seats and spare tires.
So now let’s take this fight to the streets and see how they stack up there!
Powertrains
As we head out on the streets, you’ll find some similarities that haven’t existed yet in most other parts of this comparison. Both have traded the V-8’s of their past generations for turbocharged V-6 power, making 409 and 450 horsepower, in the Lexus and Infiniti, respectively. The QX80 also has more torque, making it the faster of the two.
QX80: 3.5L Twin-Turbo V-6: 450 hp | 516 lb.ft
LX 600: 3.4L Twin-Turbo V-6: 409 hp | 479 lb.ft
As far as the transmissions are concerned, the Infiniti has a 9-speed automatic and the Lexus a 10-speed automatic. Having more gears doesn’t make a transmission better, per say, and in this case, they are both smooth and responsive. Power is put to the ground via 4WD systems.
Test Drive and Fuel Economy
While these SUVs have bones that underpin very off-road capable models overseas, the Patrol and Land Cruiser, these luxury variations will spend far more time on-road than off-road. As such, let’s talk about ride quality.
Now both SUV’s have a height-adjustable suspensions, but the Lexus is using a hydraulic version with adaptive dampers instead of a more common air suspension. Both rides nicely but this means that the Infiniti rides better when going down bumpy roads because it can cancel out larger imperfections and let in less vibrations.
Furthermore, it has a Dynamic Digital Suspension system that works hard to reduce body roll and it is quite effective when you take this beast on a backroad.
Now even though both these SUV’s will live life predominantly on-road, I do want to still give the Lexus credit where its due. It has much more of the off-road features and equipment from the Land Cruiser, such as crawl control.
It’s also important that luxury SUV’s 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, which this has. We tested the QX80 on a press drive in California so we can’t officially score this area until we have it back home in Kentucky on the same roads.
QX80: 53.7 dB @ 55 MPH
LX 500: 52.1 dB @ 55 MPH
Finally, when it comes to fuel economy, the Lexus outperforms the Infiniti by a couple MPG across the board.
Resale and Reliability
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 takes into account several studies from trustworthy sources, and combines them in a way that gives a more realistic picture. Lexus is the highest rated luxury brand, ranking 10 slots above the industry average for all brands in reliability. Infiniti is below industry average reliability, 5 slots below average 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, Lexus retains a predicted 53.8% 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 Lexus costs $700 more than the Infiniti.
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. 2024 Lexus LX!
Wow so that a comparison. Now let’s discuss who should be “your” personal winner based on those preferences…
LX:
- Better resale value and reliability
- Off-road abilities and special features
- Better fuel economy
QX80:
- Latest and greatest technology
- More luxury features
- Air suspension with superior ride and handling
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!
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