Home / Infiniti / Infiniti QX80 / 5.6L
VERDICT · A GENUINELY ROBUST FULL-SIZE LUXURY SUV

Infiniti QX80 5.6L
is it a safe used buy?

Infiniti's flagship full-size SUV, paired with the genuinely durable VK56DE V8 — a confident choice for buyers wanting significant size and towing capability without the newer, less-proven turbo and CVT concerns found elsewhere in the lineup.

GENERATION1st gen facelift (2015–2020)
ENGINE5.6L VK56DE
POWER400 hp
USED PRICE$29,000–45,000

How the engine fits this car

The QX80's substantial full-size body is handled with genuine confidence by this V8's strong torque output — the same robust pairing found in related heavy-duty Nissan applications, here in a more luxury-oriented package.

Unlike the QX60 covered elsewhere, this SUV uses a conventional automatic rather than a CVT, which sidesteps that transmission's documented concerns entirely.

Infiniti QX80-specific pros and cons

This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.

WHAT HOLDS UP WELL

  • VK56DE's genuinely robust reliability reputation, detailed on the engine page, carries through fully here
  • Conventional automatic transmission avoids the CVT concerns found on the related QX60
  • Spacious, well-appointed three-row interior with genuine luxury-SUV presence
  • Strong towing capacity for the class when properly equipped

WHAT TO WATCH

  • Fuel economy is modest, typical of a naturally aspirated V8 in a full-size SUV
  • Purchase price and running costs reflect the vehicle's flagship positioning
  • Air suspension (where fitted on higher trims) is costly to repair if it fails
  • Large wheel and tyre sizes on higher trims are costly to replace

Pricing on the used market

Mileage band
Typical price
What to expect
Under 60,000 mi
$39,000–45,000
Later production, often still well-equipped
60,000–100,000 mi
$33,000–39,000
Sweet spot, verify basic maintenance history
100,000+ mi
$29,000–33,000
Still a confident buy with documented maintenance

The engine itself

This QX80 is a defining application of the robust VK56DE V8. Full detail on this engine's strong reliability track record lives on the dedicated engine page.

FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNInfiniti 5.6L V8 (VK56DE) — Reliable or Not →

Pre-purchase checklist for this generation

If the SUV has air suspension, cycle it through its height settings and confirm it holds overnight.

Ask about towing history if applicable, and check transmission behaviour under load during the test drive.

Beyond general maintenance history, there's relatively little engine-specific risk to flag on this robust combination.