For this year, Infiniti decided to drop the hybrid powertrain option for the Q50, which means there are only two power options available now, which are a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 or a twin-turbocharged V6. The inline-4 is available only on the base Pure trim and produces 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Now, these are no highlight figures, so we expect this motor to be quite relaxed and not very exciting in nature. Even at freeway speeds, the engine is able to match the speeds of other vehicles with relative ease. It is only when you start to really push this engine hard, you get the feeling that it is crying for a bit more power, and then you start wishing for the V6.
The V6 is an absolute hoot to drive as it produces nearly 300 horsepower, which is quite sufficient to push the car from naught to 60 MPH in just under five seconds. These are quite quick times considering the 2019 Infiniti Q50 is a bit on the heavier side when compared to other cars. Both the engines are paired to a 7-speed automatic transmission, and this is among the smoothest transmission we have experienced. It almost feels like a CVT, and even when you take control in your hands and shift via the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, it still manages to impress you with incredibly smooth transitions.
Models
|
2019 Infiniti Q50
|
2019 Kia Stinger
|
2019 Genesis G70
|
2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia
|
MSRP
|
$35,550
|
$32,900
|
$34,900
|
$38,195
|
Engine
|
2.0L Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder
|
2.0L Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder
|
2.0L Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder
|
2.0L Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder
|
Transmission
|
7-speed automatic
|
8-speed automatic
|
8-speed automatic
|
8-speed automatic
|
Power
|
208 hp @ 5,500 RPM
|
255 hp @ 6,200 RPM
|
252 hp @ 6,200 RPM
|
280 hp @ 5,200 RPM
|
Torque
|
258 lb-ft @ 1,500 RPM
|
260 lb-ft @ 1,400 RPM
|
260 lb.-ft @ 1,400 RPM
|
306 lb-ft @ 2,000 RPM
|
0-60 MPH (seconds)
|
7.0
|
6.0
|
6.0
|
5.5
|
Quarter-Mile (seconds)
|
15.4
|
14.6
|
14.6
|
14.1
|
Top Speed (MPH)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
In the 2.0 L avatar, the 0-60 mph takes just about 7 seconds, which is the slowest among the competition. Both Kia and the Genesis come neck to neck as they both share the same powertrain with slightly different tuning. The Alfa Romeo is the star kid here with better power output and the least 0-60 mph sprint time. Also, all other rivals come with an 8-speed automatic transmission which aids with better highway cruising.
How well does the 2019 Infiniti Q50 handle?
The Q50 comes with an RWD layout as standard, while the AWD comes as an option worth $2,000. For the ones who want a lighter and tauter car, the RWD configuration with a V6 makes a very good combination as it is the most lively choice of drivetrain here. It is quite fun pulling drifts on corners with the RWD model as the chassis is quite well balanced.
The Sport trim even comes with adaptive dampers to make the ride even more fun. And for the ones who want to set fast lap times, then the AWD system might be a better pick as it is quite efficient in putting down all the power on the road. The steering wheel is also very well weighed and there is nearly no steering error.
Braking Performance
The 2019 Infiniti Q50 is a relatively heavy car, and to stop all that flying mass, you need anchors, and that too quite good ones. Well, thankfully, the car is just equipped with the right amount of stopping power that you’ll ever need. It gets 12.6-inch rotors up front and 12.1-inch rotors at the rear. With a curb weight of 3,803 lbs, it is slightly on the heavier side as compared to the rivals. So we know that the higher the mass, the higher is the momentum, and to stop it, we would require a better braking system.
Models
|
2019 Infiniti Q50
|
2019 Kia Stinger
|
2019 Genesis G70
|
2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia
|
Brake Rotors: Front (inches
|
12.6
|
12.6
|
12.6
|
13
|
Brake Rotors: Rear (inches)
|
12.1
|
12.4
|
12.4
|
12.5
|
Curb Weight (lbs)
|
3.803
|
3,792
|
3,673
|
3,521
|
60-0 MPH (feet)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the lightest of the lot, and yet it comes with the largest rotors at both ends. So its braking performance is bound to be good. Both Kia and Genesis share the brake components, and we expect their test results to be very similar. The Infiniti Q50 lacks behind in the braking department in terms of dimensions of rotors and brake pedal feel.