2017 INFINITI Q50 Review

The 2017 Infiniti Q50 with the 3.0t engine delivers strong performance and comes with more luxurious features. Its price is reasonable, too. Choosing between the Premium or Sport trim will depend on your driving style, but many of the Sport's features can be added as options. If nothing else, going...

The 2014 Q50 we tested was a very pleasant and intuitive car with a willing and capable powertrain. It exhibited good manners in typical driving circumstances and a natural demeanor. We expect similar qualities for the 2017 Q50.

The older 328-horsepower V6 we tested back in 2014 provided strong acceleration, and the seven-speed automatic shifts were quick and the cabin remained quiet. We considered it a standout powertrain in its class. Both of the 2017's available turbo V6 engines are similarly powerful.

The brakes have a good feel and are easy to modulate, delivering consistent distances at the track. Panic-stopping distances are about average for summer-tire-equipped cars in this class.

The steering feels quick and precise and builds effort well, though it's a bit light for our tastes. Q50s with the adaptive steering option are less impressive.

The Q50 Sport's summer tires and firmer suspension tuning help turn the Q50 into a formidable sport sedan. It's sharp and capable and inspires confidence with high levels of grip and composure.

The 2014 Q50 we tested was a very pleasant and intuitive car with a willing and capable powertrain. It exhibited good manners in typical driving circumstances and a natural demeanor. We expect similar qualities for the 2017 Q50.

This older Sport variant rode better and was equipped with better seats than other trims. It was comfortable and generally quiet, though road noise was still noticeable.

The seats in the Q50 Sport were more comfortable and more supportive than the base seats thanks to more prominent, but not obtrusive, side bolstering.

The ride in the older Q50 (before the suspension changes in 2016) was more compliant than in the base Q50 equipped with run-flat tires. The ride was calmer, absorbing pavement imperfections more adeptly. We characterize it as firm yet compliant.

There was good isolation from wind noise, but road noise was still noticeable. Engine noise was better muted than in previous G37 iterations.

The Q50's cabin makes use of admirable materials and sturdy construction, but the design hasn't changed much from the G37 in over eight years. Conventional controls fall easily to hand, but the touchscreen has some drawbacks. Still, it remains a pleasant and spacious place in which to spend time.

Most systems are controlled via the split touchscreens, which can sometimes be confusing. Input reactions are quick and menus are intuitive, but the displays are often obscured by glare and fingerprints.

The Q50's low step-in height and wide seats facilitate easy entrances and exits. As an added bonus, the doors swing open with surprising ease.

The airy cabin and the contoured dashboard provide a usefully large space. Six-footers can occupy the backseat with headroom to spare.

The forward view is expansive through the windshield, but the higher beltline and relatively high rear decklid reduce the view over your shoulder and out the rear window. The optional surround-view monitor eliminates any guesswork in tight spaces.

Even though it's showing its age, the Q50 maintains high standards for materials and craftsmanship. Compared to newer luxury sport sedans, the Infiniti looks and feels about average for the class.

The Q50's cargo capacity is decent for the class, but interior storage for your personal items is somewhat lacking by contemporary standards.

Interior pockets, bins and cupholders are adequately sized to stow your personal effects, but they're not as generous as those of a few rivals.

Cargo volume is ample at 13.5 cubic feet, and the wide opening makes for easier loading. It's important to point out that the option to add a conventional spare tire reduces cargo volume somewhat.

It takes a little time to get used to the dual touchscreens, but most users will find the menus intuitive. Reactions to inputs are quick, and the Infiniti InTouch system updates have kept it relevant.