2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2022 Honda Odyssey

You might not expect Nissan’s luxury brand to make a hulking land yacht with globetrotting off-road capability, but that’s exactly what you get with the 2021 Infiniti QX80.

The QX80 is one of the last old-school SUVs, boasting body-on-frame construction and an available four-wheel drive (4WD) system with low range. It’s based on the Nissan Armada, which in turn is a rebadged version of the overseas-market Nissan Patrol—a legendary off-roader.

As a full-size luxury SUV based on a model from a mainstream brand, the QX80 follows the same formula as the Cadillac Escalade, Lexus LX 570, and Lincoln Navigator. In size, price, and prestige, it could also be considered a rival to the Land Rover Range Rover, BMW X7, and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, but these SUVs have more modern unibody construction.

The QX80 gets some small updates for the 2021 model year, including an improved version of Infiniti’s Smart Rearview Mirror. The Canadian trim line-up includes the base Luxe and the more highly equipped ProACTIVE grade, the latter available with seven or eight seats. Our test vehicle was the Canadian equivalent of the U.S. Sensory model, the ProACTIVE 7-passenger grade.

If you are a minivan aficionado like we are, then you know that the 2022 Honda Odyssey is the most enjoyable one to drive. It has that light, effortless, responsive driving character that Honda bakes into every one of its cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans. But you also know that the Odyssey’s rivals are successfully outflanking it in terms of stylish design, all-weather capability, electrified efficiency, infotainment technology, and outright luxury.

In response to these new threats, Honda makes no changes to the 2022 Odyssey. Good thing its “original recipe” approach remains pretty tasty.