The Q50 is Infiniti’s top seller, rivaling the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Mercedes C Class, and Lexus IS. It is the replacement for the previous Infiniti G37, and it is built on the Nissan FM platform just like the old G sedan as well as the 370Z. While it is essentially a G37 underneath, the Q50 introduced electric power steering on the base trims, and steer-by-wire technology on the higher trims. The steering in the Q50 has received some negative publicity, so I was curious to drive a Q50 to see if the steering was really as bad as everyone said it was. As of recent, they’ve also removed the 3.7 liter V6 and introduced three new engines. The base engine, shown here, is a 2 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder built by Mercedes Benz. The other two engines are both 3.0T V6 engines, however one produces 300 horsepower and the other one produces 400 horsepower. I have a 3.0T V6 video coming out shortly, as a comparison to this car. I was curious to see how the 2.0T model with the standard electric power steering drove compared to the 3.0T model with the “Direct Adaptive” steer by wire system.
As I said, the steering in this model is the regular electric power steering. The steering retains some of that hefty/chunky feel from the previous G37, however the lack of feedback is noticeable compared to the older Infiniti models with hydraulic steering. The wheel feels nicely weighted on center, and going in a straight line it seems to hold its position on the road with confidence. Simple maneuvers like lane changes feel nice and direct as well, however there is a certain level of precision and feedback missing when going around tighter corners. It just doesn’t deliver that crisp image of where the front tires are, and there were times where it simply felt too light and vague for a sport sedan. The wheel feels nice to the touch, with with a smaller diameter, thicker bolsters and more premium feeling leather. The steering doesn’t feel bad to me, however it might not meet people’s expectations of how a sport sedan should feel and respond. The Q50’s steering does feel beefier and more unique compared to a Nissan product, however an A4, C Class, or a 3 Series will probably feel tighter and more responsive.
Acceleration in the 2.0T model is about what you would expect. It’s powerful enough for the average person, but for a luxury car it just doesn’t feel like enough to me. The 3.0T is definitely worth the extra money. I found the 2.0T had decent amounts of torque, and it is quite quick even in light-footed maneuvers, but still feels fairly average and mundane. It doesn’t have the smoothest power band nor is it the most refined sounding engine. Infiniti has always been known for producing powerful cars even in base trims, with lower price tags that undercut all of the competitors, and I think the new 2.0T trim tarnishes that reputation a little. Although the engine has 258 lb. ft. of torque, it is still accompanied by a rather paltry 208 horsepower, and it feels too much like 208 horsepower in my opinion. You might as well pick up an Accord with Honda’s 2.0T engine and get 44 extra horses and 15 extra lb. ft. of torque. Even Hyundai’s 2.0T engines make more power. Definitely skip this engine and get the 3.0T, or even a used model with the tried and true 3.7 liter V6 engine.
I have mixed feelings about the 7-speed automatic in this car. The shift quality is smooth, and the transmission feels intuitive most of the time. There were times, however, when it was very eager to seek out its top gear and it felt tuned more towards fuel economy. I think the transmission feels more tuned for the power band of a V6, not so much for the smaller turbocharged engine. With careful throttle modulation I think you can achieve a good balance between the engine and the transmission, but there were times when I felt the shift points were just too early in the rev range and the transmission was operating in the wrong gear. It is pretty quick to downshift, and it shifts faster than most traditional automatics, so it’s not a terrible gearbox by any stretch of the imagination. It just feels a little behind compared to some of the Q50’s competitors.
The handling and overall feel of the car inspire confidence, even despite the fact that the steering is lacking a little. The car feels small and narrow in its dimensions driving down the road, and has an attitude like it wants to be thrown around corners. The chassis feels on the heavier side, but the Q50 remains rigid and planted in turns. It’s definitely a bit less refined than some of the competitors and more focused on delivering that “rough around the edges” feel, however the slight lack of refinement is not punishing on the driver at all. The cabin feels very driver oriented like a sport sedan should be, so I think Infiniti did a good job with the overall aura this car delivers. Ride quality is about the same as a G35 or G37. It is on the stiffer/harsher side but the harshness doesn’t come out unless you’re on lousy pavement. When you’re driving on level road surfaces, the ride feels firm but smooth.
Like most floor-hinged accelerators, the feel of the accelerator in the Q50 is pretty stiff and it has a bit of a dead-zone right at the beginning of the travel. The brakes are also somewhat vague and the pedal transmits some vibration, but they do a good job at stopping the car smoothly and assertively. The interior feels classy and luxurious to spend time in, and it definitely lets you know that you’re sitting in something that is more expensive than your average mainstream family sedan. It’s not Mercedes Benz levels of luxuriousness, but it still feels expensive and comfortable regardless.
Visibility in the Q50 is fine. Looking out the windshield you get that curvy front hood that you see in most Infiniti products, but it doesn’t intrude with the frontward visibility at all. The side mirrors are the perfect size, and while the back window is just slightly on the small side, the rear visibility is open and unobstructed.
Road and wind noise are also well muted. You can still hear the wind and oncoming cars passing by, so it’s not library silent. It is, however, muted enough to remain class competitive. The engine also doesn’t intrude into the cabin a tremendous amount.
The Q50 might be behind in some areas, but it still drives like a sport sedan. It delivers that dense, rigid feel that you would expect from a car in this class. I think a C Class or an A4 will feel more intuitive and buttoned down, but you cannot beat the value that the Q50 delivers. It is a solid, reliable sport sedan.The Q50 is more simplistic than the competitors while offering similar levels of performance and the exterior styling is easy on the eyes as well. I would just recommend skipping the 2.0T and going for one of the twin turbocharged V6 engines. For people that are looking for a luxury car that can still compete against the Germans while delivering a lower price tag, excellent dealership service, and a stress-free ownership experience, the Q50 is the car for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apfw-0n4pDs