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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  Infinity Q50 - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By candles1 - May 8 - 7:41 pm

  I love my new infinity! The Q50, is smooth and is slightly larger than the g35 sport? I highly recommend this car!

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  Surprised how much I like it. - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By Mark D - March 7 - 11:37 pm

  My wifes Lexus IS250AWD just came to end of lease and in shopping around we stumbled almost by accident into the Infiniti dealer. After talking about the different models we test drove the Q50 and QX50. Very surprised by the Q50 3.7L. I wasnt expecting such a throaty warble from the engine, tight, direct steering and well equipped interior for the price. We have had it only about a month but, very nice.

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  Beware of intrusive and unpredictable systems!! - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By T - March 4 - 11:45 am

  Loved the vehicle when I purchased it brand new and loaded with every option. Sporadic, intrusive, and dangerous behavior by the "smart" safety systems and Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) has made me afraid to drive the vehicle. I wont put my family in it. The dealership and Infiniti blame all trouble on a EZ Pass transponder being placed too much in front of the camera on the windshield. Research thoroughly before purchasing this vehicle. Im not the only one with problems.

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  Beware of intrusive and unpredictable systems!! - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By T - March 4 - 11:45 am

  Loved the vehicle when I purchased it brand new and loaded with every option. Sporadic, intrusive, and dangerous behavior by the "smart" safety systems and Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) has made me afraid to drive the vehicle. I wont put my family in it. The dealership and Infiniti blame all trouble on a EZ Pass transponder being placed too much in front of the camera on the windshield. Research thoroughly before purchasing this vehicle. Im not the only one with problems.

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  Discomfort Drivers Seat - 2017 Infiniti Q50
  By Joe - February 8 - 3:50 am

  If you are 60" or over the driver seating is very un-comfortable..Drivers who are 60" and over test drive before you buy..

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  Excellent New Model - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By banman10 - January 5 - 7:42 am

  This is my second Infiniti. I Previously owned the initial model year 2003 Infiniti G35. 12 years old, 225,000+ miles and ran like new. The new Q50 is a spectacular car. The fit and finish of the vehicle is on par with a BMW, Lexus, etc. The attention to detail is evident throughout. The navigation system and iPad like internal systems (music, navigation, concierge, etc.) touchscreen adds significantly to the driver experience. Alternative driving modes including Sport mode afford the driver incredible engine and drivetrain responsiveness. When combined with the drive by wire handling, which has to be experienced to be appreciated, it provides a great overall driver experience.

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  Unpredictable - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By personalfeel - December 20 - 6:24 pm

  I traded in my 2013 Accord 4 cyl with the q50 hybrid. I regret for my decision. The acceleration is uneven especially at lower speed and in the city. The transition from hybrid to gasoline is abrupt and feel embarrassed because even the passengers can feel it and questioned if theres anything wrong with the car. The acceleration is unpredictable at lower speed and there were many times, I felt the car lunge forward when I only step on the pedal just a little and other times, I had to step on it hard before it will take off. After driving for 5000 miles, I felt the car a lot heavier than the accord and the handling is not that much better which I expected more from a RWD.

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  My last Infiniti - 2014 Infiniti Q50
  By David - September 21 - 5:37 pm

  Good looking car, strong engine for the most part, comfortable interior on road trips, but overall a disappointment. Definitely buyers remorse. The inTouch electronics are buggy, slow, or just plain dont work. Dealer has been really nice, but they cant change the poor quality and design of the manufacturers electronics. I have a complaint logged with Infiniti Consumer Affairs, and they were also really nice, but unwilling to do anything about the problems Ive had. Ive had the car about a year and a half, and its been in the shop cumulatively for almost a month. And after today, when several functions of the car electronics disappeared, I now have to schedule it into the shop again. I have never had problems like this with any car Ive ever owned. My second Infiniti, but it will be my last.

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  Great car - 2016 Infiniti Q50
  By Alexandre Boudnik - June 28 - 1:29 am

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  Direct Adaptive Steering performs poorly - 2015 Infiniti Q50
  By PsyMed - June 23 - 2:45 am

  Edmunds full expert review has nothing good to say about the Direct Adaptive Steering option, and now I know why. My new, fully loaded Q50 Premium hash Direct Adaptive Steering and run-flat tires. After driving it over 1000 miles on mostly highways, Im deeply troubled by the rather abysmal performance, road handling, and maybe even the real-world safety of this steer-by-wire system. (As of this writing, I do not know the extent to which the rather miserable run-flat tires may be contributing to this poor performance, but I suspect it may be quite significant. I will have more to say about these tires shortly.) For those who may not be familiar with Infinitis Direct Adaptive Steering ("steer-by-wire"), there isnt a conventional mechanically coupled linkage between the steering wheel and the front end. Rather, the system relies on an electronic interface between the steering wheel and the front end. Thus, unlike conventional steering, there is no instantaneous telegraphing and biomechanical feedback of the sensations that a driver normally feels between ones hands on the steering wheel and the road, particularly lacking the natural progressive resistance that one would normally feel as the steering wheel is turned ever more to the left or to the right. The lack of this natural sensation between the drivers hands and the road would be totally unnerving and disorienting. So, Infiniti has attempted to simulate this sensation by driver selectable settings found within the Infiniti Drive Mode Selector app, found by scrolling through the apps on the touch pad. After tapping the DMS app, one first selects Steering, after which one has four steering modes between "Effort" and "Response" to choose from, including (1) Light/Casual, (2) Standard/Standard, (3) Standard/Quick, and (4) Heavy/Quick. Basically, the settings determine the degree of resistance one feels when turning the steering wheel. With DAS, the vehicle has an unnerving habit of wandering, floating, and swerving or yawing from side-to-side, requiring nearly constant steering corrections. Unlike conventional steering, when one is negotiating a curve on a highway with DAS, you cant simply turn the wheel in and hold it there as you progress through the curve. If you attempt to do so you will quickly find that a few seconds after you turn the wheel slightly, the vehicle will stop going in the direction of the turn and will begin to go straight, so you have to keep turning the wheel back in the direction of the curve. This in turn results in the vehicle wandering from side to side. But wait, theres more. With DAS, the vehicle tends to fall into and follow, for example, any uneven seams or other such things in the road surface. In addition, when one is passing, or being passed by trucks (and even other cars) the wind drafts will blow the car to the side and require diligence with the steering wheel because one must anticipate and compensate for this. I cringe to think how it might perform when driving on the freeway with strong gusting winds and slippery road conditions. On the bright side, my experience thus far has been that DAS performs decidedly better when driving around town as well as on country roads. Quite frankly, I am utterly baffled as to how this steer-by-wire system ever made it into production. What in the world were they thinking? It remains to be seen whether or not there will eventually be a Technical Service Bulletin about this glaring problem, and if so, whether or not a firmware update will even be possible in order to fix the problem. While driving on highways with the Driver Assist is on, the vehicle will wander/bounce back and forth within its lane if you let it, rather like a bobsled. In fact, unless youre very diligent about keeping the vehicle on track, the degree of wandering from side to side has me worried that I might get pulled over by the police for driving is if I am intoxicated! My experience thus far has been that the vehicle wanders the least in the Heavy/Quick setting. As previously mentioned, I remain very suspicious that the run-flat tires may be part of the problem, and I would be very curious to see how it performs when I eventually replace them with a set of Michelin Primacy tires. The Internet reveals that the majority of consumers dont like run-flats because they impart a rough ride; they cost a third more than conventional tires; and they wear very quickly. I find it to be absolutely infuriating that the automotive industry is increasingly cramming these tires down our throats. Indeed, I have read reports that BMW for example may void the warranty if these tires are replaced with conventionals. Fortunately, with the 2015 Q50, these tires can be replaced with conventional ones without voiding the warranty. In addition, the vehicle has a spare tire that can be replaced with a conventional one.