Here’s a conundrum for you: should you buy a brand new Toyota Corolla, or a lightly-used copy of the Infiniti Q70L for the same amount of money? Infiniti’s largest-ever luxury sedan has now come and gone, and this extended-wheelbase version of the Q70 launched for the 2015 model year with limousine-like rear legroom in the back, and an interior designed to convey a sense of handcrafted Japanese hospitality throughout.

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  Infiniti
  

  Infiniti is a Japanese premium automaker and subsidiary of Nissan, launched in 1989 in a bid to rival Lexus. Initially launching with the Q45 sedan, Infiniti quickly branched into more segments, including luxury SUVs. Throughout its history, it’s relied heavily on Nissan powertrains and underpinnings, with the exception of a few core models like the Q50. Infiniti focuses primarily on the US market.

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  Toyota
  

  Toyota is a Japanese automaker founded in 1937 that has developed a reputation for reliability across a multitude of segments, from sports cars and family sedans to pickup trucks and off-roaders. Famous models from the brand include the Hilux, Land Cruiser, Camry, Crown, and Corolla, the latter being the world’s best-selling vehicle nameplate, with more than 50 million Corolla-badged vehicles being sold since it was first introduced. Toyota typically competes in the mainstream market, but is also famous for launching Lexus as a luxury sub-brand to take on Mercedes-Benz.

Today, used car pricing puts a second-hand copy of Infiniti’s luxury flagship sedan (after less than 10 years on the road) at about the same price as a 2025 Toyota Corolla – but that doesn’t necessarily make it a better buy. Read on for a closer look at which way you should throw your dollars if you find yourself considering both options on this page.

Meet The Infiniti Q70 L

For the 2015 model year, Infiniti gave its flagship Q70 luxury sedan a makeover and refresh, laying the foundation for the extended-wheelbase Q70L model that would arrive for the 2016 model year. The main draw? The Q70L’s wheelbase was stretched by 5.9 inches versus the standard car, and almost all the extra length went directly into additional rear-seat leg- and knee room, which grew by 5.6 inches and 5.9 inches versus the standard car, the back seat of which was hardly cramped anyway.

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Both V6 and V8 engine options were available in the Q70L, as were rear or AWD configurations. With power and traction adequately covered (as well as rear-seat accommodations), Q70L drivers were free to relax up front, surrounded by metal and leather and wood trim designed to show off the very best of Infiniti’s design and craftsmanship of the day. Like the M45x before it, the Q70 had some high-performing Nissan DNA built in, too.

Key competitors at the time included machinery like the Genesis G90, Kia K900 and Jaguar XJ.

On high-end feature content, look for intelligent key fobs that link to the driver’s preferred climate, audio, and navigation settings. There’s also an easy entry/exit system that welcomes drivers on board by opening as much space as possible between the steering wheel and their seat, for faster boarding. Look for all manner of the day’s latest in safety and driver assist tech, including Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Prevention.

Power comes from a proven 3.7-liter V6, or a direct-injected 5.6-liter V8. Both powertrains are bolted to a 7-speed automatic transmission with rev-matching and paddle shifters, and when equipped, the Q70L’s AWD system can send up to 50 percent of available drive power to the front axle when grip runs low.

Pricing Then Versus Now (vs 2025 Toyota Corolla)

At launch, the extended-wheelbase Q70L opened the bidding in the low $50 000s with V6 power and rear-drive, while models with the potent 5.6-liter V8 started in the mid-$60k region. Decked out with V8 power and AWD, the Q70L was $67,000 before a trip to the options and accessories list. According to data from AutoTempest.com, setting your budget for $27,000 today will open the door to a range of moderately used models – all less than 10 years old and most with under 50,000 miles of service.

Stretch your budget to $30,000 or so, and you’ll find plenty of low-mileage units enter the mix. That puts a few-year-old version of Infiniti’s top sedan into the same pricing ballpark as a nicely-equipped 2025 Toyota Corolla, most versions of which land between $25,000 and $30,000.

But Should You Buy One Instead Of A Corolla?

If you’re looking for a sedan and have $25,000–$30,000 to spend, you’ve got some thinking to do. Of course, these are two cars designed for totally different purposes and customers, and that means that each comes with pros and cons.

First, consider your fuel costs. Your carpool buddies will love the rear seat room in the Q70, but you might have to ask them to pitch in for gas. Specifically, a 2025 Corolla Hybrid will use about $1,000 worth of fuel annually, according to the EPA. For non-hybrid models, make it $1,450. According to EPA data, a Q70L with V6 engine will use a little over double that amount annually (around $3,100), with V8-powered models pushing fuel bills up to $3,500. While both cars can be purchased for the same money, the Q70L uses well over twice your gas dollars to cover the same distance as the 2025 Corolla.

Consider also maintenance and servicing. It’s likely you’ll have an easier time tracking down a Toyota dealership than an Infiniti one, as repairs or parts are required to keep your vehicle ticking. That brand-new Corolla is protected by its factory warranty and roadside assistance, while the Q70L’s coverage will have long expired, meaning the Corolla gives you less to worry about during your ownership experience.

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Mind the maintenance costs, too. If you’re used to maintaining an economy car, then the cost of tires, brakes, fluids, filters, suspension components, and consumable parts on a luxury flagship could be a lot more expensive than you’re used to. The Infiniti Q70 is also bigger and less maneuverable than that brand-new Corolla, which means it can be harder to find an adequate parking space in congested areas.

Of course, there are several good reasons to choose the Infiniti Q70L over a brand new Corolla, especially if you’re able to find a low-mileage unit with full servicing records and a clean bill of health from pre-purchase inspection. First, and mainly, the Q70L is a great way to take in one of the most luxurious, quiet, and spacious sedans ever built by Japan, and it also captures a taste of the era’s best all-motor engineering from the era, with two highly familiar powertrains.

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The 3.7-liter V6 engine and 7-speed automatic attached to it were used in all manner of Infinti for many years, making it a popular engine choice and one of the most mass-produced luxury-car V6s on the road. If the fuel bill doesn’t scare you off, the 5.6-liter V8 delivers almost startling low-end torque and effortless light-throttle operation.

The Corolla is the more sensible decision here – thanks to its lower fuel costs and more modern array of safety and connectivity tech. Still, for the same purchase price (and about double the gas bill), that Q70L turns in a drive, interior and experience fitting of a luxury flagship. If you’ve got especially tall or leggy passengers who will often ride in the back, the Q70L’s rear seat accommodations will probably make this a particularly easy decision to make. It’s always nice to have choices.

Sources: Toyota, Infiniti, EPA, AutoTempest.com