2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2022 INFINITI QX80, with its familial resemblance to the Nissan Armada, presented a balanced aesthetic that was neither too large nor too small. Its distinctive front-end styling, marked by the Infiniti grille, set it apart from its sibling, while the tasteful integration of LED lighting and conservative chrome use added an upscale touch. The stylish 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels further enhanced its exterior appeal. Inside, the QX80's cabin, though furnished with upscale materials like wood trim and quilted semi-aniline leather seats, still bore a resemblance to the Armada's design. Despite its attractive and comfortable interior, the QX80's style was beginning to show its age, falling short of the high bar set by competitors in the premium full-size SUV market.

In contrast, the 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport embraced a "modernist" and "reductive" design philosophy, resulting in a clean and simple aesthetic. While not flashy, the Range Rover Sport's Eiger Gray paint and silver 23-inch wheels exuded understated luxury. Inside, the Deep Garnet over Ebony theme, paired with aluminum and shiny black trim, created a high-tech and luxurious atmosphere. The Range Rover Sport's design highlights included premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and excellent aerodynamics. The use of sustainable materials like Ultrafabrics and the presence of Windsor leather upholstery added to the cabin's appeal, though the rear seat remained less hospitable for taller passengers.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine was one of the QX80's strengths, providing strong performance and a pleasing exhaust note. Paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, the QX80 offered smooth and seamless shifts, with quick kickdowns for passing and smooth power delivery. The QX80's off-road capability, based on the global Nissan Patrol, was commendable, with a computer-controlled transfer case and ample ground clearance. It could tow up to 8,500 pounds, making it suitable for pulling large trailers or boats. Despite its size, the QX80 managed to control body lean during cornering, thanks to the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered a range of powertrains, including a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology. The SE Dynamic model produced 395 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, while the SE P360 offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain was available in the Autobiography P440e, providing 434 hp and an estimated 51 miles of electric driving range. The Range Rover Sport's performance was characterized by its ability to accelerate to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. It could tow up to 7,716 pounds and offered impressive fuel efficiency for its class. The Range Rover Sport's adaptive damping air suspension and Dynamic driving mode contributed to its refined and comfortable ride, though it fell short of sport-tuned competitors in handling.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80's tall ride height required climbing into the cabin, with a step-in height of nearly two feet. Inside, the spacious greenhouse provided an open and airy feel, with good front-seat head- and legroom. The power-sliding moonroof, while large, had a smaller opening compared to panoramic designs. The QX80 could accommodate up to eight passengers with the optional second-row bench-seat package, though the third row was cramped for adults. Cargo space was limited, with 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 95.1 cubic feet with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate and illuminated kick plates added a premium touch.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering a tall and airy feel. The air suspension could kneel for easier entry and exit, and the front seats were comfortable with 20-way power adjustments and heating and ventilation. The rear seat, while improved, remained tight for taller passengers, with narrow door openings and hard front seatback panels. The cargo area offered 31.9 cubic feet of space, expandable to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The power liftgate and controls for lowering the air suspension facilitated loading, while the full-size spare limited underfloor storage.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The display also included navigation, voice recognition, and connected services. A Bose 13-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Performance Series Bose system on the Sensory trim. The QX80 lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system due to its older architecture, but it offered a dual-screen rear entertainment system with wireless headsets.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport boasted a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Pivi Pro infotainment platform aimed to personalize the user experience, though it proved confusing and frustrating during testing. The Range Rover Sport offered impressive Meridian audio systems and a next-generation Active Noise Cancellation system. A wireless smartphone charging pad was also included, though it was challenging to access.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 came equipped with a range of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure prevention, and adaptive cruise control. Additional safety items included driver attention alert and front knee airbags. The QX80 received a three-star rating for rollover resistance from the NHTSA, with the structurally similar 2021 model receiving four stars for overall crash protection.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport featured advanced driving assistance systems such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, and a surround-view camera system. Remote Park Assist was available, allowing the SUV to park itself while the driver directed it using a smartphone app. The adaptive cruise control and steering assist were less satisfactory, with slow responses and challenges on freeway curves.