The 2024 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.Read full review
The Q50 is Infiniti's last sedan stand. The company has no other passenger cars since the Q60 — essentially the two-door version of the Q50 — was discontinued after the 2022 model year; SUVs make up the rest of the lineup. And while most competitors have had one, or even two, fresh looks since the most recent Q50 launched 10 years ago, today's Q50 is largely the same car as when it debuted. The exterior design has aged well but everything else is showing its age, especially the interior.
That's not about to change for 2024, as this is a complete carryover from last year's model. Infiniti appears to have lost interest in the Q50, or at least until it's potentially redesigned or just put out to pasture completely. We wouldn't be surprised to see the ax fall for 2025.
Edmunds spotlight: The engine
In the meantime, the Q50's strength remains its potent turbocharged V6 engine. The base version makes 300 horsepower, which is more than what most other base versions of entry-level luxury sedans provide. Infiniti also offers the Red Sport 400 version with, you guessed it, 400 hp. While the rest of the Q50 has grown a bit dull, the thrill of stepping on its accelerator hasn't faded.
Competitors to consider
Most other luxury sedans provide a more up-to-date driving experience. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class was completely redesigned in 2022 and is superior in almost every way. The Acura TLX, Audi A4 and Lexus IS also have more appealing technology features. If you're open to an SUV, Infiniti's own QX50 is more modern and has a lower starting price. Be sure to read our test team's Expert Rating below and see if the Q50 might still be right for you.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our Verdict
Below Average
6.4
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2024 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.
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.
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 think the Luxe trim level is the way to go. For a base trim, it's loaded with standard features and a full suite of advanced driver aids. The higher Sensory trim doesn't offer much more for the extra cost.
The overall sentiment about the 2024 Infiniti Q50 is mixed. Owners love the car’s strong engine, comfortable seats, and attractive look. However, many find the technology to be outdated and complain about issues like road noise and run-flat tires. The transmission and infotainment system also received some negative feedback.
This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews
When it comes to a battle of badge cachet, the Audi has the advantage over the Infiniti, especially since the Q50 costs more than the A4's base Premium trim. The A4 is better overall — more responsive, more refined, better tech — but its turbo four-cylinder engines can't match the power of the Q50's muscular V6. The Infiniti also has a bigger trunk.
The TLX was redesigned in 2021, and it naturally feels newer and fresher than the nearly 10-year-old Q50 design. It's not as powerful as the Q50, but it's also only off by less than 30 horsepower. What the TLX lacks in strength, it makes up for with a more comfortable driving experience and better tech. It also offers a similarly long list of standard features and a full suite of advanced driver aids, but the Acura has a lower starting price.
Both luxury sport sedans were introduced in 2014, but Lexus has done a better job refreshing the IS to keep it more competitive and modern. The IS 350 is more comfortable and handles better than the Infiniti, and it offers a superior infotainment system. The Lexus also makes slightly more power from its V6, while fuel economy is almost identical to the Q50. Spacewise, the Q50 offers more room for passengers and cargo.
Alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane.
Blind-Spot Intervention
Automatically steers the car back into its lane if you try to change lanes while a car is in the vehicle's blind spot.
Forward Emergency Braking
Warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time.
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Driver
Not Rated
Passenger
Not Rated
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Driver
Not Rated
Passenger
Not Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
Not Rated
Back Seat
Not Rated
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
5 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
9.7%
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
FAQ
Is the INFINITI Q50 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Q50 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.4 out of 10. 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 2024 INFINITI Q50?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 INFINITI Q50:
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 2024 INFINITI Q50 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 INFINITI Q50 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 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 2024 Q50 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 INFINITI Q50?
The least-expensive 2024 INFINITI Q50 is the 2024 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 $56,900.
Other versions include:
RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A) which starts at $56,900
RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A) which starts at $58,900
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 (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A), and RED SPORT 400 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7A). For a full list of Q50 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more