The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
Not as hideous as it used to be – that is the general opinion about Infiniti's behemoth, the new QX80. And while that could be damning with faint praise, it is certainly an accurate summary, because the outgoing iteration was, to the majority of eyes, a visual step too far.
Its bulbous nose profile and low-set headlamps gave it a porpoise face – fine if you are a cute, marine-dwelling mammal, but not so much if you are a full-size luxury SUV.
This mid-life refresh was given its world debut at the Dubai International Motor Show in November – something that made complete sense to anyone familiar with the brand in this region. The QX80 is a ubiquitous sight here. It takes the basic recipe of Nissan's hugely successful Patrol and adds a dash of luxury, without adding very much in the way of price.
Little wonder that this is the model’s second-largest market after North America.
One thing Infiniti has never properly nailed, though, is its styling, and recently appointed head of design Karim Habib, formerly of BMW, has been responsible for designing the all-new QX80.
For now, the QX80's overhaul is nothing more than minor cosmetic surgery. The nose job has been a success, with the headlamps moving north to a more natural position on the car's face. A wide air intake has been incorporated under the main grille to give it more aggression and a lower stance while straighter, tauter edges have replaced swoopy panels.
The side profile has been subtly altered, but you would need to have a previous model parked next to it to see the differences, while the rear elevation continues the squatter aesthetic of the front, with new tail lamps joined by a chrome strip – a visual trick that makes everything look wider and more cohesive.
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Inside, there are new stitching patterns for the leather upholstery, new instrument lighting and trim colours, larger screens in the rears of the headrests and an updated infotainment system that now caters to 31 different languages.
Apart from some extra sound insulation, that is about it for updates. While Infiniti has been at pains to distance itself from its parent company and the reputation it has for supplying "posh Nissans", the QX80 is perhaps the most obvious reminder of that connection, thanks to its ageing ergonomics and a side profile that is practically identical to the Patrol. So why would anyone buy this and not a spec'd-up Nissan alternative?
That all comes down to value for money, and in this, the Infiniti scores highly. It is positively loaded with standard kit and weighs in at roughly the middle pricing ground for the Patrol, in a move that may well tempt greater numbers to move upscale, at least brand-wise.
It remains a well-sorted family/load-lugger – it can seat up to eight occupants. And on the basis of my test drive around the wilds of Ras Al Khaimah, it can cope with some fairly rough terrain, while remaining smooth as silk on the road.
Capable, luxurious, good value and absolutely enormous – no wonder it is so successful here.
And there is no reason to think that will change any time soon.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Aldar Properties Abu Dhabi T10
*November 15 to November 24
*Venue: Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
*Tickets: Start at Dh10, from ttensports.com
*TV: Ten Sports
*Streaming: Jio Live
*2017 winners: Kerala Kings
*2018 winners: Northern Warriors
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
Find the right policy for you
Don’t wait until the week you fly to sign up for insurance – get it when you book your trip. Insurance covers you for cancellation and anything else that can go wrong before you leave.
Some insurers, such as World Nomads, allow you to book once you are travelling – but, as Mr Mohammed found out, pre-existing medical conditions are not covered.
Check your credit card before booking insurance to see if you have any travel insurance as a benefit – most UAE banks, such as Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, have cards that throw in insurance as part of their package. But read the fine print – they may only cover emergencies while you’re travelling, not cancellation before a trip.
Pre-existing medical conditions such as a heart condition, diabetes, epilepsy and even asthma may not be included as standard. Again, check the terms, exclusions and limitations of any insurance carefully.
If you want trip cancellation or curtailment, baggage loss or delay covered, you may need a higher-grade plan, says Ambareen Musa of Souqalmal.com. Decide how much coverage you need for emergency medical expenses or personal liability. Premium insurance packages give up to $1 million (Dh3.7m) in each category, Ms Musa adds.
Don’t wait for days to call your insurer if you need to make a claim. You may be required to notify them within 72 hours. Gather together all receipts, emails and reports to prove that you paid for something, that you didn’t use it and that you did not get reimbursed.
Finally, consider optional extras you may need, says Sarah Pickford of Travel Counsellors, such as a winter sports holiday. Also ensure all individuals can travel independently on that cover, she adds. And remember: “Cheap isn’t necessarily best.”
The specs: 2018 Infiniti QX80
Price: base / as tested: Dh335,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.1L / 100km
