2015 Infiniti Q50S Review: A Personal Journey into the World of Luxury Sedans

Infiniti became known as “the Japanese BMW” when they released their first G car, which had sharp handling and a V6 engine that loved to rev. Now that it’s 2024, the market for compact luxury cars has changed. The Lexus IS and Cadillac ATS have become the new standards for how well cars handle and feel when driving. What happened to Infiniti’s “Japanese BMW”? To find out, I drove a 2015 Infiniti Q50S that was fully loaded and had the controversial steer-by-wire system.

2015 Infiniti Q50S Specifications

The Best Machine for Marketing vs. The Best Machine for Driving

The 3-Series was a huge hit; 142,000 were sold in the US alone last year. This has more to do with how good BMW is at marketing than its claim to be the “ultimate driving machine.” The new 335i is fast, but it’s bigger, softer, and fancier than the ones before it. These changes have made me love the 3-Series even more. Regarding cars, Infiniti decided to make the Q50S its version of the ultimate driving machine, while Lexus and Cadillac seem to be trying to follow in the footsteps of the old 3-Series.

An Original Method

The method Infiniti uses is original. Infiniti kept the G37 around under the new moniker Q40, available even as a 2015 model when the Q50 was unveiled as a “replacement.” This approach stands out from most rivals, providing only a more reasonably priced lower-output engine in the same car. By 4,000 units, the Q40 and Q50, taken together, have outsold the Lexus IS 250 and IS 350, therefore approaching the sales of the Lexus ES.

Exterior: Aggressive and Unique

Designed after Infiniti’s Essence concept, the 2015 Infiniti Q50S boasts forceful LED headlamps, a commanding front grille, and elegant, flowing lines. Although some would call it an “angry fish,” I find the look beautiful. Though it is less sophisticated than the new Mercedes C-Class or as aggressive as the Cadillac ATS, it stands out more than the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4 and is less contentious than the Lexus IS 350 F-Sport. The side and back of the Q50 remind me somewhat of the Mazda6. Maintaining Infiniti’s custom of larger-than-average dimensions in this sector, the Q50, at 189.1 inches long, falls between the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series GT in size.

Interior: A Step Above

The 2015 Infiniti Q50S is the best cabin Infiniti has ever made. Its cabin is among the best in the segment despite lacking the Q70’s silver dust-rubbed wood trim. Although the new Mercedes C-Class still ranks first in workmanship and design, the Q50 beats the Acura TLX and even the BMW 3-Series. Though rear headroom is slightly sacrificed by the car’s slim design, the Q50 offers rear seats with more legroom than any other small luxury sedan thanks to its generous outer dimensions. Small at 13.5 cubic feet, the trunk shrinks to 9.4 cubic feet in the hybrid variant.

Entertainment Value: Creativity Right At Your Fingertips

Featuring an 8-inch touchscreen LCD and a 7-inch touchscreen LCD, Infiniti’s innovative 2-screen InTouch infotainment system is introduced by the Q50 Touchscreens, a joystick-like button on the steering wheel, and a navigation control wheel on the center console provides three input points in this configuration. Although some passengers thought the 2-screen arrangement confusing, I adjusted fast. Infiniti’s implementation is more straightforward than Acura’s dual-screen system; both screens are touch-activated and can perform a broad spectrum of operations. Some would find the degree of repetition confusing, but I discovered I was using the bottom touchscreen and steering wheel controls.

Drivetrain: Accuracy and Force

2015 Infiniti Q50S bypasses the entry-level turbocharged four-cylinder by making a 328-horsepower 3.7L V6 standard across all Q50 models. This engine’s 269 lb-ft of torque puts it between the 2.0L and 3.0L turbo rivals. Combining a 3.5L V6 with a 67-horsepower electric motor, the Q50 Hybrid generates 360 horsepower for additional power. Both engines pair an available mechanical AWD system with a 7-speed automatic transmission. Apart from a wet clutch inside the transmission, enabling seamless transitions between EV and gasoline modes, the hybrid vehicle has a dry clutch between the engine and motor.

Driving Experience: The Room’s Elephant

2015 Infiniti Q50S with sports brakes, sports seats, sports suspension, and magnesium paddle shifters is fun. The Q50S manages turns quite nicely despite its 3,675-pound curb weight thanks to its double-wishbone suspension and dual-mode dampers. Still, the optional Direct Adaptive Steering system is a mixed bag. The Q50 feels almost “video game-ish” because this steer-by-wire system lacks a mechanical link between the steering wheel and wheels unless a malfunction is sensed. Although it lessens driver tiredness by adjusting for road defects, the sense of the car moving slightly without matching the steering wheel input is strange.

Performance: Accuracy and Acceleration

With a 5.05-second run to 60 mph in our RWD tester and a 60-0 braking distance of barely 111 feet, the Q50S shines in performance. AWD vehicles add a fraction of a second to the 0-60 time; non-S models are slower. The hybrid vehicle, meanwhile, can fall short of 4.8 seconds. Fuel efficiency is competitive; driven responsibly, the hybrid averages over 30 mpg.

Value For Money

Beginning at $37,150, the Q50 stays a value leader in the 300-horsepower market and provides more standard power and features than its four-cylinder competitors. Although adding options would lessen this benefit, the Q50 offers a well-appointed cabin, good performance, and fair resale value. Included with a $3,100 Deluxe Touring Package with desired amenities, including real wood trim, auto-dimming mirrors, power tilt/telescopic steering column, memory seats, parking sensors, and a 360-view camera, is the Direct Adaptive Steering system.

Final Thought: An Alluring Decision

2015 Infiniti Q50S’s interior, entertainment system, performance, and price make it an attractive alternative, even if the Cadillac ATS and Lexus IS 350 might provide more dynamic driving experiences. Despite my doubts about the Direct Adaptive Steering, I would still choose the Q50S AWD Hybrid. Though it may not be the best driving machine, the Q50 is a solid candidate in the luxury sedan market, given its value and amenities.

FAQs

How many miles per gallon does the 2015 Infiniti Q50S get?

In the city, the 2015 Infiniti Q50S gets 19 miles per gallon, and on the highway, it gets 27 miles per gallon. It averages about 22 miles per gallon, which is pretty good for a luxury car with a V6 engine.

What type of engine does the 2015 Infiniti Q50S have?

It has all-wheel drive (AWD), and the 2015 Infiniti Q50S has it. This all-wheel drive system improves grip and stability, especially in bad weather, so you can confidently drive.