2021 INFINITI Q50 Review

Name: 2021 INFINITI Q50 Review
Brand: INFINITI
Price: 22955 USD

+400

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.

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INFINITI Q50 model years

INFINITI Q50 for Sale

INFINITI Q50 types

Sedan
RED SPORT 400

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2021 Infiniti Q50 Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Turbocharged V6 engine packs plenty of power
Comfortable front and rear seats

Cons

Interior design looks dated and plain
Some advanced driving aids are overly sensitive
Difficult-to-operate infotainment system
Most rivals do it better for a similar price

What's new

Midlevel Q50 Luxe adds several standard safety features
Part of the first Q50 generation introduced for 2014

Overview

Certain things can get better with age, but the 2021 Infiniti Q50 doesn't happen to be one of them. The last time this luxury sport sedan received a full redesign was 2014. Compared to newer luxury sedans in its class, the Q50 looks and feels out-of-date in almost every way.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 INFINITI Q50 PURE 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A) 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

$224/mo

$176/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

To its credit, the Q50 is a stout performer, with a standard 300-horsepower V6 engine and an available 400-hp upgrade in the top Red Sport 400 trim. But even so, the Q50 isn't as enjoyable to drive as the Acura TLX, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and CLA-Class, and Volvo S60. You'll be better off with one of those models, or at least waiting for a Q50 redesign.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Below Average

6.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

8.0/10

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 also is quicker than the average small luxury sedan. 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.

Comfort

6.5/10

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.

Interior

6.5/10

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.

Technology

4.5/10

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.

Storage

6.0/10

How’s the storage? The generous trunk opening is nice to have, but the fairly prominent wheelwells intrude into the cargo area. The 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.

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? 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.

Value

7.0/10

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

6.0/10

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 lie 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 Q50 in Luxe trim gets our recommendation since it adds a handful of convenience features that make it feel marginally more special than the base Pure trim. In particular, it's worth stepping up to this model for the included adaptive cruise control.

2021 INFINITI Q50 models

The 2021 Infiniti Q50 is available in four trim levels: Pure, Luxe, Sensory and Red Sport 400. Most feature a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (300 hp, 295 lb-ft of torque), while 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 throughout the lineup.

Besides the typical features expected of most luxury sport sedans, the Q50 Pure trim comes with:

Heated mirrors
Keyless entry and ignition
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Simulated leather upholstery
Six-speaker audio system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
Two infotainment touchscreens
Wi-Fi hotspot
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

Stepping up to the Luxe adds some convenience items that include:

Sunroof
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Navigation system
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Q50 and the car in front)

The Sensory trim ups the performance and luxury quotient with:

High-performance summer tires
Auto-dimming exterior mirrors
Adaptive dampers
Upgraded brakes
Paddle shifters
Air purifier
Leather upholstery
Power tilt-and-telescoping steering column
Sport seats with memory functions
16-speaker Bose premium Audio system
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

The range-topping Red Sport 400 is the highest performer in the lineup with 400 hp. It also adds:

Premium leather upholstery
Unique exterior and interior styling treatments

Some features are available on supporting trims as options. The Red Sport 400 is eligible for the ProActive package that adds:

Adaptive headlights
Drive-by-wire steering system
Eco Pedal that encourages efficient driving by resisting accelerator pressure
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Lane keeping assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4/5Above Average

#16 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the INFINITI Q50 from 2008-2022.}

$589/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.9x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

8.7%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 INFINITI Q50.

5 (72%)

4 (19%)

3 (2%)

2 (5%)

1 (2%)

4.5

43 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Great driving beast

Scott, 12/19/2018

2019 INFINITI Q50 RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A)

So, I have had this car since 2018. It's a Red Sport so the horsepower and pick up are fantastic. Just at 70,000 miles on the car and no brake work, no engine, transmission, or mechanical problems of any kind. Just oil changes. Don't know why the reviews are not more kind to this car as it is wonderful. I just hope they keep making them!

Beautiful sports sedan

Danielle, 12/26/2019

2020 INFINITI Q50 3.0t LUXE 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A)

I wanted an AWD sports sedan with a 6cyl. The q50 has exceeded my expectations. I love having apple car play. The dash is beautiful and very easy to see. I love the speed and consistency of the drive. I have the Luxe AWD trim with no packages and am very satisfied with the value for the price. Looking to enjoy my new ride for years to come.

DeJa Vu all over again?

Waseeq, 07/19/2019

2019 INFINITI Q50 3.0t SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A)

I lease my cars so I've had 3 Q50 sedans; 1st was the Q50 3.7L and now I'm in my 2nd Q50 3.0t Sedan. I really enjoyed the switch from the 3.7L to the 3.0t. I've never had a turbo engine so it was a pleasant surprise. The power and engine response on the 2016 model was very good. The safety features and technology was great. The 2019 model on the other hand wasnt as smooth of a …

Excellent Value

Cincy_Bronx Ride, 08/08/2020

2020 INFINITI Q50 3.0t SPORT 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A)

This is my 2nd Q, I had the 2017 Q50 which was a nice car. The technology was surely lacking behind Lexus and Acura but the car itself outperformed each of them easily. I also had a 3 Series BMW, which was a superior ride versus all entry level luxury cars, BUT way too overpriced, plus a weak engine compared to the Q50. I just went to the 2020 Q50S which is Fantastic. The technology …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 INFINITI Q50, so we've included reviews for other years of the Q50 since its last redesign.

See all 43 reviews of the INFINITI Q50

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2021 Q50 Highlights

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

PURE

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$36,700
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$224/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Q50 models:

Lane Departure Warning: Automatically hits the brakes if an object enters your path or if an oncoming car is detected when the vehicle is backing up.
Blind-Spot Intervention: Warns if another vehicle is lurking in your blind spot.
Forward Emergency Braking: Alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Not Tested
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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