Entry Price: $37,150
Price as tested: $54,055
There’s a new Infiniti performance car in town, specifically the 2015 Infiniti Q50. Powered by a 328-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 coupled to a seven-speed automatic with downshift rev matching, it’s clear Infiniti is making a valiant effort to re-establish its cars in the very crowded performance luxury segment.
Actually, the new Q50 arrived in 2014, but it’s taken a good year for Infiniti enthusiasts to appreciate the car’s special luxury/sport build. Additionally, after changing all the names to “Q” series for cars instead of all the other letter cars of the past, (Q50 replaces the former G37) Infiniti also established the company as a major player in Formula 1 (F1) racing, with full manufacturer sponsorship of the Red Bull team that competes on a worldwide stage.
Additionally, Infiniti Q50 competes on the British Touring Car Championship series, with two cars running under the banner “Support Our Paras Racing.” This first-year, two car Infiniti Q50 team helps with the rehabilitation of injured paratroopers through donations, race proceeds and other support, and the team consists of numerous injured paratroopers in its daily operations. Thus, if high-tech racing on a global theater is any indication of how Infiniti is looking at doing things better these days, stay tuned for more new models to arrive in the future.
Personally, I’ve always like Infiniti cars and its SUV/Crossovers. Exceeding expectations in price comparisons against the other major players Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Acura, Cadillac, Lincoln and Lexus (to name the majors), Infiniti still has one Achilles heel to correct: it’s inability to genuinely infiltrate the extremely fickle luxury/performance market, and more so change the consumer’s allegiance to brand. Specifically, a BMW or Audi owner is usually very happy with their purchase, and to move to another brand takes some doing. This is a cold reality of this class of car, yet Infiniti is making some inroads thanks to its highly visible motorsports involvement and the building a great road car. Only time will tell.
With high-tech features and enough power to satisfy just about everyone, our new Q50 can go zero to 60 in the five second range and then handle like it’s on rails. It offers up some novel amenities and technology based standard features much to our liking.
Outwardly, the new Infiniti Q50 features really nice curves and a “lower to the ground” aerodynamic stance. There are six specific Q50s to choose from in either rear or AWD dress starting with the rear drive $37,150 entry model to our $43,650 Q50S (Sport) to top line $45,550 Q50S AWD. Each one comes with a 2015 Insurance Institute of Highway Safety “Top Safety” award thanks to a protection enhanced build and bevy of standard safety features. (Your dealer will explain them all).
Our Q50 featured four options, one a recommended $3,200 Technology Package that adds the ultimate in superior safety features. Included are backup collision intervention, blind spot warnings, distance control, intelligent cruise, predictive forward collision with forward emergency braking and much more. It’s worth the cost.
I’d pass on the other three options, specifically a Deluxe Touring Package for $3,100; a $1,400 Infiniti Touch navigation; and a $1,900 Performance Wheel package with 19-inch RAYS aluminum alloys since nice 19-inch alloys are standard. These options bring our tester’s final price to $54,055.
Inside, luxury and convenience abound including beautiful leather seating with 8-way power front heated seats, power moonroof, paddle shifters, rear view safety camera, Infiniti touch display with “Studio on Wheels” Bose 14-speaker stereo system, two USB connectors, SiriusXM, and voice recognition for radio, Bluetooth and vehicle info. As for room, both front and rear seat passengers will be pleased.
Fuel mileage is decent for a performance sedan, with 20 city and 29 highway the marks. If you want even better fuel mileage without losing performance, a Q50 hybrid that starts at $44,400 is available that puts out a combined 360 horses with the same V6 and gets 29 city and 36 highway. (The hybrid just might be the best deal of all).
Important numbers include a wheelbase of 112.2 inches, 3,675 lb. curb weight, 13.7 cu. ft. of cargo space, 20-gallon fuel tank and a 36.7 ft. turning radius.
There’s much to like about the new Infiniti Q50, and I feel its new corporate direction in motorsports and building better cars will pay dividends at showroom.
Likes: Entry price, all-new design, quiet interior
Dislikes: Analog clock gone, expensive options, four-cylinder unavailable.
(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist)
