2015 Infiniti Q50 Sedan - Rating Details

A

Edmunds Rating

Vehicle Tested

2014 Infiniti Q50 Sport Sedan (3.7L V6 7-Speed Automatic)

Driven On 2/11/2014

Ratings Summary

This rating has been carried forward from a prior year because the newer model has no substantial differences.

The Q50 S (aka Sport guise) shows the Q50 at its best, finally demonstrating the handling prowess that was only hinted at in the base Q50. Its non run-flat summer tires and better seats help transform the car into one of the best driver's cars in its class. It demonstrates a wide array of competencies.

A

PerformanceDynamically a highly competent car that, in this Sport guise with summer tires, 

is finally able to demonstrate its true capability. Sharper, grippy-er and, of course, powerful.

 Drives smaller than it is, and that's a compliment.

Acceleration	A	The 328-horsepower V6 accelerates the Q50 strongly, and the 7-speed automatic shifts quickly and downshifts willingly. It's now quieter than ever, too. A standout powertrain in its class.
Braking	A	Easy to modulate, consistent stops; good feel at pedal. Panic-stopping distance is exactly average for summer tire-equipped cars in this class.
Steering	A	Quick, precise and builds effort well. It is a bit on the light-effort side. Natural feel from this car's steering rack. Test car not equipped with the steer-by-wire option.
Handling	A	The Q50 Sport's summer tires and suspension tuning have revealed this chassis as a formidable sport sedan. Sharp, capable. Inspires confidence. High levels of grip and composure.
Driveability	A	A very pleasant and intuitive car with a willing and capable powertrain. Good manners in typical driving circumstances and a natural demeanor.

B

ComfortThe Sport variant rides better and is equipped with better seats than the non-S. 

It's comfortable and generally quieter than the G37, though road noise is still noticeable.

Seating Comfort	A	The seats in the Q50S are more comfortable and more supportive than the base seats. The bolstering is more prominent but not obtrusive. There's also an adjustable thigh bolster.
Ride Comfort	B	More compliant than the run-flat tire equipped base Q50. The ride in the Q50 S is calmer, absorbing pavement imperfections more adeptly. Firm yet compliant.
Quietness	B	Good isolation from wind noise. Road noise is noticeable. Engine noise is better muted than in previous G37 iterations.

B

InteriorBeautifully presented cabin looks and feels great. Conventional controls fall easily to hand. Touchscreen has usual drawbacks. A pleasant and spacious place in which to spend time.

Ergonomics	C	Dual touchscreen nests most controls. It is sensitive to the touch and has logical screen flow, though is still subject to glare and fingerprints. No knobs for HVAC, only buttons.
Ingress/Egress	B	Its low step-in height and accomodating seats facilitate easy entrances. Doors swing open with surprising ease.
Space/Room	B	Airy cabin and contoured dashboard provide a usefully large space. Six-footers can occupy the backseat with headroom to spare.
Visibility	B	Expansive view through the windshield. The rising beltline and relatively high rear decklid shrinks the view over your shoulder and out the rear window.
Cargo/Storage	B	Ample cargo volume with a wide aperture. Swallows a good amount of gear. Note: the conventional spare tire option reduces cargo volume somewhat vs the normal car.

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B

ValueThe Q50 brings tangible improvements to an already excellent car in virtually every 

area. Comfort, space, refinement and efficiency have all stepped forward, and the

 powertrain is terrific.

Build Quality (vs. $)	B	No issues to speak of, and perceived build quality (gaps and color matches) is on par with others in this highly competitive segment.
Features(vs. $)	A	Well-equipped in Sport form and available with many optional features at reasonable prices.
Cost	B	Compared to the G37 it replaces, the Q50 is smartly priced. It's a noticeably better car for very little extra money.
MPG	B	EPA Combined is 23 mpg (20 City, 29 Highway). We managed 25 mpg on our standard evaluation loop.
Warranty	B	The Q50's warranty coverage is 4 years/ 60,000 miles (basic and roadside), while the drivetain is covered for 6 yrs/70,000 mi. This is stronger than its German rivals.
Ownership	B	No free maintenance is available with the Q50.

A

Fun To DriveThe Q50 is fun to drive by virtue of its alert, strong powertrain and sharp steering. Handling is noticeably better in the Q50S than the non-S.

Driving Experience	A	Very pleasant car in which to spend time. This variant of the Q50 (Sport model with the non-active steering) appears to the be Goldilocks version of the Q50: It's just right.
Personality	A	An enthusiastic chassis is unlocked when you select the Sport variant, and in terms of its prowess the car still feels like a G37 despite the slightly larger size. This is, again, a good thing.

2015 Infiniti Q70L

Basem Wasef

Vital Stats

Engine:

5.6L V8

Power:

420 HP / 417 LB-FT

Transmission:

7-Speed Auto

Drivetrain:

Rear-Wheel Drive

Curb Weight:

4,313 LBS

Seating:

2+3

Cargo:

14.9 CU-FT

MPG:

16 City / 23 HWY

Base Price:

$51,350

A quick look at a scatter plot that charts rear legroom against luxury sedan MSRPs reveals a dearth of spacious bargains – few, if any, luxury sedans offer exceptionally spacious rear accommodations at a relatively low starting price. To fill the vacuum, Infiniti has made its Q70 available in a Q70L variant – in English, long wheelbase – for 2015.

The artist formerly known as the Infiniti M has been available in stretched-out form in the Chinese market for two years, and the US introduction is accompanied by several updates that include slightly reworked styling cues, and refinements to the drivetrain and chassis. The Q70L's wheelbase extends 5.9 inches (with a commensurate expansion of knee room), while overall length increases to 202 inches, a 7.3-inch bump. Powertrain options include a 3.7-liter V6 which produces 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque (starting at $51,350), or a 5.6-liter V8 that yields 420 hp and 417 lb-ft (and climbs to $64,550). The long-wheelbase treatment adds $1,500 to Q70 MSRPs. Not surprisingly, the Hybrid version is not available with the L treatment.

Up to three Q70L rear passengers are treated to reading lamps, a 12-volt power outlet, rear door close assist, and available heated seats. Unlike its Far Eastern counterpart (and competitors like the $61,500 Hyundai Equus), the US-spec Q70L's rear seats don't recline. Bummer.

What to make of this stretched Infiniti that's just 1.2 inches of legroom shy of an S-Class? The Q70 has never quite compared dynamically to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class or BMW 5 Series, and the longer wheelbase makes it even harder for the Japanese sedan to compete when it comes to driving satisfaction. What the Q70L does offer, however, are rather plush interior accommodations that include available semi-analine leather and Japanese Ash trim that's been bedazzled by sprinklings of genuine silver mixed into the lacquer.

A test drive of the 2015 Infiniti Q70L through New York City and into the sinewy roads leading to Bear Mountain revealed even greater rifts between the lengthened sedan and its sporty competitors. Where does this leave Infiniti's Q70L amidst the macrocosm of luxury sedans, which include the Audi A6, Cadillac CTS, and Jaguar XF?

Driving Notes

• Lengthening the wheelbase adds approximately 100 pounds of mass to the Q70L's curb weight, the equivalent of throwing a skinny kid in the back seat, give or take a few cheeseburgers. It's not a significant increase in tonnage, but the longer body makes the L variant feel noticeably less nimble than the standard-issue Q70, aided by the fact that the steering ratio has not been altered.
• Ride quality felt somewhat busy but controlled over NYC's notoriously irregular pavement, while rural roads outside of Manhattan revealed a more sedate side to the sedan's damping.
• The Q70L's cabin is pleasantly quiet, thanks in part to active noise canceling technology and new-for-2015 improvements including added insulation and better seals. There's still a faint but noticeable engine induction sound, which lends an air of sportiness to the aural experience.
• Our V8-powered tester delivered strong, but not head-pinning, oomph. Despite what seemed like reasonably swift acceleration (Infiniti doesn't publish official 0-60 times), the Q70L's grunt doesn't inspire particularly leadfooted driving.
• At least visually speaking, the Q70L's driving experience is all about the curves. Two humps dominate the instrument cluster, which is framed by the hood's bulbous profile. Arcs of wood and leather bind the interior, and the center stack is distinguished by its wave-like shape.
• The Q70L is all about the expanded rear seating area, and a stint in its aft compartment revealed plenty of space, but a disappointing lack of amenities. Legroom is indeed generous, though the passenger experience doesn't feel particularly special. Unlike Hyundai's Equus, the Infiniti doesn't have a panel of controls that make the back perch feel like a first-class airline throne. The seats can be heated but not cooled, and they don't recline.

Perhaps this stretched-out five-seater will gain traction within that obscure segment of the population that would rather be chauffeured in midlevel luxury, rather than take the wheel themselves. We're a bit hazy on this rather specific target demographic, which seems more likely to reside in a Shanghai suburb than in a major metropolitan US city, but suppose the Q70L's sales figures will be the ultimate measure of its success.