2002 INFINITI Q45 Review
2002 INFINITI Q45 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Killer stereo system, powerful V8 engine, high-tech rearview camera, blazing headlamps.
Cons
- Looks a little like a Hyundai up front, some bits and pieces in the cabin look and feel cheap, fussy navigation system.
What’s new
Infiniti takes aim at the BMW 5 Series, Lexus GS and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with the all-new Q45 sedan. Unlike the forgettable previous version, the new Q has power and panache, just what it takes to woo the mid-luxury crowd.
Edmunds says
Redesigned from the ground up to compete with the best sedans on earth, the Infiniti Q45 bundles prodigious levels of luxury and performance into a reasonably priced and attractive package.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 INFINITI Q45 4dr Sedan (4.5L 8cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$281/mo for Q45 Base
Q45 Base
vs
$213/mo
Avg. Large Car
Vehicle overview
Infiniti has rebuilt its Q45 flagship sedan to compete with the Lexus GS and LS 430, BMW 5 and 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz E- and S-Class, straddling a fine line between price and performance in an effort to appeal to the widest possible range of buyers.
A muscular 4.5-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 engine makes the new Q move. It pumps out an impressive 340 horsepower (an increase of more than 25 percent over the 2001 model) and 333 pound-feet of torque. Infiniti claims that, mated to a new five-speed automatic transmission, this powerplant rockets the Q45 from 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds. But the all-new engine is only part of the redesign. Infiniti wants you to keep its new flagship on course, so it equipped the Q with four-wheel independent suspension, including a new multilink rear setup intended to improve handling, stability and steering feel. The new Q also has Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Infiniti-speak for stability control system that uses brake pressure and suppression of engine torque to keep the Q in line. In addition, traction control and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard. And just in case all this technology can't help you avoid an accident, dual front airbags and side-impact air curtains are also standard.
Additionally, Infiniti doesn't want its valued customers stopping on the side of busy or deserted roads to deal with a flat, so it included run-flat tires (available only with the 17-inch wheels) that can run 50 miles at 55 mph. An automatic low tire pressure monitoring system notifies drivers of a leak or puncture so they can seek help.
One feature of the new Q that Infiniti emphasizes is the power of its new seven-lens high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights. Other cool Q toys include power heated outside mirrors with turn signal indicators. There's also a 7-inch touchscreen LCD display that allows the driver to control everything from cabin climate to automatic door lock and headlight settings. The screen also supports the Q's DVD-based "Birdview" navigation system and, this is really cool, a rearview monitoring system. Wider and taller than before, the new Q benefits from a stretched wheelbase that's nearly 2 inches longer, yet overall length is the same. These changes have boosted interior cabin space and trunk volume so that passengers, especially those in the rear, have more knee, hip and headroom than before. While the rear passengers are lolling about on the same high-quality leather enjoyed up front, they can use the rear power seat adjustments to get really comfortable and the rear audio controls to make use of the 288-watt 8-speaker Bose audio system.
Real wood trim, a wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel and other luxurious appointments make the Q45 one of the world's premier super luxury sedans. And now that its performance has been boosted, it challenges the competition for top honors.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 INFINITI Q45.
5 star(74%)
4 star(17%)
3 star(7%)
2 star(2%)
1 star(0%)
46 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Mr. Q45 Still Rocks
Rick Sparks, 11/17/2015
2002 INFINITI Q45 4dr Sedan (4.5L 8cyl 5A)
Back in the 90's, my wife & I bought a used '90 Q45, the first year of Infiniti's new sedan competitor to Lexus, BMW, Mercedes and Cadillac. All these years later, we remember that car with great affection - understated yet classy design, beautiful interior w. lots of room (but not too big), and for the owner who loves to drive, great suspension and ride combined with a world-class 4.5 … liter V8 that loved to run. And all with Japanese reliability.
Lately, we've thought a lot about that early Q. When it came time to replace my 150k mi. Mercedes E320, we chose a 79k mi. '02 Q45. The '02 was the first year of the 3rd generation, but everything about the earlier Q45 still applies. Best of all, the final series Q has no real weaknesses as a used-car buy; no air suspension to leak, no Northstar engine to fail, no complex electronics and no current dealers who hate to see an older Q come through the service bay. Our local Infiniti dealer treats my 14-year-old Q as if it were a new Q70.
In searching for our '02, I discovered: 1) there are relatively few 3rd gen Q45s out there - Infiniti just didn't sell many new, and 2) most 3rd gen Q45s have accumulated over 100k miles. That said, I found a relatively low mile (79k) example about 100 mi. away w. great body/paint/interior and accident-free history. Service records are always a plus, but (sadly) not that common; a pre-purchase inspection is always a good idea, as is a search for customer (& BBB) ratings of the dealer you're buying it from.
For the new owner of a used Q, the climate and audio controls on the 2002-2006 series require a bit of reading in the owner's manual, but are actually very logical (if not intuitive) and work fine. The interior design, especially the dash & center console, is both gorgeous and trend-setting; the current Q70 interior design is very similar. Large, supportive seats come complete with lumbar support for the driver & are the most comfortable of any car I've owned in 45 years of driving. That includes a healthy number of BMWs, Jags and Caddys.
The Q45 was designed as a grand tourer in the European tradition - fast, comfortable & stylish transportation that can devour continents. Infiniti succeeded at a price that undercut their competitors by thousands. Although some regard the 3rd gen Q45 as somewhat quirky (headlight design, HVAC interface, transmission in permanent sport mode), the car's comfort, performance and space make it a true driver's car you can live with. You won't win any economy runs with it (20 mpg in mixed driving), and given the slightly numb steering, the Q is not exactly a canyon-carver, but it will get you there in a hurry with comfort & panache to spare. Those Gatling-gun headlights are the bomb, but be sure to follow the owner's manual suggestion to avoid turning the headlights on for very short periods; that apparently will burn out the ballast much faster, which is not cheap to replace (removal of the front bumper is required.)
Maintenance is straightforward - just keep the 5W40 oil changed (synthetic, of course), put on a quality set of tires (I'm running new Pirelli P7s), and basically maintain it w. fresh coolant every 3 years or so, good brake pads and new engine air & cabin air filters once a year. And don't skimp on using recommended premium fuel - that thoroughbred 4.5 liter V8 will be much happier. Keep it clean & enjoy the fact that you own one of the world's great super sedans: the Q45.
UPDATE: Six months in, I'm still happily driving my '02 Q45, albeit after investing some money to bring it up to standard mechanically & cosmetically.
I decided to spend $200 at my local Infiniti dealer to update the transmission software to make the throttle more responsive; they also replaced the electronic accelerator pedal w. a new design. After the upgrade, the throttle response is much better, although the transmission remains prone to stay in a lower gear too long when accelerating at anything other than a leisurely rate; it's as if it's in permanent "sport" mode. I also had the dealer change the transmission fluid/filter ($100) & do a proper 4-wheel alignment ($90). After the alignment, the car tracks/feels much better now going down the road.
I also spent $500 to have the front bumper removed & professionally refinished/painted; the original paint was wearing 80k miles' worth of scrapes & scratches. Other expenses since purchase include new Pirelli P7s, new brake discs/pads front & rear and a new cabin air filter.
UPDATE #2: Our Q45 has accumulated 13,000 miles of daily driver use in a year with zero repair costs & no problems. Average 20.4 MPG in mixed driving; oil consumption averages 1 quart/5k mi., which seems normal from everything I've read about this engine. Fabulous car, great value, glad I bought it.
FINAL UPDATE (April '17): Sold the Q a couple of months ago! Fabulous vehicle, still highly recommended, just too much car for a daily driver. Replaced it w. a 2010 VW Jetta. :)
4.63 out of 5 stars
Updated Q45
shankar, 03/03/2006
2002 INFINITI Q45 4dr Sedan (4.5L 8cyl 5A)
Recently there was an update for this model Q45. Infiniti calls it the ITB-02048 update. And what a difference it made. No more hesitation on takeoff. The first part of the fix replaces the accelerator pedal with one with a bit less lag in the pedal itself. Nice update. Good update. The second part of the update doesn't involve any new parts - it is all ones and zeros, but it's what … makes the big difference. It's gone from Oldsmobile shifting (no offense) to German shifting, and from a stop the car feels so much faster. It reprograms the Engine Control Module. Shifting and acceleration are totally different.
4.38 out of 5 stars
265,000 miles
q45owner, 07/28/2012
2002 INFINITI Q45 4dr Sedan (4.5L 8cyl 5A)
I have owned this car (Sport) since 9-2005 when I bought it from the first owner w/ 40k on it.
It has been very reliable car to own.
It handles well and has great accelertation. At 265k there are no rattles and the car rides very quite.
The V8 does burn oil. But it is the same since I got it. This is a common issue w/ these cars.
5 out of 5 stars
Q2
happy infiniti owner, 12/05/2006
2002 INFINITI Q45 4dr Sedan (4.5L 8cyl 5A)
The absolute best high end automobile I have ever owned (big MB's, Beamers, Cad). A dream to drive. Like all dealers - they milk the system excessively - but the quality of the car makes it worth the BS.
2002 Q45 Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $50,500 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $281/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 60,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Q45 include:
- Alarm
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