2020 Infiniti QX80

The price of large luxury SUVs is starting to get out of hand, with vehicles such as the Cadillac Escalade reaching upward of $95,000. That is not to say that the QX80 is a cheap car, not by a long shot, but it does manage to slot in between SUVs such as the Escalade in the upper echelons, and the Nissan Armada at the bottom of the list. The 2020 QX80 starts off with an MSRP of $66,750 for the 2WD Luxe, which excludes registration, tax, and a destination fee of $1,395. Add 4WD to the list of features, and that price will rise to $69,850. For the 4WD-only Limited, you can expect to pay an eye-watering $91,450.

First and foremost, the QX80 has been designed to offer a cushiony and well-insulated driving experience that removes the driver and occupants from harsh outside elements such as sunshine, wind, and roadkill. The near 6,000-pound QX80 feels ultra-comfortable around town, soaking up bumps and road imperfections without complaint. Although competitors such as the GMC Yuko and Cadillac Escalade offer more direct steering, it is easy enough to control the Infiniti, even when cruising at highway speeds. The QX80's electronic steering system is so light that in town parking maneuvers can be dealt with by playing with only two fingers on the steering wheel. Limited models also get a hydraulic body motion control system, which keeps things relatively flat during fast cornering. We were not so impressed with its braking performance: drivers will have to plant their right foot deep into the footwell to get this thing to stop.

We aren't sure if the popularity of the luxury SUV will ever fade, at least in the near future, and we understand why; it offers all the practicality of an SUV, with all the benefits of a luxury sedan. But where the QX80, as so many of its contemporaries, fail to impress, is in the fact that it disconnects the driver from the actual driving experience. The QX80 is basically a floating lounge fitted with all the comforts of home and more, which is great if you're sitting in one of the many passenger seats, but the poor soul behind the wheel won't be having the most fabulous time. We enjoy the QX80's bold styling, strong V8, and luxury, and the cargo space is impressive, but we're not convinced about a number of things. Firstly, the interior, while luxurious, isn't as refined as European rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS class SUV, and that V8 engine, although powerful, will suck your wallet dry. The optional 22-inch wheels look good if you're into that sort of thing, but ruin the ride quality. All in all, it's a competent effort by Infiniti, which should appeal to those looking for something bold.

We don't see the 2020 Infiniti QX80 taking on any serious off-road trails or rock-climbing adventures, so missing out on a 4WD system won't be a death sentence for this massive luxury SUV. In the same breath, the 4WD-only Limited model goes for nearly $25,000 more than the Luxe, which to us seems a bit out there, and for those two reasons, we'd suggest going with the cheapest option; the 2WD Luxe. What makes the Luxe a good option is the fact that it shares a large number of parts and features with the top of the range car for a lot less money. The 5.6-liter 32-valve V8 engine that produces 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque can still be found under the hood, and the exterior still gets a set of automatic on/off LED headlights with high beam assist. You also still get a premium Bose sound system, power, and heated front seats, to boot.

The 2020 Cadillac Escalade exudes big baller energy, and even with the infotainment system switched off, you can still make out the faint whispers of Nuthin' but a G Thang by Dr. Dre when this large-and-in-charge block of American indulgence cruises past. In the past decade, the Escalade has gone from premium SUV to seriously-luxurious SUV, and the price has increased to match its new status. Starting at just over $75,000, the 2020 Escalade comes with a massive 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This is enough to pull the Cadillac around with a convincing pace when needed, but a fuel economy figure of only 14//23/17 mpg city/highway/combined will slow things down. The exterior of the Escalade remains a mix of angular lines and brutalism, but that's exactly why so many love it. On the inside, the Escalade is a more refined vehicle, but as with the QX80, it fails to impress with its design language. On the road, the Cadillac wafts along with excellent comfort, and the Magnetic Ride Control suspensions keep things in check. Standard features are extensive, but you pay dearly for them, and a fully kitted Escalade will easily cross the $100k mark. Get the Escalade if image means more to you than a price tag.

The Armada is a woefully under-appreciated car in a market flooded with big names. Not only is the Armada significantly cheaper than its luxury-branded sibling, but it also gets a lot of the same features as the QX80. Under the hood lies the same 5.6-liter engine, but in the Armada's case produces ten less horsepower and almost 20 lb-ft of torque for a total of 390 hp and 394 lb-ft. Power is sent to either the front or all four wheels via the same seven-speed auto transmission. Fuel economy is a thirsty 14/19/16 mpg city/highway/combined for 2WD cars. The exterior styling of the Armada is noticeably more rugged, and despite Nissan's best efforts, it still looks like a '90s SUV. We appreciated the Armada's interior, which, in a car of this price, is quite impressive. Standard features were also impressive, and the Armada shares 2020 updates such as standard automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, and rear door alert with the QX80. The Nissan Armada doesn't pretend to be an all-out luxury SUV, and with a starting price of only $47,100, it doesn't have to. It's a true bargain that is often overlooked and would be our choice in this comparison.