Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 2018 review
Content
- Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
- How practical is the interior space? 8/10
- Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
- What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
- How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
- What is it like to drive? 7/10
- What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
- How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
- Verdict
- Would you prefer the Q50 Red Sport to the Euro sports sedan? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport sedan really wants you to love it, and this latest version goes out of its way to impress you with its looks and features.
So much so that you will take it home... and live with it forever. And then there's that engine—powered by a formidable twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, the Q50 Red Sport outdoes all of its rivals.
But there's a BMW 340i that isn't much more expensive... and that's a BMW. But what about the Lexus IS 350? It's more like an Infiniti, but also more popular.
Oh, and don't forget that when we first met the Q50 Red Sport last year, we didn't quite get it right. The menacing growl of the engine seemed too strong for the car. Then there was the bumpy ride, and the steering wasn't great either, unless you were in Sport+ mode. Everything is back now...
Perhaps the Q50 Red Sport has changed. It's a new car and Infiniti assured us it's a different car.
Will we give him another chance? Of course, and we do, in a quick 48-hour test. So, has it changed? It is better? Will we live with this forever?
| 50 Infiniti Q2018: 2.0T Sport Premium | |
|---|---|
| Safety Rating | |
| engine's type | 2.0 L turbo |
| fuel type | Premium unleaded gasoline |
| Fuel efficiency | 7.3l / 100km |
| Landing | 5 Places |
| Price from | $30,200 |
Is there anything interesting about its design? 7/10
The Q50 Red Sport looks moody from the front, which I like about the car. Yes, the grille is simplistic and gaping, the nose is a bit bulging, and of course the car looks like a Lexus IS 350 from the side, but those rear hips and aggressive body kit with a front splitter and trunk lid spoiler make it look like an impressive four-door sedan.
The update brought restyled front and rear bumpers, red brake calipers, dark chrome 20-inch wheels and new LED taillights.
Inside, the cockpit is an asymmetrical heaven (or hell if you're a bit obsessive-compulsive, like me), full of fast-paced lines, angles, and different textures and materials.
Quilted leather seats with red stitching are an addition that came along with the update, as well as a new steering wheel and ambient lighting.
Our test car's "Sunstone Red" color is also a new shade that looks a bit like Mazda Soul Red. If red isn't your thing, there are other colors - I hope you like blue, white, black or grey, because there are "Iridium Blue", "Midnight Black", "Liquid Platinum", "Graphite Shadow", "Black Obsidian", " majestic. White" and "Pure White".
The Q50 shares the same dimensions as the IS 350: both are 1430mm tall, the Infiniti is 10mm wider (1820mm), 120mm longer (4800mm) and the wheelbase is 50mm longer (2850mm).
How practical is the interior space? 8/10
The Q50 Red Sport is a five-seat, four-door sedan that is much more practical than its two-door counterpart, the Q60 Red Sport, as I can actually sit in the back seat. The Q60 coupe styling looks amazing, but the sloping roofline means headroom is so severely limited that the rear seats become a place to drop your jacket.
True, my height is 191 cm, but in the Q50 Red Sport I can sit behind my driver's seat with extra legroom and more than enough headroom.
I'm 191 cm tall, but in the Q50 Red Sport I can sit behind my driver's seat with plenty of legroom.
The boot volume is 500 liters, which is 20 liters more than the IS 350.
Storage space throughout the cabin is good, with two cup holders in the rear center folding armrest, two more up front, and bottle holders in all doors. A large storage box on the center console and another large storage space in front of the shifter are great for keeping trash under control and your valuables.
Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10
Maybe I'll sit down for this next beat. The Q50 Red Sport is priced at $79,900. Are you okay? Do you want a minute? Remember though it just seems big because it's not a Benz or a BMW. In truth, the value is pretty good - better than a German car of the same size and grunt.
Take a look at the list of standard features: 8.0-inch and 7.0-inch touchscreens, 16-speaker Bose Performance Series stereo, digital radio, noise cancellation, satellite navigation, 360-degree camera, leather seats, power adjustable from sports seats, dual-zone climate control , proximity key, sunroof, automatic wipers and adaptive LED headlights.
New 19-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers are standard.
The 2017 update brought new standard features to the Red Sport, including red stitching on the seats and dashboard, quilted leather seats, new 19-inch alloy wheels and red brake calipers.
Don't forget that the Red Sport also has a big impact on value for money. That nose houses a twin-turbo V6 that makes almost as much grunt as a BMW M3 for about $100K less. Even the 340i, which Infiniti says is a rival to the Red Sport, costs $10 more. The truth is, the Lexus IS 350 is a real contender for the Q50 Red Sport.
What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10
In the nose of the Q50 Red Sport is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, which is great. For me, this car is a technologically sophisticated piece of jewelery that delivers 298kW/475Nm.
In the nose of the Q50 Red Sport is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine, which is great.
But I have my concerns… you can read about them in the driving section.
Gear shifting is carried out by a seven-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels.
How much fuel does it consume? 7/10
Infiniti says the V6 petrol engine in the Q50 Red Sport should consume 9.3L/100km if you use it on highways, city streets and back roads. We've only had the Q60 Red Sport for 48 hours and after a couple days of driving around Sydney and a trip to the Royal National Park, our onboard computer reported 11.1L/100km.
What is it like to drive? 7/10
Perhaps the biggest complaint we had about the previous Q50 Red Sport, released in 2016, was that the chassis didn't seem to match the amount of grunt going through it, and those rear wheels struggled to convey power. road without losing grip.
We ran into the same issue again in this new machine. My clutch slowed down not only in the "Sport +" and "Sport" modes, but also in the "Standard" and "Eco". This happened without strong pressure and with all electronic means of traction and stabilization.
If I was 18, I would announce to the whole world that I found my dream car - the one that always wants to "light them up" if there is a chance. But like that buddy who always gets in trouble at night, it's only funny when you're young.
A truly great car is planted, balanced and able to effectively deliver grunts to the road. A perfect example is the Nissan R35 GT-R, a brilliant machine, the weapon of a powerful car whose chassis is perfectly matched to the engine.
And that could be a problem with the Q50 Red Sport - that engine feels a little too powerful for the chassis and the wheel and tire package.
We also felt that the ride on the previous Q50 Red Sport, with its ever-adapting "dynamic digital suspension", was overused. Infiniti says it has improved the suspension system and the ride now seems to be more comfortable and quiet.
Steering was another area we weren't too impressed with when we drove the previous car. The Infiniti Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) system is very sophisticated and is the first in the world to have no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and wheels - it is completely electronic.
The new Q50 Red Sport uses an upgraded "DAS 2" and while it feels better than before, it's only in "Sport+" mode that it feels most natural and accurate.
Warranty and safety rating
Basic Warranty
4 years / 100,000 km
guarantee
ANCAP Safety Rating
What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 8/10
The 50 Q2014 achieved the highest ANCAP five-star rating, and the amount of advanced safety equipment that comes standard on the Red Sport is impressive. There's AEB that works forward and backward, forward collision and blind spot warning, lane keeping assist and moving object detection.
The back row has two ISOFIX points and two top tether anchor points for child seats.
The Q60 Red Sport doesn't come with a spare tire because the 245/40 R19 tires are deflated, meaning that even after a puncture, you'll be able to get around 80km. Not ideal in Australia where distances are very long.
How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10
The Q50 Red Sport is covered by Infiniti's four-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, with maintenance recommended every 12 months or 15,000 km.
Infiniti has a scheduled maintenance program that will cost $1283 (total) over three years.
Verdict
The Q50 Red Sport is a premium sedan at a great price with a powerful engine. Even though Infiniti has improved the ride and steering, I still feel like the engine is too powerful for the wheels and chassis. But if you're looking for a bit of a wild beast, this car might be for you. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Would you prefer the Q50 Red Sport to the Euro sports sedan? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
