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Audi A6 1.8 TFSI Ultra S-tronic (A) vs Infiniti Q70 2.5 V6 Premium (A)

16 Oct 2015|39,651 views

Although the Audi A6 and Infiniti Q70 are birds of the executive sedan feather, the sportier vibes of the A6 may just give it an edge over the more conventional Q70.

As always, Audi's choice of 'shoes' gives its cars a stylish and upmarket countenance

Exterior

With the A6, Audi has created a masterpiece of sleek and sharp lines, emphasised horizontals and athletically taut surfaces that give off a sporty and elegant guise.

On top of that, the A6's appearances are enhanced by head lights with Matrix LED technology, combined with dynamic turn signals that combine to become the most advanced of LED signatures.

Infiniti's signature flared arches make the Q70 look like a tough, mean machine

The Q70, too, has its own arsenal of light displays that are made up of LED head lights, LED taillights, LED fog lights and side rear view mirrors with integrated LED turn signals. Yup, LEDs are the in-thing now.

The A6's interior is an amalgamation of uncompromising levels of German quality

The construction of the Q70's cabin feels a little too much like an expensive Nissan, rather than something out of its luxury vehicle division.

In addition, the A6's MMI navigation plus with MMI touch that comes standard is noticeably more user-friendly than the 8.0-inch vehicle information display system employed in the Q70.

With regards to cabin build, the Audi just feels like the more premium automobile (pun not intended).

Where it loses out in aesthetics, the Q70 makes up for in comfort and space

Although the Q70 is only 12mm longer than the A6, rear legroom is significantly more generous. And just like the front, the softness of the leather used on the rear seats makes the back of the Q70 an abode you won't quite want to leave.

The Q70 does, however, lose out to the A6 in terms of boot capacity as its 500 litres is slightly dwarfed by the latter's 530 litres.

Despite being smaller in capacity and cylinder numbers, the A6 feels more peppy than the somewhat lethargic Q70

Because of its higher torque output, the turbocharged A6 feels lighter on its feet than the Q70. This nimbleness is also attributed to its lighter weight - 195kg less than the Q70.

The seven-speed S-tronic used in the A6 is also distinctly better than the Q70's seven-speed automatic transmission. Due to its livelier transmission, the Audi propels in a straight line with much more desirability than the Infiniti.

Suspension in the A6 is a lot firmer as compared to the Q70's spongier setup. In this aspect, the older folks may appreciate the more pliable option in the Q70 over the A6's sportier ride.

Although immensely comfortable, the trade-off for having a softer suspension is the Q70's inability to tackle directional changes as well as the A6 - which also has a sharper steering feel.

To put it in words, the S-tronic shifts a lot faster and smoother although both have seven cogs in their system

Conclusion

It is a tough fight between these two. Being in the same segment yet behaving so differently (or what we locally call same same but different), choosing between the Audi A6 and the Infiniti Q70 will ultimately boil down to personal preferance.

In our opinion, although the A6 will set you back by $13,000 more than the Q70, its finer construction and sharper vehicle dynamics make it the more covetable sedan.

When it comes to choosing an executive sedan, both the Audi A6 1.8 TFSI Ultra S-tronic and the Infiniti Q70 2.5 V6 Premium are cars that are distinctively different even though they were designed for pretty much the same purpose.

And the purpose of their existence in the automotive world is transporting you in style from one business meeting to another and driving your family around in comfort - but you probably already knew that.

Since they are both priced quite similarly - $245,800 (as of 12^th October 2015) for the A6 and $232,800 (as of 8^th October 2015), the fight will be decided by what they can offer. With that in mind, we set out to uncover the nitty gritty bits that set them apart.
Exterior

With the A6, Audi has created a masterpiece of sleek and sharp lines, emphasised horizontals and athletically taut surfaces that give off a sporty and elegant guise.

On top of that, the A6's appearances are enhanced by head lights with Matrix LED technology, combined with dynamic turn signals that combine to become the most advanced of LED signatures.

In the other corner of the ring, Infiniti's Q70 is a little less subtly styled - a dramatic design of bold arches and dynamic lines that define the marque's halo sedan.

This gibbous panache accounts for the Q70's stronger road presence, catching your attention a little more than the tamer-looking A6. At 4,945mm x 1,845mm x 1,500mm (L x W x H), it is also the bigger of the two.

The Q70, too, has its own arsenal of light displays that are made up of LED head lights, LED taillights, LED fog lights and side rear view mirrors with integrated LED turn signals. Yup, LEDs are the in-thing now.

Interior

It is on the inside, that the tables are turned. Although both cars employ the use of wood to aesthetically enhance their cabins, the A6's fit and finish is slightly better than that in the Q70

- even with its genuine Japanese Ash wood trims that line the centre console and interior door panels.

The construction of the Q70's cabin feels a little too much like an expensive Nissan, rather than something out of its luxury vehicle division.

In addition, the A6's MMI navigation plus with MMI touch that comes standard is noticeably more user-friendly than the 8.0-inch vehicle information display system employed in the Q70.

With regards to cabin build, the Audi just feels like the more premium automobile (pun not intended).

Build quality aside, the Q70 is the more comfortable car to be in, after many hours spent on the road. Just like its 'fatter' exterior, the seats in the Q70 offer more comfort, space and grip as compared to the ones in the A6.

In addition to their lushness, the climate-controlled front seats that send cool air to your back and bottom are a joy to have in our climate.

Although the Q70 is only 12mm longer than the A6, rear legroom is significantly more generous. And just like the front, the softness of the leather used on the rear seats makes the back of the Q70 an abode you won't quite want to leave.

The Q70 does, however, lose out to the A6 in terms of boot capacity as its 500 litres is slightly dwarfed by the latter's 530 litres.

The Drive

So, we have the front-wheel driven, 1.8-litre four-cylinder turbocharged German versus the rear-wheel driven 2.5-litre V6 Japanese - which is better once you get behind the wheel?

The A6 has 188bhp and 320Nm of torque while the Q70's naturally aspirated V6 makes 219bhp but only 253Nm of torque.

Because of its higher torque output, the turbocharged A6 feels lighter on its feet than the Q70. This nimbleness is also attributed to its lighter weight - 195kg less than the Q70.

The seven-speed S-tronic used in the A6 is also distinctly better than the Q70's seven-speed automatic transmission. Due to its livelier transmission, the Audi propels in a straight line with much more desirability than the Infiniti.

Suspension in the A6 is a lot firmer as compared to the Q70's spongier setup. In this aspect, the older folks may appreciate the more pliable option in the Q70 over the A6's sportier ride.

Although immensely comfortable, the trade-off for having a softer suspension is the Q70's inability to tackle directional changes as well as the A6 - which also has a sharper steering feel.

Conclusion

It is a tough fight between these two. Being in the same segment yet behaving so differently (or what we locally call same same but different), choosing between the Audi A6 and the Infiniti Q70 will ultimately boil down to personal preferance.

In our opinion, although the A6 will set you back by $13,000 more than the Q70, its finer construction and sharper vehicle dynamics make it the more covetable sedan.