2023 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared a familial resemblance with the Nissan Armada, boasting a platform, mechanicals, and layout that were quite similar. This wasn't necessarily a drawback, as both vehicles were considered attractive SUVs. The QX80's size was deemed just right, neither too large nor too small. Its front-end styling was unique, featuring a distinctive Infiniti grille that was prominent yet not overbearing. The tasteful integration of LED lighting and conservative use of chrome added to its upscale appearance. The 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels, standard on the ProActive grade, further enhanced its stylish exterior.

Inside, the QX80's cabin was furnished with more upscale materials compared to the Armada, though Nissan's design theme was still evident. The interior featured tasteful wood trim and attractive quilted semi-aniline Saddle Brown leather seats. Despite these luxurious touches, the QX80's style was considered somewhat outdated. While the cabin was comfortable and upscale, it fell short of the high standards set by competitors in the premium full-size SUV market segment.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler exuded a rugged, no-nonsense design with its fourth-generation JL model, characterized by its boxy shape and lack of curves. Available in two-door and four-door configurations, the Wrangler allowed for door removal, with optional half doors for enhanced visibility. The windshield could fold down, and various top options were available for open-air exploration. The Wrangler's design included wide fenders, Jeep's iconic seven-slot grille, round headlights, and exterior hood latches. The tailgate swung out, and the rear glass lifted for easy cargo access. The limited-edition "Reign" purple paint added a unique flair, while the new "Earl" colour offered a subtle aquamarine highlight.

Inside, the Wrangler prioritized practicality with easy-to-clean floor mats and seats. The interior featured straight lines and a lack of unnecessary embellishments. While ambient lighting and massaging seats were absent, the body-coloured dash, chunky HVAC controls, and manual transfer case shifter added to its utilitarian charm. The Wrangler's interior was designed for functionality, with a focus on off-road capability rather than luxury.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a robust 400-horsepower, 5.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine was one of the QX80's strengths, providing impressive performance and a satisfying exhaust note. However, it was also quite thirsty, with Infiniti recommending premium fuel. The seven-speed automatic transmission offered seamless and smooth shifts, effectively distributing the QX80's ample power. The transmission's adaptive shift control and manual mode allowed for quick and smooth kickdowns for passing, while upshifts during wide-open throttle acceleration were smooth and linear. The QX80's off-road capability was notable, with standard four-wheel drive in Canada and a computer-controlled transfer case offering Automatic, 4Hi, or 4Lo settings. The vehicle's ground clearance of over 23 centimetres allowed for traversing challenging terrain. The QX80's maximum towing capacity was 3,855 kilograms, making it suitable for towing large trailers or boats. Despite its size, the QX80 managed to control body lean during cornering, thanks to the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler offered a range of engine options to suit different off-road needs. The standard Pentastar V6 engine produced 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivered 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were available with an eight-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission. The 3.0-litre Ecodiesel V6 offered 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque, while the Rubicon 392 featured a 6.4-litre V8 engine with 470 horsepower and torque. The Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid combined two electric motors with a 17.3-kWh battery pack, providing 35 kilometres of all-electric range. The Rubicon 392, with its full-time four-wheel drive, excelled in off-road performance, featuring an Off-Road Plus button for adjusting throttle, shift points, and traction control. The Selec-Trac 4x4 system offered a 2.72 low range, while the Xtreme Recon package increased the crawl ratio to 58:1. However, the 392's brakes and steering were less impressive, with vague steering and brakes that struggled to handle the V8's power. Other Wrangler models had more suitable brakes and steering.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 required a climb to enter due to its tall ride height, aided by a grab handle on the A-pillar. Inside, the cabin offered a spacious and airy feel, with good front-seat head- and legroom. Forward visibility was commendable, though the sideview mirrors were somewhat small. The power-sliding moonroof was smaller than panoramic designs found in other Infiniti models. The QX80 could accommodate up to eight passengers with a second-row bench seat or seven with captain's chairs. However, the third-row seating was cramped for adults or taller tweens. Cargo space was limited, with 470 litres behind the third row, 1,404 litres with the third row folded, and 2,694 litres with all seats folded. The power-operated liftgate was slow, but the illuminated kick plates and cargo scuff plate added a premium touch.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's front seats were comfortable, with heated seats available on the Sahara High Altitude or 392 models. The rear seat could fit three in four-door models, but space was tight, and the small rear doors made access challenging. Storage for small items was limited, with a flat dash lacking cubbies and small glove box and centre consoles. The Wrangler offered 2,050 litres of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The hard top could be removed in one piece or with two front panels, while the soft top was easy to remove but required time to take out the rear windows. The Sky One-Touch power soft top provided quick open-air access. The Wrangler offered ample charging points, with USB-A and USB-C ports, 12-volt outlets, and a 115-volt outlet.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 featured a 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system included navigation with lane guidance, voice recognition, and Infiniti InTouch connected services. A Bose 17-speaker Performance Series premium sound system was standard, along with multiple USB ports and illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. A wireless smartphone charger was new for 2022. The dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system included screens in the front-seat headrests and wireless headsets, though HDMI adapters were missing. The QX80 lacked Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system due to its older architecture.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen running Jeep's Uconnect infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch touchscreen. The system featured Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Jeep's off-road pages provided information on power distribution, temperatures, oil pressure, pitch and roll, and GPS coordinates. The Wrangler included a forward-facing camera for off-road trails and four auxiliary switches for aftermarket lighting. However, it lacked a digital key and over-the-air updates for vehicle performance.

The 2022 INFINITI QX80 offered a range of standard safety features, including forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. Additional features included driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners for second-row outboard passengers. A smart rearview mirror and adaptive cruise control were available on the ProActive grade. The NHTSA gave the 2022 QX80 three out of five stars for rollover resistance, while the structurally similar 2021 model received four stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS had not rated the QX80 for safety.

The 2023 Jeep Wrangler's standard safety features included a rearview camera, electronic roll mitigation, and stability control. Blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control were standard on the top Sahara High Altitude and 392 models, while lane-keeping assist was not offered. The IIHS ratings for the Wrangler were mixed, with Good and Marginal ratings in various categories, while some trims received a Poor ranking for headlights. The NHTSA gave the Wrangler four out of five stars for frontal crash test rating and three out of five for rollover, but it had not been rated for side crash.