If you're in the market for a V8-powered, naturally aspirated sports sedan, your options have become extremely limited. Dodge still has you covered with the multiple V8s in the Charger, Genesis still offers its 5.0-liter V8 in the G80 and G90, and Lexus still sells the wonderful GS F. Now that the Chevy SS is dead, every other sedan with a V8 is either turbocharged or supercharged. Or are they?
Many people forget that Infiniti still builds the Q70, which is available with a 5.6-liter V8. It's easy to forget about the Q70 since it's just a rebadged version of the M - a car which has been on sale since 2011. Buying a brand-new Q70 with a V8 would cost at least $63,350 but if you're willing to get a used one, you can now pick one up for a fraction of the price.
Why You Should Buy One
Since it was released back in 2011, the Infiniti M Series (or Q70) has quietly been one of the prettiest sedans on sale. Many sedans look alike in 2019 but the curvy body of the Infiniti is like nothing else on the road. Even though Infiniti has only made minor changes to the exterior since 2011, we don't think the car looks outdated in any way. If all you want is a big, comfortable sedan that will impress everyone who rides in it, the M Series could be the perfect car for you. The ride is not as soft as a Lexus nor as sporty as BMW, but the M Series meets a nice middle ground. Unlike a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class, you are much less likely to see the M on the road - Infiniti only sells around 5,000 of them per year. So if you like to be unique, this is another perk of driving an M.
The Price
Infiniti sold the V6-powered M37 and V8-powered M56 from 2011 to 2013 before changing the name of the car to Q70 in 2014. The M56 is cheaper to buy as a result of its age but even the Q70 has become extremely reasonable. We found used examples of the M56 for as low as $13,000 with over 100,000 miles. Even a pristine example with less than 40,000 miles can be found for around $21,000. A Q70 starts in the $25,000 range and can get up to over $40,000 for the newer long-wheelbase L model with all-wheel-drive. If you'd be fine with a V6 car, which is also a great engine choice, prices are even more affordable.
The Performance
Excluding the lackluster hybrid model, there are two main engines to choose from on the M Series and Q70. The base engine in the M37 and Q70 is a 3.7-liter V6 producing 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque going out to rear- or all-wheel-drive through a seven-speed automatic. In the M56 (or optionally in the Q70), buyers could get a 5.6-liter V8 producing 420 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. The V8 can bulldoze its way to 60 mph in around 4.6 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 13.2 seconds at 108 mph, which are pretty impressive figures for a 4,000-pound car.
The Interior
Infiniti's interior is very high quality with excellent materials throughout but the technology in the car has barely changed since 2011. You won't find Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, built-in apps, or a massive screen. Both the M56 and the brand-new Q70 still use an older version of Infiniti's infotainment system, which pairs a high-mounted touchscreen with a basic rotating knob. Although the system is easy-to-use, it feels extremely dated by 2019 standards. But if all you need is Bluetooth calling, built-in navigation, and radio, the M Series should be fine.
Over its many years on sale, Infiniti has changed some of the car's trim and leather options. We think the interior always felt nice but a new piped leather option looks incredibly classy. Infiniti is also one of the few automakers to mount its metal shift paddles on the column rather than the wheel, which is a nice touch.
The Practical Stuff
The Q70 competes in the same class as models like the BMW 5 Series and Lexus GS but in terms of size, it actually has many of its more modern rivals beat. The Q70 offers 14.9 cubic feet of trunk space, which is very good for the segment. The only downside is that the rear seats do not fold into the cabin to offer more storage space. Unlike almost any other car in the segment, the Q70 is unique because it comes in a long wheelbase version. The Q70L offers five additional inches of rear legroom for a total of 41.8-inches. This is massive for the segment and makes the Q70L more worthy of competing in the next class up. As a people mover, the Q70 is tough to beat.
Verdict
Whether it was called the M56 or Q70, Infiniti's mid-size sedan has rarely been mentioned in the conversation of the best mid-size luxury sedans. Despite being overlooked for so many years, we think used prices have reached a low enough point for the M Series to have a resurgence. This is a beautiful sports sedan and one of the last to ever come equipped with a naturally aspirated V8. If you are in the market for an affordable and reliable luxury sedan with a big V8, check out an M56 or a Q70.