Infiniti Q70 saloon (2013-2018)

For those looking to break from the norm and move away from class leaders such as the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, the Infiniti Q70 executive saloon makes for an intriguing alternative. The range consists of a 2.2-litre diesel engine, a 3.7-litre petrol engine and a 3.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid.

The diesel is our pick of the range and all trim levels boast comprehensive standard equipment as well as eye-catching looks, decent build quality, strong performance and a spacious interior. But although the Q70 is a good all-rounder, it can't keep pace with established rivals, particularly in the increasingly important field of running costs.

The replacement of the old 3.0-litre diesel with a Mercedes-sourced 2.2-litre diesel in early 2015 made the Q70 more efficient, but fuel economy and CO2 emissions figures are still not class-leading. Infiniti says the Q70 2.2-litre diesel will return 58.9mpg, but in our experience the real-world figure is in the mid-40s. This engine is nonetheless our pick of the range.

Infiniti says the 3.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid model returns up to 45.6mpg and emits 145g/km of CO2. The 3.7-litre petrol engine's fuel economy figure of 28mpg is truly abysmal.

After the initial CO2-weighted tax payment, all petrol and diesel models will cost £140 per year to tax, while the hybrid will cost £130 per year. If your Q70 has a purchase price of over £40,000, you'll have to pay a £310 surcharge on top of the existing rate for five years.

Infiniti servicing and parts are also pricey.

In bends, the Q70 offers decent grip and body roll is well controlled, while the 2.2-litre diesel engine is smooth, refined and delivers reasonable mid-range punch. However, its 0-62mph time of 8.9 seconds is only average for the class and the car is not nearly as sharp to drive as a BMW 5 Series.

The 3.7-litre petrol engine is quicker from 0-62mph, taking 6.2 seconds, which makes for easy overtaking. But it's very costly to run, so if you must have petrol the more efficient 3.5-litre hybrid version is a better choice. All Q70 models use a seven-speed automatic gearbox, which can feel ponderous if you're accelerating quickly and want fast gearshifts.

The Infiniti Q70 prioritises comfort and soaks up imperfections in the road well. Standard double-glazing means wind noise is kept to a minimum, and while the diesel is audible at low speeds, it's not intrusive and gets quieter at motorway cruising speeds.

The 20-inch wheels found on top-spec cars make for jittery progress, but finding a comfortable driving position is easy, with plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment. A shallow rear windscreen restricts visibility slightly, however.

22

The sat nav feels a bit clunky dated if you're used to some of the latest systems and it's controlled using a very button-heavy console.

There's acres of room in the Infiniti Q70's cabin, both front and rear, for four adults. Legroom is plentiful and the swooping roofline doesn't encroach too much on headroom. However, the intrusive central transmission tunnel means that the middle seat in the back is suitable for small children only.

22

The boot holds a reasonably generous 500 litres of luggage – good, but not quite as spacious as what you get in a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes E-Class.

Infiniti has an impressive reliability record and offers first-class customer service, so any problems should be dealt with smoothly and efficiently. The Infiniti Q70 feels well built and the quality of materials used is superb, although it can't quite match premium German rivals.

As regards safety, all models have stability control as well as driver, passenger and side airbags. Parking sensors (front and rear) and cruise control are standard, too.

Even the entry-level Infiniti Q70 comes loaded with equipment, including keyless entry, reversing camera and dual-zone climate control. Range-topping cars add sports suspension, steering-wheel gearshift paddles and four-wheel steering.

22

However, the Q70 is expensive to buy and resale values aren't expected to compete with rivals. Its exclusivity on the UK market is a plus point, though.