Item: Infiniti Q50
Rating: 1
Author: What Car? Team

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The diesel Q50 falls short of its most efficient rivals in terms of CO2 emissions, so it’s more expensive as a company car. It has comparatively high contract hire rates, too. Poor resale values and high servicing costs mean it’ll cost many thousands of pounds more than most rivals over three years as a private buy.

Considering the performance it offers, the hybrid is well priced as a company or private buy, but non-hybrid rivals are better to drive, and cheaper to buy and run. In addition, both petrol-engined models are also less efficient than the majority of competitors, and insurance and tax will be comparatively high for the turbocharged cars.

The materials on the dashboard and seats feel relatively classy, and build quality is tough to fault. Only a few aspects, such as the cheap-feeling door handles, let the side down. Although Infiniti does not yet feature in UK reliability surveys, it has a good reputation in America, so the car promises to last well.

The entry-level SE model gets a good level of standard equipment, including dual-zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, cruise control and 17in alloy wheels. It’s a shame that a digital radio and sat-nav are expensive optional extras on all Q50s, though (unless you opt for a ‘Tech’ Edition). Premium trim is also decent value, and adds heated leather seats and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. The hybrid and 3.0t come with sports suspension, larger wheels, sports seats and LED headlights.

All Q50s come with emergency brake assist, six airbags and an alarm. You have to go for the expensive optional Safety Shield pack to get the most desirable equipment, though. This includes lane-departure and blind spot warning systems, high-speed emergency braking and a system that helps prevent collisions when reversing, say out of a driveway. The Q50 got the maximum five stars in its Euro NCAP crash test, although it falls a little short of the adult occupant scores of many rivals.

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The Q50 range kicks off with a turbocharged 208bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine. It sounds a bit gruff at idle but it does settle down at speed. Unfortunately, it lacks the sort of flexibility you might expect from a turbocharged engine, and, for a similar outlay, Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz will sell you a like-for-like four-cylinder petrol saloon with significantly more power and a better claimed fuel economy.

The hybrid on the other hand is seriously rapid - and economical - thanks to a 302bhp 3.5-litre V6 and a 68bhp electric motor. On the combined cycle it will return 45mpg and emit just 144g/km of CO2 - and without the 3% diesel BIK surcharge for company car buyers it makes a solid case for itself as a company car. That said, as a private buyer any fuel savings are likely to be offset by costly insurance and a high list price.

However, if economy is not at the top of your list, and you're after maximum performance, then the range-topping 3.0t will be of more interest. This gains a 395bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine - the smoothest and most powerful in the range. It's certainly fast, but while the standard-fit seven-speed automatic is smooth enough at normal speeds, it’s slow to respond at times. Ultimately, a BMW 330i would be a more engaging drive.

Only one diesel engine is available; a 168bhp 2.2-litre unit that is unrefined by class standards. The engine’s clatter resonates around the cabin and there’s a lot of mechanical vibration, even at low speeds. The standard manual gearbox is notchy and unpleasant to use, so we would opt for the optional automatic.

Dynamically, the Q50 also falls behind the best in class. The Direct Adaptive Steering system of the more expensive models allows you to alter the weight and responsiveness of the steering, but it feels fake and disconcerting. The standard set-up is better, but it still feels rather artificial. The diesel Q50 rides well, remaining settled much of the time, but the rear-wheel drive hybrid (we’re yet to try the all-wheel drive version) has an uncomfortably firm, jarring ride.

The Infiniti Q50 packs a high-tech and surprisingly stylish punch, but it lacks the overall sophistication of its executive car rivals

Despite having the brains and brawn of Nissan behind it, luxury sub-brand Infiniti has categorically failed to make an impact in the UK’s ultra-competitive premium car sector. In fact, it sells fewer cars in a year than BMW sells in a single month.

One of the cars it hopes will push sales upwards is this Infiniti Q50 saloon. Sharing a platform with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/infiniti/q60/coupe/review/n17234">Q60 Coupe</a>, the Q50 is a striking and sporty looking alternative to its more obvious rivals, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a4/saloon/review/n105">Audi A4</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/3-series/saloon/review/n91">BMW 3 Series</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/c-class/saloon/review/n70">Mercedes-Benz C-Class</a>.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5pEM8Tsx2Ng"></iframe>

It’s impressively high-tech, too, but peer under the bonnet and, unlike the aforementioned trio, the Infiniti Q50’s options seem noticeably slim. There’s a choice of two turbocharged petrol engines, one low emission hybrid and one diesel. The base petrol 2.0-litre gets rear-wheel drive, while the V6 at the top of the range is available with four-wheel drive as an option.

So the Q50 is clearly a left-field choice in this hotly contested class. To find out if it’s worth putting it on your executive saloon wish list, read on over the next few pages. We’ll tell you how it drives, what it’ll cost and what it’s like inside.

Two colour touchscreens dominate the dashboard. One controls infotainment functions, including the optional sat-nav; the other controls the car's dynamic settings and can also run apps, such as Facebook. They look modern and high-tech, but are complicated and can be slow to respond. The conventional buttons for the climate control and stereo volume are easy to use, though. A broad driver’s seat and plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment make for a comfortable driving position.

Saloon

Infiniti is to Nissan what Lexus is to Toyota: the premium arm of a mainstream car maker.

Infiniti’s current model range includes the Q30 hatchback, Q50 executive saloon and Q60 coupé, all of which go head to head with cars from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz. There’s also the QX30, a small SUV.

The brand has so far struggled to make a big impact on British buyers due to high prices, but most of the time that’s partially offset by a long list of standard equipment.

Future plans include a new range of electric vehicles and a smart petrol engine that is said to offer diesel-like fuel economy.

INFINITI

The Infiniti Q50 packs a high-tech and surprisingly stylish punch, but it lacks the overall sophistication of its executive car rivals

The instrument cluster is one of the clearest in the class, and we found it relatively easy to find a comfortable driving position; our only complaint was that the electric steering column is missing some telescopic range. Visibility is also good, and although the refinement is somewhat affected by road noise, the petrol engines tend to remain hushed at a cruise.

In the back, passengers are treated to rather comfortable seats, although the leg room ahead of them isn’t overly generous. The middle seat, blighted by a high and intrusive transmission tunnel, is strictly reserved for children.

Infiniti claims a larger boot capacity than that of a BMW 3 Series, but with a floor that slopes up to make room for the car’s battery beneath, and a lid offering no hydraulic assistance, it actually feels less practical in the real world.

Unsurprisingly, the hybrid’s boot is smaller, because of the space taken up by the batteries, but it’s adequate for light everyday use.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.

The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes. If rear space is crucial and you’re willing to put up with a less-than-premium badge, the Skoda Superb is tough to beat, while if you want a premium badge on the bonnet then the BMW 3 Series is consistently one of our favourites in this class.

And don't think you're limited to just petrol or diesel-powered choices in this class,&nbsp;because at the top end the Tesla Model 3 is well worth considering for its long range and engaging driving style.

Executive

Infiniti Q50 review

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Read review covering Infiniti Q50 boot space, size and dimensions, front and rear seat comfort by the expert What Car? test team.

The instrument cluster is one of the clearest in the class, and we found it relatively easy to find a comfortable driving position; our only complaint was that the electric steering column is missing some telescopic range. Visibility is also good, and although the refinement is somewhat affected by road noise, the petrol engines tend to remain hushed at a cruise.,In the back, passengers are treated to rather comfortable seats, although the leg room ahead of them isn’t overly generous. The middle seat, blighted by a high and intrusive transmission tunnel, is strictly reserved for children.,Infiniti claims a larger boot capacity than that of a BMW 3 Series, but with a floor that slopes up to make room for the car’s battery beneath, and a lid offering no hydraulic assistance, it actually feels less practical in the real world.Unsurprisingly, the hybrid’s boot is smaller, because of the space taken up by the batteries, but it’s adequate for light everyday use.

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