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The 2018 Infiniti Q70 and Q70L mid-size luxury sedans did not change much from their prior year versions. In fact, except for a couple of feature ‘tweaks’ the only change is in the model naming. They are now known as the Q70 Luxe and Q70L Luxe.
For those new to Infiniti or the Q70, this is the rear-wheel drive mid-size luxury (or executive) sedan formerly known as the M-series. In 2015, Infiniti added an extended length version, the Q70L to offer more room in the rear cabin and – for 2018 – they call them Luxe.
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For 2018, the Q70 Luxe and Q70L Luxe come in two trim levels – the 3.7 or the 5.6 which reflect the two traditional power plants. A 3.7-liter V6 delivers 330 horsepower with 270 lb.-ft. of torque while the 5.6-liter V8 delivers 416 horsepower and 414 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines are mated to the Infiniti 7-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and manual shift mode with Downshift Rev Matching and Hill Start Assist.
Both models are equipped with the Infiniti Drive Mode Selector (Standard, Eco, Sport and Snow modes) and come standard win Rear-Wheel Drive. Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive is available on all versions.
Suspension on the Q70 series is independent, double wishbone with coil springs front and multi-link with coil springs rear. Steering is electronically controlled, vehicle speed-sensing variable power assist rack and pinion. All models run standard on 18-inch wheels mounted with all-season performance tires. Braking is 4-channel/4-sensor/4-wheel ABS with 12.6-inch disc front and 12.1-inch disc rear. Handling control systems include Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control.
Nothing new at its ‘heart’, and yes with a few years on it, the Q70 very capably delivers a sporty yet refined drive and ride experience that properly befits the new ‘Luxe’ names for the Q70 mid-size luxury sedans from Infiniti.
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As Tested
The Infiniti Q70L we recently tested was a 2018 Q70L 5.6 Luxe RWD – in layman’s language – the ‘extended length’ Infiniti Q70 mid-size luxury sedan with the 5.6L powertrain, 7-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel-drive. Its base MSRP is $65,050.
Standard Equipment
The Q70L has all the standard features of the Q70 – and more – starting with the extended length that adds 5.7-inches of leg and 5.9-inches of knee room to the rear seat, increasing the comfort and executive (or other) utility of the rear cabin. With task lighting overhead, heated seating and a 12-volt power point the space is very much more functional.
A wide assortment of premium features found on the Q70L include LED headlights with automatic on/off, LED Fog Lights and LED Daytime Running Lights, front turn signals and rear brake lights, Japanese Ash Wood accents and leather appointed seating with 10-way power front including lumbar support and dual climate control.
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Other features include a power sliding tinted glass moonroof with one-touch open/close, tilt feature and sliding sunshade, power-folding heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signal and reverse tilt-down feature, rain-sensing variable intermittent front windshield wipers, courtesy lamps in the outside door handles, sequential entry illumination, rear window defroster with timer, dual exhaust with polished tips and automatic trunk cincher.
What Infiniti calls an Essential Package also comes standard on the Q70L. It includes Infiniti’s InTouch Navigation and Services system, Bose two-channel 10-speaker Premium Audio; climate-controlled front seats; heated steering wheel; front and rear sonar system; and Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection.
Our test Q70L 5.6L Luxe was fitted out with three optional packages: Performance Tire and Wheel, Sensory and ProActive. Curiously, the three packages are all-required together – if you choose one, you have to get the other two.
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The Performance Tire and Wheel Package upgrades the standard 18-inch wheels to 20×9-inch split 5-spoke aluminum-alloy mounted with 245/40R20 all-season performance tires and adds larger Sport Brakes with 14.0-inch front disc and aluminum 4-piston opposed front calipers/ 13.8-inch disc and 2-piston opposed calipers rear.
Adding the Sensory Package, enhances the Q70L audio with the Bose Studio Surround 5.1 channel and 16 speaker sound system. The package adds more luxury to the Q70L with a power rear sunshade; semi-aniline leather seating; unique quilted seat pattern with additional seat bolstering; White Ash silver-powdered wood trim; suede-like headliner; premium soft-touch material for armrests, door inserts, center console and knee pads; and premium stitched meter hood.
A robust set of convenience and safety features are included with the ProActive Package. They include Adaptive Front Lighting with auto-leveling headlights, Intelligent Cruise Control w/Full-Speed Range; Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention; Distance Control Assist; Intelligent Brake Assist with Predictive Forward Collision Warning; Blind Spot Warning and Blind Spot Intervention; Front Pre-Crash Seat Belts; Active Trace Control; Eco Forward Emergency Braking; Back-up Collision Intervention; and Predictive Forward Collision Warning.
With delivery and port-installed Illuminated Infiniti Kick Plates, our 2018 Infiniti Q70L 5.6 Luxe RWD mid-size luxury sedan priced at $75,115.
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The Performance Tire and Wheel Package upgrades the standard 18-inch wheels to 20×9-inch split 5-spoke aluminum-alloy mounted with 245/40R20 all-season performance tires and adds larger Sport Brakes with 14.0-inch front disc and aluminum 4-piston opposed front calipers/ 13.8-inch disc and 2-piston opposed calipers rear.
Adding the Sensory Package, enhances the Q70L audio with the Bose Studio Surround 5.1 channel and 16 speaker sound system. The package adds more luxury to the Q70L with a power rear sunshade; semi-aniline leather seating; unique quilted seat pattern with additional seat bolstering; White Ash silver-powdered wood trim; suede-like headliner; premium soft-touch material for armrests, door inserts, center console and knee pads; and premium stitched meter hood.
A robust set of convenience and safety features are included with the ProActive Package. They include Adaptive Front Lighting with auto-leveling headlights, Intelligent Cruise Control w/Full-Speed Range; Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention; Distance Control Assist; Intelligent Brake Assist with Predictive Forward Collision Warning; Blind Spot Warning and Blind Spot Intervention; Front Pre-Crash Seat Belts; Active Trace Control; Eco Forward Emergency Braking; Back-up Collision Intervention; and Predictive Forward Collision Warning.
With delivery and port-installed Illuminated Infiniti Kick Plates, our 2018 Infiniti Q70L 5.6 Luxe RWD mid-size luxury sedan priced at $75,115.
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Other thoughts
Skip the AWD version of the 5.6L (or the 3.7L) unless you live in climates where snow and ice are a routine seasonal challenge. In that case, the Infiniti Intelligent All-Wheel Drive – for not much more ($2,550) – will help you meet those challenges.
Unless you ‘gotta have’ a V8, save yourself $13,250 on the base price and go with the 3.7L Luxe RWD – MSRP $51,800. The 3.7L V6 power plant delivers 330 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque and, mated to the same 7-speed automatic transmission, is quite sufficient for this sport sedan. When fitted out similarly to our test vehicle, it is a very reasonable lower-priced alternative to the V8.
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The Q70 is ‘aging’ as we noted and is short a few convenience and technology elements that have become pretty much standard in 2018 for competing mid-size luxury-level sedans. Of note we would mention absence of Wi-Fi connectivity and Smart Phone Charging, Apple CarPlay and Adroid Auto and lack of USB and power connectivity throughout the cabin – particularly in the extended rear seating.
And while we are at it, we found the trunk lid opening to be a tad tight and its 14.9 cubic feet not optimal for odd-shaped items. Though equipped with an automatic truck lid ‘cincher’, it should be a full power trunk lid closer instead.
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Final Comment
Despite our critique of its age, the 2018 Infiniti Q70L (and the Q70 as well) are still very fine driving machines with good power, handling and comfort both around town and on the highway.
To learn more about the 2018 Q70L Luxe line up, click here: https://www.infinitiusa.com/sedan/q70l.
Or, if the extended length is not important to you go here to see the regular 2018 Q70 Luxe line up: https://www.infinitiusa.com/sedan/q70
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