2020 INFINITI Q50 RED SPORT 400
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2020 Infiniti Q50 Review
- Turbocharged V6 engines pack plenty of power
- Comfortable front and rear seats
- Interior design looks dated and plain
- Operation of advanced driving aids lacks refinement
- Convoluted infotainment system operation
- Most rivals do it better for a similar price
- Base 2.0T Pure trim has been replaced by the 3.0T Pure
- Revised infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- New Edition 30 trim
- Part of the first Q50 generation introduced for 2014
Infiniti has been using its Q-based alphanumeric naming convention for a few years now, but it can still be hard to keep track of what's what. The Infiniti Q50 is the brand's entry-level luxury sport sedan, which debuted back in 2014 as a replacement for the Infiniti G sedans. Considering its age and lineage, this 2020 model is far from being the freshest or most exciting model in the class.
But that doesn't mean there's nothing to like here. The Q50 offers many of the latest high-tech features and driving assistants as well as better-than-average performance at a reasonable price. For 2020, in particular, Infiniti has dropped the previous entry-level four-cylinder engine and replaced it with a 300-horsepower V6. There's also a new infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.
The lack of smartphone integration was a pretty serious drawback last year, so it's fair to say the Q50 is a better pick than it's been in the past. We also like the sporty performance provided by the V6, which you can ramp up to 400 hp in the Red Sport 400 trim level. Overall, the Q50 could be worth a look, especially if the price is right. But know that rival sedans such as the BMW 3 Series, Genesis G70 and Volvo S60 are newer and more desirable overall.
Our verdict | |
The Infiniti Q50 has a curious and often confusing mix of design. On the performance side, the engine is powerful, but the lifeless steering and middling tires quash any sporting intentions. Inside, you'll find comfortable seats, but the clumsy and cluttered two-screen infotainment system will exasperate even the most tech-savvy users. Other sedans are simply more cohesive and refined for similar money. | |
How does the Q50 drive? | |
There's still some life left in the Q50, and that's mostly thanks to its standard turbocharged V6 engine. It revs smoothly and makes ample power. The Q50 is quicker than the average small luxury sedan too. In our testing it needed only 5.4 seconds to get to 60 mph. Merging into traffic is a breeze. The Q50's brake pedal makes it easy to stop smoothly in typical driving, though actual braking performance isn't as good. Our test car needed 123 feet to stop from 60 mph in our emergency-stop test. Most competitors stop about 10 feet shorter. Handling capability and steering feel are disappointing. The Q50's fully electric system bypasses the usual mechanical connection to the front wheels and all but eliminates feedback and accuracy. There might be a proper sport sedan hiding in here somewhere, but the Q50's meddling electronic systems make it hard to drive this car smoothly or enjoyably. | |
How comfortable is the Q50? | |
The front seats are comfortable even on long drives. Rear passengers will be pretty comfortable. But the Q50's ride comfort, or lack thereof, takes its toll. The Q50 feels almost constantly busy on anything but a perfectly smooth road. Driving over even moderately sized imperfections is noticeably jarring. Interior noise is dominated by road noise from other vehicles, especially at highway speeds. Thin windows and minimal door insulation are the likely culprits. Thankfully, the engine omits a pleasant, quiet whir, even under full throttle. The climate control system works pretty well for keeping a set temperature, but the controls aren't logically arranged. | |
How’s the interior? | |
Front passengers won't have any issues getting in or out of the Q50, and the driver's seat and steering wheel have plenty of adjustment so you can find a comfortable position. Taller rear passengers will need to mind their heads and feet when getting in. Visibility out of the front and sides is better than average thanks to the Q50's slim roof pillars, but the short rear window and high trunklid compromise the view to the rear. The big demerit here is the Q50's control layout. The dual-screen layout is just odd and makes finding and operating controls a lot harder than it should be. Infiniti needs a do-over. | |
How’s the tech? | |
Without a doubt, this is the most disappointing part of the Q50 experience. The dual-screen infotainment system is a patchwork of mismatched fonts, resolutions and menus that will confound most buyers used to well-integrated technology. We experienced many navigation glitches and hours of frustration attempting to memorize the menu architecture. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration is standard but doesn't eliminate the exasperation of simply using the Q50. We found some of the Q50's driver aids to be overly sensitive to the point where we turned them off. Adaptive cruise did work well, but Infiniti's Active Trace Control, which uses predictive technology to aid in performance driving, is clumsy and not really effective. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The generous trunk opening is nice to have, but the fairly prominent wheelwells intrude into the cargo area. Trunk hinges are mounted on the outside of the cargo area, allowing you to load the Q50 to capacity without risk of damaging items when you close the lid. The rear seats fold down, but the resulting opening into the cabin is small and not very useful. Inside, the cupholders will need to do most of the daily heavy lifting since there's no convenient place to store something the size of a smartphone. There is a flip-up door in front of the shift lever, but it's better suited for access cards or smaller items like a pack of chewing gum. The center console storage is compromised by USB and power ports. | |
How economical is the Q50? | |
We tested the all-wheel-drive Q50 (non-Red Sport), which has EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg (19 city/27 highway). V6-powered competitors post similar figures. Pleasingly, our test car easily met those estimates, and on our 115-mile evaluation route, our Q50 returned an impressive 25 mpg. The Q50's fuel tank is pretty big too. | |
Is the Q50 a good value? | |
The Q50 comes with a lot of style and a decent amount of power, but it falls a bit short in terms of premium content. At first glance, the interior seems to be well equipped for the modern driver, but upon closer inspection, it trails many competitors in technology and trimmings. Fit and finish is up to the mark, but the many materials and styles run counter to a more appealing simple design scheme. The busy approach detracts from the car's luxurious feel. | |
Wildcard | |
Infiniti purports that the Q50 offers both thrills and luxury, but even with its turbocharged V6 engine and reconstructed leather seats, the Q50 falls short of offering a true luxurious or sporting experience. Deep beneath the piles of modern technology lies the bones and the feel of the old, and much-appreciated, G37 sedan. But time and lack of real development and fine-tuning have saddled a solid chassis with a disappointing numbness. | |
Which Q50 does Edmunds recommend?
The base 3.0t Pure trim may be a bit too spartan for the typical luxury sedan buyer, so we suggest stepping up to the 3.0t Luxe model. It doesn't come with a lot of standard features. But it is eligible for the Essential and ProAssist packages that add navigation, heated front seats, 60/40-split folding rear seats, and many advanced safety features.
INFINITI Q50 models
The 2020 Infiniti Q50 is available in five trim levels: 3.0t Pure, 3.0t Luxe, Edition 30, 3.0t Sport and Red Sport 400. Most models feature a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (300 hp, 295 lb-ft of torque), but the Red Sport 400 increases output to 400 hp and 350 lb-ft. A seven-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. All-wheel drive is offered on all trims.
Save as much as $7,282 with Edmunds
2020 INFINITI Q50 RED SPORT 400 pricing
in Ashburn, VA
RED SPORT 400
3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A
Edmunds Suggested Price$51,968
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Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2020 INFINITI Q50.
Trending topics in reviews
- interior
- appearance
- engine
- acceleration
- value
Most helpful consumer reviews
5/5 stars, Luxury Sport sedan...Red Sport @ 400HP sleeper
Denny O,
RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A)
Have a 2020 Red Sport AWD in Majestic White. Very beautiful styling and interior. Lots of functional gadgets and comes fully loaded in the base model. Engine is a dream, almost scary acceleration in sport plus mode. Only negative are the bad reviews of the OEM Dunlop run flats.
5/5 stars, Bad to the bone
Lester McLean,
RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A)
With 400 horses under the hood and nice looking lines you can’t beat for the price. Yes BMW and Mercedes and others offered more but with price tag $20,000 higher.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Q50 safety features:
- Backup Collision Intervention
- Automatically hits the brakes if an object enters your path or if an oncoming car is detected when the vehicle is backing up.
- Around View Monitor
- Takes the guesswork out of maneuvering in tight spaces by giving you a view of the car from above.
- Forward Emergency Braking
- Warns if traffic ahead is slowing, even two cars ahead, and will apply the brakes if you don't act in time.
Infiniti Q50 vs. the competition
2020 Infiniti Q50
2019 Audi A4
Infiniti Q50 vs. Audi A4
Like the Q50, the A4 is one of the older sedans on the market (it was last redesigned for the 2017 model year). But the A4's advantages in design, interior layout and technology features are greater than you might expect. It's the one to get if you enjoy a premium-looking cabin. Go with the Q50 for quicker performance at a lower price.
Infiniti Q50 vs. Volvo S60
The Volvo S60 is a wonderful alternative to the dominant German sedans. Its unique Scandinavian design is refreshing, and overall performance is more exciting than you might equate with Volvo. It's also very comfortable and has a lot of available advanced safety features and driver assistants.
Infiniti Q50 vs. Genesis G70
The Genesis G70 wowed us with its surprisingly sporty performance, making it one of the most fun-to-drive sedans in its class. It further benefits from evocative styling, a lot of features for the money, and a very generous warranty. In many ways, the G70 has the Q50 beat.
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FAQ
Is the INFINITI Q50 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2020 Q50 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.4 out of 10. You probably care about INFINITI Q50 fuel economy, so it's important to know that the Q50 gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Q50 has 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a INFINITI Q50. Learn more
What's new in the 2020 INFINITI Q50?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2020 INFINITI Q50:
- Base 2.0T Pure trim has been replaced by the 3.0T Pure
- Revised infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- New Edition 30 trim
- Part of the first Q50 generation introduced for 2014
Is the INFINITI Q50 reliable?
To determine whether the INFINITI Q50 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Q50. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Q50's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2020 INFINITI Q50 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2020 INFINITI Q50 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2020 Q50 and gave it a 6.4 out of 10. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2020 Q50 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2020 INFINITI Q50?
The least-expensive 2020 INFINITI Q50 is the 2020 INFINITI Q50 RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $54,250.
Other versions include:
- RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A) which starts at $56,250
- RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A) which starts at $54,250
What are the different models of INFINITI Q50?
If you're interested in the INFINITI Q50, the next question is, which Q50 model is right for you? Q50 variants include RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A), and RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A). For a full list of Q50 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more