2017 Infiniti Q50

The midsize luxury sedans have always been the hottest segment of cars. Most of the segment is dominated by well established German auto giants like Audi, Mercedes, and BMW to name a few. But, the relatively younger player in town, Infiniti also has a ace up its sleeve to challenge the Germans and it is called the Infiniti G50.

The 2017 Infiniti G50 is a feature loaded and muscular looking midsize luxury sedan worthy of giving the rivals a run for their money. The coupe-like styling, with its sloping roofline, is certainly a treat for the eyes but it does cramp the interior to an extent.

The 2017 Infiniti Q50 is available in a total of 6 trims. There are 2 engine configurations, 2.0L and a 3.0 L on offer. A seven-speed auto gearbox is standard throughout the trim line. All trims except the 3.0t Sport is available with both AWD and RWD powertrains.

The trims featuring the 2,0L motor are available in 3 guises, 2.0t, 2.0t Sport and 2.0t premium. The base trim carries a price tag of $33,950 and the standard list of features include auto LED headlamps and 6 speakers music system. Then, there is the 2.0t sport which carries a price tag of $42,300, standard features include a premium Bose audio system and an advanced climate control system. Then, there is the 2.0t premium with a price tag of $38,300 and features including auto volume control and 8-way adjustable seats.

Then there are trims carrying the 3.0L motor namely 3.0t sport, 3.0t premium and 3.0t signature edition. The feature list remains more or less the same as their smaller engined counterparts and the price range starts at $44,650 onwards.

Trim	2.0t	2.0t sport	2.0t premium	3.0t sport	3.0t premium	3.0t signature edition
MSRP (RWD)	$33,950	$42,300	$38,400	$44,650	$40,650	$38,700
MSRP (AWD)	$35,950	$44,300	$40,400	N/A	$42,650	$40,700
Key Features	Automatic on/off LED headlights Daytime Running Lights and front LED fog lights Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) system with microfilter 8-way power driver's seat with adjustable manual lumbar support 8-way power front passenger's seat 6-speaker audio system with high-definition AM/FM radio CD with MP3 playback capability Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control	Automatic on/off LED headlights Daytime Running Lights and front LED fog lights Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) Auto-recirculation Plasmacluster air purifier Grape Polyphenol Filter10 Aluminum-accented pedals and footrest Bose Performance Series Audio System Advanced Staging Technology Centerpoint 2.0 Surround AudioPilot 2.0 Noise Compensation  16 speakers (featuring door-mounted metal/ aluminum speaker grilles)	Automatic on/off LED headlights Daytime Running Lights and front LED fog lights Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) Auto-recirculation Plasmacluster air purifier Grape Polyphenol Filter10 8-way power driver's seat with adjustable manual lumbar support 8-way power front passenger's seat Bose Performance Series Audio System Advanced Staging Technology Centerpoint 2.0 Surround AudioPilot 2.0 Noise Compensation 16 speakers (featuring door-mounted metal/ aluminum speaker grilles)	Automatic on/off LED headlights Daytime Running Lights and front LED fog lights Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) Auto-recirculation  Plasmacluster air purifier Grape Polyphenol Filter10 Aluminum-accented pedals and footrest Bose Performance Series Audio System Advanced Staging Technology Centerpoint 2.0 Surround AudioPilot 2.0 Noise Compensation 16 speakers (featuring door-mounted metal/ aluminum speaker grilles)	Automatic on/off LED headlights Daytime Running Lights and front LED fog lights Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) Auto-recirculation Plasmacluster air purifier Grape Polyphenol Filter10 8-way power driver's seat with adjustable manual lumbar support 8-way power front passenger's seat Bose Performance Series Audio System Advanced Staging Technology Centerpoint 2.0 Surround AudioPilot 2.0 Noise Compensation 16 speakers (featuring door-mounted metal/ aluminum speaker grilles)	Automatic on/off LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights and front LED fog lights Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with auto-recirculation, Plasmacluster air purifier, and Grape Polyphenol Filter10 Aluminum-accented pedals and footrest Bose Performance Series Audio System with Advanced Staging Technology, Centerpoint 2.0 Surround, AudioPilot 2.0 Noise Compensation, 16 speakers (featuring door-mounted metal/ aluminum speaker grilles), AM/FM High-Definition (HD) radio, CD player with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control

"The Q50’s driving dynamics walk the line between comfy and sporty. This luxury sedan remains stable around corners, with precise steering and brakes that stop the car assertively." -Cars.US News

Engine and Transmission

The standard engine on duty on the Infiniti Q50 is a 2.0L turbocharged 4 cylinder motor paired to a seven-speed auto gearbox. The engine churns out a max of 208 hp and 258 lb-ft torque. The engine surely takes its own sweet time to reach highway speeds and can feel a little lethargic at times. The gearbox, however, does a sweet job of changing the gears at the exact time required.

Models	Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t	Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic	Mercedes C300	BMW 320i
MSRP	$35,950	$33,950	$39,500	$33,450
Engine	2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine	2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine	2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine	2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
Transmission	7-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	7-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Horsepower	208 hp @ 5500 rpm	240 hp @ 5600 rpm	241 hp @ 5550 rpm	180 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	258 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm	273 lb-ft @ 1300 rpm	200 lb-ft @ 1250 rpm

In comparison with rivals, the Q50 ranks 3rd in terms of power but 2nd in terms of price. The most powerful and the most expensive car in the segment is the Mercedes C300.

Acceleration

Acceleration on the 2.0L variants feels rather dull at times. The car pulls up to 60 mph from a standstill in under 5.7 seconds and goes to a complete quarter of a mile in 15.9 seconds. The stats are decent for a car in its segment but a little bit of theatrics like an improved exhaust note would have certainly improved the experience.

Models	Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t Pure	Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic	Mercedes C300	BMW 320i
0-60 MPH	5.7 sec	6.5 sec	6.5 sec	7.1 sec
Quarter mile	15.9 sec	15.1 sec	14.9 sec	15.2 sec
Engine	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	7.1	6.1	6.3	6.3

In comparison, the Q50 is actually the fastest sedan to reach the 60 mph landmark. While both the Volvo S60 and the Mercedes C300 share the same time of 6.5 seconds the least powerful BMW 320i takes the bottom spot at 7.1 seconds.

Ride and Handling

The ride and handling on the Infiniti Q50 come as a surprise since the car handles like a much smaller car than it actually is in reality. This allows the car to approach corners at fairly high speed. The positive feedback from the steering and ample amounts of grip inspire great confidence and allow the driver to push the car to its limit safely.

Braking

The brakes on the Infiniti Q50 feature a 12.6-inch rotor on the front and a 12.1-inch rotor on the rear. The brakes pedals provide nimbly and an almost immediate feedback which allows the driver to brake efficiently.

Model	Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t Pure	Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic	Mercedes C300	BMW 320i
Brake Front (in.)	12.6	11.8	13.0	12.3
Brake Rear (in.)	12.1	11.9	11.8	11.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3671	3619	3417	3295
60-0 MPH (ft.)	109	120	118	116

On paper with rivals, the Q50 takes the top spot as it requires the least amount to the distance to stop from 60 mph. The second spot is taken up by the 320i with 116 feet. The Volvo and the Merc both take the both take the bottom spots.

Fuel economy has become a deciding factor for buyers of the present due to the rising fuel costs. The Infiniti Q50 is able to return a modest mileage of 25 mpg combined. But, in comparison with rivals, it acquires the bottom spot.

Model	Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t Pure	Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic	Mercedes C300	BMW 320i
MPG (city)	23	25	24	23
MPG (highway)	30	39	34	35
MPG (combined)	25	29	28	28

All other competitors feature a more or less similar fuel efficiency of 28-29 mpg. The Volvo S60 takes the top spot with 29 mpg combined.

"The Q50's cabin makes use of admirable materials and sturdy construction, but the design hasn't changed much from the G37 in over eight years."- Edmunds

Seating and Comfort

The seating and comfort levels on the Q50 allow it to give tough competition to its rivals. The car features seating for up to 5 occupants. The seats are draped in leather and offer optimum amount of thigh support and padding. The colored stitching on the seats further adds to the overall appeal of the car.

Model	Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t Pure	Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic	Mercedes C300	BMW 320i
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.2/56.7/44.5	38.6/57/41.9	37.1/54.7/41.7	40.3/55.1/42
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.5/56.1/35.1	37.6/55.2/33.5	36.9/55/33.4	37.7/55.1/35.1

The front and rear row space available on the Q50 allow it to capture the top spot. The 2nd spot is taken up by the BMW 320i. Both the Volvo S60 and the Mercedes C300 feature similar amounts of space and jointly take the 3rd spot.

Infotainment

The infotainment setup on the 2017 Infiniti Q50 features a dual screen setup. The screens are mounted one on top of the other on the dash top. The upper screen is 8 inch in size while the lower one is 7 inch in size. The overall setup feels a little dated when compared with rivals. The response times are modest, to say the least. The system does require a little getting used to in order to be used efficiently.

Interior Features

Interior features on the 2017 Infiniti Q50 include

• Dual screens
• Multi-functional steering wheel
• Leather upholstery
• 8-way adjustable seats

Cargo Capacity

The Infiniti Q50 features a cargo capacity of 13.2 cube.feet. The loading bay is placed at an optimum height to allow cargo to be loaded easily. The overall config makes the boot smaller than it actually is. Airport runs and long distance journeys shouldn't because of concern on this vehicle.

Model	Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t Pure	Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic	Mercedes C300	BMW 320i
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	13.2	12.0	12.6	13.0

The Infiniti Q50 features the biggest boot in the segment. The 2nd spot is taken up by the Merc C300. The 3 2.0t, is taken up by the BMW 320i which puts the Volvo S60 at the bottom spot.

" It looks basically the same as it did last year, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that."-KBB

Dimensions and Weight

The overall exterior styling of the Infiniti Q50 makes it one of the most good looking sedans in the segment. The curb of 3671 lbs makes it the heaviest car in the 2.0t,. With a length of 189.6 inches, it is also the longest car in the segment. Due to sloping roofline, the height of 57.2 inches cramps up headroom to an extent.

Model	Infiniti Q50 Pure 2.0t Pure	Volvo S60 T5 Dynamic	Mercedes C300	BMW 320i
Curb weight (lbs.)	3671	3619	3417	3295
Length(in)	189.6	182.5	184.5	182.5
Width(in)	71.8	73.4	71.3	71.3
Height(in)	57.2	58.4	56.8	56.3
Ground clearance (in)	5.0	5.4	4.8	6.0
Wheelbase (in)	112.2	109.3	111.8	110.6
Track width (in) F/R	60.8/61.6	62.1/62.0	61.5/60.9	60.3/61.9

The wheelbase of 112.2 inches on the Q50 gives it the top spot in the segment. The 2nd in line is the BMW 320i with a wheelbase of 110.6 inches. The 3rd spot gets taken up by the C300 and Volvo S60 becomes the gatekeeper with 8-way shortest wheelbase in the segment.

Exterior Features

Some of the exterior features of the Infiniti Q50 include

• Hexagonal front grille
• LED headlamps
• LED DRLs
• the alloy wheels 
• Hexagonal front grille
• LED headlamps
• LED DRLs
• Multi-spoke alloy wheels

Wheels

The Infiniti Q50 features a total of 3 different wheel sizes according to the selected trim. The base variants feature a set of 17-inch alloy wheels, the mid-table variants feature a set of 18-inch alloy wheels and the top end trim features a set of 19-inch alloy wheels.

The Infiniti Q50 has already been crashed tested by major agencies and it has passed all the test with flying colors achieving a 5-star rating in most of the segments. The structural integrity of the vehicle is as good as it gets in the segment. The car also features advanced safety features such as the advanced airbags system which includes dual-stage airbags. There is also room to set up compatible child restraint seats.

• INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with an occupant-classification sensor. Airbag inflation rate is adjusted depending on crash severity. If the 8-way seat is empty, a sensor will deactivate the airbag
• Front seat belts with pre-tensioners and load limiters, driver's seat Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and passenger's seat ELR and Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
• Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection
• Driver and front-passenger side-impact supplemental air bags
• LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) helps simplify proper installation of compatible child restraint seats
• Zone Body construction with a reinforced passenger compartment and front and rear crumple zones
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) provides specific information for each tire and low-pressure warning
• Advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)25 with the Traction Control System (TCS)

NHTSA has not rated the 2017 Infiniti Q50 yet

IIHS Rating
Small overlap front driver side	Not rated
Small overlap front passenger side	Not rated
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good
Front crash prevention	Superior
Headlights	Average
Child seat anchors (LATCH)	Not rated

Infiniti Q50 Sedan vs Volvo S60

The Volvo S60 is a formidable competitor in the midsize sedan segment. The car, coming from the Volvo stable, is one of the safest pre-tensioners in the segment. The 240 hp engine is a gem of a motor. It may not be as powerful as it is on paper but the amount of refinement certainly deserves some accolades.

The Volvo S60 is dual-stage great vehicleAirbagbut when it comes to utility and interior space, the Infiniti Q50 takes a considerable lead. Hence, the Q50 is a better overall vehicle.

Infiniti Q50 Sedan vs Mercedes C300

The Mercedes C300 has long been the part of the luxury sedan segment and enjoys of modest fan following and heritage. The interiors are neat and low-pressure The build of the car is rock solid airbag and so is the engine.

However, the Merc C300 retails for a price much higher than the Infiniti Q50 and competitors good reason as well. Hence, if money is not a problem, the Merc C300 appears to be a better car.

Infiniti Q50 Sedan vs BMW 320i

The BMW 320i is the entry-level offering from BMW. The 320i, just like the Mercedes, benefits from being around since a long time and the fan following as well. The car follows the suit of German automakers and features a straightforward and in your face approach to both the exterior and interior styling.

The BMW 320i is neither as powerful nor as utilitarian as the Infiniti Q50 and therefore falls short while competing with it.

The Infiniti Q50 makes for a great alternative to the boring looking German sedans that rule the segment at present. There are very cars in the segment that blend in luxury and sportiness, as well as the Q50, does. Sure, it is no sports car but it captures the essence of one very efficiently. The interior of the vehicle might be a little date but there are certainly no compromises on the quality front. If you want a vehicle that is different from the ordinary sedans and handles well, the Infiniti Q50 makes for a great option.