If you’re looking for a car that feels like a surgical instrument, keep walking. The 2019 Infiniti Q70 5.6 LUXE isn't interested in being a precision-tuned German sports sedan or a hyper-efficient hybrid that sips fuel through a tiny straw. It’s basically a velvet sledgehammer.
Honestly, it feels like it belongs to a different era. By 2019, most manufacturers were already downsizing engines and slapping turbochargers on everything they could find. Infiniti decided to keep the party going for one last year with a massive, naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V8. It’s loud. It’s thirsty. It’s incredibly fast in a way that feels effortless. When you bury your foot in the carpet, there’s no "turbo lag" or waiting for a computer to decide which of its ten gears it wants to use. There is just a deep, rhythmic growl and a sudden, violent shove toward the horizon.
The V8 Elephant in the Room
Let’s talk about that engine because it is the entire reason this car exists. The VK56VD. That’s the internal code for the 5.6-liter heart of this beast. It puts out 420 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque. In a world of four-cylinder turbos, those numbers feel almost rebellious.
Most people don't realize that this engine shares its DNA with the powerplants found in the Nissan Titan and the Armada. That means it’s built for durability and high-load stress, but in the 2019 Infiniti Q70 5.6 LUXE, it’s been tuned for a much more sophisticated delivery. You aren't getting a jerky, raw muscle car experience. Instead, it feels like an endless reserve of power. You're doing 80 mph on the highway and need to pass a semi? You barely touch the throttle, the seven-speed automatic drops one gear, and you're gone.
The fuel economy is, frankly, hilarious. Don't buy this if you care about your carbon footprint. You’re looking at maybe 16 mpg in the city if you’re lucky, and 24 on the highway if you have a very light foot and the wind is at your back. It’s a specialized tool for a specific kind of driver—someone who values the mechanical soul of a V8 over the efficiency of a modern powertrain.
That Old-School Interior Vibe
Inside, the Q70 5.6 LUXE is a time capsule.
If you step out of a 2019 Mercedes E-Class or an Audi A6 and into this, you’re going to be confused. There are buttons. Lots of them. Real, physical buttons that you can press without looking at a screen. For some, this feels "dated." For others—myself included—it’s a godsend. You can actually change the temperature or skip a radio track without navigating through three sub-menus on a laggy touchscreen.
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The materials are top-tier, though. We’re talking about semi-aniline leather that feels like a high-end sofa and Japanese White Ash wood trim with actual silver-powder accents. It’s called "Bose Studio Surround," and it packs 16 speakers. It sounds incredible, partly because the car is so quiet. Infiniti used a lot of sound-deadening material and active noise cancellation to keep the cabin hushed, which creates this weird contrast: a screaming V8 under the hood and a library-quiet interior.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2019 Infiniti Q70 5.6 LUXE
People love to complain that the Q70 platform was old by 2019. And yeah, it was. This generation (the Y51) debuted way back in 2011 as the Infiniti M. But there’s a massive benefit to "old" platforms: the bugs are gone.
By the time the 2019 model year rolled around, Infiniti had perfected the assembly. The electronics don't glitch out like they do in first-year German models. The suspension geometry is settled. It’s a tank. You’re buying the final, most refined version of a car that Infiniti spent a decade tweaking.
Another misconception is that it’s just a "fancy Nissan." While it shares some architecture with the Nissan Fuga sold in Japan, the Q70 5.6 LUXE gets specific hardware the Maxima or Altima could only dream of. The Front-Midship (FM) platform pushes the engine back toward the firewall to help with weight distribution. It’s rear-wheel-drive biased (though AWD was an option), giving it a balance that front-wheel-drive luxury cars simply can’t match.
The Long Wheelbase (Q70L) Alternative
It's worth noting that in 2019, you could also get the "L" version. It added over 5 inches to the wheelbase. Most of that went straight to the rear legroom. If you’re over six feet tall and plan on having adults in the back seat, the standard Q70 can feel a bit snug compared to a Lexus LS or a BMW 7 Series. The Q70L 5.6 LUXE turned it into a proper limousine. But even in the standard wheelbase, the seats are some of the most comfortable in the industry. They’re wide, supportive, and designed for multi-hour road trips.
Driving Dynamics: The Heavyweight Boxer
Driving the 2019 Infiniti Q70 5.6 LUXE is an exercise in managing momentum. It weighs over 4,000 pounds. You feel that weight in the corners. It’s not a car you "flick" into a turn. It’s a car you guide.
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The steering is hydraulic-electric, which provides a bit more feedback than the purely electronic systems in newer cars. It’s heavy. At low speeds in a parking lot, you actually have to work a little bit. On the highway, though, it tracks straight as an arrow. It isn't bothered by crosswinds or ruts in the road.
If you find one with the Sport Package, you get 20-inch wheels and bigger brakes. Honestly? Skip it. The 5.6 LUXE is at its best when it’s soaking up bumps on the 18-inch wheels. The Sport suspension can make the ride a bit jittery, which ruins the "executive lounge on wheels" vibe this car does so well.
Real-World Reliability and Maintenance
Let's get practical. If you're looking at a used 2019 model today, you're looking at a car that's likely out of its basic warranty but might still have some powertrain coverage depending on the mileage.
The VK56VD is generally a stout engine, but it is Direct Injection. This means you need to stay on top of oil changes to prevent carbon buildup on the intake valves. Some owners have reported issues with high-pressure fuel pumps, but it's not a "stop sale" level of concern. The 7-speed JATCO transmission is an old design, which is a good thing. It’s predictable. It doesn't have the "hunting" issues of the newer 9-speed units found in some competitors.
Expect to pay a premium for tires and brakes. This car eats them. Stopping two tons of V8-powered luxury takes a lot of friction, and those 420 horses love to chew through rear rubber if you have a heavy foot.
Why Nobody Talks About This Car
The Q70 basically vanished because it didn't fit the "modern" luxury mold. It didn't have a giant tablet glued to the dashboard. It didn't have a tiny engine. It was an old-school Japanese take on the classic American muscle sedan.
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By 2019, Infiniti was shifting its focus to crossovers like the QX50 and the QX60. The Q70 was the forgotten flagship. But that’s exactly why it’s a smart buy now. You can often find these for significantly less than a comparable Lexus GS 350 or BMW 540i, and you’re getting a V8 that those cars usually lack in their mid-tier trims.
It’s an underdog. It’s the car for the person who wants to fly under the radar. Most people will see a "silver Infiniti" and think nothing of it. Then you hit the gas, the nose lifts, the V8 bellows, and you disappear.
Actionable Advice for Potential Buyers
If you are seriously hunting for a 2019 Infiniti Q70 5.6 LUXE, follow these steps to ensure you don't end up with a lemon:
- Check the Service History for Oil Changes: As mentioned, direct injection engines are sensitive. If the previous owner went 10,000 miles between changes, walk away. Look for 5,000-mile intervals.
- Inspect the Dashboard: Some Infiniti models from this era suffered from "sticky dash" or bubbling in high-heat climates. Check the surface for any tackiness or discoloration.
- Test the Infotainment: The dual-screen setup (or in this case, the single high-mount screen with the controller) can be finicky. Make sure the navigation load times aren't excessively slow.
- Listen for Timing Chain Noise: While less common on the 2019 models compared to earlier versions of the 5.6L, a faint rattling sound on a cold start is a red flag.
- Verify the LUXE Trim Features: Ensure it actually has the Essential package. This includes the 360-degree camera (Around View Monitor), which is almost mandatory for a car this size with these sightlines.
The 2019 Infiniti Q70 5.6 LUXE represents the end of an era. It’s a thirsty, heavy, beautiful, and incredibly powerful machine that doesn't apologize for what it is. It offers a mechanical purity that is becoming impossible to find in the new car market. If you can stomach the fuel bills, it provides a level of soul and effortless speed that modern turbocharged four-cylinders just can't replicate.
Next Steps:
If you're ready to move forward, your first move should be to run a VIN check on any prospective vehicle to ensure it hasn't lived its life in a salt-heavy "rust belt" state, as the underside components on these can be prone to surface corrosion. Once that's clear, get a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) specifically focusing on the high-pressure fuel system and the cooling fans, which are the two most common wear items on this specific V8 platform.