The 2015 Infiniti Q70L AWD extends the length and adds a 5.8L V8 engine to the 2015 Infiniti Q70, creating much more leg room for rear passengers and a very different ride. It does seem like a very specific segment of the market that the 2015 Q70L targets (those who wish to be chauffeured in mid-level priced luxury), and for North America the number of buyers seems even more reduced as most prefer to be behind the wheel themselves. Fortunately, whether you are behind the wheel or being chauffeured around, you will be pleasantly surprised by the well appointed, spacious interior and the powerful performance of the Q70L.
Powered by a 5.8L V8 engine which outputs 416 horsepower, the 2015 Infiniti Q70L AWD is able to dole out some exciting acceleration with a beautiful, sporty, deep rumbling sound brought about by the dual exhaust. Pair this to a seven speed automatic transmission and you get a super smooth and quiet ride when desired.
The 2015 Infiniti Q70L AWD really grips the road well and has great engine response to acceleration, making it drive more like a sports car than an extended length sedan. However, from the inside of the vehicle, the ride feels more like a sedan with solid bump absorption, minimal road and wind noise and effortless power. Although the handling of the Q70L feels slightly less nimble than Q70, the 5.8 engine blows the Q70’s acceleration out of the water!
You pay for the added power of the V8 engine with a higher fuel economy as seen in our test drive which yielded 15.2 L/100km over 300km of combined city and highway driving. This is on the higher end of the posted 15.0 L/100km in the city and 10.2 L/.100km on the highway, but to be fair there was definitely some spirited driving involved! Despite the extra length only adding 100 pounds to the weight, the much larger engine still creates this higher fuel consumption.
On the inside of the 2015 Infiniti Q70L AWD, passengers are surrounded by luxury through leather adorned seating, quality materials and a superior build. The L stand for long wheelbase which gives rear passengers much more leg and knee room (about 6 inches), while still maintaining the same height, width and track dimensions.
Road and exterior noise is reduced creating a quiet cabin thanks to noise cancellation technology. However the engine sounds like an aggressive sports car when pushed and even at low speeds, there’s a faint, deep rumble that can be heard from inside the cabin to remind you of the lurking power at hand.
The L version of the Q70 conjures up thoughts of being chauffeured about and for this reason I would have liked to see more amenities for the rear passengers. Features such as rear climate controls, seat heating and cooling, reclining or adjustable rear seats, infotainment system or side window sunshades. Other extended length sedans even offer footrests, refrigerated compartments and massaging seats. These features however are offered on much pricier vehicles which doesn’t allow for a fair comparison. Getting yourself into an extended length luxury sedan like the 2015 Infiniti Q70L AWD starts at only $68,400, so if you are in the market for this type of vehicle then the 2015 Q70L is a great place to start.
