2021 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 showcased a blend of Nissan Armada and Infiniti design elements. Its body-on-frame construction, shared with the Armada, was evident in the roofline profile and rear window curve. The QX80’s front end, however, was distinctly Infiniti, featuring a bold grille and headlight design introduced in 2018. Standard LED headlights, taillights, and fog lights, along with 20-inch wheels on the base model and 22-inch wheels on higher trims, added to its assertive yet refined appearance. Inside, the QX80’s interior closely resembled the Armada, with wood trim, contrast stitching, and leather upholstery enhancing its luxurious feel, though some elements like the foot-operated parking brake felt less premium.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite a redesign in 2019, retained a familiar look from its previous generation. Its boxy, upright shape appealed to SUV shoppers, and the distinctive cross-shaped taillights added a modern touch. The Forester Sport model featured orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which significantly enhanced its visual appeal. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Forester shared underpinnings with other Subaru models, ensuring a rugged yet practical design. Inside, the Forester’s no-nonsense materials promised durability, with the Sport trim adding orange accents for a bit of flair. Cloth upholstery was standard on lower trims, while higher trims offered leather and additional comfort features.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with a 4WD option available for an additional $3,100. The V8 engine provided ample power for highway overtaking, though the transmission shifts felt less smooth. The QX80’s body-on-frame construction, combined with independent suspension and Hydraulic Body Motion Control on Sensory models, delivered a comfortable ride, though some shudders were noticeable over bumps. The QX80 excelled in towing, with a maximum capacity of 8,500 pounds, but its size and on-road-focused tires limited its off-road prowess.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine’s boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity, enhancing stability. However, the power felt merely adequate, especially during highway merging and overtaking. The Forester’s suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in significant body roll in corners and a bouncy ride on uneven pavement. Standard all-wheel drive and X-Mode, with additional modes on Sport models, improved off-road capability, but the Forester’s 1,500-pound towing capacity was modest compared to the QX80.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 offered a three-row seating configuration, with standard second-row captain’s chairs and an optional eight-seat configuration. Standard features included a 10-way-adjustable power driver’s seat and an eight-way front passenger’s seat, both with lumbar support. Passenger space was competitive, with ample room in all three rows, though cargo space was limited compared to rivals. The QX80 provided 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space with all seats in place, expanding to 95.1 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded. Storage options included a center console accessible from both front and back, though overall storage space was limited.

The 2021 Subaru Forester, a five-seat SUV, offered generous headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also enhanced outward visibility and created a spacious feel. The Forester provided 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. While it lacked a sliding second-row bench, a power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Forester’s interior featured well-sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average-size phone, and wireless charging was not available.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 came with the Infiniti InTouch dual-screen infotainment system, featuring 8.0-inch and 7.0-inch touchscreens, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and navigation. A 13-speaker Bose audio system was standard, with a 17-speaker system and a rear-seat entertainment package available as options. Despite the array of controls, the system was not user-friendly, with small screens and a confusing interface. However, the Smart Rearview Mirror and Around View Monitor 360-degree camera system were valuable additions, enhancing visibility and ease of driving.

The 2021 Subaru Forester’s Starlink infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and front-row USB ports. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio system, navigation, and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons, though the screen was slow to boot up. Additional displays in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, though the setup felt overly complex.

The 2021 INFINITI QX80 received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars for side crash tests, four stars for frontal crash tests, and a three-star rollover rating. The IIHS did not test the QX80. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Backup Collision Intervention.

The 2021 Subaru Forester earned the highest “Top Safety Pick+” award from the IIHS, with top ratings in all crash tests and front-crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded the Forester a five-star overall rating. Standard safety features included Subaru’s EyeSight suite, with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. The Forester also featured a driver-monitoring system, unique among mainstream brands.