INFINITI QX80 vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 presented a bold and commanding presence typical of body-on-frame SUVs. Its design was characterized by a tall, upright stance with high shoulder lines and a simple two-box profile. The vehicle featured a distinctive front with a bold, black two-part grille inspired by a bamboo forest, flanked by LED headlights and piano-key daytime running lights. At the rear, a taillight light bar spanned the width, echoing the piano key design, and sat above wide Infiniti lettering. The QX80 Sport trim added a wider mesh pattern for its frameless grille and dark matte chrome exterior trim, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the QX80 was modern and luxurious, with real leather, aluminum, and open-pore wood trim. The Sport models offered a Dusk Blue interior theme, adding to the vehicle's sophisticated ambiance.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid was available in two trim levels in Canada: Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy. The Palisade Hybrid integrated seamlessly into the gas-only Palisade lineup, offering a stylish and impressive presence across all trims. The base Luxury trim came standard with 20-inch alloy wheels and a massive grille with horizontal slats, framed by LED projector headlights and a stack of five LED daytime running lights. The Palisade's profile featured body-colour, heated side mirrors with power-folding capabilities in the Luxury Hybrid trim. The rear view was equally handsome, with wide-spaced letters spelling the vehicle's name below a large Hyundai emblem and stacks of five LED taillights wrapping around the rear corners. Inside, the Palisade Hybrid impressed with its organic and natural shapes, offering a richer feeling of craftsmanship compared to other non-luxury crossovers.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 transitioned from a 5.6-litre V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6, boosting its power to 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard full-time four-wheel drive in Canada. Despite losing low-range gearing, the QX80 maintained a robust towing capacity of 3,850 kilograms. The vehicle's body-on-frame platform offered increased torsional rigidity and lateral stiffness, enhancing its performance. The QX80's suspension system included front and rear double-wishbone suspension, air springs, and adaptive dampers, providing a standard ground clearance of 20 centimetres. However, its size and mass made it challenging to maneuver in tight spaces, and the ride quality could be jiggly on broken pavement.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and a 1.65-kWh battery, delivering a total of 329 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The Palisade Hybrid's advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and propulsion systems contributed to its impressive performance. The hybrid system optimized power distribution, enhancing handling and fuel efficiency. Inside the cabin, the Palisade Hybrid offered a quiet and comfortable ride, with noise-absorbing carpet and acoustic glass minimizing road and tire noise. The steering was sharp and responsive, although the pedal feel was somewhat squishy.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 was a spacious SUV, measuring 5,365 millimetres in length with a 3,075-mm wheelbase, accommodating up to seven passengers. The interior featured standard leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable seats, and heated and ventilated front and outboard second-row seats. The Sport and Autograph trims offered semi-aniline leather and massaging front-row seats. The second-row captain's chairs in these trims had power adjustments, and the Autograph trim included massaging second-row seats. The third-row bench was larger than most, providing good room for adults or children. Cargo space was generous, with 623 litres behind the third row, 1,670 litres behind the second row, and 2,860 litres behind the first row.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others like the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder. The Palisade Hybrid's second-row legroom was slightly reduced due to the battery's position, but it still provided ample space. The third row offered 815 millimetres of legroom and 957 millimetres of headroom. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was comfortable, with dual-zone climate control, seven USB-C power outlets, and a second-row bench seat standard. Captain's chairs were available on higher trims. The Palisade Hybrid also featured numerous storage solutions, including a centre console with a rubberized cargo space and a small shelf ahead of the front passenger seat.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 was equipped with a pair of 14.3-inch screens, including a digital instrument cluster and an infotainment touchscreen. The infotainment system featured Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. A 5G connection provided an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot and remote services. The QX80's infotainment screen was user-friendly, but the lower screen, which housed climate controls and other settings, was less intuitive. The QX80 excelled with its surprise-and-delight features, including a 14-speaker Klipsch audio system, a biometric cooling system, and a surround-view camera system with nine camera views.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen and a matching digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system supported HD and Sirius XM satellite radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. The Palisade Hybrid featured a Driver Talk intercom system, a 14-speaker Bose stereo on higher trims, and a 15-watt wireless charging pad. The Ultimate Calligraphy trim included a built-in dashcam, and the vehicle introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the climate control and infotainment system to run while the gas engine was off.

The 2026 INFINITI QX80 offered a comprehensive range of driver assistance technology, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, ProPilot Assist 1.1, 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, although NHTSA ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. The Palisade Hybrid's ADAS tech performed well during testing, but crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were not available at the time of writing.