When it comes to flagship-level Japanese technology, design, luxury, performance, and even value, the Infiniti Q70L is all about doing it big. With the ‘L’ in its name badge representing a 6” extension in length over the standard Q70 model, drivers and their passengers benefit from a luxury sedan with large SUV levels of rear-seat space for lounging, socializing, and being classy as all heck.
Truly, with the Infiniti Q70L, it’s all about size.
What is a 2015 Infiniti Q70L?
The 2015 Infiniti Q70L is a newly added, top dog, extra-length version of Infiniti’s top model. The Japanese brand’s flagship, Q70L takes a world-class luxury motoring experience to the world stage with its extended wheelbase, gentleman’s V8 engine, and relatively cost-effective access to the latest in safety, entertainment, and luxury equipment.
2015 Infiniti Q70L Pricing and Specs
The Q70L comes in a single, fully loaded model priced at $68,400. That’s many thousands less than comparably sized and comparably powered extended-wheelbase flagships from other premium-brand competitors.
Interestingly, this Japanese flagship sedan makes power the good ol’ fashion American way: with a big and highly effective V8. Under the hood of all Q70L models, Infiniti’s direct injected, torque-monster 5.6L unit generates 416 horsepower. Look for a 7-speed automatic and intelligent AWD on all units.
Driving the 2015 Infiniti Q70L
What a beast of an engine! The Infiniti 5.6 isn’t the smoothest or quietest powerplant you’ll find in a flagship, but it rockets the Q70L along with boatloads of low- and mid-range torque like a proper muscle missile. There’s power everywhere. Hammer it, and the acceleration will make you feel like a Top Gear producer with a hefty punch right in your schnoz.
It also feels purely effortless at any combination of RPM and throttle load, and generates a lusty roar from under the hood when called upon. Here’s a mighty powerhouse that’s as happy being driven gently as it is opened up.
Driven gently, the AWD system operates smoothly, intuitively, and with minimal wasted wheel spin or squirming as power is sent to all fours. Driven spiritedly, the system shows a heavily rear-biased power split, catering to enthusiast drivers intent on exploring the Q70L’s throttle-steering capability, where appropriate.
Steering and handling are finely tuned against the size and weight of the Q70L. Typically, great big luxury sedans like this handle like a wheelbarrow full of cottage cheese. But here, engineers dialed in a delightfully unexpected level of precision and liveliness. The resulting calibration supports laidback driving nicely, but demonstrates a secretly athletic character that becomes apparent when drivers push it. The Q70L is soft and comfortable without riding like a giant wad of Miracle Whip, and high-speed handling and steering feel is confident, predictable and obedient, with no unsolicited floatiness or vagueness to note. Ultimately, here’s a comfortable riding, extended-wheelbase flagship that should flatter driving enthusiasts nicely, too.
Inside and Out of the 2015 Infiniti Q70L
With its extended wheelbase, there’s rear-seat legroom galore for even the lengthiest passengers. The rear seats themselves are deep and pillow-y and well suited to relaxing. Front seat quarters are nearly as roomy, and the Q70L has an appropriately large trunk on offer, too. Of course, there’ also a great big list of features.
These include a big stereo -- a BOSE, with a whack of wattage, among the cleanest and most vibrant music reproductions I’ve ever heard -- and little speakers on the front seat shoulders to give occupants 3D surround sound at each perch.
Luxury design is proudly displayed in the 2015 Infiniti Q70L, with numerous textures, intersecting lines, curves and materials helping to add rich depth. The swoopy, elegant, and graceful shape to much of the interior was once the stuff of concept cars, and the wood trim is even hand-polished with silver dust before its sealed and lacquered, giving it a distinctive shimmer. The opulent and techy look of the Q70L’s interior hits harder than its price-tag suggests.
Some ergonomic fussiness does take away slightly from the cabin’s overall appeal -- including a heated steering wheel button mounted down low near the hood release, and the need to activate most of the outward-looking safety systems every time you start the car, rather than have them activate automatically. Further, though the Lane Departure Warning system is effective, I found it overly sensitive, annoying, and left it turned off.
Comparing the 2015 Infiniti Q70L
Priced under $70,000, you won’t find another extended-wheelbase premium flagship sedan as a direct competitor to the Q70L, let alone one that’s this fully loaded or one packing this serious a level of firepower under the hood. Though Q70L isn’t for everyone’s wallet, it is a good all-around value where a very big, very powerful, and secretly sporty sedan is desired. Other up-level sedans that pack a good space-for-the-buck ratio include the Hyundai Genesis Ultimate and Cadillac XTS.
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