2021 Infiniti QX80 Off Road

[@zad4809]

Middle East Nissan Patrol Y62 has the multi terrain modes + rear diff lock, much capable vehicle and very popular in the Middle East market.

[@EngineAdventures]

Wish they would include that stuff for the US market

[@1malikalik]

The Main Difference between the Y62 PATROL and Our Nissan Armada/QX80 is the Gearing and Diff Lock. The Y62 PATROL is geared for Off Road Markets like Africa and Australia and the Armada/QX80 is designed for Fuel Efficiency and Emissions for the North American Roads. The Diff Lock and Diff Gearing are easy upgrades. The QX80 tho, does have mylti terrain select mode. Which is not needed for serious off-roaders

[@fegrwinter9691]

@@1malikalik This things also cost far more in UAE or middle Asia than US. In US you get 2020 QX for price of 2010 LX, which is NOT the case here

[@wirth315]

Nice Video. The lack of traction from the tires is the culprit to your hill climb failures. The AWD / 4WD functions of the QX80 are amazing and function well. I run a set of Nissan Titan Pro4x wheels / Tires (General Grabber All Terrain) on my QX80 for snowy winters and Colorado Elk hunting trips and the traction is far better than my 22" Michelins. The Nissan Patrol / QX80 platform is an exceptionally capable off road vehicle when equipped with an off road tire. :-) When taking a 6000 lb tank up steep hills, traction from the tires is vital.

[@EngineAdventures]

Yes having the right tires for the terrain is very important, especially going away from 22" wheels to something with more sidewall. However, the steep hill test isn't about the tires, it's about the vehicle's ability to transfer power to the tires with traction. Two tires are essentially in without traction (usually one of them is in the air), so the vehicle has to be able to get torque to the other two wheels that do have traction. Nissan/Infiniti has good capability, they just dial it back for the US market. Thanks for watching!

[@rahulrane1658]

Well said!

[@haroldbeauchamp3770]

Those in-car views while climbing the hill are awesome. Really gives the feel of being there. Especially when you're stuck and trying to get it to come up out of the harder lines. I could feel myself squirming in my chair. I imagine you're used to this hill by now. lol

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks! It does get a little scary especially when I turn the wheel left and right. I had the Highlander hybrid grab when I was turned to the left and it nearly took me off the road.

[@adamjannik6539]

Nice. I just got my 4wd qx80. And i think ill keep it a pavement queen

[@EngineAdventures]

Now you know if you do have to leave the pavement that it can do pretty well!

[@hertzair1186]

…I just bought mine too about a week and a half ago…I also don’t see myself doing off road in it unless it’s to escape an apocalypse…but I think off-road tires are the key to getting the proper traction.

[@EngineAdventures]

Having the right tires for the terrain is very important, but the steep climbs in this test are about how the vehicle transfers power to the wheels that have traction. Smaller wheels and tires with larger sidewalls will help most the high speed sections, but also help with grip on the steep hill climbs.

[@fegrwinter9691]

Nice test. I'm wondering how 4L behaves on more prolonged drives on mountain trails. With Toyota/Lexus trucks you immediately engage low range and drive more comfortably both on uphill and downhill, while also avoiding drivetrain overheating. Do you think QX80 can do the same? Surely driving at 10000 feet altitude is not what most QX80 owners do but I personally expect at least some capabilities from partially on frame vehicle

[@EngineAdventures]

If you're on dirt roads for extended periods, then the US version of the QX probably isn't the best choice. I don't know if they are different elsewhere, but the US versions aren't as durable as the Patrol version world wide. However if it's a well maintained dirt road and the majority of your time is spent on pavement getting to the dirt road, then it would do great!

[@fegrwinter9691]

@@EngineAdventures What exactly might be durability concerns, if you care to elaborate? Transfer case going out? I'm talking about some middle east type mountain roads which are by no means well maintained lol

[@EngineAdventures]

@@fegrwinter9691 on that front, I honestly don't know. With the QX, I'm guessing things will start to rattle and probably have more minor issues. As far as powertrain and drivetrain I don't think you'll have issues. However, this is just my opinion.

[@llspragulus]

I love wheeling here in Vegas and I wanted to get one. I like being pampered while I'm wheeling LOL 😂

[@EngineAdventures]

Haha, thanks for sharing!

[@balbirz]

Such videos provide clarification on how car manufacturers display fancy button like rock, mud, low, high with no such capabilities. They know no one need it or gonna test it. Soon we see button with not connections down…

[@EngineAdventures]

While I can agree with that statement on some other vehicles I've tested. For this one I certainly noticed different programming for the snow mode, and it has a high and low range transfercase which can multiply torque significantly when needed for slow speed maneuvers.

[@Yasar.Sharif]

Excellent testing and very entertaining video!

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@thinguyen8190]

Would it be better if you ‘d have off road tires?

[@EngineAdventures]

Yes and no. Having the right tires for the terrain can make a big difference, however what I'm trying to test is how well the vehicle can transfer power to the wheels with traction. When two wheels have essentially traction it doesn't matter how good your tires are if the 4wd system can transfer power to the 2 wheels with traction.

[@shawn_hu]

at least 3 tires lost traction on the hardest part. If this one has a better tire, it can probabily make it. it's more a long range cruisier. 2.7 tons of metal, front and rear double wishbone suspension. Not so many suvs have that settings now days.

[@EngineAdventures]

I had a Ford Ranger Tremor get stuck in that same spot. It has great tires and a rear locker. The difference here is on the slightly easier line the Ranger walked up it, and the QX80 still took a little work. I agree it's a long range cruiser or an overlander. I wish they had kept a few more features from the Patrol (stronger diffs, locking rear diff, higher suspension, etc.) Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@aeiq1219]

What kind of camera are you using? the image stabilization is amazing. Great video!!!

[@EngineAdventures]

Just a couple Go Pros. A Hero 7 black for most of the outside shots and a Hero 9 for the inside shots. Thanks for watching!

[@aeiq1219]

@@EngineAdventures thanks for the reply.

[@DarrenBoxhall]

You just go into D or R then back to N and it will drop straight into low. When cars with a manual lever can get stuck between gear meshing and you need to move slightly.

[@EngineAdventures]

Usually I try to shift while it's rolling around 1mph or less, but I've noticed that Nissan's prefer to be at a complete stop for some reason.

[@williamkennedy2069]

Next video thanks, so the Toyota Sequoia TDR pro is the best?

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching. I would say that yes the Sequoia TRD Pro is the best. The Sequoia certainly handles the really rough stuff just as well as any of the others, I wish it had a rear locker though. However, it is by the far best for high speed offroad driving, which in my opinion is where this type of vehicle will see the most off pavement use.

[@tomtalker2000]

First of all i feel MOST folks will not even see these kinds of conditions in there QX80's or even Armada's. It is still a VERY competent 4x4 system. Especially, given it's weight and overall size. I HIGHLY doubt an AWD Ford Explorer could do what this vehicle can off road.

[@EngineAdventures]

Why not make the Armada a Land Cruiser competitor? It is on other markets. I need to get an explorer to test still, my brother has one, but he's afraid I'll break it 😂

[@tomtalker2000]

@@EngineAdventures Yeah they way you were bouncing around that $60+ kinda scared me a minute. I'd be going A LOT slower.

[@EngineAdventures]

Haha, gotta get the views!

[@scottspooner6070]

Did you put off road tires on it?

[@EngineAdventures]

Nope, this was a media vehicle, I only had it to review for a week.

[@vovasava3498]

Interesting fact: this electronic lockers seems to work better, and lock harder when wheels are not turned. And that might be the case here, when you were not able to ascent the front wheels were turned, but next time on different trajectory wheels were not turned, and electronic lockers just worked better.

[@EngineAdventures]

No lockers here, just a brake based limited slip system. I've tested a few QX80's and Armadas over this test course, and neither of them do as well as the Titan and Frontier with the brake based system. I think it's how Nissan/Infiniti tunes the system. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@vovasava3498]

@@EngineAdventures yes, that's what I mean, those electric lockers similators which use breaks seems to be working better if wheels are straight. you can search SUV battle YT channel, they have similar hill climb test and saying that if you put wheels straight it works better for some reason (probably to avoid breaking of CV joints)

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for the info! I've watched a couple of videos from SUV battle, good stuff!

[@vovasava3498]

@@EngineAdventures I'm not saying its better then real lockers, sure titan or other real lockers car have more capability, but just for this type of cars with ESP lockers, if you're stuck with wheels turned to side, you can try just straighten the wheels and try pushing gas again

[@Food4Thought66]

Do you think you could review an older Mercedes-Benz G class? Any pre 2019 with an ACTUAL solid front axle, and 3 real locking differentials

[@EngineAdventures]

I'd love to! I'll see if I can find one! It does have 3 lockers that actuate in the most complicated way possible, I believe the system is electric, hydraulic, pneumatic, and then back to hydraulic or something.

[@Food4Thought66]

@@EngineAdventures That must be why they take so long to actuate! Great content, I love how detailed your videos are

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for the support!

[@hertzair1186]

Tires are a huge factor…the street M&S tires will limit you obviously

[@EngineAdventures]

Having the right tires for the terrain is very important, however this testing is more focused on the vehicle's ability to transfer power to the wheels with traction. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@bigdoggy6650]

Great vehicle

[@EngineAdventures]

It actually sells pretty well, but I still feel like it's under rated. I really like the Armada/QX80, but feel like they could improve interior function quite a bit.

[@TapRackBang72]

Tires probably didn't help much. With the 20's and with all terrain K02s, it should move much better. Too bad there's no lockers though.

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching! While having the right tires for the terrain is very important, this test is more about how well the vehicle can transfer power to the wheels with traction. If all 4 wheels are spinning fairly evenly, then I'll be the first one to blame tires. I agree on both fronts, better tires and a locker and this steep hill would have been a non issue.

[@s.p.3738]

In city and Highway what is the difference on the feel of bumps and interstate dips when HBMC is on it versus not on it. Thanks!

[@EngineAdventures]

As far as I know HBMC is always on. It really depends on the size of bumps/dips. In most cases HBMC is smoother in all conditions. However, I did notice that for whatever reason that it felt a bit stiff over the larger bumps/dips. This is all going off of memory though, so I may be wrong.

[@s.p.3738]

@@EngineAdventures Thank you. I have a neck issue and I found the non HBMC ones to ride like a dream. I haven't driven one with HBMC however there is one for sale that i am about to head over to drive - it is 4 hours away. Now I'm worried. But it makes sense since HBMC stiffens on one side when cornering. ugh Do you know who I can call to confirm this? INF reps just say "HBMC is smoother" off the cuff.

[@EngineAdventures]

Honestly it would probably be best for you to drive yours and one equipped with HBMC back to back. 4 hours is a long way though if you end up not liking it. In many cases I like the feel of a firmer setup, as long as it's not harsh. HMBC certainly feels more controlled for me, but not as soft and floaty.

[@s.p.3738]

@@EngineAdventures Thank you so much!

[@tomtalker2000]

I don't think folks will want to risk bouncing around a $60+ vehicle the way he did.

[@EngineAdventures]

Most probably don't, some will!

[@brokeduece1691]

Is it just as capable has the ford ranger?

[@EngineAdventures]

I'd say the Ranger is much more capable. The Ranger has a rear locker, more skid plates, smaller size, and better angles and clearance.

[@paultruesdale7680]

The guy that poo pooed the idea of not bringing the Patrol to the USA blew it. Its got the motor and comfort figured out, but a dismal 4x4 set up. With the Land Cruiser going away they could have stole the show. I hope they get it right with the new Frontier or I'm off to Toyota.

[@EngineAdventures]

They kind of brought the Patrol over, they should have just kept more of the off-road features of the Patrol when they make it worthy of the United States.

[@paultruesdale7680]

I’m a Nissan guy, they show you the concepts but are always too conservative and then very late to the show. Why the USA gets left out is beyond me.

[@adamgoodman3422]

QX has nice presence and a sweet sounding motor but that’s about it. For off roading would go for a GX460 or LX570-600. Afraid Nissan left all the off road goodies to the non US markets

[@EngineAdventures]

Just reviewed an LX600, the off-road video will be up next week. After that will be a 2023 QX80.

[@xsykedelix3766]

you drive them hard god damn! lol

[@EngineAdventures]

Haha, I really don't want to damage a fleet vehicle, but they need tested!

[@anjansingh3093]

light trail road and on road vehicle.

[@EngineAdventures]

Un-modified that's true, but look at what people do with the Nissan Patrol (same platform). There is a lot of capability built into these things!

[@DarrenBoxhall]

The Patrol varient is so much more capable

[@EngineAdventures]

Wish we could get a Nismo Armada in the US that would essentially be a Patrol.

[@hafidadi4351]

power 681 hp torsi 840 nm v8

[@EngineAdventures]

With a super charger?

[@yutuniopati]

Can you please avoid this sharp rock?

[@EngineAdventures]

Large wheels and low profile tires do make sharp rocks a big risk, but no damage was done in this testing!

[@yutuniopati]

@@EngineAdventures Look at 5:20

[@EngineAdventures]

@@yutuniopati ohhh, yeah it looks worse on camera. There is plenty of ground clearance, and no issues with that rock.

[@yutuniopati]

@@EngineAdventures The side wall of the tires on this QX80 look super fragile.

[@mrrodneyalong]

All kids of wear on the brakes and driveline unnecessarily when a simple mechanical rear LSD would have went through with no issues

[@EngineAdventures]

It's really not that bad on the brakes and drive line unless this is a thing you do regularly. However I do agree with you, having a selectable locker or Torsen style differential will be much better. I think one of the best options for vehicles spending most of their time on-road is combining Torsen style diffs with the brake based limited slip system.

[@George-cp2eh]

AT tires

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching! While having the right tires for the terrain is very important, this test is more about how well the vehicle can transfer power to the wheels with traction. If all 4 wheels are spinning fairly evenly, then I'll be the first one to blame tires. Apart from better traction AT, and other off-road oriented, tires also usually have thicker sidewalls that are harder to damage.

[@Hot_Lime_Guy]

Nice video

[@EngineAdventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@Hot_Lime_Guy]

@@EngineAdventures yep