2025 Infiniti QX80 Goes Turbo Six-Cylinder, Drops the V8

• The 2025 Infiniti QX80 is set to make its full reveal on March 20.
  

• Ahead of the debut, Infiniti has announced that the 5.6-liter V8 won’t make its way to the next-generation SUV.

• Infiniti previewed the third-generation QX80's styling with its QX Monograph concept.

It looks like the Nissan and Infiniti 5.6-liter days are numbered. One of the few remaining production vehicles packing the DOHC V8 under the hood is getting a major update and swapping two cylinders for turbochargers. That’s right, the next-gen 2025 Infiniti QX80 is shifting to a 3.5-liter, turbocharged V6.

This six-cylinder carries the VR35DDT naming convention, which falls in line with the rest of the VR engine family. Of course, Nissan and Infiniti faithful can easily dissect what that mix of letters and numbers means, but to the layman, that basically means it’s a turbocharged 3.5-liter.

As for output, Infiniti says this VR35DDT engine sends 450 hp and 515 lb-ft of torque through a nine-speed automatic transmission.

While it’s down on cylinders from the outgoing engine, it isn’t down on power. The upcoming QX80 mill bests the 5.6-liter V8 by 50 hp and 102 lb-ft of torque. Infiniti also promises better fuel economy, but those figures will likely come closer to launch.

This downsized engine is the latest in the growing trend of displacement and cylinder reduction. Even though V8 lovers may be disappointed, it’s hard to argue with a leap in engine performance.

Infiniti executives are hoping a powertrain shakeup will boost sales of the all-new QX80. With 12,696 deliveries in 2023, the outgoing model was an also-ran among large luxury SUVs like the best-selling Cadillac Escalade (26,257 units), Lincoln Navigator (17,549), Land Rover Range Rover (17,032), and Cadillac Escalade ESV (15,432). Surprisingly, the No.2 player in the segment was the all-electric Rivian R1S, with 19,839 deliveries.

What do you think of the downsizing engine trend? Tell us your thoughts below.