The 2023 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.
Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.
Pros
Turbocharged V6 engine packs plenty of power
Comfortable front and rear seats
Cons
Interior design looks dated
Some advanced driving aids are overly sensitive
Most rivals do it better for a similar price
What's new
No significant changes for 2023
Part of the first Q50 generation released in 2014
Overview
The Q50 is Infiniti's small luxury sedan and the automaker's last remaining sedan. The only other car in the company's lineup is the Q60 coupe, and all its other models are SUVs. While most of its competitors have seen recent redesigns, the Q50 is basically the same car that was introduced for 2014. Its exterior design has aged well but everything else is showing its age, especially the interior.
As much as the Q50 needs a refresh or complete redesign for 2023, it returns with only very minor changes. As such, the Q50's engine remains one of its best attributes. It's a potent turbocharged V6 that provides plenty of power and is quite fuel-efficient. If you prefer rear-wheel drive, the Q50 has you covered, and all-wheel drive is available as an option. However, the Infiniti has several drawbacks including a dated and cluttered two-screen infotainment system, an uncomfortable ride and a subpar driving experience.
There are many rivals that offer more for the same price or less. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was completely redesigned for 2022 and is superior in almost every way. The recently redesigned Audi A3 is more affordable yet offers better tech and greater comfort. And if you're open to SUVs, the Infiniti QX50 is more modern and has a lower starting price. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our test team's full review of the Q50's tech, comfort and more.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe 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
The 2023 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 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-braking 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
6/10
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 our Q50 returned an impressive 25 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route. The Q50's fuel tank is pretty big too.
Value
7/10
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
6/10
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?
We suggest going with the Luxe trim level. Even though it's the base trim, the Luxe boasts a long list of standard features and a full suite of advanced driver aids. The higher Sensory trim doesn't offer much more for the price bump.
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2023 INFINITI Q50 models
The 2023 Infiniti Q50 is available in three trim levels: Luxe, Sensory and Red Sport 400. The first two use a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine (300 horsepower, 295 lb-ft of torque), while the Red Sport 400 increases that engine's 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 Luxe trim comes with:
Auto-dimming, heated and power-folding mirrors
Sunroof
Keyless entry and ignition
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Leather upholstery
Heated front seats with memory functions
Heated steering wheel
Power tilt-and-telescoping steering column
16-speaker Bose premium audio system
Android Auto and Wireless Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
Two infotainment touchscreens
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Q50 and the car in front)
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
The Sensory trim ups the performance and luxury quotient with:
High-performance summer tires
Air purifier
Sport seats
Navigation system
Interior ambient lighting
The range-topping Red Sport 400 is the highest performer in the lineup with 400 hp. It also adds:
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 INFINITI Q50 LUXE 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 $3.72 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
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.
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!
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.
Excellent Value
5 out of 5 stars
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 … was upgraded, still not the best, but the response is quick and accurate. The 16 speaker Bose is astounding. Lexus always wins on interior detail, they are #1. Acura is too conservative and reminds me too much of a Honda. I never had good luck with Honda transmissions. Although I had a 1992 Acura Legend which rates as one of my best overall cars I ever owned. You can't go wrong with a Q50 if you want a great engine, smooth transmission, a great drive and an overall comfortable ride. Like I said, Lexus beats Infiniti with interior details and beauty every time, it's not even close. So it all depends on what you are looking for. You can't go wrong with a Q50, or the Q50S if you want a high performance, good looking ride.1 YEAR UPDATE August 2021; my Q50 is still performing at the same high level. No issues and sill fun to drive..
DeJa Vu all over again?
4 out of 5 stars
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 … transition. I currently have about 1200 miles on it (it might change and get better after the break in period) but I feel there is more turbo lag in this car compared to the 2016 model. It's not as responsive. I love the small changes to the exterior body but another thing that I dont like is the brightness of the blind spot warning light.
There seems to be two stages for the light, one is when the BS detects a vehicle and lights up and the second is when it starts blinking when/if you put the turn signal on. The warning light is dimmer than the blinking light. In the older models it was all the same which I prefer.
Last but not least, the front passenger seat still vibrates. In my 2016 model they couldnt figure out the issue to fix. I lived with it hoping the 2019 model wouldnt have the same issue but I was wrong.
It's the small things that can ruin a nice car!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 INFINITI Q50, so we've included reviews for other years of the Q50 since its last redesign.
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