Yahoo Finance Jack of Some Trades: 2018 Infiniti Q50
Overall Rating:
It can be difficult to make credible luxury fit in a small package and even harder to build a car, like this Infiniti Q50, to contend against such greats as the Audi A4 and BMW 3-series. Power comes from a turbocharged four-cylinder, a peachy twin-turbo V-6, or a 360-hp hybrid drivetrain. A 400-hp variant of the V-6 engine is also available on the Red Sport 400 and is reviewed separately. Each engine is available with your choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. The exterior design is typical Infiniti and looks more expensive and sportier than it is, but taken as a whole, the Q50 is neither as luxurious nor as fun to drive as its best competitors.
What’s New for 2018?
The Q50 received some exterior and interior updates for 2018, with tweaks to the grille, headlights, and taillights. There are new 18- and 19-inch wheel designs, with the larger rims reserved for Sport and hybrid models. The Q50’s optional shift paddles are now mounted on the steering wheel instead of the steering column, and there’s new stitching on the dashboard, presumably intended to lend the Q50 a premium feel. The Q50’s powertrains and other equipment are unchanged this year.
Trims and Options We’d Choose
Infiniti’s 300-hp twin-turbocharged V-6 engine is fast and satisfying, so we’d choose that instead of the Q50’s entry-level four-cylinder engine. The Q50 never quite succeeds at being sporty, so we’d avoid the extra cost of the Sport model and stick with the V-6’s standard Luxe trim. It starts at $39,945 and includes:
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Eight-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support
• Six-speaker audio system with CD player and two USB ports
Any Q50 can be upgraded to include all-wheel drive for $2000, but we’d stick with rear-wheel drive and spend our cash on the $2650 Essential package instead, which adds a split-folding rear seat, navigation services, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. That package would bring the total cost of our Q50 to $42,595.
Base Price Comparison
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