Skip to main content

First Drive: 2015 Infiniti Q70

The 2015 Infiniti Q70 may be a work in progress inside the cabin, but the overall quality, performance, and practicality of this car are outstanding.

Driving in New York City can be a daunting task for a first-timer. In ‘The City,’ lane markers are suggestions, roads are as crowded as the F train at rush hour, and crosswalk signals are little more than street décor. Luckily, I had the perfect car for the job.

Recommended Videos

That’s not to say the 2015 Infiniti Q70 is without faults. There are some, but the Infiniti’s bold appearance, helpful – but not overbearing – driver aids, and impressive array of safety features make even a kid from Oregon feel right at home on the roads of the Big Apple.

In ‘The City’

First things first: the Q70 has been given a significant facelift for 2015, and it looks great. The front, sides, and rear have adopted the same sharp headlights, aggressive grill design, and a BMW 3 Series-esque aft section that highlighted the Q50S we tested earlier this year. The result is a distinct personality that makes the old car look average and plain in comparison.

It’s not a small car. The standard model is 194.7 inches long and the extended wheelbase Q70L (new for this year) measures in at 202.0 inches. However, even in executive form, which has best-in-class knee and legroom, the Q70 didn’t have trouble navigating through the frenzied ant colony that is downtown Manhattan.

As part of Infiniti’s ‘Safety Shield’ technology, the Q70 comes equipped with Distance Control Assist (DCA) as part of an optional technology package. DCA could also be known as ‘Traffic Stress Relief,’ as front-mounted lasers gauge the distance between it and the car ahead, sending feedback through the accelerator pedal and applying brakes to keep a safe distance.

So if the stop-and-go of rush hour is getting to be a bit too much, simply press the steering wheel-mounted button and put the road rage to bed. All a drive must do is focus on steering and acceleration and the car does to rest. In fact, according to Infiniti, the system is “transforming the realities of traffic.”

As Infiniti labors to be acknowledged as its own brand, this is exactly the type of car it needs: a car with character and grace.

In the country

Once we left the bright lights and skyscrapers of the city behind, we trekked through the lush landscapes of northern New Jersey. Yes, you read that right. New Jersey is the Garden State, after all. It is there, in the countryside, free of shiny outward distractions, that occupants begin to notice the subtle details of the Q70’s cabin.

Overall, I liked the interior. The leather seats were supple but consciously curved to keep the driver in place during aggressive cornering, and the 16-speaker Bose stereo is excellent.

The cherry on top for the Infiniti Q70 is its strong value-per-dollar.

However, there are a few problems. For every perfectly padded armrest or user-friendly infotainment system, there are cheap looking wood trim and chintzy-feeling materials on the dash. What buyers are left with is a cabin that has potential … but doesn’t feel quite finished.

Regardless, the driving experience drivers get with this car makes up for it. The Q70 is offered with either a 3.7-liter, 330-horsepower V6 or a 5.6-liter, 420-hp V8. Both models are available in either rear or all-wheel drive and there’s also V6 hybrid powertrain that nets 360 hp.

At over 16 feet in length, the Q70 isn’t exactly a Lotus Exige. However, it felt controlled, powerful, and eager on the windy roads of Bear Mountain, New York.

Both VQ series engines have a fantastic growl to them, especially during the downshifting throttle blips of the car’s ‘Sport’ mode. The center console’s control knob offers several other modes, but I bet it’s not hard to guess which one I was in most.

2015 Infiniti Q70
Image used with permission by copyright holder

During ‘spirited convoy driving’ the stress-easing DCA allows the driver to focus on steering angles and throttle control because the function automatically slows the car as you near your leading vehicle. Like it does in traffic, the DCA minimizes one driver input in pursuit of maximizing more relevant, and frankly more enjoyable areas of the drive.

It’s important to note that the Q70L, a variant designed for executive passengers, suffered no discernible performance drops at the expense of a longer wheelbase. Turns out the Q70 isn’t just good for those who want to drive; it’s good for those who want to be driven, too.

In the future

No matter if driving in the city, through the countryside, or along the channel, Infiniti’s new Q70 is yet another look into what many people see as the future of driving: autonomy.

At over 16 feet in length, the Q70 isn’t exactly a Lotus Exige.

The aforementioned DCA helps take the burden off the driver in many areas, but it’s more than that. The Intelligent Cruise Control functions at a full-speed range and effortlessly integrates with the car’s Intelligent Brake Assist and Forward Collision Warning.

The Infiniti will start itself, stop itself, keep itself in the lane, and even detect accidents before they happen by monitoring speed differentials of the vehicles ahead.

What makes the sedan so special is the fact that these systems so seamlessly and subtly operate in the background. They’re always there when needed, but in no way do they get in the way of the riveting, comfortable, and stylish driving experience the car provides.

Conclusion

The cherry on top for the Infiniti Q70 is its strong value-per-dollar.

The standard Q70 starts at $49,850 with the V6 and rear-wheel drive. The hybrid lands in the middle with a $55,900 base price, and the upgrade to the V8 costs $62,850. All non-hybrids ask about $2,500 extra for the bump to AWD, however the hybrid is only available in rear-wheel drive.

The long wheelbase Q70L is available for a $1,500 premium over standard models.

All models now come with the once-optional Premium Package, which separates the Q70 from many of its competitors by offering a premium sound system, sonar, heated leather seats, navigation, and a full 360-degree monitor as standard.

In short, the new Q70 is, as Infiniti says, “for those with drive.” With the addition of the executive Q70L, though, it doesn’t matter what seat you’re in.

Highs

  • Excellent performance from V6 and V8 models
  • Appealing and aggressive exterior styling
  • Impressive array of driver aid technology
  • Fantastic Bose stereo
  • Smooth ride

Lows

  • Some interior materials look chintzy
Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Scout Traveler and Scout Terra forge a new path for EVs
Scout Traveler and Scout Terra.

Electric vehicles are inseparable from newness, whether it’s new tech, new designs, or new companies like Rivian, Lucid, and Tesla. But the Volkswagen Group’s new EV-only brand also relies heavily on the past.

Unveiled Thursday, the Scout Traveler electric SUV and Scout Terra electric pickup truck are modern interpretations of the classic International Harvester Scout. Manufactured from 1961 to 1980, the original Scout helped popularize the idea of the rugged, off-road-capable utility vehicle, setting the stage for modern SUVs.

Read more
Robotaxi aside, a $25,000 EV would be pointless, Tesla CEO says
Blue Tesla Model 3 Highland on the road

Enthusiasts expecting to one day put their hands on the steering wheel of a $25,000 Tesla EV may feel like they’ve been taken for a ride.
CEO Elon Musk has just put a serious damper on those expectations, saying that outside of the driverless Robotaxi recently unveiled by Tesla, a regular $25,000 model would be “pointless” and “silly.”
During a conference call with investors, Musk was asked to clarify whether such a model was in the works.
"Basically, having a regular $25K model is pointless,” Musk said. “It would be silly. It would be completely at odds with what we believe." Tesla, Musk continued, has “been very clear that the future is autonomous.”
On October 10, Tesla unveiled its much-awaited robotaxi, called the Cybercab, an autonomous-driving EV with no steering wheel or pedals. The company also unveiled the Robovan, a much larger autonomous vehicle expected to carry people or goods.
The automaker said the Cybercab is expected to be produced in 2026 and cost $30,000. Musk, meanwhile, said that it would be a $25,000 car without specifying if that price tag included federal tax credits.
Tesla’s ambiguity about an affordable entry-level model has been going on for years. In 2020, Musk signaled that a $25,000 Tesla would arrive within three years. It was later reported that Tesla had ditched the idea, instead favoring the development of a robotaxi.
Language within Tesla’s latest financial report still hints that new affordable Tesla models are on the way. But Musk’s latest comments are putting a floor on just how affordable these would be. So far, Tesla’s Model 3 Rear-Wheel-Drive remains the company’s cheapest model, with a base price of $38,990.
Some rival EV makers, meanwhile, are entering the affordable space more aggressively in the U.S.
General Motors has already put out its Chevy Equinox EV at a price of $27,500, including federal tax credits. Volkswagen America says it plans to release an under-$35,000 EV in the U.S. by 2027.

Read more
Stellantis’ 2027 Dodge Charger Daytona might feature solid-state battery tech
Front three quarter view of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona sedan.

The battle to use cheaper, more efficient, and safer EV batteries is heating up among automakers. At the heart of this battle, the development of solid-state battery technology, an alternative to highly flammable and costly lithium batteries, is garnering more and more attention.For proof, Stellantis, the world’s fourth-largest automaker, is betting on the technology for its next generation of electric vehicles. The Netherlands-based company announced that it will launch a demonstration fleet of Dodge Charger Daytona EVs that will feature solid-state battery tech made by U.S. startup Factorial.The demo fleet, expected to launch by 2026, will provide a real-world assessment of Factorial’s technology. Factorial has been partnering with Stellantis since 2021 and is also partnering with the likes of Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai.Besides Dodge, the technology would eventually be deployed on the Stellantis STLA Large multi-energy platform, which includes brands such as Jeep, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, and Maserati.Stellantis said that the integration of solid-state battery technology will yield “improved performance, longer driving ranges, and faster charging times in the coming years.”Factorial, meanwhile, says its technology provides higher energy density, reduced weight, improved performance, and the potential for further reduction in total vehicle cost over time. Stellantis, Daimler, and Hyundai aren’t the only ones to bet on solid-state battery tech. Toyota, the largest automaker in the world, has heavily invested in the technology. It also created a coalition with Nissan and Panasonic to boost its production in Japan. So far, making solid-state batteries has remained an expensive endeavor. But steps such as the Stellantis demo fleet and production at scale by the likes of Factorial are expected to improve manufacturing processes and costs over time.Other automakers, meanwhile, are working on ways to improve lithium batteries. Volkswagen, for one, is developing its own unified battery cell in several European plants as well as one plant in Ontario, Canada.

Read more