Infiniti Q50 (2013-2020) Review

Written by David Ross

- 2013
- Premium
- Diesel, Petrol, Hybrid
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Quick overview
Pros
- Comfortable and well finished inside
- A rare sight and something different from the usual saloons
- Good value used thanks to generous standard kit
Cons
- Hard to recommend over much better rivals
- Dated interior design
- Diesel is noisy and steering lifeless
Overall verdict
"Ultimately it’s hard to recommend the Q50 over any of the competition. If there’s one thing we can say is that as a used buy, you get a high specification for the money, but there’s little else to back that up. Sadly the Q50 misses the mark in too many areas and we can pick out half a dozen competitors that are a better buy."

The Infiniti Q50 was one of Infiniti’s big hopes. The four-door saloon was, in Infiniti’s words, designed to ‘push the boundaries with advanced technology and bring a new level of premium motoring and premium style’. Sadly, it didn’t.
There’s a reason you never see any around. Despite all Infiniti’s talk, the Q50 fell well short of the competition in pretty much every area. As a result, few people bought one - at one point Infiniti was selling fewer cars a year than Maserati. It means that the Q50 is a rare sight on our roads.
That has appeal if you want something that’s different from the usual rows of BMW and Audi saloons you see everywhere. But while the Q50 different, it doesn’t exactly stand out. The styling is generically dull and most people are likely to look at the badge with a puzzled expression under their furrowed brow rather than be impressed.
Infiniti is Nissan’s upmarket brand (in a similar fashion to Lexus and Toyota) but while it sells well in the USA, it has been as popular as scurvy over here. So much so that Infiniti pulled the plug in the UK in 2019. If you hadn’t heard of Infiniti before, it’s unlikely you will in the future…
So why does the Q50 lag behind its rivals? The problem isn’t that it’s a fundamentally poor car. On paper, it had a lot going for it with Nissan build quality, advanced tech including an innovative steer by wire system and a V6 hybrid model with real pace. But in every area, the Q50 can’t match the competition which seems a generation ahead in most respects.
The interior of the Infiniti is like a return to the early 2000s and not in a good way. The various Nissan-sourced switches and buttons do it few favours while the foot-operated parking brake shows you how old fashioned this is. It does at least have very good seats, but overall, there’s very little ‘premium’ here.
The steering is very odd and never feels pleasant let alone engaging while the ride quality is a mixed bag, feeling too firm in some models. The 2.2-litre diesel engine which powers most models was sourced from Mercedes but lacks refinement in the Q50, making it noisy with lots of vibration in the cabin.
The 2.0T is quieter and much better all round but it’s thirsty and while the Q50 Hybrid is rapid, it’s expensive to run and not as sophisticated as a hybrid from Lexus, BMW or Mercedes. Compare each Q50i to similar rivals and you’ll find it’s less economical and costs more to insure.
Is the Infiniti Q50 right for you?
What's the best Infiniti Q50 model to choose?
What other cars are similar to the Infiniti Q50?
Comfort and design
"One of the highlights of the Q50 is the seats. They’re very comfortable and were in fact designed using NASA research. Infiniti says they are designed to give consistent support and lessen pressure on lower and upper back muscles."

They’re not quite as good as the seats you’d find in a Volvo, but they still provide support in the right places which you’ll appreciate on long journeys.
The driving position is good too with a low centred seat and well-placed pedals although the fact the Q50 has a foot-operated parking brake makes resting your left foot a little awkward. The steering column has lots of adjustment for height and reach though, more so than a Lexus IS.
However, if you’re expecting an interior that’s at the vanguard of modern design, prepare to be disappointed. The Q50 interior is stuck in the past with a dated design that does it few favours. It looked old fashioned when it was new and the intervening years have done it few favours.
This is where the Infinit’s parentage is most evident with lots of buttons and controls that you’d find on a much cheaper Nissan. Pair that with a very dull design and the Q50 looks aeons behind something like the latest BMW 3 Series.
The controls are at least logically laid out, with the exception of the odd button hidden away by your right knee. It’s all easy to use too with clearly marked buttons so everything is intuitive.
Quality and finish
Infotainment
Space and practicality
Handling and ride quality
"Infiniti made much of its new fly-by-wire steering system that debuted in the hybrid version of the Q50 and was also available with the 2.0T. This is different from a standard steering system in that there’s no physical link between the steering and the front wheels."

Instead everything is done by computer which you would think be a natural progression given the amount of tech in cars. However, while this may be the future, it’s not a success in the Q50. For all Infiniti’s talk of handling prowess, the Q50 handling can be summed in one word - strange.
It can’t seem to make up its mind what it wants to do. The initial impression you get is one of over-assisted artificial feeling steering which is too light. You can change various settings to adjust the weight and the immediacy of the steering. Go for a setting in the middle and it’s better but the direct steering is actually too direct for a saloon like this.
In short, the system never feels particularly natural. Every setting seems to feel odd in a different way and it’s not a match for a good conventional power steering system such as that you’d find on a BMW 3 Series. The more common 2.2d model makes do with a standard steering set-up, yet somehow this is even worse than the fly-by-wire, lacking both feel and response without the option of being able to alter the settings.
The Q50 is not exactly lithe or agile in corners, but it rides well and is much happier cruising on the motorway. Here the softer suspension set-up makes for relaxing progress.
Engines and gearboxes
Refinement and noise levels
Safety equipment
MPG fuel costs
"None of the models in the Q50 range is especially economical but as you’d expect, it’s the diesels that are the most efficient. The official economy varies depending on trim but in the real world expect to see about 43mpg for a manual and 44mpg if you have the auto, not exactly figures to boast about. A BMW 320d in comparison will do about 52mpg, the Q50’s weight counting against it here."

While we think the 2.0T is the best engine in the range, it’s not good on fuel at all. In everyday driving, you’ll only be seeing around 33mpg and much less if you’re heavy with the old right foot.
The Hybrid is marginally better returning around 37mpg while this drops only marginally if you choose the AWD version.
Insurance groups and costs
VED
How much should you be paying?
"Our old pal depreciation comes into play here as prices of the Q50 have dropped significantly meaning you can get a whole lot of well equipped Japanese saloon for your money."

There aren’t many on the used market though and with Infiniti now no longer in the UK, you’ll have to look at other dealers who may have taken one in as a part exchange.
The diesels are the cheapest (and most common) around and don’t be put off by the entry-level SE spec models which still come very well equipped for the money. £8k will get you one with reasonable miles. The Q50 Hybrid is more expensive as you’d expect with prices holding at about £13,000.
With not many about, you may have to be patient (and be prepared to travel) if there’s a specific model you’re after. There aren’t many exciting colours either with most black or silver.
Trim levels and standard equipment
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