Infiniti Q50 - Nissan Altima’s richer cousin who went the Ivy League route – via rental

[trinacriabob]

I had never driven an Infiniti Q50 before, let alone ever really looked at them.  I also didn’t know much about these cars.

I was supposed to be assigned a medium sized SUV, but remarked I wanted the luggage area to be hidden.  The rental agent told me they could not guarantee the presence of a retractable cover. (Why would they order a car without one or why would someone take one?  eBay?)  They didn’t have any SUVs anyway, and I got put into an Infiniti Q50. 

I checked my phone to verify the cost would be covered by my insurance and the credit card parameters.  It came in at around $43,000.  That’s if new.  That said: “no worries.”  However, this unit would be a much-depreciated 3+ year model with 57,000 miles.  I relaxed.  At any rate, I put less than 500 miles on it over a week. 

As one walks up to it, you can tell its heritage … and rather quickly.  You can instantly see similarities to the Nissan Altima in the instrument panel’s main cluster and in the switches much the same way that a CT6 by Cadillac and a Cruze by Chevrolet share dials and such.  However, the assembly and detailing are nicer in the Q50.  It had leather seating, which I don’t care for in a warm weather location, that was comfortably contoured and nicely finished.  The same could be said for the doors and other trim and fittings. 

Inside, I liked the way that the dash, center stack, and console flowed together.  The scalloped tops of the dash hearken to those of the very last Impala, which had an attractive dashboard on various levels. The center stack is slightly like that of an Olds Aurora.  These comments go along with the often-cited commentary that this car is traditional and old school in a lot of ways, thus not breaking any new ground. The least favorable aspect of the interior is operating the various touch screen and stalk functions.  Some are redundant and confusing.  However, for one, it is possible to pull up a clock that resembles old school chronometer and have it sitting at the top of the center stack.

On the interior's plus side, there are perfectly contoured and angled slots to store water bottles at the base of the front doors.  On the minus side, there is a remote latch release for the trunk, but not one for the fuel cap door.  (The fuel cap door remains closed if the car is locked.)

I figured that this Infiniti would have a V6.  It was no ordinary V6, but 3.7 liters worth of V6 with twin turbochargers.  Rarely does one need this much power and, in one week, I got aggressive with the throttle in one merging situation and one passing situation.  It is up to the task and kicks out a little torque steer.  Its hum is a rather muted purr.  As would be expected in what is supposed to be a premium car, the automatic transmission is a geared unit.  It has 7 speeds.  The first 2 shifts can be felt while the remaining shifts are not.  However, if in stop and go traffic, and alternating speed, those early shifts can be a little less smooth as the transmission seems to hunt.  (It could also be how many miles were on the unit.) Why 7 speeds?  How about 6 … or 8?  I’m talking even numbers!

With the powertrain comes the requirement for premium fuel.  Also, compared to many full-size Japanese cars working with 4 cylinders and turning in commendable gas mileage, this car with its V6 is a little thirsty.

Ride, handling, and noise are related, but different enough.  The ride was supple and controlled, but not much more so than that of an uplevel 4-cylinder sedan.  Handling was better and this Infiniti tracked accurately and nimbly.  Also, the Q50 was fairly hushed, but I might have expected a little more isolation and a higher premium "feel" for the price jump from a Nissan to an Infiniti.

Its exterior features that extra chrome and trim to make it uplevel within the Nissan family tree, yet the greenhouse is an almost familiar one.  This car delivered on one greenhouse dimension I’m fussy about - rearward vision from the driver’s vantage point is very good.

I don’t know how the order sheet was configured when this car was purchased. There was an indicator for forward alerts, but I never got to experience it in action.  Also, whether on the rearview mirrors or inside of the front pillars, there was nothing to warn of side traffic and there weren’t parking assists that kicked in.  Perhaps they were there, but the car was not put in a situation where they’d engage.  On another rental car of a lower price point, those were always at work and perhaps a little too eager.  I almost prefer the latter.

I didn’t read any reviews about this car before beginning the rental or during the rental.  I echo what they have to say.  For its niche, it doesn’t drum up much enthusiasm.  The best point is its more premium handling while the negatives are some difficulties in setting it up when first getting in and its slight thirstiness. If something about this overall package is appealing and a person connects with the Q50, then the consumer will probably go for it.  I don’t know how it will hold up and how much it will cost to service over the long haul.  While there are no Toyota and Nissan dealerships in Beverly Hills, California, as an example, there is a Lexus agency there while the Infiniti dealership seems to have closed.  Infiniti seems to want to ride the same wave that Lexus is riding, though I’d think piggybacking onto Toyota might be a more lauded genealogy.

This is very much a personal decision and you’re on your own.  I was going to turn in the Q50 after a day to see if I could get something more familiar to me but decided to keep it.  Exchanging cars is a hassle.  Once past the learning curve and adjustments, it’s fairly easy to live with, but it’s neither a remarkable nor compelling vehicle.

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PHOTOS FORTHCOMING

Edited April 19 by trinacriabob

[trinacriabob]

EXTERIOR PHOTOS

Side view of the Q50 on America's "First Coast" region and Ponce de Leon seems to approve.

Actually, the grille is somewhat attractive (not as heavy handed as that of a Lexus).  The pearl effect white exterior with very pale cream/tan interior came together well in this vehicle.

These cars in this category seem to converge in terms of styling - I see some Nissan Altima and even some Pontiac G8.  The greenhouse, with all the headrests pushed down, gets a "thumbs up" from me for visibility.

[trinacriabob]

INTERIOR PHOTOS

Sweeping view of the interior - and its sweeps - from the driver's door.  I very much like the curved effects on the dashboard and how they make their way onto the front doors.

View of the front of the cabin from the passenger door

An overall view of most of the dashboard and Infiniti has an agreeable enough emblem

While it may hide some other info when this mode is chosen, the old school chronometer - together with the date spelled out, is a nice feature/option

This is straight out of a Nissan Altima ... note that, when assigned to me, it had over 57,000 miles.

Here you see the remote trunk release but I also prefer a remote fuel filler door release instead of pushing on them

All the windows have the automatic up-down feature and it has become a must-have

Even though I wasn't a fan of black bits on interiors in other colors (cream, tan, gray, etc.), it works well here, together with the wood applique and chrome, and is handled in a way to may it look sort of "premium."

Here is the rear seating area of the cabin with all the headrests pushed down.  Its craftsmanship appears to be good.

The rear visibility with the headrests pushed down garners a "thumbs up" from me.

When you have a sunroof, you realize it's sort of nifty, but that you don't exactly want to use it all the time.  I preferred just having the glass sunroof in a closed position with the shade pulled back and open most of the time.

This is an overall view of an empty trunk.  I came to learn that the large rear wheel well humps created some restrictions.

That is a standard piece of luggage at the right and a rollaboard at the left.  While they are both stuffed (in height), the width remains the same and I couldn't place them side by side and pushed against the back of the trunk space.  That made it harder to put in other luggage or store purchases, the latter of which could go in front of them  or at the sides.

Edited April 20 by trinacriabob

[trinacriabob]

MECHANICAL PHOTOS

It's definitely not a N.A. 4 cylinder engine - the V6 with twin turbos takes up a larger part of the engine bay.

There is a very clearly marked compartment for the battery.  I didn't open it up to take a look.

The symmetrically placed brake fluid compartment needs that much room?  One would think they'd also lay out the fuses here.

While the oil dipstick is easy to find, the other lids are sort of ominous and point to something cautionary and under pressure - most likely coolant ... this shows you that the engine bay is fairly maxed out.