Infiniti Q50 2014 review

Under the Infiniti Q50 2.0T's bonnet you'll find a Mercedes-Benz turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine and seven-speed automatic transmission.

It's a great place to source your powertrain as the Benz donk is at once powerful, frugal, refined and features the latest technology.

Value

Q50 GT starts at $50,900 and is jammed full of standard kit that in many cases is optional on similar competitors.

Then there's the styling - easily one of the most attractive in the stable with a real angular and muscular look to its flanks that is unlike most other cars around apart from perhaps the Lexus IS250.

Range

A whole bunch of Q50s are available in GT, S and S Premium spec, with this 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine as well as a 2.1-litre Benz-sourced turbo diesel and a 3.5-litre petrol V6 from the Nissan inventory. There's even a hybrid all-wheel drive model.

We drove the entry-level and top-spec Q50 2.0T sedans over the past two weeks and reckon they are pretty good.

Engine / Transmission

Engine performance is impressive as is the auto that seems to have been slowed a tad in shift speed compared to the 'same' unit in a Benz. 

There is no cause for disappointment in the go department when the Q50 gets mobile. Sounds good too, with a snarly little rasp to the exhaust when you give it the guts.

Power output is 155kW with 350Nm of torque on tap from low revs. It's sufficient to propel the Q50 2.0T from 0-100kmh in 7.3 seconds and coincidentally return fuel economy of 7.3L/100km - on 95RON or better.

The engine is a gem and a huge asset to the Q50, as is the rear-wheel drive.

No matter how you look at it, rear wheel drive gives a better drive feel than all wheel or front wheel drive and in the Q50's case, contributes to great dynamics capped by one of the better steering systems in this segment. It has great feel, is super direct, doesn't flinch on bumps and is spoiled only a tad by the large turning circle that catches you out when parking. Get ready for heaps of three point turns.

Features

Some driver assist features are included on the GT base model with mid-spec S and high-spec S Premium getting more of everything - including progressively larger wheels.

Do you really need it all? Not really because the GT is entirely adequate.

The drive mode select is handy and though we often default to Sport mode in other cars, we found Normal was pretty good in the Q50 with slightly less frenetic dynamic calibrations.

Two info screens are fitted which is confusing, and on one car made hooking up to Bluetooth somewhat problematic. We finally nailed it - on the top screen. The other car hooked up straight away...go figure.

Leather is in all versions along with awesome Bose audio and digital InTouch connectivity services - with apps, too.

The wheel has electric rake and reach adjust and the front seats are also electrically adjustable even on the base GT.

A decent satnav system comes as standard along with hill hold and auto stop/start, auto headlights, voice control, and seats designed by NASA to prevent fatigue during long distance driving.

Driving

It's a heavy, medium-size, five seat sedan weighing from 1650kg, due in part to all the kit included.

But you wouldn't know it from behind the wheel with a distinct sporty drive feel to all dynamic functions. It's a fun car to take through corners and then blast up the straight. Minimal noise penetrates the cabin, and the comfort level is high especially with those NASA seats.

It looks good inside as well as out - modern, well laid out, plenty of gadgets to play with, pleasing surfaces and finishes.

However, there are not too many dealers, and we'd bet not too many would be interested in taking on the Infiniti brand - unless they were bankrolled by head office.