The Infiniti Q50 was a definite surprise packet, a better performer than I would have guessed.
Infiniti doesn’t get a bunch of attention and undeservedly so, which the Q50 sets out to alter.
More powerful, comfortable and generally well-assembled than I would have given credit for, it really has the gumption to compete with more favoured luxury vehicles on the market.
Exterior
The Q50 is a mid-size luxury car that honestly doesn’t look like much from the outside.
Not so say it’s ugly, just that you probably wouldn’t do a double take if you saw one on the road.
It possesses a nice, elegant sloping profile that tapers towards the front and back, a friendly open-mouthed grille and beautiful 19” aluminium-alloy wheels with performance tyres.
But this belies its internal qualities and characteristics.
Interior
Again, not the highest level of lavishness but the Q50 interior possesses nice curved lines and shiny inserts.
It’s leather seats all round (with red stitching in the Red Sport model) and the rear seats are particularly accommodating in their scooped bucket style. Rear doors have unfortunately have no bottle holders.
The two touchscreen are eye catching in the centre console while everything else is nicely laid out and within reach.
Boot space is adequate for this sedan but it narrows the deeper you go.
Features
Up for assessment was the pièce de résistance Infiniti Q50 Red Sport which is priced at $74,900.
Holding pride of place in the centre stack are the two screens with the upper, indented screen constantly displaying the navigation map and the lower glossier screen controlling all other functions.
Both are touchscreens though there is a floor console control knob to operation the sat-nav selections.
The small driver info screen in the instrument cluster is colour and exhibit abundant information.
- Heated, powered leather seats with memory function
- Drive modes (snow, eco, standard, sport, sport +)
- Sat-nav
- Digital radio
- Push button start
- Sunroof
- Dual climate control
- Bose sound system
- Paddle shifters
- Foot operated parking brake
- Rear seat release latch in boot
Additional features in the Q50 Red Sport:
- Performance piston brakes with red callipers
- Quilted accented seating with red stitching
- Sport-tuned Dynamic Digital Suspension
- Black rear boot spoiler
Drive and Engine
The drive and brawn are by far the biggest surprise in a seemingly pedestrian, premium styled car.
If a vehicle has a Sport + mode, you know it means business.
A big 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder, 224kW/400Nm engine is nothing to sneeze at and is already a gun in the standard drive configuration, but in sport mode you’ll be off and running before you even say “ah-choo!”.
The real winner in the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport is the balance and tune of the whole system.
In both those performance modes, the throttle control is measured and gradual and not twitchy like a race horse in the stalls, though it doesn’t compromise on ride comfort through the acceleration phase, or on handling making it a gratifying to push into corners and bends.
This is all nicely matched to the seven speed sports automatic transmission for smooth acceleration all the way through.
Inside is so quiet, almost to point you can’t hear the growl of the engine, maintaining and atmosphere of sophistication.
Safety
- Predictive forward collision warning
- Back up collision intervention
- Blind spot warning and intervention
- Lane departure warning and intervention
- Adaptive cruise control/speed limiter
Good Bits
- Ride balance
- Throttle control
- Mindboggling power
- Interior insulation
- Cabin layout and comfort
- Safety technology
Not So Good Bits
- No rear door pocket
- Narrowing boot
Summary
Luxury car buyers should seriously consider the Infiniti Q50 sports sedan not only if they want to go against the grain but for what the vehicle genuinely offers.
A mean, powerhouse motor that isn’t wild and out of control, with great handling and ride.
And that’s not to mention the interior luxury, comfortable rear seat, dual centre console screens and safety technology.
Facts and Figures: 2018 Infiniti Sport Q50
- Engine: 3.0L six-cylinder petrol producing 224kW/400Nm
- Transmission: Seven-speed sports automatic
- Warranty: 4 years/ 100,000km
- Safety: Five stars
- Origin: Japan
- Price: from $64,900
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