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Overall Rating
The base trims get a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine while the performance-oriented Red Sport 400 trim gets a more powerful V-6 engine producing 400-hp and a 3.5-liter V-6 is standard on the Hybrid.
For 2018, the Q50 gets an improved steering sensitivity, some new design cues on the outside, and the addition of some new features on the inside coupled with an improved overall driving experience and refinement. The trims have been renamed and divided into Pure, Luxe, Sport, and Red Sport 400. The exterior design now gets upgraded front and rear styling along with new tail light. The interior is upgraded as well with a new steering wheel, shift knob, and leather stitching.
The Luxe available with all three powertrains and optional packages adds many features providing more flexibility. The 300-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine delivers a strong performance in the Luxe trim. If you feel 300-horses are not enough the Red Sport with a stronger V-6 that delivers 400-horsepower should be your answer but it does come at a price.
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The base trims get a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine while the performance-oriented Red Sport 400 trim gets a more powerful V-6 engine producing 400-hp and a 3.5-liter V-6 is standard on the Hybrid.
For 2018, the Q50 gets an improved steering sensitivity, some new design cues on the outside, and the addition of some new features on the inside coupled with an improved overall driving experience and refinement. The trims have been renamed and divided into Pure, Luxe, Sport, and Red Sport 400. The exterior design now gets upgraded front and rear styling along with new tail light. The interior is upgraded as well with a new steering wheel, shift knob, and leather stitching.
The 2018 Infiniti Q50's trims are divided into Luxe, Pure, and Sport while the sub-trims include 2.0t, 3.0t, Red Sport 400, and Hybrid. Every trim is not available with every engine option, the Q50 Pure is only available with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4. While you get to choose between the engines in the Luxe as it is available with all the three-engine options, a 2.0-liter turbocharged, 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 or the V-6 powered hybrid.
The sports trims get a standard V-6 engine while the Red Sport 400 adds a more powerful 400-horsepower V-6. All the trims get rear-wheel drive however you can upgrade to all-wheel drive for $2,000. Infiniti has priced the base model with AWD at $36,200 while the top trim Hybrid Luxe is priced at $52,600 (AWD).
Trims |
2.0t Pure |
2.0t Luxe |
3.0t Luxe |
3.0t Sport |
Red Sport 400 |
Hybrid Luxe |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP(RWD) |
$34,200 |
$36,550 |
$38,950 |
$40,650 |
$51,000 |
$50,600 |
MSRP(AWD) |
$36,200 |
$38,550 |
$40,950 |
$42,650 |
$53,000 |
$52,600 |
Features |
17-inch alloy wheels with all-season performance run-flat tires. |
2.0t Pure+ |
2.0t Luxe+ |
19-inch Sport-design aluminum-alloy wheels |
3.0t Sport+ |
3.0t Luxe+ |
Rain-sensing wipers. |
Electronic Power Steering. |
Summer performance run-flat tires. |
19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels |
19-inch Sport-design aluminum-alloy wheels with summer performance run-flat tires. |
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8-way Power Driver and Front Passenger Seats. |
A power sliding tinted Glass Moonroof. |
Kacchu Aluminum interior trim. |
Semi-aniline quilted leather sports seats with red contrast stitching |
Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range). |
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Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control. |
Leather-appointed sports seats with manual thigh extension. |
Dark metallic, dynamic tactile steering wheel-mounted paddle. shifters. |
16-Speaker Performance Series Audio. |
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INFINITI Intelligent Key. |
18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. |
Driver's seat power lumbar and power side bolsters. |
Unique Dark Chrome interior accents. |
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RearView Monitor. |
Maple wood interior trim. |
Black headliner and pillars. |
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INFINITI InTouch dual displays. |
HomeLink Universal Transceiver. |
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Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System. |
Chrome front fascia finishers. |
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The Luxe available with all three powertrains and optional packages adds many features providing more flexibility. The 300-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine delivers a strong performance in the Luxe trim. If you feel 300-horses are not enough the Red Sport with a stronger V-6 that delivers 400-horsepower should be your answer but it does come at a price.
Power comes effortlessly on both the 300-horsepower V-6 and the 400-horsepower V-6 engine in the Red Sport 400. Both the engines are much zestier with great acceleration. Turbo lag is minimum with impressive driving dynamics. The sound from the engine is remarkable with a resonant V-6 exhaust note. Meanwhile, the Hybrid Q50 is the most fuel-efficient on the roster and is powerful too. It is also mated to a V-6 engine and an electric motor that together produce 360-horsepower.
The Red Sport 400 is equipped with a much powerful V-6 that churns out 400-hp and 350-pound-feet of torque, it is one of the best in the class when it comes to performance. There is a 7-speed automatic transmission on each engine with no manual option. Rear-wheel drive comes standard on both the engine and you get all-wheel drive as an option. The Q50 gets an updated suspension and improved steering which feels light and quick to respond. Handling is agile and there is not much body roll while cornering.
Models |
Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t Pure |
BMW 320i |
Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic |
Mercedes C300 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$34,200 |
$34,900 |
$34,100 |
$41,245 |
Engine |
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine |
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine |
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine |
2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine |
Drivetrain |
RWD |
RWD |
FWD |
AWD |
Transmission |
7-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
8-speed automatic |
9-speed automatic |
Power |
208 hp @ 5500 rpm |
180 hp @ 5000 rpm |
240 hp @ 5600 rpm |
241 hp @ 5550 rpm |
Torque |
258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
200 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm |
258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm |
273 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm |
0-60 MPH |
5.7 sec |
7.1 sec |
6.5 sec |
6.5 sec |
Quarter mile |
15.9 sec @ 89.3 mph |
15.2 sec @ 90.1 mph |
15.1 sec@ 88 mph |
14.9 sec @ 93.4 mph |
60-0 MPH (ft.) |
109 |
116 |
120 |
118 |
The 2018 Infiniti Q50 is the quickest of the lot in completing the 0-60 sprint at only 5.7 seconds, which is the best in the class. The closest rival Volvo S60 and the Mercedes C300 take good 6.5 seconds in going from 0-60. However, there is a catch, the Q50 impresses with early acceleration but it fails to hold its ground when it comes to covering a quarter-mile. From being the fastest it drops to be the slowest by taking 15.9 seconds for a quarter-mile. Brakes feel strong and easy to modulate with a braking distance of 109-feet which is best in the segment.
Well, you can't have everything, and the Q50 drops quite low in terms of fuel efficiency in the class. The base engine earns an EPA rating of 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. Things become worse from poor as the V-6 engine is rated at 20 mpg and 29 mpg on the highway. The Red Sport with 400 horsepower gets you 20/26 mpg. However, all is not lost with the Infiniti Q50 as the Hybrid comes as a savior. It is rated at 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. Not to mention these ratings are still only slightly better than the most non-hybrid cars in the class.
Model |
Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t Pure |
BMW 320i |
Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic |
Mercedes C300 |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
23 |
24 |
25 |
24 |
MPG (highway) |
30 |
35 |
39 |
33 |
MPG (combined) |
25 |
28 |
29 |
27 |
Fuel Capacity (gallons) |
20.0 |
15.8 |
15 |
17.4 |
Range (City/Highway/Combined) |
460/600/500 |
379/553/442 |
375/585/435 |
417/574/469 |
The Infiniti in comparison has the biggest fuel tank of 20 gallons and the highest overall range of 500miles, followed by the Mercedes C300 with its 17.4-gallon tank and 469 miles of combined range. The BMW 320i is in third place with a fuel capacity of 15.8 gallons and a combined range of 442miles. The Volvo S60 comes in at last with a 15-gallon tank and a combined range of 435 miles.
Infiniti has stuck to its design which is almost a decade old now, however superior material has been used in the cabin of 2018 Q50. It feels robust from the inside and all the controls are within reach. The interior of the Infiniti Q50 as compared to the newer luxury sports sedans feels average.
The 2018 Infiniti Q50 is very quiet even at highway speed. Getting in and out of the car is easy. Infiniti's seats are extremely comfy and offer plenty of support to the drivers. Cushioning on the seats is soft and firm at the same time to keep you in control while aggressive driving. Seats come standard with leatherette upholstery and power-adjustable front seats.
Model |
Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t Pure |
BMW 320i |
Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic |
Mercedes C300 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
40.2/56.7/44.5 |
40.3/55.1/42 |
38.6/57/41.9 |
40.9/55.3/41.7 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.5/56.1/35.1 |
37.7/55.1/35.1 |
37.6/55.2/33.5 |
37.1/55/35.2 |
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) |
13.2 |
13.0 |
12.0 |
12.6 |
The base model of the Q50 offers 13.2 cubic feet of trunk space while the model equipped with a V-6 engine comes with 13.5 cubic feet of space. The Q50 has the best cargo space in the class with a split-folding rear seat, so that you can easily carry larger items.
The hybrid model, however, cuts down the trunk space to 9.4 cubic feet. Compared to its rivals the Infiniti has the best cargo capacity as well as the best interior space for its occupants. Standard and Optional interior features include:
The dual touch screen makes things a bit complicated inside the cabin of the 2018 Infiniti Q50, although it is quick to respond and easy to navigate. Both the screens perform different functions, the upper 8-inch touchscreen unit is the viewer for the rearview camera and navigation system while the lower 7-inch touchscreen unit displays audio, climate, and other systems.
An uncommon feature that the car boasts is that its upgraded climate control system includes an air purifier which is not found in most luxury cars. Standard feature includes:
Visual differences within the trims are quite prominent. The Pure and the Luxe trim gets a 17 or 18-inch alloy wheel, a smaller fog light, and a body-color exhaust while the Sport and the Red Sport 400 comes with a dark chrome, larger wheel size, and fog light.
It also distinguishes itself further with a black lower-bumper section and a distinct body-color diffuser. Looking at the sides the story remains almost the same with no noticeable changes. Only the windows have now been finished with gloss black matching the side view mirrors. From the back, the taillight has been updated to give a more modern look.
Model |
Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t Pure |
BMW 320i |
Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic |
Mercedes C300 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb weight(lbs) |
3671 |
3295 |
3619 |
3417 |
Length(in) |
189.6 |
182.5 |
182.5 |
184.5 |
Width(in) |
71.8 |
71.3 |
73.4 |
71.3 |
Height(in) |
57.2 |
56.3 |
58.4 |
56.8 |
Ground clearance(in) |
5.0 |
6.0 |
5.4 |
4.8 |
Wheelbase(in) |
112.2 |
110.6 |
109.3 |
111.8 |
The Infiniti has the longest wheelbase of 112.2” resulting in the best second-row space, followed by the Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan. The Volvo S60 has the shortest wheelbase among the competition on the list.
Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has fully tested the Infiniti Q50. However, it gets a five-star rollover rating by the NHTSA and a "Good" overall score in the crashworthiness by the IIHS. We will update the safety rating once the tests are concluded by the agency. The new Infiniti Q50 boasts an impressive list of safety features to keep the occupant safe.
You get adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. It comes with a Predictive Forward Collision Warning, which detects any change in the speed of the vehicle two cars in front of you and intimating you that the driver ahead may be about to put brakes. Apart from these some of the standard safety features are mentioned below:
The BMW 3 Series is far more athletic than the Q50. It is one of the sportiest luxury sedans in the market. BMW offers several engine options, while the zesty M3 churns out more horsepower than the Q50 Red Sport 400. It also offers better fuel economy and handling is buttery smooth. Interior gets a plethora of tech features with comfortable seating for adults making it a better choice than the Q50. BMW does come at a price but that is justifiable.
Let’s talk about Mercedes-Benz C-Class because comparing the two will be like adding insult to injury for the Q50. The Infiniti, however, scores a point in terms of pricing as Benz is one of the most expensive in the lot. Apart from pricing, there is no reason to choose Infiniti. The C-class showcases a well-designed cabin, comfortable seats, and a surfeit of features. It is also available as convertible and on-road performance is outstanding with better fuel economy.
There is not much difference in the pricing between the two cars however passengers will feel more comfortable in the back seat of the Infiniti as it offers better legroom. The Volvo although scores better when it comes to fuel efficiency. Overall, you will be happy in an Infiniti as it delivers exciting performance and more available features than the Volvo S60.
There are some things that the Q50 is good at and there are some which it is not. A powerful engine, decent trunk space along active safety features are some of its impressive features. It is however not a class leader in any area along with some notable shortcomings, like fuel efficiency. It is well equipped and relatively cheaper than other luxury cars in the segment but doesn't match up to Germany's finest yet. With so many better options available in the market it is hard for us to recommend the Infiniti Q50 to the buyers.