First Look: The 2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport Is Moody, Blue
The 2026 Infiniti QX80 introduces a new Sport trim with darkened exterior features and a unique blue leather interior. It offers high-end features like a 24-speaker audio system that come at a high MSRP. The lineup ships in late summer 2025, aiming to compete with Cadillac's Escalade.
This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article. Read Next Dark and Brooding
Borrowing from the Escalade's (and everyone else's) Sport playbook, the 2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport (it's badged QX80 S 4WD) gets darkened exterior trim, mirror caps, lower bumper trim, roof rails, and emblems. The new grille is also darkened, the better to highlight the light-up Infiniti logo at its center, as are the front bumper and unique 22-inch wheels. Case of the Blues
The only 'color' available on the 2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport is Grand Blue, which should pair beautifully with the sole interior color option: Dusk Blue, with graphite on the pillars and headlining. Naturally, it's all semi-aniline leather, diamond-stitched for a Bentley vibe. Of course, if blue isn't your jam, non-color options include Mineral Black, Radiant White, and Dynamic Metal. Two-toning a black roof is optional for non-black QX80 S models. Mostly Loaded
The QX80 S 4WD seems to be aiming for the upper end of the Escalade Sport lineup with its equipment loading, which borrows many features from the Autograph range topper, including its 24-speaker Klipsch audio system, fully climate-controlled front and second-row seats, massaging front thrones, open-pore ash wood trim, and biometric cooling (sensors determine when a particularly hot or cold passenger has climbed aboard and intensify airflow to bring them to ambient temperature more quickly). Sadly, hands-free ProPilot Assist 2.1 is not included. How Much and How Soon?
The QX80 S 4WD will start at $104,140, undercutting the base Escalade Sport by $1,955 (and the Sport Platinum by $21,455). The whole 2026 lineup will begin shipping to dealers in late summer of 2025, with the base Pure model opening at $85,940 and the Luxe at $93,040 (to get 4WD on either, add $3,100). Sport and Autograph models get 4WD standard, and the Autograph starts at $113,690. We wish Infiniti lots of luck in its Escalade-conquesting quest, although we have a hunch folks who test-drive both will struggle to resist the sonorous siren's call of that 6.2-liter Caddy V-8.
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