Most flagship sedans offer a long-wheelbase variant for those who want to pamper their rear-seat passengers, and the Infiniti Q70 is no different. The end result is the Infiniti Q70L, which stands out from the midsize luxury sedan crowd with one the largest back seats in the class. The only change for 2018 is a new naming structure for trims and options packages. All Q70L trims will now feature “Luxe” in their names—for example, the 3.7 will now be known as the 3.7 Luxe—and the options packages on offer will be the Essential, Sensory, and ProActive packages.

Compared to the standard Q70, the Q70L features a 6-inch longer wheelbase. This extra length makes for a more inviting rear seat, as passengers can fully stretch out their legs without touching the seats in front. Rear passengers also get heated seats and power-closing doors, although disappointingly, the rear doesn’t come with separate climate controls or an entertainment system. The rest of the interior is the much the same as in the standard Q70, with excellent material choices, a raised dashboard, and fairly dated technology features. The infotainment system hasn’t been upgraded since the model was introduced back in 2011, which means the graphics aren’t as sharp as those of competitors and integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is nonexistent. At least a set of physical buttons and control knob do provide passengers with an easy way to navigate through the system.

Powerplant options for the Q70L are the same as what you’ll find in the Q70. The base powertrain is a 3.7-liter V6 engine offering 330 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, while a 5.6-liter V8 with 420 hp and 417 lb-ft is also available. Both come paired up with a 7-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD), with all-wheel drive (AWD) available as an option. The V6 will be enough for most buyers, as it offers plenty of power for any driving situation. But those who crave even more performance will be impressed with the V8, which pulls strongly all the way to redline while emitting an almost muscle-car-like rumble. The downside, however, is fairly poor fuel economy—the V6 gets EPA ratings of 18 mpg city, 25 highway, and 21 combined with RWD and 18, 24, and 20 with AWD. The V8 doesn’t fare much better, at 16, 24, and 19 with RWD and 16, 23, and 18 with AWD.

Reviewers agree that the Q70L performs best when equipped with the standard suspension, which provides a reasonably smooth ride, and outside noises are kept to a minimum. On corners, however, the Q70L does feel slightly out of its element and displays some body roll. An optional sport package with styling changes, a retuned suspension, and larger wheels does improve handling for the Q70L, but it also makes for a choppy ride on rough roads.

The Q70L’s standard safety features includes antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, a reversing camera, and a full complement of airbags. An optional ProActive package adds adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning and prevention. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the regular Q70 a Top Safety Pick for 2017, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has only conducted frontal and rollover tests for the Q70L, where the 2018 model earned 4-star ratings.