QX80 vs LX 600
Brand preference aside, the QX80 and the LX 600 are close competitors, both pitched at full-size luxury suv buyers. On the overall scorecard, the QX80 is ahead: 2 of 4 areas, with space & practicality doing the heavy lifting.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance QX80 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range LX 600 wins
- Space & Practicality QX80 wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Engine & Performance10.0
- Fuel Economy & Range2.4
- Space & Practicality8.0
- Off-road & Towing8.9
- Engine & Performance6.4
- Fuel Economy & Range5.0
- Space & Practicality1.9
- Off-road & Towing6.1
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The QX80 has 100% more cargo space
This is a headline difference. With 22 cu ft to the LX 600’s 11 cu ft, the QX80 has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
-
The QX80 has 58% more maximum cargo space
Put simply, the QX80 is far ahead here: 101 cu ft compared with 64 cu ft. Check the shape of the load floor too: a flat floor can matter as much as the number.
-
The QX80 has 41 hp more power
The QX80 gets a small bonus on total system output, with 450 hp against the LX 600’s 409 hp. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
-
The LX 600 has better fuel economy
Small gaps can still matter over time, and here the LX 600 leads 19 mpg to 18 mpg. The LX 600 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
-
The QX80 has room for 8 seats
The difference is minor (8 seats against 7 seats), but if you’re splitting hairs, the QX80 wins it. Extra seats mean you can take more people along without taking a second car.
Design & Size
The QX80 is the larger car of the two, while the LX 600 is the more compact choice.
Dimensions
| Spec | QX80 | LX 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 211.2 in | 200.6 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 78.4 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 74.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 121.1 in | 112.2 in |
Engine & Performance
QX80 leads
The LX 600 has a tough time in the engine & performance section, where the QX80 pulls well ahead. Choose the QX80 and you get 41 hp more power. The QX80’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. Weighing only engine & performance, the QX80 comes out ahead.
Total system output
QX80: 450 hp LX 600: 409 hp Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
Torque
QX80: 516 lb-ft LX 600: 479 lb-ft Electrified powertrains deliver torque instantly, so compare torque figures alongside the powertrain type.
Fuel Economy & Range
LX 600 leads
The fuel economy & range numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the LX 600. The LX 600 takes this one with better fuel economy. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership. The fuel economy & range verdict goes to the LX 600.
Fuel economy (combined)
QX80: 18 mpg LX 600: 19 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (highway)
QX80: 20 mpg LX 600: 22 mpg Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
Space & Practicality
QX80 leads
If space & practicality is high on your list, the QX80 makes the stronger case by a wide margin. On its side, the QX80 has 100% more cargo space. Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage. For anyone who cares most about space & practicality, the QX80 is the safer choice.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
QX80: 22 cu ft LX 600: 11 cu ft The QX80’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier.
Cargo (seats folded)
QX80: 101 cu ft LX 600: 64 cu ft Maximum cargo space with the seats folded matters when you move furniture, bikes or bulky gear.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the off-road & towing section; the two are too close to separate. The takeaway: off-road & towing is not where these two differ.
Safety & Tech
For safety & tech, the spec sheet lists components and formats rather than figures we can rank. The table shows what the QX80 and the LX 600 each bring.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | QX80 | LX 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 3.5L twin-turbo V6 | 3.4L twin-turbo V6 |
| Total system output | 450 hp (winner) Most powerful in class | 409 hp |
| Torque | 516 lb-ft (winner) Most torque in class | 479 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD (4WD available) | 4WD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | QX80 | LX 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 18 mpg | 19 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 16 mpg | 17 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 20 mpg | 22 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 21.1 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | QX80 | LX 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 8 seats (winner) | 7 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 22 cu ft (winner) | 11 cu ft Smallest cargo area |
| Cargo (seats folded) | 101 cu ft (winner) | 64 cu ft Least room, seats folded |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | QX80 | LX 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | 8,500 lb | 8,000 lb |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | QX80 | LX 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 12.3 in |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 60,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | QX80 | LX 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 211.2 in | 200.6 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 78.4 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 74.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 121.1 in | 112.2 in |
Price
| Spec | QX80 | LX 600 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $107,000 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the QX80 if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (22 cu ft vs 11 cu ft)
- you want more room with the seats folded (101 cu ft vs 64 cu ft)
- you want more power (450 hp vs 409 hp)
- you need more seats (8 seats vs 7 seats)
Choose the LX 600 if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (19 mpg vs 18 mpg)
- you want better highway fuel economy (22 mpg vs 20 mpg)
- you mostly drive in town (17 mpg vs 16 mpg in the city)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the QX80 or the LX 600?
The QX80 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d rather have better fuel economy on the LX 600.
Is the QX80 bigger than the LX 600?
Size goes the other way: the QX80 is larger (211.2 in), and the LX 600 is the smaller option (200.6 × 78.4 × 74.2 in).
Executive Summary
Brand loyalty aside, I tried to judge the QX80 and the LX 600 purely on what they offer. I keep coming back to one thing: the QX80 gets 100% more cargo space. There’s a bonus as well: the QX80 has 41 hp more power. I don’t want to sell the LX 600 short, though: it has better fuel economy.
The way I see it, people who prioritize engine & performance will be happier with the QX80, and those who prioritize fuel economy & range with the LX 600.
My pick: I think most people will be happier with the QX80, unless you value better fuel economy above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.