If you are a driving enthusiast and looking for a sporty SUV, the 2015 Infiniti QX70 S offers everything you are probably looking for. The 21-inch Black 6-spoke dark-finish wheels sets this luxury Infiniti SUV immediately apart from the other crossovers on the road. And when you climb inside, there’s plenty of sporty features to make life fun. The 2015 Infiniti QX70s primary competition comes from the rear-wheel-drive BMW X6, which costs significantly more.
Options on the 2015 Infiniti QX70 S 3.7
This week we are testing the 2015 Infiniti QX70 S 3.7 AWD ($47,300) model. It comes with three optional packages that push the price up close to $60,000. It comes with the Technology Package ($2,950) that features safety systems including Intelligent Brake Assist with Forward Collision Warning; Lane Departure Prevention; Lane Departure Warning; Front Pre-Crash Seat Belts; Intelligent Cruise Control; Distance Control Assist; rain-sensing front windshield wipers; Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS); and auto-leveling headlights.
The Premium Package ($4,300) adds navigation with voice recognition, SiriusXM NavTraffic, SiriusXM NavWeather, Zagat restaurant guide, 8-inch touch-screen display, in-dash CD/DVD player, Bluetooth wireless technology with streaming audio, Around View Monitor with moving object detection and front/rear park-assist sonar system, dual-occupant memory system, reverse tilt-down mirrors, power tilt/telescopic steering column, and aluminum roof rails.
The Sport Package ($3,550) includes 21-inch 6-spoke dark finish wheels, Dark finish exterior treatments, Dark headliner, heated and cooled front seats, sport seats, paddle shifters and aluminum pedals.
What’s New for 2015
Everything carries over for the 2015 model year except the 2015 Infiniti QX70 loses the previously available 5.0-liter V8. All 2015 Infiniti QX70 models are now powered by the same 3.7-liter V6 that develops 325 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed automatic with a manual shift feature is the only transmission offered. Rear-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is optional.
Interior features
While not everyone likes the exterior styling, but its interior will earn approval from most observers. Infiniti puts an emphasis on fine details and QX70 comes with nicely contrasting stitched quilted leather seat upholstery, and Black lacquer trim that provides a nice change from the chrome-plated plastic found in many other vehicles. The QX70 is stylish both inside as out.
The first thing we noticed were the optional shift paddles that are the best around. These big, solid magnesium pieces feature leather on the back side for your better grip for your fingers. These steering wheel shifters are long enough to let you change gears mid-bend. The cabin is full of luxury with heated seats both front and back. The QX70 S comes with the optional sport seats that give extra bolstering for more spirited driving. These sport seats are impressive with their diamond quilt pattern and reminds us of something you would find in a fine British touring car.
The only issue we had with this QX70 S was getting into the cabin was a bit tight sliding in and we hit our head as it has a relatively low roofline. By SUV standards, you sit fairly low and it feels more like sitting in a sports sedan than a tall SUV. But there is plenty of travel in the front seats to get the perfect driving position.
Driving dynamics
The 2015 Infiniti QX70 S is a relatively large luxury crossover SUV, but it features extremely sporty handling. The QX70 S is a serious driver’s machine and it will satisfy the most ardent driving enthusiast. Even thought the V8 option is no longer offered, the high-revving 325 hp 3.7-liter V6 has enough power to launch from 0-60 in just over 6 seconds. The 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters and downshift rev matching does everything it should. It offered quick gear changes up or down having a reassuring firmness when we were in a hurry.
This week we encountered winter weather that hit Colorado with 8 inches of snow on I-70 through the mountains. QX70 S features a Snow mode and with a push of a button we were powering through the snow with no problems, even with the wide 21-inch tires. The AWD system works without any driver input and puts power to the ground in the most efficient manner. The 2015 Infiniti QX70 has seven inches of ground clearance, but they are not designed for off-road travel.
The QX70 rides firmly, more like a sport sedan than a crossover because of the tighter suspension setup, so if you are looking for a cushy ride, you might want to look elsewhere. But the ride isn’t too stiff or jarring unless it’s on a really rough road.
Conclusion:
The 2015 Infiniti QX70 S delivers a healthy dose of sportiness to go along with its many luxury amenities. It comes with lots of options that will add to the price but will satisfy anyone looking for extra safety, technology and luxury. If you want to stand out from the crowd of luxury SUVs, the QX70 S offers sporty styling along with utility, five-passenger comfort and performance in one package.
2015 Infiniti QX70 Photo Gallery:
