2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, had a clean and straightforward exterior, which some might perceive as boring. However, simplicity in design often aged well, making the Expedition a solid choice for those intending to keep their vehicle for many years. One particular trim, the King Ranch, was notably eye-catching with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The special front fender emblems underscored its elite status within the Expedition lineup.

The exterior, dipped in Star White metallic paint, looked stunning, although the shape of the taillights and the unpainted roof C-pillar were minor design criticisms. Inside, the King Ranch trim had a distinctive interior with Del Rio leather in Mesa brown over Ebony and numerous King Ranch cattle-brand logos. However, it also had its downfalls with the presence of hard plastics, which were especially noticeable in the lower-level XLT trim, and arguably problematic at its more premium price points.

The flagship SUV of INFINITI, the QX80, shared its platform with its more utilitarian sibling, the Nissan Armada. Refreshed in 2018, it presented a robust and modern appearance that included advanced features like LED fog lights, adaptive front lighting, and power-folding heated mirrors with integrated LED turn signals. The assertive presence was enhanced by its rich exterior color options and premium elements like a power-sliding tinted moonroof and body-color running boards.

Inside, the QX80 flaunted a lavish cabin, especially in the Limited grade, which boasted matte silver and open-pore Ash wood trim. The materials had seen an upgrade over recent years, but some trim pieces still fell short compared to competitors. The dual-screen infotainment layout was more visually modern, although the center stack's piano-black finish was prone to fingerprints, detracting from its overall look.

Every 2020 Expedition came equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. It generated an impressive 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. The engine had a unique, pleasant exhaust note and was paired with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, which delivered power efficiently whether to rear wheels or through the optional 4WD system. Notably, Expeditions had a high towing capacity — 9,300 pounds for rear-drive models and slightly less with 4WD.

Driving the Ford Expedition was a mostly pleasant experience. Despite its hefty 5,368 pounds, the SUV accelerated eagerly, and the automatic transmission almost always selected the appropriate gear. An adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim significantly improved ride quality, although the 22-inch wheels could cause some harshness over rough surfaces. A key differentiator of the Expedition was its independent rear suspension, which improved both ride comfort and interior space, especially compared to other full-size SUVs.

The QX80 was powered by a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine delivering 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided sufficient power for its 5,675-pound heft. However, the transmission wasn't as smooth when downshifting compared to rivals with more advanced gearboxes. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with EPA estimates at 14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway for RWD, and even lower for 4WD.

Despite its size and weight, the QX80 showed prowess in off-road conditions. It could handle various terrains with ease, bolstered by available driving modes like Snow and Mud. For steering, the INFINITI offered engine-speed-sensitive power-assist on Luxe models and vehicle-speed-sensitive assist on Limited models. However, while navigating highways, the QX80 required constant attention to keep the vehicle stable.

The Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo capacity, and passenger comfort. Upon entry, power running boards facilitated easy access. The seats across all rows were notably comfortable, even the third row, which provided ample legroom for adults. Heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated second-row captain’s chairs made for a luxurious experience.

Cargo space was another strong suit. The standard Expedition offered 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the seats down, and up to 104.6 cubic feet with all seats folded. The long-wheelbase Expedition MAX improved on these figures with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the second row down, and a total of 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded, making it one of the most capacious SUVs on the market.

The QX80 provided plush seating in the first two rows but less impressive legroom in the third row, making it more suitable for children or pets. Standard seating for seven via second-row captain’s chairs could be swapped for a 60/40 split-folding bench. Premium features included perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory functions.

In terms of cargo space, the QX80 balanced its interior luxury with practicality. It offered 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with both rows folded. While not matching the Expedition's cavernous measurements, it still provided ample room by luxury SUV standards. A power liftgate added to the convenience.

The 2020 Expedition featured a somewhat dated 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system. Though functional and user-friendly, it lacked the modernity expected in such an expansive and prestigious vehicle. Sync 3 included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with voice-recognition technology, FordPass Connect with 4G LTE WiFi, and an available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. A rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist were notable features, especially for towing enthusiasts.

The QX80 boasted a dual-screen infotainment system, with an 8-inch upper and a 7-inch lower display, allowing for simultaneous navigation and audio system visibility. Standard technology included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, a moonroof, tri-zone climate control, and various charging ports. While not particularly cutting-edge, the system was functional. Additionally, buyers could upgrade to a 13-speaker or a 17-speaker Bose sound system, with optional rear-seat entertainment and WiFi hot spot.

The Expedition’s substantial mass contributed significantly to its safety credentials. It came with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. During testing, the ADAS functioned well, adding to driver confidence without being intrusive. According to NHTSA crash tests, the Expedition earned a commendable 5-star overall rating.

Despite its older design, the QX80 was outfitted with numerous safety features, like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The QX80 had earned 'good' ratings in moderate overlap front and side crash tests by the IIHS and moderate scores from NHTSA.