2021 Infiniti Q50 RED SPORT 400 Sedan

Nothing too radical here but as its name suggests, the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 brings in 400 hp from the same 3.0-liter turbo V6 of the regular Q50. For a sporty visual appearance, the Red Sport 400 also gets unique exterior and interior styling elements. Everything else though remains the same as usual. At a starting MSRP of $55,850, the 2021 Infiniti Q50 red Sport does offer some good promises but is surely looking for an update now. Its prolonged consistency has been its major setback and that’s where its rivals like the BMW M340i, Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43, and Audi S4 have an edge over it.

Because of its sporty moniker with a powerful engine as its core USP, the 2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport is considered a standalone trim. While there hasn’t been any major change around the Infiniti Q50 since its inception, apart from some minor tweaks, the 2021 model year is no different either. 

The 2021 MY brings a few changes like a revised exhaust pipe, dynamic suspension, a higher final drive, and new interior trim. The exterior styling looks fantastic and comes with all the necessary attributes that a sports car should be fitted with. The cabin inside is spacious, comfortable, and opulent. For additional enhancements or customization, Infiniti also offers many optional features and packages with the Q50 Red Sport 400. 

Along with a decently packed standard features suite, the 2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 can also be paired with multiple available optional packages. The available packages are listed below for reference:

Additional Packages:

• All Weather Package - $225
• Cargo Package - $270
• Carbon Fiber Package - $1,520
• ProACTIVE Package - $1,950

Which Trim should you buy?

The 2021 Q50 Red Sport 400 comes in a single trim. Though there’s only one trim on offer, you can customize the car further with the help of optional features and additional packages. We recommend fitting the ProACTIVE Package because it carries many important safety features like Direct Adaptive Steering, Lane Departure Prevention, and Active Lane Control.

Under the hood, the 2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 comes equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine. The engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission that sends power to either the rear wheels as standard or all the wheels. The powertrain churns out 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft torque. The massive power and peak torque available at lower revs result in quick and linear acceleration. The power churned by the engine helps the car accelerate 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds and can cover a quarter-mile within 13.2 seconds.

The V6 engine is complemented by a couple of turbochargers, is powerful and very responsive. The massive power generated by the twin-turbo V6 is visible as soon as you press the accelerator pedal. The transmission feels smooth and we suggest you spend a couple of grand more on the AWD system. The Intelligent AWD system works great and provides praiseworthy traction on rough surfaces.

The Audi S4 offers the lowest power figures among the bunch here and trails in performance as well. The Mercedes AMG C43 is the quickest in the competition here because of its higher torque. However, the Q50 Red Sport 400 is the most expensive here and also offers the highest power figures. Interestingly, while others offer turbo V6 mills, BMW offers an Inline-6 with the M340i. BMW really knows its engine inside out and it offers peak power and torque at much lower revs and this also translates into better fuel economy.

How well does the 2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 handle?

After looking at cars like the Q50 Red Sport 400 and the performance figures, it's normal to expect great handling and driving dynamics. However, in reality, the 2021 Q50 RS 400 is the opposite way round and disappointingly sits far behind its rivals. The power steering feels excessively light and lacks feedback. Moreover, it is the heaviest sedan in its class weighing almost 4000 lbs. 

The 400’s hefty weight and mediocre steering results in substandard driving dynamics along with some significant body roll around sharp turns and curves. The chassis comes with a dynamic suspension that helps in stabilizing the car around curves and turns. However, the suspensions feel stiff and interfere with the ride comfort. The bumps and shocks while driving around rough patches makes things a tad comfortable and something you don’t want in a premium midsize sedan. 

2021 Infiniti Q50 RED SPORT 400 Braking Performance

For taming the 400 horsepower beast that can accelerate from 0-60 mph at a mere 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 183 mph, there must be a braking system that can work effectively towards slowing it down. For doing so, Infiniti equipped the front wheels with 13.9” aluminum as opposed to 4-piston front calipers and 13.7” 2-piston ventilated discs. The disc brakes are further equipped with ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Forward Emergency Braking, Traction Control, and Vehicle Dynamic Control. The brakes are responsive and work well and the sports braking system brings the car to a stop from 60 MPH within 109 feet.

Due to Audi S4’s lighter curb weight, its braking distance is the shortest among the competition here. However, despite its heavy body, the Q50 Red Sport impresses with its braking performance as well and is just marginally behind the Audi here. The AMG C43 stands together with the Infiniti with its 109 feet stopping distance while the BMW M340i is not too far behind either.

V6 engines are widely popular for their power and performance in cars like the 2021 Q50 Red Sport 400. These mighty engines help cars achieve awesome acceleration and thrilling speeds. However, V6 engines are fuel-thirsty and the MPG numbers are what you should hardly care about. The 2021 Q50 RS 400 manages to return 20 and 26 MPG in the city and highways. Equipped with a 20-gallon fuel tank, the car offers a range of 400 and 520 miles on the city and highways respectively.

The BMW M340i offers the best MPG figures apart from offering a very respectable power and performance. However, it trails because of the smaller tank which results in a smaller driving range. On the contrary, the 2021 Q50 RS 400 offers respectable MPG numbers and delivers the best driving range thanks to the bigger fuel tank.

One of the justified reasons behind the Q50’s popularity amongst sedans is its cabin design. The vehicle packs inside a spacious, well-curated, and feature-loaded cabin that feels comfortable and premium. The cabin inside can seat 5 people. Moreover, the amount of headroom and legroom offered both at the front and back are respectful. The interior comes decorated with matte black carbon fiber trim with dark chrome interior accents. And, the seats are covered with semi-aniline leather. 

The front row comes equipped with 10-way power-adjustable sport seats for the driver and 8-way power-adjustable seats for the passenger. The front seats also come with a heating function. The rear seats are wide and comfortable too with a good recline angle for longer journeys. The cabin comes fitted with all the necessary features that you expect in a modern sedan. Some standard features include dual-zone climate control, a fully customizable digital environment, cabin air filter, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, and many more. For storage, the sedan offers a 13.5 cu ft cargo trunk. The rear seats can also be folded to increase the space.

Another area where the Infiniti Q50 impresses is with its passenger room, especially at the front where you have the best-in-class headroom and legroom. However, at the back, the Q50 is a bit cramped compared to the competition here. Not by a significant margin though. Overall, the Infiniti Q0 Red Sport 400 offers a decent passenger space on the inside. However, it struggles in terms of practicality with a mere 13.5 cu-ft of cargo storage which is the least among the competition here. Key interior features in the 2021 Infiniti Q50 RED SPORT 400 include:

• Premium leather upholstery
• Leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel
• Semi-aniline leather-wrapped front sport seats w/ thigh support
• 10-way power-adjustable and heated front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control w/ rear vents
• Cabin air filter
• Matte black carbon fiber w/ dark chrome interior trim

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 Infiniti Q50 RS 400 comes equipped with a Dual multimedia display. A large 8.0’ inch display at the upper portion of the dash and can be controlled via touch, rotary knob for steering mounted controls. The upper screen can be used to access Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Navigation as well. The lower 7.0’ inch screen is used to access various car settings and other information. Both the screens are not very sharp or crisp and lack the definition of the ones in the rivals here. 

Moreover, the infotainment interface is quite confusing and requires some time to get used to. Operating the system while driving is certainly a tedious yet frustrating task. Standard features of the infotainment system along with Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, includes Bluetooth HandsFree and audio streaming, USB/iPod connectivity, navigation with voice control, and a 16-speaker premium audio system by Bose. Other features like 3D navigation, voice recognition, SiriusXM Traffic, and Travel Link, Wi-Fi hotspot come standard. Key infotainment features in the 2021 Infiniti Q50 RED SPORT 400 are:

• 16-speaker premium audio by Bose
• Dual multimedia display
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link
• Satellite radio
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• 3D navigation

The Q50 RS 400’s exterior comes unchanged as it is mostly a carry-over for the 2021 model year, which is not a new thing at all. The front fascia comes with a spindle-shaped chrome-plated front grille that sits between the headlights. And speaking of the LED headlights, they are wide and light up the roads with decent visibility. Below the grille, the car comes equipped with a sporty bumper. 

At the back, the car is fitted with LED tail lamps and LED fog lamps. The rear also comes with a raised trunk lid with an integrated decklid spoiler. On the top, you get a sunroof that not only improves airflow in the cabin but also improves the overall appeal. Below the main body, the car comes fitted with 19” aluminum-alloy sport wheels. 

Talking proportions, the 2021 Infiniti Q50 RS 400 is the heaviest car among the bunch here. The heavy curb weight causes excessive body rolls while taking sharp turns and corners. Apart from being the heaviest, the Q50 is the biggest of all too. 

The bigger dimensions make it difficult to maneuver in city conditions and it's quite challenging to park in tight spaces. On the other hand, the Mercedes AMG C43 is the lightest and smallest car in the class. However, the lower ground clearance exempts it from performing well on rough surfaces. Key exterior features in the 2021 Infiniti Q50 RED SPORT 400 are:

• 19-inch aluminum-alloy sport wheels
• Dual exhaust tips with brushed satin finish
• LED auto-leveling headlights w/ DRLs
• LED Fog lamps (front and rear)
• Sport front bumper
• Power sunroof
• Rear spoiler

The 2021 Q50 RS 400 is based on Nissan’s FM platform and the chassis is composed of high-quality steel and aluminum. The vehicle is appointed with advanced safety features like ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Forward Emergency Braking, Traction Control, and Vehicle Dynamic Control. The NHTSA hasn’t tested the base 2021 Q50 fully but it received 5 stars on the rollover test and the IIHS rated it “GOOD” overall. Key safety features in the 2021 Infiniti Q50 RED SPORT 400 are:

• Speed sensitive power steering assistance
• Active Lane Control
• Active Trace Control
• Intelligent Cruise Control
• Lane Departure Warning w/ Lane Departure Prevention
• Blindspot Warning and Spot Intervention
• Predictive Forward Collision Warning System
• Distance Control Assist

2021 INFINITI Q50 Red Sport Sedan vs 2021 BMW M340i

The BMW M340i is what we recommend and it is $1000 cheaper than the Q50 RS 400. BMW’s handling is delightful. The steering not only feels nimble, but responsive too. Compared to the Q50, the M340i looks amazing and is widely known for its sleek cabin, customary to that reputation. It also has more cargo space which adds to the practicality. Lastly, it has the best mileage in the class. Henceforth, the M340i is a better option than the Q50 RS 400.

2021 INFINITI Q50 Red Sport Sedan vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C 43 is powerful and offers excellent performance. Mileage is lower than the Q50 but respectful. The exterior styling looks premium and the cabin inside is spacious, comfortable, and loaded with comparatively more features than Q50’s. The handling is also excellent. Moreover, the steering is well-weighted and responsive. Being $1300 cheaper than the Q50, the C43 is a better option.

2021 INFINITI Q50 Red Sport Sedan vs 2021 Audi S4

We will choose the Audi S4 over the Q50 RS 400 because the S4 is affordable and offers a much better value compared to the Infiniti here. The S4's cabin feels more comfortable and the ride quality is superb. The S4 offers delightful handling and the admirable driving dynamics can tempt anyone; thanks to its Quattro AWD system. 

The new Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 is mostly a carry-over model for the 2020 model year and has remained unchanged for a long time now. Although its design looks dated, it has seamlessly retained its premium propositions. Although it may not be very practical or the most comfortable or playful in its segment, the Q50 Red Sport 400 offers a powerful and responsive powertrain along with a good passenger room on the inside. However, in its price range and class, there are better options than the Red Sport 400 that are more livable, enjoyable, and with better value.