Compare the2023 Ford ExpeditionVS 2023 Infiniti QX80

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The middle row seatbelts optional on the Expedition inflate when a collision is detected, helping to spread crash forces over a much larger area of the body and limiting head and neck movement. This can help prevent spinal and internal injuries. The QX80 doesn’t offer inflatable seatbelts.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Expedition 4x4’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The QX80 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Expedition’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The QX80 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Expedition and the QX80 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Ford Expedition is safer than the Infiniti QX80:

	Expedition	QX80
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	2 Stars
HIC	165	384
Neck Injury Risk	32%	36%
Neck Stress	361 lbs.	439 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	23/39 lbs.	983/651 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
Chest Compression	.4 inches	1.2 inches
Neck Injury Risk	35%	37%
Neck Stress	155 lbs.	219 lbs.
Neck Compression	74 lbs.	78 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	271/178 lbs.	452/534 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Ford Expedition is safer than the Infiniti QX80:

	Expedition	QX80
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	23	27
Chest Movement	.5 inches	1 inches
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	16 inches
HIC	134	437
Hip Force	569 lbs.	684 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Expedition is 1.1% to 4.4% less likely to roll over than the QX80.

Warranty

There are almost 15 times as many Ford dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Expedition’s warranty.

Reliability

The Expedition has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The QX80 doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Expedition’s reliability 12 points higher than the QX80.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Ford vehicles are better in initial quality than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in initial quality. With 37 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Ford vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Ford above average in long-term dependability. With 4 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Infiniti is rated below average.

Engine

The Expedition’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 57 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 413) than the QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8. The Expedition Limited/KR/Platinum’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 67 lbs.-ft. more torque (480 vs. 413) than the QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8. The Expedition Timberline/Stealth Performance’s standard 3.5 turbo V6 produces 40 more horsepower (440 vs. 400) and 97 lbs.-ft. more torque (510 vs. 413) than the QX80’s 5.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Ford Expedition (base engine) is faster than the Infiniti QX80:

	Expedition	QX80
Zero to 30 MPH	2.2 sec	2.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	6.2 sec	6.3 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	10.7 sec	11 sec
Quarter Mile	14.8 sec	14.9 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Expedition gets better mileage than the QX80:

			MPG
Expedition
	RWD	3.5 turbo V6	17 city/23 hwy
	AWD	3.5 turbo V6	16 city/22 hwy
		Timberline 3.5 turbo V6	16 city/19 hwy
		Timberline 3.5 turbo V6	15 city/19 hwy
QX80
	RWD	5.6 DOHC V8	14 city/20 hwy
	AWD	5.6 DOHC V8	13 city/19 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Expedition’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The QX80 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Expedition has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The QX80 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Ford Expedition, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the QX80.

Brakes and Stopping

The Expedition stops shorter than the QX80:

	Expedition	QX80
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Expedition’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the QX80 (285/45R22 vs. 275/60R20).

The Expedition’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the QX80 Premium Select/Sensory’s 50 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Expedition offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The QX80’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Expedition’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The QX80 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Expedition’s wheelbase is 1.4 inches longer than on the QX80 (122.5 inches vs. 121.1 inches).

The Expedition XLT 4x4 handles at .76 G’s, while the QX80 AWD pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Expedition XLT 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the QX80 AWD (27.6 seconds @ .62 average G’s vs. 28.6 seconds @ .57 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Expedition has a greater minimum ground clearance than the QX80 (9.8 vs. 9.2 inches), allowing the Expedition to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Expedition Timberline’s minimum ground clearance is 1.4 inches higher than on the QX80 (10.6 vs. 9.2 inches).

Chassis

The Ford Expedition may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Infiniti QX80.

The front grille of the Expedition uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The QX80 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Expedition Timberline/Limited/King Ranch/Platinum uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The QX80 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Expedition has 19.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the QX80 (171.9 vs. 152.5).

The Expedition has 2.1 inches more front headroom, 4.3 inches more front legroom, 3 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear legroom, 4.2 inches more rear hip room, 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room, .5 inches more third row headroom, 7.3 inches more third row legroom, 2.6 inches more third row hip room and 3.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the QX80.

Cargo Capacity

The Expedition’s cargo area provides more volume than the QX80.

	Expedition	QX80
Behind Third Seat	19.3 cubic feet	16.6 cubic feet
Third Seat Folded	57.5 cubic feet	49.6 cubic feet
Second Seat Folded	104.6 cubic feet	95.1 cubic feet

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Expedition easier. The Expedition’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 34.7 inches, while the QX80’s liftover is 35.8 inches.

The Expedition’s cargo area is larger than the QX80’s in every dimension:

	Expedition	QX80
Length to seat (3rd/2nd/1st)	18.8”/49.4”/85.8”	18.4”/48”/81”
Max Width	58.4”	50”
Min Width	51.2”	49.8”
Height	36.9”	36”

The Expedition’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The QX80’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Expedition Timberline/Limited/King Ranch/Platinum’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The QX80 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Infiniti QX80 is limited to 8500 pounds. The Expedition offers up to a 9300 lbs. towing capacity.

The Expedition 4x4 with optional equipment can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Expedition can be unhitched and driven around locally. The QX80 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

Servicing Ease

The Expedition has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The QX80 doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

Ergonomics

The Expedition’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The QX80’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Expedition and the QX80 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Expedition is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The QX80 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Expedition’s available exterior PIN entry system. The QX80 doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Emergency Call with Automatic Collision Notification can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Expedition Platinum has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the QX80.

The Expedition (except STX)’s optional Enhanced Active Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The QX80 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Expedition owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Expedition will cost $1210 to $2975 less than the QX80 over a five-year period.

The Expedition will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Expedition will retain 49.75% to 51.3% of its original price after five years, while the QX80 only retains 44.39% to 44.89%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Expedition is less expensive to operate than the QX80 because typical repairs cost much less on the Expedition than the QX80, including $110 less for a water pump, $45 less for a muffler, $32 less for front brake pads, $265 less for a starter, $183 less for fuel injection, $91 less for a fuel pump, $31 less for front struts, $568 less for a timing belt/chain and $402 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Expedition will be $15434 to $24208 less than for the Infiniti QX80.

Recommendations

The Ford Expedition/Expedition Max outsold the Infiniti QX80 by almost 9 to one during 2022.

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