Payne: Road trippin’ in the Infiniti QX80 Sport mega-ute
Posted by Talbot Payne on June 25, 2026

Henry Payne, The Detroit News
Indianapolis — It’s construction season in the Midwest, and there’s no better way to navigate it than in a mega-ute. Not in a sedan (WHUMP! Those road seams are harsh). Not in a compact SUV (YIKES! Those semis are huge!). Not in a sport scar (YIKES! Those road seams are harsh and those semis are huuuuge!).
In a mega-ute. Like my 2026 Infiniti QX80 Sport tester.
With three palatial rows of seats, tons of cargo room, 38-inches of tech-tastic digital screens, and 450 horsepower in the engine room below decks, this ocean liner was the perfect family hauler for my five-hour trip to Indianapolis for a Father’s Day weekend racing cars with my two boys.


