You may know the Q70 by its former name, the M37. It is the closest thing Infiniti has to a full-size flagship sedan, and even though the 2015 Q70 isn't completely re-designed from the ground up, there are plenty of new tweaks and upgrades that merit a detailed look. The Q70 is offered in four flavours in Canada and utilizes the same powertrains as before: the Q70 V6, the sportier Q70S with the same V6 engine but with performance and cosmetic enhancements, a Q70L that adds 150mm of rear legroom and a beefier V8 engine, and a Q70 Hybrid that incorporates a 3.5L V6 engine coupled with a 50kW electric motor. Canadians don't get the option of a V8 engine on the standard length Q70, so we're here testing the base model Q70 V6 AWD that produces 330 hp and 270 lb-ft.

We found the V6 engine to be incredibly responsive and delivers exceptional throttle feedback. Even though 270 lb-ft may seem insufficient in the mid-size luxury sedan segment, it proved to be more than adequate for daily driving. Acceleration is creamy and I love the linearity and organic buildup of this naturally aspirated engine. The heartwarming V6 grunt emitted from the dual exhausts will also sound familiar to Infiniti enthusiasts. The chassis feels rigid and athletic on curvy roads, and to maintain an even sportier steering feel, Infiniti's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system stays rear-wheel biased and the AWD will only kick in when needed. It has the ability to transfer up to 50% of available power to the front wheels and is a design feature that we applaud. The Q70's 7-speed automatic transmission provides crisp shifts and sharp rev-matching downshifts when commanded via the gear shifter - only the Sport trim comes with paddle shifters.

The suspension is on the firm side, which is uncharacteristic of a luxury sedan and more suited for a sportier one. The Q70 lacks the ride quality and refinement found in competitors like the BMW 535i and Mercedes-Benz E400, and its massive Bridgestone Potenza 245/50 20-inch tires didn't help to soften the ride either. The wide tires offered a great deal of steering resistance and trim lining on rough and uneven pavement, forcing us to constantly adjust the wheel to keep it in the center.

The Q70 is without a question, a stunning vehicle. Hermosa Blue has got to be one of the nicest shades of blue I've ever seen, trumping our favoured Indigo Blue on the Jaguar F-Type tester we drove last year. The Q70 borrows the Q50's wave-mesh grille and magnifies it in every direction, giving it a low and aggressive stance. The large fender arches, high front shoulders and raised eyebrow head lights all seem influenced by the Maserati GranTurismo and Jaguar F-Type - look from certain angles and you will see the resemblance. Revised bumpers, tail lights, head lights, and chrome accents also make their way into the 2015 model.

It is unfortunate that the Q70's well-proportioned and striking exterior doesn't translate into the interior. You'll find sumptuous white-ash wood accents lining the dashboard and even semi-aniline leather on the seats and door panels. But turn your attention elsewhere and you'll start to realize that the Q70's cabin is beginning to look dated. Essentially unchanged for 2015, the larger-than-life gauges, four-spoke steering wheel, controls, and infotainment system look all too familiar and are begging for a refresh. Absent are the Q50's dual stacked touchscreens, and in its place is the traditional cliffhanger button-intensive center stack. Kudos for keeping the analog clock though, it's one of my favourite details in luxury sedans.

Regardless of age, the attention to craftsmanship in the Q70 is top notch. The interior is meticulous and I have come to love the short and stunted gear shifter sitting in the middle. It fits like a glove in your palm, but when shifted into P, it can get in the way of the vertically positioned audio controls. There is a decent amount of legroom and headroom in the Q70, though the driver and front passenger seats can feel a bit cramped on the sides. You really have to squeeze your hand between the door and the seat to reach the seat adjustment buttons. It feels like those times you dropped your key between that narrow seat gap and your fingers weren't long enough to reach them.

The Q70 comes loaded head to toe with every safety tech in the book, and our Deluxe Touring and Technology Package ($5500) adds to that list with luxury touches: White-ash silver-powdered wood trim, suede headliner, air purifying system, manual rear sunshade, heated steering wheel, climate-controlled front seats, front and rear sonar system, lane departure warnings and prevention, distance control assist, forward emergency braking, blind spot warning and intervention, active trace control, a resistive eco pedal, and a Bose sound system that in my opinion, produces some of the best audio in the industry. Each one of the 16 speakers is located strategically in the cabin. You will even find speakers on the front seat's shoulders to deliver a more immersive surround sound experience.

Starting at $56,900, the Q70 V6 AWD has its crosshairs aimed at more expensive mid-size luxury sedans like the BMW 535i and Mercedes-Benz E400, while the elongated Q70L, starting at $68,400, is geared to tackle the full-size S-class and 7-series. Infiniti tries to offer the Q70 at a lower price point and is marketed as a cheaper alternative than those wearing German badges. But if value is the customer's goal, then why not choose a vehicle like the Hyundai Genesis or the Kia K900 that offer even more standard features with an even smaller price-tag?

This places the Q70 in the middleground between sensibility and luxury. Infiniti's largest sedan offers a lavish package of beautiful looks, an aggressive stance and a staggering amount of safety and entertainment technology. It does however, suffer from an aging interior and a rough ride that is inconsistent with its luxury sedan image. The Q70 doesn't manage to dethrone the leaders of its segment, but is beyond doubt, one of the most appealing and versatile mid-size sedans on the market.