Chevrolet Tahoe vs INFINITI QX80

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe continued its legacy as a popular full-size SUV, maintaining its reputation for capability and practicality. Its design updates were subtle, with a new grille and lighting elements that aligned with the aesthetics of other Chevy trucks. The Tahoe offered six trim levels, each catering to different preferences, from the no-frills LS to the luxurious Premier and High Country. The Z71 trim, which we primarily tested, stood out with its off-road capabilities, featuring full-length skid plates, front recovery hooks, and a rugged appearance with all-terrain tires and a slight lift. Inside, the Tahoe boasted a new 17.7-inch touchscreen display, complemented by a redesigned dashboard with stylish climate control buttons and sophisticated air vents. The shift to a steering-column-mounted stalk for gear changes added a touch of elegance reminiscent of luxury brands.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 embraced a bold, blocky design with a tall stance and high shoulder lines. Its exterior featured a distinctive two-part grille inspired by a bamboo forest, flanked by LED headlights and piano-key daytime running lights. The rear showcased a taillight light bar echoing the piano key motif. The QX80 Sport trim added a wider mesh grille and dark matte chrome accents. Inside, the QX80 exuded luxury with real leather, aluminum, and open-pore wood trim. The technology was seamlessly integrated, with four screens, including one for rear passengers. The Sport models offered a Dusk Blue interior theme, enhancing the overall opulence.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe stood out with its naturally aspirated V8 engines, offering a choice between a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and a 6.2-litre V8 delivering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. A 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder diesel engine was also available, producing 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, making it the most fuel-efficient option with highway consumption as low as 9.7 litres per 100 kilometres. All engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive was standard on most trims. The Tahoe's steering was surprisingly light, and while the brakes were effective, the pedal feel was heavy. The independent rear suspension, Magnetic Ride Control, and optional Air Ride adaptive suspension enhanced ride quality and handling.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 transitioned to a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, generating 450 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Full-time four-wheel drive was standard, though the system lost low-range gearing. The V6 provided immediate power delivery, achieving 0-96 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The QX80's body-on-frame platform boasted increased rigidity, maintaining a towing capacity of 3,850 kilograms. The suspension featured double-wishbone setups with air springs and adaptive dampers, offering adjustable ground clearance. Despite its size, the QX80 exhibited notable body lean, and the steering was slow and heavy, though the ride remained comfortable.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe excelled in accommodating passengers and cargo. With the 5.3-litre V8 and Max Trailering package, it could tow up to 3,810 kilograms. Cargo space was generous, with 3,474 litres available with all seats folded. However, with all seats in place, the trunk space was limited to 722 litres. The Tahoe's large fuel tank allowed for extended highway driving, especially with the diesel engine. Magnetic Ride Control was recommended for those opting for larger wheels, as it improved ride quality on rough surfaces.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 offered ample interior space, measuring 5,365 millimetres in length with a 3,075-mm wheelbase. It accommodated up to seven passengers, with standard leather seats and power adjustments. The Sport and Autograph trims featured semi-aniline leather and massaging front seats. The second-row captain’s chairs were heated and power-adjustable, while the third-row bench provided good room for adults. Cargo space was substantial, with 623 litres behind the third row and 2,860 litres with all seats folded. However, it fell short compared to some rivals like the Cadillac Escalade.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe made significant strides in technology, featuring a 17.7-inch touchscreen, an 11-inch driver information screen, and an optional 15-inch head-up display. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were complemented by Google Built-in, offering seamless integration of Google services. While the interface was sleek, some controls were unintuitive, and the steering wheel was cluttered with buttons. The premium Bose sound system was underwhelming compared to competitors, but the overall tech upgrade was notable.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 was equipped with a pair of 14.3-inch screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment, along with a lower touchscreen for climate and drive mode controls. Google Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, along with a 5G connection for a Wi-Fi hotspot. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though some controls were buried in submenus. The QX80 excelled with features like a 24-speaker Klipsch audio system, a biometric cooling system, and a surround-view camera with multiple views.

The 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe included a comprehensive suite of standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera. However, the 2024 model received mixed safety ratings, with four out of five stars from NHTSA and an Acceptable rating from IIHS in some tests. The 2025 model was expected to perform similarly.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 came standard with a full range of driver assistance technology, including ProPilot Assist 1.1, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. The optional ProPilot Assist 2.1 allowed for hands-free driving on certain highways. The QX80 earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation, though NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of publication.