Summary
- The Infiniti Q50 is an underrated compact sedan that offers a balance of performance and luxury at an affordable price, making it a strong competitor in its segment.
- Powered by Nissan's VR30DDTT engine, the Q50 delivers thrilling performance, with the option to upgrade to a more powerful engine in the range-topping Red Sport trim.
- While the Q50's design may not have seen a major redesign since its launch in 2013, its exterior exhibits a subtle aggressiveness and the interior boasts a luxurious feel with premium materials
Infiniti, Nissan's upscale sibling hides its brawly demeanor in plain sight often overshadowed by the more prominent and flashy European counterparts. Make no mistake, Infiniti knows a thing or two about making performance cars, after all, they competed in the world's premier racing series Formula 1. The Infiniti Q50 embodies the automakers' philosophy of balancing performance and luxury in a simple compact sedan body that also manages to undercut numerous competitors in terms of affordability.
At the core of the Q50 sits one of Nissan's masterpiece engines VR30DDTT that is tried and tested in grueling motorsports competitions across the world. With a twin-turbo setup, the Q50 summons its inner sports car spirit to provide dynamic and thrilling performance much like its sportier and track-oriented cousin the Nissan Z. After all, there is much alike between the Infiniti Q50 and the venerable Nissan Z that initially meets the eye. The standing of the Q50 among its competitors is criminally underrated and is precisely why it deserves to be considered as the brand's sole compact sedan offering.
We've looked up data from Infiniti, Nissan, Edmunds, and Fueleconomy.gov in order to put this feature together on the Infiniti Q50
VR Powered Engine: Sports Car Heart For Thrilling Performance
The parent company of Infiniti, Nissan has an illustrious history of developing exciting and powerful engines for their sports cars such as the Skyline GT-R and its Z series sport car siblings. Although most people nowadays rave about the redesigned Nissan 400Z sports car, many have forgotten where the Z gets its powertrain from. The Infiniti Q50's base model is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that produces 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
More thrill-seeking buyers can step up to the range-topping Red Sport trim which bumps the engine output from a modest 300 horsepower to 400 horses and 350 pound-feet of torque. The engine is complemented by a fast-shifting seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control for a seamless blend of spirited driving and comfortable cruise. Buyers have the option of optioning their Q50 with Infiniti's intelligent all-wheel drive system or maintaining the standard rear-drive configuration and saving a few bucks.
Infiniti Q50 Trim & Specification
Trim | Luxu / Sensory | Red Sport |
Engine | 3.0 Liter Twin-Turbo V-6 | 3.0 Liter Twin-Turbo V-6 |
Power | 300 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm | 400 horsepower |
Torque | 295 pound-feet @ 5,200 rpm | 350 pounds-feet |
Transmission | 7-speed automatic transmission | 7 - 7-speed automatic transmission |
Price | $42,650 / $48,350 (Non-AWD) | $56,500 (Non-AWD) |
The VR engine powering the Q50 is essentially a lower displacement version of the engine that powers the Nissan R35 GTR Supercar slayer. The connection between the legendary GTR and the Q50 makes the Infiniti the spiritual replacement for the GTR for buyers who want the practicality that comes with a sedan and the performance of a sports car at an affordable price range.
Design Aesthetics Inside Out
When it comes to design it's best to note the Q50 is still in its first generation mold. The Infiniti Q50 is perhaps one of the oldest sedans on the market that has not received a major redesign since its launch in 2013. This however is unsurprising considering loads of manufacturers have pushed the sedan segment at the back of their lines to focus more on the SUV and crossover market that has seen exponential growth in recent years.
As a result, the Infiniti Q50 remains an outlier when it comes to design. The exterior design of the vehicle has a subtle aggressiveness to it. The short low-slung hood pairs neatly with the curvature of the grille with the upper part of the grille as the starting point of a sharp leading line that connects to the C-pillar. The side profile features a leading line from the front fender through to the rear quarter panel that creates masculine arches. The rear fascia is elegant with a coupe-inspired roof sloop.
The Interior of the Infiniti reminds the driver that the Q50 is not a rebatched Nissan Altima with real leather seats and contrasting stitching, soft-touch plastic panels, aluminum, and real wood trimming inside gives the Q50 a luxurious feel. The leather-wrapped steering wheel gives the driver a clear vision of the instrument cluster and road ahead, a dual-screen infotainment system is equipped with both Android Auto and Apple car play for easy connectivity.
A Wet Dream Of Every Tuner: Modification-Friendly
Some vehicle designs and engine architecture make them idle for tuners to modify and extract added performance from the chassis. The Infiniti Q50 falls within the oversight of auto enthusiasts who love to modify their vehicles either for aesthetics or for performance. Remember the Q50 shares its engine with the new Nissan 400Z sports car, a vehicle that holds significance in the tuning world for the success of the 370 and 350Z that preceded it.
The Q50 twin-turbo heart is massively under tune by Nissan for the sole reason that it's not a sports car. Many owners of the Q50 have successfully pushed the 3.0-liter engine to over 500 horsepower with simple tweaks to the software and minimal component changes.
As already eluded, the VR30DDTT shares some similarities with the engine that powers the supercar killer Nissan GTR, an engine that can push well over 800 horses on stock internal, It is a testament that the Q50 engine has so much potential that many have already explored and other continuously continue to dream off.
Where The Infiniti Q50 Falls Short
Even though the Infiniti Q50 has a lot to offer, it is not immune to many issues that ultimately kick the vehicle to the back of the pack with its competitors. After all the Q50 is in its first generation and has never received a major redesign in its life cycle. Some of the major pitfalls that plague the Q50 include:
- In terms of materials and interior design, the Q50 may not feel as premium or luxurious as some of its competitors.
- The Q50 has been criticized for its aging infotainment system and lack of advanced driver-assistance features compared to newer rivals.
- The Q50 may not hold its value as well as some competitors, potentially leading to higher depreciation costs over time.
- The Q50's trunk space (13.5 cubic-feet) is smaller than that of many competitors, which can be a drawback for those who need more room for cargo.
- Some competitors offer more fuel-efficient options, making the Q50 less appealing to those seeking better gas mileage.
Within the Infiniti lineup, the Q50 stands out as the sole sedan offering that skillfully strikes a harmonious balance between sporty performance and luxurious comfort. In an automotive landscape increasingly characterized by complex features and flashy designs, the Q50 maintains a refreshingly straightforward and timeless sensibility, a trait that many of its rivals seem to have departed from.