Infiniti’s lineup of luxury sedans includes the stylish 2021 Q50. It’s a classic four-door model that prioritizes style and speed over humdrum lines and basic equipment. The newest Q50 upholds traditions in terms of sophistication and power, but we’re still hoping a fresh redesign is in the works. A few modern upgrades would give Infiniti the edge it needs to compete with more popular brands, like Audi and BMW.
For 2021, however, there’s plenty to consider if you’re looking to trade in the old set of wheels for shiny new ones. Keep reading to find out more about the 2021 Infiniti Q50. You may soon find yourself at your local Infiniti dealer, ready to test-drive what could be your next car.
Performance Specifications
Infiniti equips the 2021 Q50 with one of two engine options. To be truthful, though, they are the same engine, just stroked out to different specifications. The base engine is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 capable of 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Red Sport 400 models have — you guessed it — 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. The 3.0-liter V6 is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Though rear-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel can be purchased on any trim level.
Available Colors
Infiniti offers the following colors on the 2021 Q50.
- Midnight Black
- Majestic White
- Mocha Almond
- Graphite Shadow
- Black Obsidian
- Pure White
- Liquid Platinum
- Hagane Blue
- Iridium Blue
- Dynamic Sunstone Red
- Slate Gray
- Grand Blue
Trimlines and Pricing
There are four trim levels available on the 2021 Infiniti Q50, with a nice range of prices and features. Although the Infiniti website technically lists eight different models, half of them are simple the AWD versions of the four different trims. All of these models are FWD, with a $2,000 AWD option available if you need it.
Pure
Starting at $36,600, the base 2021 Q50 model comes with 17-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a dual chrome exhaust, keyless entry, push button start, leather seating, powered front seats, dual automatic climate control, and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen. The main touchscreen is also complemented by a second, 7-inch touchscreen below it. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard too. All things considered, it’s a well-equipped base model for a reasonable price tag.
Luxe
A powered moonroof isn’t the only addition to Luxe trim. You’ll also enjoy 18-inch alloy wheels, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and textured aluminum trim. The Q50 Luxe starts at $41,700.
Sensory
This trim rides on 19-inch alloy wheels mounted to high-performance summer tires. Upgraded brakes and adaptive dampers make the ride that much smoother. Additional features include a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a 16-speaker Bose premium sound system, and sport seats with memory functions. The starting price rises to $47,600 for this version of the Q50.
Red Sport 400
Topping the charts at $55,750 is the Q50 Red Sport 400. You can expect “unique exterior and interior styling treatments” on this top-tier trim level, which features sport brakes with red calipers, quilted leather seating with accented red stitching, magnesium paddle shifters, and carbon-fiber trim details. As the name implies, you’ll get the higher tuned engine in this model too. There’s plenty of style to go with the speed of this top trim model.
Safety Features
The 2021 Q50 has not yet been rated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last year’s model, however, didn’t have any safety concerns from the two main safety agencies. The 2021 version of this luxury sedan sports a number of safety features.
For example, standard safety equipment includes “lane departure warning, intelligent cruise control, and rear collision warning.” There’s also a 360-degree camera system and blind-spot monitors. Automatic high beam headlights are upgraded to adaptive pivoting headlights on higher trims, and join deluxe safety features like adaptive cruise control.
Fuel Efficiency
The 2021 Infiniti Q50 toes the line when it comes to fuel efficiency. Base 3.0-liter V6 models achieve 20 city and 29 highway EPA-estimated miles per gallon (MPG). All-wheel drive will cost you a single point around town but two points on the highway.
The same engine posts similar city numbers in the Red Sport 400 model, but highway MPG stays at 26 in both cases. That is, if you can keep your foot from planting itself into the pedal to hear those 400 horses roar.
Competitors
Many brands have begun the process of swapping out their family sedans for similarly-priced four-door SUVs. While luxury brands like Infiniti won’t necessarily feel as much pressure to make this transition, it does mean they’ll have to refine their remaining sedan models. After all, why purchase a luxury sedan that’s limited in what it can do when you can pay just a few more thousand dollars for an all-around more capable vehicle?
The 2021 Q50 doesn’t have the answer to that question. Rather, it simply sticks to what it knows. There’s no limited-slip differential, which means keeping that Red Sport 400 under control could be tricky in certain situations. Not a single reviewing site had good things to say about the infotainment system, either. MotorBiscuit commented it was “a frustrating experience.” Kelly Blue Book also mentioned “the infotainment system is definitely showing its age.”
Both KBB and Edmunds agreed the interior is a bit dated. That problem is compounded by the fact that the Q50’s last redesign was back in 2014. Fuel economy numbers aren’t exactly where we’d like them to be either. While the Red Sport 400 model seems enticing, it pales in comparison to luxury competitors of German descent. Still, Infiniti offers an attractive price for a very capable luxury sedan. A new generation of the Q50 in 2022 would be welcomed with open arms, though.
Alternatives?
So maybe the 2021 Q50 isn’t quite the answer to your luxurious dreams of style and power. That doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate what Infiniti gets right — which is actually more than you might think. Infiniti’s website boasts the Q50’s “chiseled, athletic design and artful, soul-stirring details throughout.” It’s a characteristic that many review sites echoed as well. Kelley Blue Book highlighted the “performance-per-dollar ratio” of the 2021 Q50, which stands true for both variants of the singular powerplant. “Shifts are so smooth,” gushed CarAndDriver, “that they’re hard to detect.” The “comfortable and composed ride” lends itself to the luxury platform, they added.
Competitors in the luxury sedan segment are numerous. They include the Acura TLX, Mercedes-Benz’s A-Class, C-Class, and CLA-Class, the Volvo S60, Audi’s A6, the BMW 3 and 5-Series, Kia’s Stinger GT, and the Lexus ES. Each model presents its own set of characteristic features and minor details that could either make or break the deal.
The Last Word
There’s a lot to like about the 2021 Infiniti Q50. It’s a luxury sedan that coordinates style, composure, speed, and safety. All of that at a price that isn’t outrageous. In a world of disappearing four-door sedans, it stands firm in traditions. If you’re in the market for a luxury sedan and haven’t test-driven an Infiniti, we encourage you to (safely) stop by your local Infiniti dealership to check out the 2021 Q50. Go for the Red Sport 400 if you’re feeling brave, but remember, choosing luxury doesn’t mean you have to compromise power — and vice versa.
Source: Infiniti
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