Photo Gallery:
2014 Infiniti Q50
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
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It is pretty rare when I get into a vehicle and immediately think – wow this is a really really nice car. It is not that there are not a lot of really nice cars on the market, but the fact that I get to drive nearly everything under the sun means it can take a lot for me to get excited in that regard.
The Q50 is one of those cars – I expected it to be a little nicer than the G37 it replaces but my immediate reaction when I climbed inside was that Infiniti has overachieved on this one.
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My tester is a Hybrid model, most likely not Infiniti’s bestselling version of the Q50 but it certainly shows what they are capable of. It is also all-wheel drive, which is perfect for Ottawa winters and what most luxury car buyers are looking for.
The base Q50 Hybrid lists at $47,900 the all-wheel drive layout adds an additional $2000 and these models come fairly decked out. My tester adds the Sport package with deluxe technology package for an additional $6,950, adding lane departure warning, blind spot detection, surround view monitoring, collision detection and more.
Since I won’t be travelling into the office this week my driving habits will be a little different but I will try to get as much time behind the wheel as I can. I do plan on heading on a nice highway trip this coming weekend to put some mileage on this car and see how it performs.
Pricing: 2014 Infiniti Q50 AWD Hybrid
Base price: $49,500
Options: Sport package with Deluxe Technology package: $6,950
Freight/PDI: $1,895
A/C Tax: $100
As-tested price: $58,445
Competitors:
Audi A4
BMW 3 Series
Cadillac ATS
Lexus IS
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Volvo S60
For more information on Infiniti and the Q50 visit Infiniti Canada
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
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When I first got into the Q50 I was impressed, and now that I have had a few days to appreciate it I understand why. The details on the interior are very well thought out, the leather feels very plush and has a quilted detail on the door panels, the wood trim is subtle but elegant and the fit and finish seems excellent.
The double-screen dash area does take a little getting use to though – some functions appear on both screens, some appear only on the bottom screen. I think it works well as you can play with the radio settings without affecting the navigation screen or vice versa, but until you get used to it, and I’m not sure a few days is enough, it is a struggle.
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Passenger space is good and leg- and headroom seem excellent. Although I’m not six feet tall it seems to be spacious for the class, compared to the 3 Series and Lexus IS, at least. Being a Hybrid, though, the trunk space is certainly compromised with no pass-through or folding rear seats but a trunk that does fit two sets of golf clubs according to the diagram provided.
Finding a comfortable driving position was fairly quick for me, and we’ll see how I feel after a long drive on Friday – I’ll report back on comfort in my next report. I did notice that the steering feels slightly off centre in my driving position, but that could be a result of bulky winter clothing.
A few quick drives in the dark have revealed to me that the LED headlights are phenomenal but the top screen does not completely shut off, a pet peeve of mine. The screen continues to have a back glow when shut off and displays the time – hey, it is annoying having a huge light in your face when it is pitch black outside. Oddly, the bottom screen does completely shut off… why not both?
With a multitude of technology, this car also feels extremely advanced and “loaded” for the price. I can’t really think of a feature that it does not have that I would need or desire… perhaps massage seats, that is about all that is missing.
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
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I’m a little confused by the Q50 Hybrid because I’m not sure if it is trying to be a luxury car, a sports car or an eco-warrior hybrid car. It seems to try to be all of them, and it does so well in some cases, but in other cases it fails.
Before I get into the driving characteristics I must mention the infotainment system again; after a few hours behind the wheel attempting to use the system I can only conclude that it is a very frustrating system to use. Once the navigation is working it does recalculate quickly though, which is nice.
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On to the driving, now. Are you looking for a sports car? Then the Q50 may be your cup of tea. At slow speeds the steering is incredibly sharp and quick to respond, twitchy even. At higher speed the steering sensitivity reduces making it easy to cruise along on the highway. But that sporty feel translates into a rough and bumpy ride, especially for those in the back seat. The brakes are incredibly touchy and responsive as well – perhaps too much sport in this sports sedan?
That sporty feel seems to hinder the “luxury” side of the Q50, especially at slower speeds as the sharp steering makes the car feel unstable at times. But then at really slow speeds you find out the turning radius is so bad you can barely make turns that semi-trailers have no problems with. Okay, perhaps I exaggerate slightly – but the turning radius is pure rubbish and you will notice it when trying to park – be ready for eight-point turns.
When you get over those quirks you are rewarded with a car that feels smooth on the highway and comfortable. The seats are great and after five hours behind the wheel, I have zero pain and very little squirming was done during the drive. The hybrid system is great as the car will enter EV mode even at speeds upwards of 130 km/h which is impressive. At higher speeds the car engages and disengages the hybrid drive seamlessly, but at slower speeds or at a stop you will notice the engine fire up, sometimes very abruptly.
Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4
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I put a lot of miles on the Q50 this week. Although some features really annoyed me, such as the navigation system, the overall experience was still very, very good. This is a high-end luxury vehicle and it provides the goods that many shopping this category expect.
A lot of my driving was highway, but I did tour the city with a lot of stop and go, and spent nearly two hours waiting to cross the border – do not cross at the Thousand Islands crossing… that was a mistake.
Travelling at higher speeds, doing some bursts of acceleration – for testing purposes of course – I managed a very, very impressive 7.6 L/100 km! If that doesn’t deserve a 5 on our ratings I don’t know what does. Not only did this vehicle deliver excellent fuel economy, it feels like a rocket as well – a killer combination.
