Overview
Infiniti’s lineup isn’t what it could be—or should be. Consider the brand’s sole sedan, the Q50, still in its first generation after 11 years on the market. That’s about twice as long as most manufacturers keep models in the fight before a major redesign. The Q50’s graceful exterior styling still holds up, which is the good news. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 serving every Q50 with either 300 or 400 horsepower should also be good news, but the spunky powertrains are let down by the car’s uninspiring handling and occasionally jittery ride. Nearly everything else about the sedan either creaks with age or betrays a lack of inspiration. The infotainment system does both. Even with that, the Q50 isn’t truly bad but we recommend checking out other, fresher, and more driver-centric entry-luxury sedans like the upstart Genesis G70 and the departing Kia Stinger—or the well-regarded old-guard German iron like the BMW 3-series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
What’s New for 2024?
The Q50 enters another year without any meaningful updates. That, plus the fact that its coupe sibling—the Q60—was phased out after the 2022 model year, leads us to the theory that the Q50 may soon face the chopping block.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The entry-level Luxe is the way to go. It lacks only a few niche features compared to the Sensory, such as paddle shifters and a cabin air purifier, but the two cars share the same powertrain—and the Luxe comes with luxury frills like leather seating, heated steering wheel, and 16-speaker Bose audio. All-wheel drive is an option, but we’d skip that and put the money toward winter tires. Sticking with rear-wheel-drive unlocks what handling proficiency the Q50 can summon.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Every Q50’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 lurks in the forward bay. The engines in the Luxe and Sensory trims make 300 horsepower, the Red Sport 400 produces the 400 horses indicated in the name. In all trims, output goes through a seven-speed automatic transmission to either the rear wheels or all four wheels when equipped with AWD. Shifts are quick and barely detectable. Steering is light but not quick and lacks feedback. Infiniti’s optional drive-by-wire steering setup, called Direct Adaptive Steering sounds futuristic but none of its many available modes offers the feedback or the progressive effort during cornering that the best conventional helms provide. The Q50s we’ve driven with 19-inch wheels had a jittery, sometimes harsh ride, but the base model’s standard 18-inch wheels might improve that nervous feeling.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Regardless of drivetrain configuration or engine output, the 2024 Q50 isn’t sipping fuel. The thriftiest rear-wheel-drive trim is estimated to earn 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Choosing AWD or the Red Sport 400 shrinks those figures anywhere from one to three mpg. We tested an all-wheel-drive Red Sport 400 on our 75-mph highway route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, and it bested its EPA rating by a single mile per gallon with a 27-mpg result. However, turbocharged six-cylinders in rivals such as the M340i and G70 are even more efficient at highway speeds. For more information about the Q50’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Staying on the market in a competitive segment for more than a decade with little changed is a formula for falling behind. Even the Red Sport 400, which starts $1,000 below a 2024 BMW M340i, doesn’t muster the materials, features, and packaging we expect from the brand and the price. The quilted leather is handsome, but the mix of textures and lines in the cabin doesn’t pass the eye test for luxury. The analogue instrument cluster and split infotainment screens belong to another era. Above-average front legroom comes at the cost of cramped rear quarters. The Q50 is about the same size as its competitors, but its cargo capacity is below average, and the interior is short on useful cubbies. It may be a comfortable highway cruiser, but the Infiniti isn’t designed for long family trips. With about 13 cubic feet of trunk volume, the Q50 falls far short of the 3-Series and the Stinger.
Infotainment and Connectivity
The one novel aspect of the Q50’s dual-screen infotainment system is that various apps can be displayed on either the upper or lower screen, allowing for more modular use. Touch response is prompt, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and seven devices can be paired to the Q50’s Wi-Fi hotspot. Otherwise, the system begs for modernization. Higher resolution and brightness would be welcome. And the baffling controls are the result of Infiniti shoehorning a second screen into an existing system. For example, the upper screen can be controlled via touch or through a center-console control knob while the lower screen is touch only.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Infiniti provides every Q50 with a plethora of driver-assistance technology, including adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams. For more information about the Q50’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
- Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Infiniti’s warranty coverage periods are longer than most in this class, with the added benefit of a three-year complimentary maintenance plan as standard.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years, regardless of vehicle mileage
