Jason joined Edmunds' testing team in 2006 as a vehicle testing engineer. Jason believes true appreciation of modern cars stems from owning really, really bad old ones.
Pros
Athletic, with strong acceleration in V8 versions
Large cabin with unusually comfortable seats
Great driving position
Cons
Infotainment interface is dated and clunky
Many driver assistance features are optional
Ride comfort suffers significantly with 20-inch wheels
Limited small item storage in cabin
What’s new
Other than some minor package availability adjustments for 2017, the Infiniti Q70 is unchanged.
Vehicle overview
The 2017 Infiniti Q70's tidy driving dynamics and robust V8 performance can't overcome the headwinds presented by its newer rivals. If you're looking for the best technology, comfort and curb appeal from a midsize luxury sedan, we think you'll find more appealing options elsewhere.
Introduced as a 2011 model and refreshed in 2015, the Infiniti Q70 is starting to fray around the edges. Its structure isn't as drum-tight as we'd expect from a modern luxury car, and its touchscreen, voice controls and smartphone interface all betray its age. Its optional driver assistance features really ought to be standard at this price. It's an older sedan that doesn't distinguish itself in a competitive segment.
We do like the optional V8 engine's punch and the unobtrusiveness of its transmission. It's not a true performance car, but its acute steering can make this big sedan seem to shrink around you when you're unwinding a canyon road. But the other Q70 versions, including the Hybrid and the long-wheelbase Q70L, just don't do enough to warrant a recommendation.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
3.0 / 5
The 2017 Infiniti Q70's tidy driving dynamics and robust V8 performance can't overcome the headwinds presented by its newer rivals. If you're looking for the best technology, comfort and curb appeal from a midsize luxury sedan, we think you'll find more appealing options elsewhere.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our drive of the 2016 Infiniti Q70 5.6 w/Premium Select Edition package (5.6L V8; 7-speed automatic).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Q70 has received only minor revisions related to trim level offerings. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Q70.
Scorecard
Overall
3.0 / 5
Driving
3.5
Comfort
3.0
Interior
4.0
Utility
2.5
Technology
1.0
Driving
3.5
On twisting tarmac, the 2017 Q70's sporting roots are palpable. There's an athleticism in the Q70 that reminds us that the Nissan 370Z uses a related platform. The V8 hauls the mail, and the steering and brakes are pluses, too. Much is outdated about the Q70, but performance remains a strength.
Acceleration
4.0
The big V8 accelerates effortlessly at full throttle, although low-rpm power is soft compared to what rival turbocharged engines produce. The sprint to 60 mph took 5.2 seconds — unremarkable for 420 hp — but there's plenty of real-world punch. This is a fast car.
Braking
3.5
Reassuringly firm pedal that's easy to modulate. Feels expertly calibrated and inspires confidence. In our emergency braking test, the Q70 stopped in a short 114 feet on all-season tires. Note that the Premium Select Edition includes upgraded brakes.
Steering
4.0
It's responsive and accurate in quick transitions, giving you the sense that the Q70 can be placed precisely on the desired line. Effort is fingertip-light in parking lots yet firm and steady on freeway slogs. Very good for the segment.
Handling
3.5
The Q70 feels narrow and agile on winding roads, turning in eagerly and generally comporting itself like a smaller car. The base car has too much bounce in the suspension for real sporty driving, but a Sport package is available and would provide improvements.
Drivability
3.0
The transmission serves up precise rev-matched downshifts in manual mode, yet it operates unobtrusively in the daily slog. While passing or merging, however, downshifts can be slow to engage in Drive. Overall, the Q70 is a smooth driver that rarely annoys.
Comfort
3.0
On the freeway, the 2017 Q70's ride is calm and isolating, though imperfect surfaces can make the car feel jittery. The V8 makes inspiring noises while accelerating yet never intrudes, unlike the coarse base V6. The seating is spacious and plush. It's a pleasant car to be in, but not much more.
Seat comfort
4.5
A Q70 strong suit. The seats are soft yet drive-all-day supportive, lacking only lateral support for brisk drives (note that this test car lacked the Sport package, which includes sport seats). The rear seats have excellent under-thigh support.
Ride comfort
2.0
The Q70 lacks the composed suppleness on rough roads that shoppers in this segment rightly expect. The structure too readily quivers and shakes. This is partly down to the big 20-inch wheels and tires, but rivals with similar equipment exhibit more refinement.
Noise & vibration
3.0
It's adequately quiet on most surfaces. Tire noise can intrude at times, but that's par for the course with 20-inch rubber. We noted some gentle shaking from the big V8 at idle; some might call it "character," but others will wish for more isolation.
Climate control
4.5
The straightforward controls include simple up/down rocker switches for temperature on each side. The entire bank of climate controls is angled up toward the front occupants, enhancing visibility and accessibility. Quiet fan and cold air-conditioning in triple-digit heat.
Interior
4.0
The Q70's cabin has very good ergonomics overall, including a curved central control stack that falls readily to hand. The dashboard and console wrap snugly around the driver. Even this standard-wheelbase model has generous rear legroom. The outdated tech interface is the main drawback.
Ease of use
3.0
The control layout is mostly user-friendly, from the sensible climate buttons to the proper knobs for volume and tuning. But the touchscreen is too small and too far from the driver, and the redundant control knob is less intuitive than those in rivals.
Getting in/getting out
4.5
The seats are conveniently high relative to the floor, so you slide onto them more than plop down into them. Despite the stylized exterior, the roof inside is high enough to stay out of your way, even in back. The door openings are more than adequate.
Driving position
5.0
The wraparound dashboard and elevated center console make the Q70 feel more like a sports car from the driver seat, and that seat has plenty of adjustments for taller or shorter drivers. The power steering column has plenty of tilt-and-telescoping range.
Roominess
4.5
The Q70's interior dimensions will likely feel just right for many shoppers. Four 6-footers can travel in comfort, and those in back will enjoy the elevated bottom cushion, which gives great thigh support. The rear middle seat is only for emergencies.
Visibility
3.5
Front visibility is excellent, and it's framed entertainingly by the curvaceous front fenders — kind of like in a Corvette. The rising beltline and rakish rear roofline conspire to inhibit rear visibility a bit, but it's still manageable.
Quality
3.0
The cabin is nicely trimmed with lots of leather and interesting industrial-metal accents. Material quality overall is high, and assembly tolerances seem tight. The control knob and adjoining seat-heater knobs feel downmarket, however.
Utility
2.5
The Q70 generally underwhelms on the utility front, but good child safety seat features redeem it somewhat. If you don't care about child safety seats, the lack of small item storage and a power trunklid might give you pause.
Small-item storage
2.0
Poor. Only two cupholders and an ashtray on the center console. Nothing in the way of thoughtful smartphone nooks or crannies. At least the center-console storage box under the armrest is reasonably spacious and handy.
Cargo space
2.5
The trunk capacity is about average at 14.9 cubic feet. There's a wide opening, but it narrows at the wheelwells. No power closing, just power release, and the release takes an extra half-second for some reason. The rear seatback is fixed, so you can't fold it down to gain extra cargo capacity.
Child safety seat accommodation
3.5
Two sets of LATCH anchors with three tethers on the rear shelf. Access is user-friendly, and ALR (automatic locking retractor) belts come standard. A rear-facing seat could be a squeeze behind a long-legged driver (but the Q70L should work just fine).
Technology
1.0
If you're wondering why the Q70 rates relatively poorly overall, this section is the answer. Infiniti has largely left the Q70's touchscreen interface untouched during this decade, and its advanced age is readily apparent. The car's rivals, meanwhile, have decisively pulled ahead.
Audio & navigation
1.0
The most dated infotainment interface you'll find in this class. The touchscreen is small and square — a throwback to a different era. The graphics are low-resolution and lack flair. The Bose stereo sounds pretty good, but otherwise the Q70 system is a mess.
Smartphone integration
1.0
The infotainment system debuted well before Bluetooth audio became ubiquitous, and that's painfully obvious. Our Q70 had a hard time remembering paired phones from drive to drive. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay simply aren't offered. Dinosaur grade.
Driver aids
1.0
Our test car lacked the Technology package, which contains just about every high-tech safety feature the Q70 offers. It's almost unheard of in this class for items such as blind-spot monitoring and forward collision warning to be optional.
Voice control
2.0
Not surprisingly, the Q70's voice command system is also getting on in years. We couldn't figure out how to control Bluetooth audio without consulting the manual. Spoken commands must be perfectly precise; there's no "intelligence" that we could detect.
Which Q70 does Edmunds recommend?
Go for the Q70 5.6 for its big-hearted power delivery. Skip the all-wheel drive unless you live in a persistently slippery environment. Don't bother with the Q70L unless backseat legroom is of paramount importance. While we like all of the hardware and improved seats of the Sport package, be aware that its 20-inch wheels and stiffer suspension degrade the ride quality. Unfortunately, driver assistance features, which would typically be standard in this segment, are available only in the optional Technology package. They're worthwhile, though.
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2017 INFINITI Q70 models
The 2017 Infiniti Q70 is available in two trim levels, 3.7 and 5.6, which delineate the engines and equipment levels on offer. A long-wheelbase Q70L is similarly available with either engine. A hybrid version (appropriately named Q70 Hybrid) exists, but Infiniti doesn't offer a hybridized variant of the Q70L. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on non-hybrid models. Oddly enough, the base 3.7 offers an option package for no additional cost that bestows it with a solid array of features. A variety of optional packages provide for a degree of customization.
The base Q70 in 3.7 guiseincludes a 3.7-liter V6 (330 horsepower, 270 pound-feet of torque) and offers as a zero-cost option a package that includes leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, parking alerts, a heated steering wheel, a bird's-eye view camera system and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system.
Q70s bearing the 5.6 badge pack a powerful 5.6-liter V8 (420 hp, 417 lb-ft of torque). These models include all the items of the Premium Package-equipped 3.7 as standard. The Premium Select package is not available on the Q70 5.6, which is fine since it's largely cosmetics anyway.
The Q70 Hybrid has a 3.5-liter V6 and a hybrid system (360 hp) and is not available with the Premium Select or Sport package or the Performance Tire and Wheel package, which is offered only on the Q70L.
A seven-speed automatic is the sole transmission available in all models. The 3.7 and 5.6 models each offer a Sport package and a Technology package. Sport adds more heavily bolstered seats, bigger brakes, a sport-tuned suspension, 20-inch wheels and summer tires. The Technology package adds driver assistance features such as blind-spot and lane departure warning and intervention, adaptive cruise and forward emergency braking. Packages such as Premium Select add 20-inch wheels, revised cabin materials and exterior fripperies.
Q70L variants offer an optional Deluxe Touring package that includes upgraded cabin materials, more heavily bolstered seats, Bose premium audio and a power rear sunshade. For 2017, Q70L models also offer the Premium Select package that debuted on short-wheelbase models last year.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 INFINITI Q70 4dr Sedan (3.7L 6cyl 7A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.79 per gallon for premium unleaded in Florida.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the INFINITI Q70 from 2008-2022.
$509/yr
vs. $729/yr for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).
0.72x/yr
vs. 1.74x/yr for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).
5.8%
vs. 14.7% for Average Luxury Fullsize Car
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
If brand name is all that matters then yes please overpay for a German brand.
I had a 2015 AWD Q50 premium and decided after 2 1/2 years to trade in for something a bit bigger.
The dealership gave me an awesome deal on a 2017 Q70S AWD. A deal so good actually that I ended up paying less for this than I did for my Q50.
Now I know this car does not fully compete against the finest … midsize luxury cars but infiniti is always running deals on these so you have to put it in perspective. Infiniti does need to redesign to keep up with the latest but it is still is a fine and comfortable driving car.
You have to put it in perspective when it comes to value:
I paid $42,000 for a $57,000 stickered car and for that money with AWD, a sport package, bose radio, heated and cooled seats, navigation, sunroof, great seats, a comfortable ride and many standard features it was a no brainer.
Not many cars you could consider for this price point that are this fun to drive and luxurious!
The Q70 handles well, has good power, is very comfortable, good space for 4 people and is an attractive looking car and has AWD. For that type of money you can’t really ask for much more...plus this car is more fun to drive and more pleasant than the Q50 (more communication in the steering, quieter/more comfortable when cruising and has a better sound from the engine).
Overall an great car at a excellent value price!
Best car in class...what went wrong Edmunds???
5 out of 5 stars
Adam LeRoy, 07/29/2016
2015 INFINITI Q70 4dr Sedan (3.7L 6cyl 7A)
Having been in the market for a mid sized luxury vehicle for a few months I decided it would be best to drive all the vehicles in the class except the Audi A6. Audi and I don't get along hahaha. Ill start by saying all vehicles I tested had their pluses and minuses and were all really good cars. In short the Lexus GS350 was the only other one that wasn't "boring" to me, but it didn't … have the "it" factor I was looking for. The BMW 535i and the Mercedes E350 felt really stale and old if that makes sense. Almost as if these would be great cars for my grandparents to drive. In steps the Infiniti Q70 Sport. Everything about this car I love. from the aggressive styling to the performance of the tried and true VQ engine. This car just does it for me. Not to mention the room inside the cabin. Being 6'5" and 250 I'm not a small guy and while driving the Inifiniti I don't feel cramped in at all. I can also sit in the back seat comfortably without hunching over. I can't remember the last time I was able to do that in a car....maybe 8th grade??? Now I will admit this car is a touch edgy, but in a good way. I love cars and like to feel connected to the road and not taken away from it like some of the others in that class have done. So If you are looking for a Sports Luxury sedan that looks fantastic and performs well while zipping around town look no further than the Infiniti Q70.
The "Pros" Are All Wrong!
5 out of 5 stars
David, 05/03/2016
2015 INFINITI Q70 L 4dr Sedan AWD (3.7L 6cyl 7A)
This is absolutely a wonderful car. I have driven MBZ for the past 25 years (1985 500SEL, 1998 & 2002 E320) and while those were good cars, when looking around for this purchase none of the MBZ (E), Audi (A6), Lexus (ES, GS), BMW (5) were as comfortable to get in and out of or be in as the Q70L. And this car has tremendous rear seat space, very much appreciated by our adult and very … adult-sized kids.
Good acceleration and handling, the mileage is a little better than expected, climate controls good, very comfortable overall. Yes, I got a tremendous deal because I bought a 2015 that had been around for a while, so that just adds to my excitement. My cost of ownership won't be anywhere near as high as what Edmunds or the other guys calculate. I'm very happy with my decision.
Perfect for my needs but I need to watch my speed!
4 out of 5 stars
RWD Fan, 06/18/2018
2016 INFINITI Q70 L 4dr Sedan (3.7L 6cyl 7A)
I'm upgrading from my beloved 2008 truck because I need to tote the elderly parents back and forth. Got a used Acura RDX in the interim but I couldn't stand the FWD dynamics although it was a definite improvement technology and ease of entry for me. My gently-used Infiniti Q70L is perfect for my current needs - I like to say I bought the back seats for Mom and Dad and the rest for me! … It is a truly sharp-looking car and I believe a significantly safer car for me as I burn up the highways 3 hrs 1-way back and forth every week to look after the folks. I never lack for power or acceleration and it is truly a road warrior for me. Blue-tooth connectivity is awful as I can no longer read or respond to texts - but I honestly think this may be Divine Intervention for me (as I acknowledge it leads to distracted driving so I've accepted it and it no longer bothers me - I just warn people that I'm trying to meet up with to call, not text me when I'm on my way). Climate control is COLD and accurate but the fans associated with the cooled seats are loud. I still use them all the time, however, living in the Southeast. It's a physically beautiful car that is a joy to drive. Quick acceleration, tight turning radius, back to commanding RWD, a beast on the interstate, and not a pain to park in a city parking deck.
Update: still love this smooth highway cruiser after a year of ownership and 26k more miles. Incredibly comfortable; powerful; planted at speed. And my elderly parents can still get in/out easier than any other vehicle with wheelchair in the backseat and 2 walkers in the trunk.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2017 INFINITI Q70, so we've included reviews for other years of the Q70 since its last redesign.
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Scorecard
