Infiniti QX Monograph Concept Previews Future Navigator Rival

September 4, 2023 11:25 am

The Infiniti QX80 has been around in its current guise since 2010 – save for a pair of refreshes along the way – meaning that, well, the full-size, luxurious SUV is a bit long in the proverbial tooth. Prior to the model’s last fresh back in 2018, Infiniti previewed those changes with the QX80 Monograph Concept, and now, that’s precisely what it’s doing again – this time with the new Infiniti QX Monograph Concept, which gives us a sneak peek at what to expect from the next-generation Lincoln Navigator rival, which Ford Authority spotted testing in prototype form back in April.

The Infiniti QX Monograph Concept is precisely that – a design study – but once again, it figures to provide a pretty accurate take on the all-new, next-generation QX80. Those changes include some dramatic styling updates, complete with a much larger front grille designed to look like a “bamboo forest,” distinctive lighting elements reminiscent of a “digital piano key,” a three-dimensional front logo, full-width rear lighting with a vertical hash pattern, 12-spoke wheels, and a new exterior paint color dubbed Akane.

For now, the Infiniti QX Monograph Concept merely previews the next-generation QX80’s exterior design, as the brand didn’t reveal any sort of interior or mechanical updates. However, the big, luxurious SUV figures to give the Lincoln Navigator some vigorous competition, as has historically been the case in this small but heated segment.

Sales Numbers - Full-Size Luxury SUVs - H1 2023 - USA

MODEL	YTD 23 / YTD 22	YTD 23	YTD 22	YTD 23 SHARE	YTD 22 SHARE
CADILLAC ESCALADE	+8.13%	12,788	11,827	29%	32%
CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV	+1.22%	7,995	7,899	18%	21%
LINCOLN NAVIGATOR	+46.41%	8,858	6,050	20%	16%
JEEP GRAND WAGONEER	-25.81%	5,268	7,101	12%	19%
INFINITI QX80	+113.81%	6,130	2,867	14%	8%
LEXUS LX	+91.76%	3,446	1,797	8%	5%
TOTAL	+18.50%	44,485	37,541

Through the first half of 2023, the Infiniti QX80 trails the Navigator by a relatively solid number in terms of sales – with 6,130 units sold, good enough for a 14 percent market share. The Navigator, on the other hand, recorded 8,858 sales, which equates to a 20 percent share. Both models trail the segment-leading Cadillac Escalade by a large margin, however, as that luxurious SUV recorded 12,788 sales (not including the extended ESV model) and commanded 29 percent of the market.

We’ll have more on everything Ford and Lincoln’s competition is up to soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.

By Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.