2018 Infiniti Q50: His Turn - Her Turn™ Car Review

2018 Infiniti Q50

Powerful elegance, empowering performance, dynamic refinement and driver centric technology.

Among top three selling performance sedans.
Many firsts in technology including self-healing paint, around view camera, forward collision warning.

For the 2018 model year, the Q50 is getting its first visual updates inside and out. This is a mid-cycle refresh.

The Q50’s front end is only slghtly different than before, with new lower air intakes, a more three-dimensional look for the grille, and a reshaped bumper. The rear-end makeover is similarly subtle, with more modern-looking LED taillights and a reshaped bumper. We don’t quite see the increased differentiation that Infiniti claims between the standard Q50 and the more performance-oriented Red Sport 400, but the refresh doesn’t hurt the sedan’s attractive looks.

Four powertrain setups continue to be available—a 208-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6s in 300-hp and 400-hp strengths, and a hybrid. The trim levels, however, have been reorganized. Pure and Luxe trims replace the existing base and Premium models, while the Sport and Red Sport 400 models stick around. We should learn details about pricing for these models by the time the updated Q50 hits dealerships sometime this summer.

Pure - entry, 2.0L (208 hp) engine RWD or AWD
Luxe - luxury trims, 2L or 3 L engine, or hybrid motor
Sport - sportier look, 300-hp 3L twin turbo V6, 19" wheels, leather seating with adjustable bolsters, brush alum trim, new LED taillight, bigger brakes, sport tuned suspension
Enthusiast - Red Sport 400, 19" wheel, 400hp V6 twin turbo motor, fully equipped car with a higher performance suspension. Red stitching, unique steering wheel with paddle shifters, more distinctive interior.

New steering wheel, signature shift lever with red stitching, new gauge lighting, Bose Performance series audio system with 16-speaker system.

Dynamic refinement includes steering updates, quieter ride, new wheel designs and run flat tires.

All Q50s have a Drive Mode Selector snow, eco, standard, standard +, and personal modes.

Safety and Driver Assistance Technology: intelligent cruise control. Distance park assist, predictive forward collision warning, forward emergency warning, back up collision warning, lane change departure warning and intervention, blind spot warning and intervention, active lane control and direct adaptive steering. This is all a precursor to future steering systems that will form a key foundation to achieving fully-autonomous cars. This is many years from now. Some of these items are optional.

Tech: InfinitiTouch with apps.

Pricing: $34,200
Red- $51,000

Competes with:
BMW 330i / 340i Track
Audi A4 / S4
Lexus IS200t / IS 300 / IS350 F Sport
Acura TLX / A-Spec


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Car Courtesy of Infiniti
Aired: August 3, 2017
Destination: Nashville, Tennessee
Music: by AudionautiX.com, all rights & licenses purchased
Disclosure: Free Royalty Music

His Turn-Her Turn™ is a production of Automotive Aspects Inc.
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