I’m a creature of habit, but I also enjoy my creature comforts. The same things that make me feel relaxed and at peace are often the things that bring me comfort. After testing out the 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph AWD for a week, I can safely say that the best features on this large SUV are found in the back seat, not the front seat.
That might sound odd for me to say as someone who loves to drive. I enjoy a small sporty car more than just about any other vehicle. However, in terms of relaxing, there’s nothing quite like pulling over at a campsite or a wayside park and becoming the passenger.
The Infiniti QX80 has a few tricks up its sleeve for people like me. I once wrote a chapter of my book in the backseat of a QX80, but that was a few years ago. The 2025 model has added several new features that impressed me, all of them related to comfort.
First, the seats themselves are comfortable and soft, like sitting in a living room recliner. I could easily take a nap in the backseat. For long rides, you won’t hear a lot of complaining about the cushy material or back support.
For a quick respite, the QX80 has a display for either passenger in the second row seats. First and foremost, you can adjust the climate settings. The second row passengers can adjust heat and cooling as needed with a simple flick on the display. You can also adjust the climate settings for the seat — which most of us just call seat warmers. And then, lo and behold, you can also use the display to adjust the seat position, which is somewhat rare in most cars — even the ones that are meant for luxury.
I first cracked open my iPad and adjusted my seat to recline. I sat back and started watching an episode of the show Day of the Jackal. Heaven. Pass me the popcorn. Next, I turned on the seat warmer, which was helpful since winter is here in my area.
Displays in cars are advancing quickly. I never noticed any issues adjusting all of these settings during my test period. The controls responded quickly as well. I also checked my email and lounged around, scrolling through my social media feeds.
Of course, I always think about what could come next.
For starters, a small rear-view of the car or side view, for times when having another set of eyes on the road would be helpful. I could see using this display to check a news feed or scroll through social media without having to use my iPad.
Those are minor issues and probably coming eventually. I wished the display was maybe a little bigger if it eventually becomes more of a control center for rear passengers.
In general, the Infiniti QX80’s focus on the rear passangers is a sound idea. I enjoyed my time sitting in the rear seats, pretending I was a millionaire being driven around instead of a journalist who tests cars.