Compare the2026 Infiniti QX80VS 2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Infiniti QX80 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Palisade doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the QX80 and the Palisade have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, front seat center airbag, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The Infiniti QX80 weighs 944 to 1785 pounds more than the Hyundai Palisade. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Infiniti QX80 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Palisade has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the QX80 for 3 years and 45000 miles. Infiniti will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Hyundai doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Palisade.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Infiniti higher than Hyundai.

The QX80’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 163 more horsepower (450 vs. 287) and 256 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 260) than the Palisade’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6. The QX80’s 3.5 turbo V6 produces 121 more horsepower (450 vs. 329) and 177 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 339) than the Palisade’s optional 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

The QX80 has 5.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The QX80 has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Palisade V6’s standard fuel tank (23.6 vs. 19 gallons).

The QX80 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 Palisade doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Infiniti QX80, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Palisade.

For better stopping power the QX80’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Palisade:

The QX80’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Palisade are solid, not vented.

For better traction, the QX80 has larger tires than the Palisade (275/60R20 vs. 235/65R18). The QX80 Pure’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Palisade (275/60R20 vs. 265/45R21).

The QX80 Pure’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Palisade’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the QX80 Pure has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Palisade. The QX80 Luxe/Sport/Autograph’s 22-inch wheels are larger than the 21-inch wheels on the Palisade Calligraphy.

The Infiniti QX80’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Hyundai Palisade only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The QX80 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Palisade doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The QX80 offers an available 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 Palisade’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the QX80’s wheelbase is 4.2 inches longer than on the Palisade (121.1 inches vs. 116.9 inches).

For greater off-road capability the QX80 Pure has a 2.2 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Palisade (9.6 vs. 7.4 inches), allowing the QX80 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The QX80 Luxe/Sport/Autograph’s minimum ground clearance is 1.6 inches higher than on the Palisade XRT PRO (10 vs. 8.4 inches).

The QX80 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Palisade doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The QX80 has 1.1 inches more front hip room, 2.8 inches more front shoulder room, 3.2 inches more rear hip room, 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room, .8 inches more third row legroom, 6.4 inches more third row hip room and 7.5 inches more third row shoulder room than the Palisade.

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the QX80. The Palisade doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The QX80’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Palisade’s (8500 vs. 5000 pounds).

While the Palisade Hybrid can only tow 4000, any QX80 can tow a minimum of 8500 pounds.

The engine in the QX80 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Palisade. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 51% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the Palisade SEL Premium/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid, the QX80 Sport/Autograph has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The QX80’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Palisade’s standard rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The QX80’s standard Infiniti Intelligent Key allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Proximity Key standard on the Palisade doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The QX80’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Palisade’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Infiniti QX80 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the Palisade SEL Premium/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid.

The QX80 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Palisade SEL Premium/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid.

Both the QX80 and the Palisade offer available massaging front seats. The QX80 Autograph also has standard massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the Palisade.

The Infiniti QX80 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the overhead console. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Hyundai charges extra for Homelink® on the Palisade.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Infiniti QX80 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Palisade SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy/Hybrid offers wireless charging.