When INFINITI introduced the Q70 in the market, they projected it as their most luxurious vehicle in themid-size luxury sedan segment. But without much changes on the exterior, and keeping a relatively same car that feels and drives, like its predecessor, the M36, the Q70 might at times feel a bit boring. But then again, with a variety of engine offerings, which includes a V6 and a V8, at a lesser compared to its German competitors, the Q70 sedan feels like a win-win at times.
Buying Advice
Equip your INFINITI Q70 sedan with the big burly V8 engine. In its current form, the Q70 cannot hold its ground against the newly updated competition. So, choose that 5.6 Luxe trim to make your drive a more pleasurable affair. Driver assistance features are not offered as standard so, it is necessary to pick the optional ProActive package for better safety.
The Q70 enjoys a good price advantage over its German counterparts. Even the most Advance Package which gets the V6 engine and a standard all-wheel drive, the near $46,000 price is still a bargain compared to similarly equipped Mercedes or Audi cars. Powered by a 3.7-liter V6 engine, the INFINITI Q70 has enough power to squeeze out of tight situations. But then again, the torque distribution is much linear and is not as exciting as it may be in its competition. Passing and merging isn't an issue with this engine. The Q70 is offered in RWD, with an optional AWD model that can be availed at a minimal expense.
Competing in a very crowded segment, the INFINITI Q70 goes against the likes of some of the most premium sedans that can be bought in the market. This includes the likes of,Jaguar XF, Lexus GS 300 sedan, and theGenesis G80.
Pricing and Features
9.0/10
2019 INFINITI Q70 is available in two trim levels: 3.7 Luxe and 5.6 Luxe. Both these trims are offered with RWD as standard. The base trim is equipped with a 3.7-liter engine. For an additional expense of $2150, you can add AWD. You can also choose from a similarly equipped large wheelbase model name Q70L. It is available with both the engines and your choice of drivetrain.
Trim
Q70 3.7 LUXE
Q70 5.6 LUXE
MSRP (RWD)
$50,300
$63,350
MSRP (AWD)
$52,450
$65,900
Key Features
330-hp 3.7-liter V6
Includes all Q70 3.7 LUXE standard key features plus:
7-speed automatic transmission
420-hp 5.6-liter V8
417 lb-ft of torque
Dual exhaust with polished finishers
Leather-appointed seating
Japanese ash wood trim
Climate controlled front seats
Heated steering wheel
Fine vision electroluminescent gauges
Bose 10-speaker audio system
8-inch color vehicle information display
INFINITI Intouch Navigation with 8-inch WVGA color touch screen display
Around view monitor with moving object detection
Front and rear sonar system
The base 3.7 trim is available with dual-zone climate control, sunroof, heated steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, and a top-down parking camera. Leather upholstery takes interior ambiance to a higher level. The 10-speaker Bose audio system is a treat for the audiophile inside you.
The 5.6 Luxe brings in a good old V8 engine to the mix. You get a substantial power boost but that's all. This trim shares all the features with the base 3.7 Luxe trim. There are two optional packages available- The sport package and the ProActive package. The former package evokes the sporty character with bigger wheels, tightened springs and interior changes that suit a sport sedan. The ProActive package brings essential safety features like Blind Spot Warning, Distance Control Assist, and more. These packages will cost you $4,900 and $3,300 respectively.
We Recommend
Equip your INFINITI Q70 sedan with the big burly V8 engine. In its current form, the Q70 cannot hold its ground against the newly updated competition. So, choose that 5.6 Luxe trim to make your drive a more pleasurable affair. Driver assistance features are not offered as standard so, it is necessary to pick the optional ProActive package for better safety.
Engine and Performance
8.3/10
INFINITI Q70 comes with a 330-hp V6 motor which is mated to a standard 7-speed automatic transmission. Over the years, not much has changed under the skin. Under the very long hood, it’sNissan's venerable VQ engine that does all the hard work. Although you will surely miss the low-end grunt of modern turbocharged engines offered by the rivals it isn't a deal-breaker.
Step on the throttle and the V6 won't howl or push you to pack into the seats but will comfortably cruise at highway speeds - all day long. If power is at all required, then the 5.6 V8 engine with its 416 horsepower output can make this a bit interesting but not that exciting.
Models
INFINITI Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Jaguar XF 25t premium Sedan
Lexus GS 300 sedan
Genesis G80 3.8 sedan
MSRP
$50,400
$49,965
$47,635
$44,550
Engine
3.7L V6
2.0L Inline 4
2.0L Inline 4
3.8L V6
Transmission
7 Speed Shiftable automatic
8 Speed Shiftable automatic
8 Speed Shiftable automatic
8 Speed Shiftable automatic
Horsepower
330 hp@ 7000rpm
247 hp@ 5500rpm
241 hp@ 5800rpm
311 hp@ 6000rpm
Torque
270 ft-lbs@ 5200rpm
269 ft-lbs@ 1200rpm
258 ft-lbs@ 1650 rpm
293 ft-lbs@ 5000rpm
Considering its competition, the INFINITI has a head start when it comes to raw power. The 330 hp is easily the best in this comparison. Compare the torque output, the Genesis G80 makes a whopping 293 ft-lbs,of torque but to extract that you need to sit at the mountain of 5000 rpm which is not possible in real-world conditions. When we consider this scenario then the turbo-fours from Jaguar and Lexus have an edge over the rest. They provide a substantial amount of their torque output at very low rpm.
Acceleration
2019 INFINITI Q70 sedan runs the zero to sixty mph marker in 5.6 seconds and quarter-mile is achieved in 14.2 seconds. So, this is not a sluggish vehicle at all, but you will constantly be aware of its size due to the long hood. To make things more pleasant, you can choose from an array of drive modes.
2019 Infiniti Q70 Sedan In Acceleration Mode
The V6 engine delivers a linear and predictable surge of acceleration across the engine's power band. This is something that naturally aspirated engines do so well - it is so easy to add that extra 10 percent without any fuss. The response is more like your foot is hardwired to the pedal.
Models
INFINITI Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Jaguar XF 25t premium Sedan
Lexus GS 300 sedan
Genesis G80 3.8 sedan
0-60 MPH
5.6 sec
5 sec
7 sec
6.3 sec
Quarter mile
14.2 sec
13.5 sec
N/A
14.6 sec
Engine
3.7L V6
2.0L i4
2.0L i4
3.8L V6
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
8.4
6.3
N/A
8.9
Theturbocharged Jaguar XF is the quickest of this lot- it does naught to sixty in 5 seconds. Jag is followed by INFINITI's 5.6 second time. Lexus GS 300 takes the longest to rush to the coveted 60mph marker. The smaller inline-four engines from Jaguar and Lexus have a lower carbon footprint.
What about the INFINITI Q70 ride quality?
Different driving modes make the INFINITI Q70 a versatile ride at times. Throttle response is sharp and transmission switches to the right gear ratios and even when you are on the brakes it will hold the gears for a longer time. The Q70 begs you to bury the pedal down and keep the revs up. The steering also stiffens up to support the powertrain in its mission for speed. You can confidently glide this barge of a sedan as you want. You can take this experience to another level by opting for the Sport package which brings in stiffer suspension, 20-inch wheels, and more powerful brakes.
If you are one of those who prefer a more comfortable ride then you have the Eco mode to be grateful for. As the name suggests, it is the exact opposite of the Sport mode. The engine runs quiet and the transmission isn't eager to switch gears in favor of efficiency. And if you try to mash the pedal to metal then the accelerator pedal actually 'pushes your foot back' reminding you of the oath to save the environment.
Braking
The brake pedals have reassuring feedback. 2019 INFINITI Q70 screeches to a halt from 70 mph within 167 feet. These are better than average numbers for this segment. INFINITI has calibrated the brakes well to inspire confidence. If you want to add more stopping power, then the Sport package comes with aluminum 4-piston front and 2-piston rear calipers.
2019 Infiniti Q70 Sedan Wheel
Model
INFINITI Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Jaguar XF 25t premium Sedan
Lexus GS 300 sedan
Genesis G80 3.8 sedan
Brake Front (in.)
12.6
12.8
N/A
13.6
Brake Rear (in.)
12.1
12.8
N/A
12.4
Curb Weight (lbs.)
3876
3590
3805
4350
70-0 MPH (ft.)
167
170
174
167
The Genesis G80 offers a similar braking performance, taking an identical 167 feet to stop from 70 mph. The Jaguar XF and Lexus GS need more tarmac to achieve similar results.
Fuel Economy
7.1/10
The INFINITI Q70 is a little behind when it comes to fuel efficiency. The 2019 Q70 sedan returns a decent 21 mpg of combined mileage. There isn't much to blame due to the aging V6 mill. Go up to the V8 trim and the fuel efficiency take an even severe drop. And when we compare it to the other cars, it easy to find that the modern four-bangers are more inclined towards saving fuel and deliver more usable torque down the rev range.
Model
INFINITI Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Jaguar XF 25t premium Sedan
Lexus GS 300 sedan
Genesis G80 3.8 sedan
MPG (city)
18
25
22
18
MPG (highway)
25
34
32
25
MPG (combined)
21
28
26
20
Tank Capacity (gal)
20.0
19.5
17.4
20.3
Range (miles) (city/highway)
360/500
488/663
383/557
386/548
Genesis G80 sedan scores a combined mpg of 22 MPGwhile bettering INFINITI's score by a margin by 1. The smaller and efficient turbo-fours set new standards for this segment. 2019 Jaguar XF leads the pack with a combined mpg of 28.
Interior
8.0/10
Apart from the outdated tech, there is not much to complain about here. The Q70's cabin offers generous room. Even in the standard-wheelbase model, the rear has very good space. The cabin has been nicely trimmed with leather-appointments and tastefully applied metal inserts. The overall quality of the materials is high. The cabin can accommodate 5 people but the space for the middle rear seat is restricted.
2019 Infiniti Q70 Sedan Front Row Seats
The whole switches and toggles may feel out of time now but these dials fall naturally to the hand. And it shows the effort INFINITI has put into it. The wood inserts elevate the cabin ambiance.
If you are going to be in the rear seat most of the time. If you are going to be chauffeured around town then you would be quite happy with the rear seats offered in the Q70L version. With almost 6 inches more legroom. You would get a proper luxury sedan experience. Yet, the absence of a rear-seat entertainment and controls for the climate control can restrict you from an ultimate luxury experience.
Model
INFINITI Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Jaguar XF 25t premium Sedan
Lexus GS 300 sedan
Genesis G80 3.8 sedan
Passenger capacity
5
5
5
5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
39.1/58.4/44.4
37.5/NA/NA
38.0/57.3/42.3
41.1/58.3/45.7
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
37.7/56.7/36.2
38.2/NA/NA
37.8/55.7/36.8
38.2/57.1/35.0
Infotainment System
This is the department that lets you down. INFINITI hasn't made any major changes to its decade-old infotainment system. Dated is the word that aptly defines this system.
2019 Infiniti Q70 Sedan Dashboard
The graphics are low resolution and it would take a while before you are acquainted with them. The only saving grace is the 10-speaker audio system from Bose. As expected the INFINITI Q70 misses out on Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
Interior Features
The Q70 sedan offers a very welcoming interior trim. Some of these features are mentioned below:
Leather-appointed seating
Japanese Ash Wood trim
10-Way Power Adjustable Driver's and Passenger's seats
Climate-controlled front seats
10-Speaker Bose Premium Audio System
Active Noise Control
Rear-seat center armrest with storage
Cargo volume
The INFINITI Q70 doesn't score very well when we talk about utility. The trunk capacity is just average - 14.9 cu-ft. Small-item storage is also poor. No cleverly designed space to tuck in your smartphone. The center console under the armrest offers decent storage. Competitors offer more storage and also come with hands-free trunk.
Model
INFINITI Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Jaguar XF 25t premium Sedan
Lexus GS 300 sedan
Genesis G80 3.8 sedan
Cargo Volume (ft.3)
14.9
17.8
14.3
15.3
Exterior
8.0/10
INFINITI Q70 stands the tallest in the pack at 59.1-inches and it is blessed with 6.0-inch ground clearance. Q70 is elegant to look at and it really complemented by the muscular touches on the exterior. Even at 196.1 inches, the Q70 has a good street presence. Thankfully, INFINITI has resisted putting on a gaping grille on the front. It has preserved the Q70's understated look.
2019 Infiniti Q70 Sedan Side View
This sedan screams expensive when you glance at one passing by the street. You can easily mistake it for a $75,000 car. The design isn't a departure from the discontinued M56. The front looks big and it announces its arrival. For their segment, the INFINITI Q70 and Q70L look like a lot of money but a bare-bones INFINITI sedan costs a tad more than $50,000. The package is well done with bits of chrome, big shiny wheels, and back haunches.
Model
INFINITI Q70 3.7LUXE sedan
Jaguar XF 25t premium Sedan
Lexus GS 300 sedan
Genesis G80 3.8 sedan
Curb weight (lbs.)
3876
3590
3805
4195
Length(in)
196.1
195.0
192.1
196.5
Width(in)
72.6
78.2
72.4
74.4
Height(in)
59.1
57.4
57.3
58.3
Ground clearance (in)
6.0
4.1
5.1
5.3
Wheelbase (in)
114.2
116.5
112.2
118.5
Track width (in) F/R
62/61.6
61.4/61.8
62/62.6
64.1/65.3
The Genesis G80 tips the scales at 4195 lbs. and the 196.5-inches sedan easily steals the crown for the longest sedan in this comparison. It also offers a good interior room due to a 118.5-inch wheelbase. The Jaguar and Lexus score a little low at the proportions game.
Safety
9.1/10
The Q70 misses out on the active driver assistance features. If you want those features then you need to pick the optional ProActive package which will bring those safety aids. The standard features on the Q70 sedan are mentioned below:
Driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental airbags
Front-seat active head restraints
4-wheel anti-lock braking system
Traction control system
Vehicle dynamic control
Emergency inside trunk release
Vehicle security system
Competition
7.0/10
INFINITI Q70 vs Jaguar XF
The supercharged 2.0-liter turbo-four engine in the Jaguar is a good offering in the mid-level luxury sedan segment. Even in the base trim,the XF packs a decent punch with this engine. But in matters of raw power, the Q70 is way ahead of the Jag.
2019 Jaguar XF
The XF blends practicality and when pushed hard doesn't fail to show it's fun to drive nature. The XF has been designed and built well and it provides a tough time for the Japanese and German competitors.
INFINITI Q70 vs Lexus GS 300
Lexus GS 300 sedan starts at a price of $46,610. It is offered with a 241 hp inline-four engine. Transmission duties are handled by an 8-speed transmission. This mid-size sedan has well-appointed interior trim and it is reasonably priced for the luxury it offers.
2019 Lexus GS 300
The GS sedan doesn't score high on utility. The rear cargo space is below average. The infotainment system can be tricky to use in the beginning. The available 2.0-liter engine is best suited for A to B driving. It doesn't take well to enthusiastic input from the driver. Lexus being one of the most reputed luxury brands around will mean lesser breakdowns and repair bills.
INFINITI Q70 vs Genesis G80
Genesis G80 has a luxurious interior with a generous list of safety features and the latest smartphone integration technology. It has a very powerful engine lineup, like the INFINITI Q70 its average fuel economy isn't what we call efficient. But it also has a below-class-average starting price, which makes the G80 a good value and deserving of a high spot on your list.
2019 Genesis G80
Final Verdict
INFINITI Q70 takes an old school approach here - there are 2 mills on offer. A 330 hp V6 and 416 hp V8. The bare-bones 3.7 Luxe trim will cost you $50,300. If you need the extra legroom in the back, the price will jump to $51,800.
Lack of features restricts you from having a premier luxury sedan experience. First on this list is a snappy infotainment system. Those graphics seriously look like they have been copied from a 90's interface. Lack of rear-seat entertainment for the passengers. Even the larger-wheelbase model misses out on that. The utility on offer isn't the best in the segment. Mere 14.9 cu-ft. of cargo space, absence of power liftgate, smartphone integration hurt the Q70 badly.
But if we talk about value per dollar, then the INFINITI Q70 sedan shines in a different light. It can easily pass off for a $75,000 car. If you are going to be behind the wheel a lot, the V8 engine will make you grin ear to ear. The Q70 in this guise comes off as a good sport sedan. If you want a fancy car with all the bells and whistles then you better skip this one for now.