Bold statements are usually backed by big ambitions. Formerly known as the QX56, Infiniti's rebadged QX80 is the brand's equivalent of a big, bold motoring statement - a seven-seat Airbus of a car, driven by an analogously sizable 5.6-litre V8 motor.
In the land of Uncle Sam where the QX80 is primarily sold, it competes at the high end of the market, taking on cars like the Cadillac Escalade and the Lincoln Navigator.
Here, while considerably larger in size, the QX80 is positioned against cars like the more expensive Land Rover Range Rover and the Mercedes-Benz GLS. And because most luxury marques have sedans as flagships, Infiniti doesn't consider the QX80 its top model - but its grandest vehicle manufactured at present.
Being the largest one available in Singapore, the QX80 can be considered an anomaly; a dernier cri of enormous, luxury Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV).
Exterior
The design of the QX80 isn't conservative, it employs gigantism as its primary stylistic philosophy, posing as a fashion statement for the industry top-dogs and bankable media stars.
In a modern-day design frame of reference, the car's long, slouchy front end to some, is a face reserved for radio.
But once you get past the slightly awkward fascia, most of the car's proportions hit the right notes; the ride height gives the QX80 the perfect SUV stance, while the car's profile is organic and muscular when seen from the side.
Interior
Inside, the QX80 is as spacious as spacious gets. You enjoy a high driving position and a great view of the road ahead, while plushy heated and ventilated seats in the front redefine cabin comfort.
Furnished in upscale materials, our only gripe about its interior is how dated the design is compared to many cheaper cars. There's an overwhelming number of controls and the 8.0-inch infotainment system is just about as modern as a substandard karaoke system.
As for the second row, riders get two airline-style 'captain chairs', which remotely flip for rear-row entry, dual 7.0-inch colour headrest monitors and headphones for playback of games and movies.
Inside, the QX80 is as spacious as spacious gets. You enjoy a high driving position and a great view of the road ahead, while plushy heated and ventilated seats in the front redefine cabin comfort.
Furnished in upscale materials, our only gripe about its interior is how dated the design is compared to many cheaper cars. There's an overwhelming number of controls and the 8.0-inch infotainment system is just about as modern as a substandard karaoke system.
As for the second row, riders get two airline-style 'captain chairs', which remotely flip for rear-row entry, dual 7.0-inch colour headrest monitors and headphones for playback of games and movies.
The adjustable last row is purposed predominantly for children but two Asian grown-ups can sit in comfort on shorter drives. When stowed, stowage space expands to 1,490 litres, which is a capacity many cars can only dream about.
Aside from cabin design lacking in modernity, the QX80 is as welcoming a place to be as a five-star heritage hotel and should satisfy even the most discerning of towkays with its vintage charms.
The Drive
Given its size, it's forgivable to think that driving the QX80 around town would be an absolute pain but to our surprise, it's as easy to manoeuvre as a Jaguar F-PACE.
The powerful 5.6-litre V8 motor puts 400bhp and 560Nm of torque at your disposal, and is surprisingly nimble on the road despite its sizeable proportions and monumental presence.
The car picks up nice and steady, and gear changes from the seven-cog auto, while not imperceptible, are easeful and quick.
Again, you may be misled to think that the QX80's body-on-frame construction means it conforms to the behavior of a truck but ride quality is outstanding and the Hydraulic Body Motion Control helps stabilise the body during manoeuvres, providing a more car-like ride.
The QX80 may be boaty around faster corners but boaty doesn't equate to bad in this sense because you won't be doing much spirited driving anyway.
Given its size, it's forgivable to think that driving the QX80 around town would be an absolute pain but to our surprise, it's as easy to manoeuvre as a Jaguar F-PACE.
The powerful 5.6-litre V8 motor puts 400bhp and 560Nm of torque at your disposal, and is surprisingly nimble on the road despite its sizeable proportions and monumental presence.
The car picks up nice and steady, and gear changes from the seven-cog auto, while not imperceptible, are easeful and quick.
Again, you may be misled to think that the QX80's body-on-frame construction means it conforms to the behavior of a truck but ride quality is outstanding and the Hydraulic Body Motion Control helps stabilise the body during manoeuvres, providing a more car-like ride.
The QX80 may be boaty around faster corners but boaty doesn't equate to bad in this sense because you won't be doing much spirited driving anyway.
Perhaps, the most amusing thing about piloting the QX80 is how fearful other motorists are of you. Instead of the usual 'screw you, I'm closing up the gap' counter-reaction the moment you signal your intention of a lane change, people react to signals by the QX80 in a ceremonious display of friendship.
Conclusion
The QX80 may be about as sharp as a marble by way of styling but if you get a kick from owning the largest gun on the road, its $423,800 (as of 19th August 2016) tag even strikes one as being a value proposition.
Would we buy one? Probably not, we'd get a Subaru WRX STI and a BMW M Series M235i Coupe for that money, but that's because we aren't in the market for a showboat of a seven-seating family hauler.
If we were, we'd give the QX80 a gander - just not from the front.
