2019 INFINITI Q50 Review

It's often easy to forget that sporty luxury sedans aren't limited to European brands. German automakers such as BMW and Audi rightly get credit for popularizing a class of small car that blends high-performance driving with luxury materials and technology. But Japanese and American brands have left their own marks on the class. The 2019 Infiniti Q50 is one such alternative to cars such as the Audi A4 and the BMW 3 Series.

Like its competitors, the Q50 offers turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, premium interior touches, and an array of available technology, but it often comes at a lower price. And with a performance pedigree that reaches back to the mighty, Japan-only Nissan Skyline, the Q50 has power and handling that holds its own in this segment.

For 2019, Infiniti has simplified the Q50's trim levels, offering just one version of the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder (available with either rear- or all-wheel drive). Key accident avoidance technologies come standard on all trims. So you don't have to pay extra for forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking as you do with many rivals.

Where the Q50 falls short, however, is in its interior design and infotainment. The cabin remains a nice enough place, but the overall look of the dash and controls feels dated and plain. The dual-display infotainment, in particular, is nonintuitive. We've also found the cabin to be prone to excessive road noise, something that its rivals do better to minimize.

The Q50 is still a joy to drive, though, especially with a V6 engine that delivers a jolt of pony-car-like thrill when you dig into the pedal. It may not be as polished as the competition, but the Q50 is still a capable and stylish alternative.

The Infiniti Q50 is available in four trim levels: 2.0t Pure, 3.0t Luxe, 3.0t Sport, and Red Sport 400. The numbers equate to each trim's engine.

The Q50 2.0t Pure starts with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (208 horsepower, 258 pound-feet of torque) paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional.

Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, LED foglights, automatic wipers, selectable drive modes, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, keyless ignition and entry, power-adjustable front seats, simulated-leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, the Infiniti InTouch interface (8-inch upper touchscreen, 7-inch lower touchscreen and center console controller), two USB ports, and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player and satellite radio.

Moving up to the 3.0t trim brings a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 (300 hp, 295 lb-ft of torque), also available with all-wheel drive.

The 3.0t Luxe version offers most of the 2.0t Pure features but adds 18-inch wheels, a sunroof, wood trim, and voice commands.

The 3.0t Sport variant increases both performance and luxury with 19-inch wheels, performance tires, adjustable suspension settings, larger brakes, transmission paddle shifters, sportier styling, auto-dimming side mirrors, leather upholstery, aluminum interior accents, heated front sport seats (include manual thigh adjustment and power bolster adjustment), driver-seat memory functions, a heated power-adjustable steering wheel, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, a surround-view camera, rear parking sensors, a navigation system, and a 16-speaker Bose audio system.

Many of the Sport's extra luxury features are optional on the Luxe.

The Red Sport 400 features a more powerful V6 (400 hp, 350 lb-ft of torque), unique 19-inch wheels (slightly wider in the rear), quilted leather upholstery, dark chrome and red stitching interior accents, and blind-spot monitoring. Some of the 3.0t Sport's extra luxury items are also standard, but not all. You have to get the Sensory package to add the power-adjustable steering wheel, auto-dimming side mirrors, driver-seat memory functions and the 16-speaker Bose audio system.

Both 3.0t Sport and Red Sport 400 trims offer the ProActive package, which includes adaptive headlights, automatic high beams, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind-spot warning, full stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, and a full drive-by-wire steering system.