Used 2021 INFINITI Q50

The 2021 Infiniti Q50 compact luxury/sport sedan competes with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Lexus ES. Despite an aging platform, the Q50’s contemporary styling remains a strong point. It also comes with an impressive amount of standard equipment.

The Q50’s greatest attribute, however, is its performance-per-dollar ratio. Its standard 300-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 outdoes most of its entry-level rivals for thousands less. Those seeking the ultimate in performance should check out the Q50 Red Sport 400 with a 400-horsepower V6. All-wheel drive is available in all trims.

Versions with the 300-horsepower V6 are great to drive, especially for the price, summoning accelerative energy to sprint from standstill to 60 mph in around five seconds. The Red Sport 400 knocks that figure down to about 4.5 seconds. Even though the Red Sport 400 version is exceptionally quick, it’s not exactly a performance bargain.

Steering assistance is on the light side, and the optional drive-by-wire Direct Adaptive Steering system takes some getting used to. A BMW 3 Series would be more responsive. The BMW 330i with 255 horsepower is just over $42k, whereas the 300-horsepower Pure is under $38k. The Q50 is heavier, which dulls the driver’s edge.

Then again, if the thrill of driving means more than a premium badge, a well-equipped Kia Stinger GT has greater horsepower, better handling, and a more modern interior for less than a Q50 Luxe.

Superb seats and soft touch points contribute to the overall luxury in the 2021 Q50. A driver sinks into the seat, just enough to enhance the feelings of comfort and control alike. There aren’t many stowage options up front, although the cubby under the center armrest is useful.

A performance-themed gauge cluster and a digitally enhanced, dual-screen center stack look impressive, but not so user-friendly in practice. The Q50 is fairly strong in technology, but the infotainment system is definitely showing its age.

Rear passenger space is generous for the class. Trunk space of 13.2 cubic feet is about average.

Despite wearing the same skin since 2014, the 2021 Q50 still looks remarkably modern. A bold grille, plus pleasing curves and creases, give the Q50 an appearance that’s both elegant and athletic.

Even the base models come with 17-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, and front-door-handle courtesy lights. Up front are LED headlights and fog lights. Around back are LED taillights and dual chrome exhaust finishers.

Sensory and Red Sport models have 19-inch alloy wheels plus a few more flourishes like a front bumper with lower and wider air intakes. If only there were some bold color choices to match.

DYNAMIC DIGITAL SUSPENSION
The Q50’s Dynamic Digital Suspension — standard in the Red Sport 400 — has the ability to adapt damper settings to provide a comfortable ride on straight, smooth roads and tauter reactions through the turns.

V6 POWER
Almost every competitor deploys a turbocharged 4-cylinder as its base engine these days. The 2021 Q50 has a potent 300-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 that puts the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class entry-level models in the shade.

In Pure trim, the 2021 Q50 comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, heated outside mirrors, liquid-filled front engine mounts (contributing to overall refinement), rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry/ignition, simulated leather upholstery, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, infotainment system with 8-inch (upper) and 7-inch (lower) touchscreens, two USB ports, HD/satellite radio, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wi-fi, and forward-collision mitigation.

Luxe trim adds a powered moonroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, adaptive cruise control, rearward automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with haptic steering wheel, plus the now-standard ProAssist package bringing blind-spot monitoring, front/rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system.

Apart from all-wheel drive, options are few for the 2021 Q50 Pure. Luxe trim is now eligible for a Seat & Sound package that includes leather seating surfaces, powered lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat, enhanced ambient cabin lighting, and a 16-speaker Bose audio system. Most of these extra features make it into the Sensory trim as standard.

You can order your Red Sport 400 version with a ProActive package bringing Direct Adaptive Steering, Active Lane Control, Blind Spot Intervention, pre-crash (pre-tensioning) front seat belts, and adaptive self-leveling headlights.

All versions of the 2021 Q50 have a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. In the Pure, Luxe, Sensory, and Signature trims, this engine makes 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. In the Red Sport 400, it’s tuned to produce 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.

A standard 7-speed automatic transmission includes a Sport mode and rev-matched downshifting.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is the default setup; all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional for all trims.

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6
300 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
295 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/29 mpg (RWD), 19/27 mpg (AWD)

3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 (Red Sport 400)
400 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm
350 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-5,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/26 mpg (RWD), 19/26 mpg (AWD)