Overview & Reviews

The Infiniti Q50 effectively replaces the Infiniti's popular G series entry-level luxury sport sedan. And just like the G, the Q50 offers an appealing combination of luxury, performance and value wrapped up in handsome styling.

Although the luxury sport sedan segment has historically been dominated by elite German nameplates, the Infiniti Q50 holds its own against these typically pricier models. It also comes with the latest high-tech features, and there's an available hybrid model as well.

Current Infiniti Q50 Specs
The Infiniti Q50 entry-level luxury sport sedan debuted for the 2014 model year. It's powered by either a 3.7-liter V6 with 328 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque or, in the case of the hybrid version, a 3.5-liter V6 and a 50-kilowatt electric motor, which provide a total output of 354 hp. All Q50s come with a seven-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive is standard. All-wheel drive is optional. The regular Q50 comes in base, Premium and Sport trim levels, while the Q50 Hybrid comes only in the upper two trims.

Standard feature highlights on the base trim include keyless ignition/entry, dual-zone automatic climate control and eight-way power front seats. Also included are an electronics interface with twin touchscreen displays, smartphone app integration, Bluetooth phone/audio connectivity, a rearview camera and a six-speaker sound system.

Premium trims also feature a sunroof, heated front seats, leather upholstery (on the hybrid only), a 14-speaker Bose sound system and a multimedia monitor/display, while the Sport adds a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels with summer performance tires, leather seating (for non-hybrid Q50 sedans), a sport driver seat and paddle shifters. The hybrid also includes Infiniti's Direct Adaptive Steering (which offers four different steering responsiveness settings) and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Option highlights include a navigation system, a 360-degree camera parking system, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and various safety features such as blind-spot warning and front and rear collision warning.

On the move, the Q50 has been somewhat of a disappointment for us. While acceleration is strong, ultimate handling ability on non-Sport trims is hobbled by all-season tires that don't offer the grip we'd expect from this otherwise athletic sedan. Ride quality is similarly mixed. Although the Q50 ably damps out larger bumps and ruts, it gets fidgety on roads with minor imperfections.

Beyond these issues, however, the Infiniti Q50 stands strong thanks to its well-trimmed and comfortable cabin, roomy trunk, user-friendly high-tech features and the impressive fuel economy of the hybrid model. It's worth a good look if you're shopping for a sport-oriented entry-level luxury sedan.

Used Infiniti Q50 Models
The Infiniti Q50 was all-new for 2014. If you're looking at used cars, though, many of the Q50's qualities can be found in its predecessor, the Infiniti G sedan.

User Reviews:

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  This car looks great on paper - 2016 Infiniti Q50
  By valmiles@cox.net - May 28 - 7:49 am

  On paper, this Q50 Sport is a great car, less expensive and more capable than BMW 3-series or Mercedes Benz C-class. However, handing is awful, worse than any other car I have owned or driven, including SUVs! Q50 is not new to power steering foes. 2015 has its issues with Direct Adaptive Steering. 2016 has gone to electric assisted power steering on the Sports model with the second generation DAS being an option. Being well aware of the issue with the first generation DAS, I elected to get base electric power steering. The car, however, wanders whichever way the road takes it, which is specifically evident at highway speeds. If you hold the steering wheel perfectly straight, the vehicle starts pulling on one direction, after correcting it, it pulls in the other. We have seen number of reviews on infinitiq50.org forum about this issue, some owners indicating that Run Flat Tires (RFTs) are causing this behavior. I don’t know for certain and I’m not willing to replace tires on the brand new vehicle. In few months I will trade it in and get something else, although at a loss. Other than this issue and few deficiencies with the infotainment system, such as lack of useful applications and slow response, this car has been good. Acceleration is excellent, but the poor steering takes all the fun out of driving it. After driving Nissan vehicles for over 20 years, this Infinity was a major disappointment. No more Nissan/Infiniti vehicles for me.

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  Its the perfect car for me. - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By pkieffer - February 8 - 12:33 pm

  I thoroughly enjoy this car. Its crazy fast, fun to drive and gets 25mpg. Its very quiet inside and has the best sound system Ive ever heard. It has all the fun of a G37 but in classy, quiet, comfortable, luxury package. It feels very solid when you pound it. The handling is superb. I prefer to drive myself so I elected not to get all the high tech gismos. I did get AWD for the Minnesota winters, cant wait to utilize it. Its so fun to drive I already have 6000 miles on it. Try one, youll find its the best value out there. I get complements everyday on what a sharp looking car it is.

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  Well...it looks good... - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By srq5363 - February 1 - 9:07 pm

  I leased the base model with the sunroof about 1.5 weeks ago. I didnt want to pay for (or deal with) the electronic issues and gizmos and the base version hit my target price. It looked great, drove well, and met my needs for size. The downside is this car smells...bad. Two others like it smelled bad, too, but the dealership claimed that whatever I was smelling would wear off or theyd take care of it. After a few days, I returned and was told there was nothing they could do and I could trade it, lemon law it, or try to air it out. No luck. Software is buggy and slow and they are still saying apps are coming in 1 more month. Im regretting my choice but, at least it looks good.

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  Love it! - 2016 Infiniti Q50
  By scott Hudson - January 24 - 4:41 pm

  Actual mileage much better than suggested. That has been the only surprise, and its a happy one! Love this car. Rides smooth, quiet, with plenty of power when I need it. The auto engine shut off at stop lights seems to be standard on more and more cars and its a little annoying but you can turn it off. Ive had the car about a month and received many compliments. Great car!

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  Unsung Hero - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By slcraft - November 20 - 3:09 pm

  It really sucks that this car will be overlooked by most due to the ongoing poor reviews for the "Drive by Wire" steering that has been universally panned by enthusiast reviews. It seems every car road tested has all the electronics which, while impressed by them, many reviewers disliked as being too "nanny-like" This is why I did my research and, once I found out I could lease a well equipped Q50 AWD Premium I ran to my dealer to do so. I put no money down and pay $344 a month. Options were Navigation (which includes voice activation, Bose System, Infiniti In Touch and Sirius Radio, the 19inch wheels (must have) leather package, and spare tire. NO drive by wire steering, ever!!!

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  Q50, Slicing Through the Wind - 2017 Infiniti Q50
  By Q50 live - October 7 - 12:40 am

  This is a great car. Ive been an owner for about 2 months and I absolutely love the car. Great acceleration, minimal shift shock and dynamic breaking without the dramatic nose dive. When you start the engine it doesnt sound so luxurious, but levels out after the fluids start mixing. Not a problem, but something that you notice. Not much head room unless you lower the seats and a small trunk thats "about" the same as its competitors. I love the Infiniti InTouch system and the ability to utilize your cell phone for many out of car features. Theres power in the pedal. You may want to be a little easy when you use the Sport Mode as it will give you what you asked for. Comes with Run Flat tires and no spare just so you know. Still a great car.

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  A compromised sport sedan - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By ocd168 - September 6 - 1:25 am

  After leasing the car for about 6 months, 5k miles, heres my assessment. Accelerating from standstill is great, the electric motor really provides a smooth takeoff combined with the gas engine for the power. In "sport" mode it is fast (0-60 in 4.9s). However, taking turns or windy road is a different matter, I never feel the car is planted like the 3-series, car feels unstable at times. Sometimes the auto brake, lane departure tech get in the way of driving, I usually turn it off on local streets. The lane departure prevention is of little use because when the lane curves too much it wont correct for you. The touch-screen computer is extremely SLOW, needs a faster processor.

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  Best Car Ive owned - 2016 Infiniti Q50
  By Tyrone - August 26 - 12:23 pm

  What a nice Luxury Sports Sedan & AWD cant beat it. Great Acceleration, Great braking never owned a $45k car before I wondered what was the big deal always settled for some less not this time I wen all out!! Havent seen the 20 MPG in the city yet getting around 15 MPG.

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  Its Good but......... - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By jrich73 - August 13 - 3:33 am

  I have owned 4 Infinitis before this one. 2007 FX35(loved it), 2012 G37XS(loved it), 2012 FX35 with Deluxe touring (Everyone loved this one) 2013 M37XS (I traded in my 2006 550i manual transmission because my M37XS made it feel slow) and lastly my Hagane Blue Q50 Hybris sport. I was really excite about getting 31 MPGs on the hughway in this car because I drive alot. The closest I have been able to get is 28 MPGs on the highway using cruise control. I use a simple fomula MPG = (miles driven)/(gallons). The car would say one number but it was always high by almost 3 MPGs. If it said 29, I would calculate 26-26.5. Unacceptable. Every car Ive owned I have been able achieve the posted MPGs.

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  Having owned both the Q50 2014 and the 2015... - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By CoffeeBean - July 24 - 8:18 am

  This review is coming from someone who likes to drive aggressively. Two thumbs up. 2 cars ago I had a 2010 VW GTI. Loved it, til I drove it (almost literally) to the ground. It had to have a new engine at 80k mi, so instead, I was then in the market for a new vehicle. Ive always liked smaller cars and their handling and steering, so this was somewhat of a big step to take to go with a "mid-size sports luxury sedan." I had the 2014 Q50 for a year and I really liked it; I upgraded to a 2015 Q50 with a few more options (they took my 2014 as a trade-in). Id never driven an Infiniti before the 2014 Q50, but my friend has/had a Nissan Maxima, another friend had an Infiniti M37, and a friend has an Infiniti EX37. My friends opinions about the reliability of Infiniti kind of persuaded me to try it, and Im glad I did. It is "less connected" to the road, especially with the way I want to drive, but I still enjoy it, but this means a softer, smoother ride--a comfy drive. My friend even commented on the smooth suspension as a passenger (although, he had a BMW 3-series, so thats a pretty big difference). The big 327HP V6 engine is pretty powerful. With a 3 adult passengers and a trunk full of luggage, the Q50 still has no trouble accelerating quickly. The Bose surround sound is pretty nice; very similar to Nissans. You have to play around with the sound settings to get it just the way you like it (took me about a week). Sometimes the bass can be too loud; depends on what kind of music you listen to. Navigation is decent. Back-up camera is good (and the display is big too). Note: There is a big difference between the non-premium version and the premium version of the Q50, the premium version has steer-by-wire, which gives it a much more disconnected feel. You get used to it after a while (of all the loaner cars Ive ever gotten), but they are drastically different. My Q50 does not have steer-by-wire. If money were not an obstacle, I wouldve gotten the Q50S for the sport suspension/tuning.