Thought not the most competitive luxury car segment, the market for upscale mid-size cars nonetheless encompasses some of the best-known nameplates in the industry, like 5 Series, E-Class and A6. You'll note that all three of those cars are built by German manufacturers; their Japanese contemporaries have built some worthy competitors, but few have had the staying power of those mid-size Teutons.
Take the Infiniti Q70, for example. This is a nicely-finished car that sells in nearly unbelievably small numbers, and we're not entirely sure why. What we do know is this is ostensibly Infiniti's flagship -- the brand doesn't have a car to compete with big sedans like the BMW 7 Series and, Benz S-Class and Audi A8 -- and we have to wonder if some buyers avoid this car for that reason.
Whatever the reason, it's a shame people stay away from the Q70, because it's a solid performer. A 3.7L V6 (330 hp/270 lb-ft of torque) carried over from last year is a strong engine that sounds good when pushed for power and is well-suited to the seven-speed automatic that comes with it. All-wheel drive is standard. Fuel consumption estimates are 13.2/9.6 L/100 km (city/highway).
The line starts with the entry-level 3.7 AWD model, priced at $57,300 and equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, 18-inch wheels, intelligent keyless entry with push-button ignition, eight-inch colour touchscreen display, 10-speaker stereo with satellite radio, navigation, sunroof, Bluetooth with streaming audio, driver and front passenger seat memory, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel and front and rear parking sonar.
A 3.7 AWD Sport trim ($63,200) adds active trace control steering, 16-speaker Bose stereo, four-piston front brake calipers and larger front and rear brake discs, 20-inch whels, sport-tuned suspension, sport seats with enhanced bolstering, lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot warning and intervention, power rear sunshade, stitched-look gauge cluster hood and magnesium steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
