The Q70 is Infiniti’s midsize luxury sedan, available in V6 or V8 trims and with either rear- or all-wheel drive (RWD or AWD). It’s available as a hybrid as well, and 2015 brought yet another version called the Q70L. This is the long-wheelbase version of the Q70, Infiniti’s answer to large executive luxury cars like the BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS. The Q70L is available with the same powertrains as the regular model and doesn’t demand a lot more money, but the extended wheelbase results in additional interior room that should be well appreciated by the VIPs sitting in back.

With a big, long luxury car like this, the area under the hood is no place for small fours. It’s the territory of V6s and V8s. Like the standard Q70, the base Q70L comes with a 3.7-liter V6 that makes 330 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, while range-topping trims get a 5.6-liter V8 that makes 420 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission is a 7-speed automatic with optional paddle shifters.

Fuel economy doesn’t get better than a decent but unimpressive 18 mpg city/26 highway, and that figure drops a point or two when you move from RWD to AWD. The Q70L with the V6 will do 0-60 mph in about 5.7 seconds, while the V8 will do it in about 5.2. Neither is particularly quick in comparison to the competition, but both cars have more than enough power to have fun with, particularly in RWD form.

The Q70 has generally been praised for crisp handling that doesn't result in a harsh ride. Enthusiastic drivers should enjoy RWD trims in particular, though the Q70L’s longer wheelbase naturally makes it a less nimble car. An available sport package for the Q70L adds 20-inch wheels, enhanced cooling, 4-wheel steering, a sport steering wheel, sport seats, and aluminum pedal trim. Opting for the sport-tuned suspension naturally results in the harsher ride that often comes with sportier handling.

The Q70L makes its best case for itself on the inside. The wheelbase has been stretched by almost six inches, the rear doors (which also have an auto-closing feature) are longer, and the vehicle is more than seven inches longer overall. As an executive car, particular attention has been paid to the rear passenger space. There’s a lot more legroom (5.9 inches), the rear seats are heated, and there are extra reading lamps in addition to an extra 12-volt power outlet. This all comes in addition to the interior features standard on the Q70, such as active noise cancellation, climate-controlled front seats, and a revised infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately, the Q70L also has the standard car’s unimpressive 14.9 cubic feet of trunk space. Overall, though, while the Infiniti Q70L is no S-Class, it offers a solid, premium executive-car feel without sporting a monumental price tag.

A Premium package adds navigation, voice controls, cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, leather seats, a surround-view parking system, Infiniti Connection, and a Bose audio system with Bluetooth and 10 speakers. A 16-speaker Bose system is available with the Deluxe Touring Package, which also adds a power rear sunshade and higher-quality leather. A technology package adds adaptive headlights, cruise control, and several of the more high-tech safety features available on the Q70.

Speaking of safety, the Q70 has earned 5 out of 5 stars on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests and received a commendable Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Dynamic cruise control, a rear-view camera, parking sensors, adaptive headlamps, and blind-spot and lane-departure warning systems are all available, as are predictive forward collision warning, a surround-view camera system, backup collision warning, and forward collision warning with automatic braking.

The Q70L does sort of market itself as an executive car, but it just doesn’t stack up against other long-wheelbase luxury sedans. The thing is, though, it doesn’t really have to. It costs so much less than a 7 Series or an S-Class--or even a Jaguar XJ--that comparing them would be pointless. Instead, the Q70L is really just a normal Q70 that's stretched a bit and that shifts some of the luxury focus from the front to the rear.