2014 Infiniti Q50

The 2014 Q50 has been made available in three interesting trim levels with their specialized convenience and comfort. The heated steering wheel in the Base model along with driver-selectable mode is pretty handy. As you climb up the order, the audio unit gets better with Bose badging and the seats become power-adjustable and heated simultaneously. On top of that, the Premium gets the HomeLink Garage Door Transmitter and a power moonroof. The dynamics and handling upgrades that are associated with tires and suspensions have been kept exclusive for the eldest among all.

The Base trim of Q50 rests on the primitive 17-inch alloy wheels with integrated traction control that completely negates the wheel slippage on rain-soaked terrains. Infiniti Studio and SiriusXM satellite radio has been integrated as well. Moreover, the Electronic Stability Control is standard across all the trims. The tech-end goes on to include Voice Activation, Bluetooth Wireless Phone Connectivity, and Speed-Sensitive Volume Control. 

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Being a sports enthusiast may sway your interest towards the Sport trim but on a higher note, keeping expense in consideration too, the Premium would make much more sense as it has all the amenities along with the same performance at the powertrain level. The comfort is also decent in comparison to the higher and lower ones. Thus save those $4,000 and invest in some other extensions to enhance the overall dynamics.

The MPG figures of the Q50 are quite better than the other three in the competition. It offers an economy of 20 MPG in the city, while on the highways you can expect it to be 29. The aforementioned data is of its RWD layout, while in AWD the figures are lowered by 1 and 2 MPGs both in the city and the highways, respectively. With a tank capacity of 20 gallons, you’ll get a superior driving range of over 580 miles on the highways and over 400 miles in the city, which is pretty good in the segment.

With superior power output and mileage, the Q50’s engine is the most practical and pocket-friendly. On the contrary, the Buick LaCrosse is the least overwhelming on the same scale. The IS 350 and the Lincoln MKS have decent fuel economy as well but the smaller tanks limit their driving range. All of this and too with a payload of around 1166 lbs even fascinates your bull mentality for the Q50. 

Now comes, one of the fortes of this machinery, the richness, and ambiance of accents would be manipulative over one's impression. The wood inserts along with either fabric or leather trimming on seats are a perfect blend of color contrasting. The lumbar support with 8-way power flexing improves the seating ergonomics altogether. In addition to that, the Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning maintains the threshold temperature inside the cabin. The interior with Smart Device Integration and HomeLink Garage Door Transmitter does not lack that superiority at all.

Both the front and the rear row of the Q50 have plenty of room. On the other hand, the Lexus IS 350 has limited stretch in the rear, while the LaCrosse replicates Q50. In terms of trunk spacing, the MKS is exemplary and others are uniformly disappointing. All of them have the capacity to seat in 5 in a roll and have the potential to be a family-friendly sedan with little tweaks here and there. If a few of the unnecessary inserts could be scrapped, maybe then the space management score might improve for them a little more. Some of the remarkable interior features include:

• Heated seats and steering wheel
• Aluminum pedals
• Paddle shifters
• Auto-dimming IRVM
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Full leatherette cabin with wooden trim

How intuitive is the 2014 Infiniti Q50’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment of the Q50 consists of a dual touchscreen screen along with 6-speaker audio unit which can be mutated to 14-speaker Bose Premium for the higher trims. Voice Activation and Speed-Sensitive Volume Control are some of the autonomous features which work on closed-loop algorithms. The SiriusXM satellite radio and Radio Data System build up the streaming segment. The features like AM/FM radio, Bluetooth connectivity, USB, AUX inputs are generic ones. Thus, there is nothing much to complain about altogether. 

• Some of the features are:
• 14-speakers Bose premium sound system
• Voice activation feature
• SiriusXM radio
• HD radio

Far ahead of its time, the outlook of the Q50 is just pleasing to watch. The sleeker projector beams on the front fascia along with those chrome-accented grilles give it that aggressive persona. The 17-inch black aluminum and 19-inch alloy wheels are as appealing as the silhouette. The rear is equally adorned with dual exhaust tips and a few curvy creases. The Sport is even a step ahead of other siblings with its sport-tuned suspension and low-profile performance tires. Moreover, the descent from the top of the roof to the rear trunk and front bonnet does not look abrupt to any extent, unlike other sedans.

The Lincoln MKS is quite bulky, despite that, it performs better than the LaCrosse in every regard. The Q50 has also a well-managed curb weight, which might be a reason for its better fuel economy. The compactness of the former also marks it as one of the easiest to maneuver around the corners with minimal toppling concerns. Simultaneously, the MKS is the longest in the segment but that doesn’t really translate into a roomier cabin, instead, it has a superior trunk volume with some downside in its dynamics. Some standout features of its exterior are:

• Power moonroof
• 19-inch alloys (Optional)
• Fully automatic projector headlamps with DRLs
• Heated side-view mirrors
• Chrome exhaust tips

The Q50 is one of the safest cars in the segment. It's built upon the Nissan FM platform which has that superior nudge to take on the crash force straight on. The crash energy is dissipated throughout the frame because of which it has been able to score a 5-star rating and “Good” in the NHTSA and IIHS crash tests respectively. 

Apart from the highly robust and reliable construction, it is equipped with advanced active and passive safety features which include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blindspot monitor. Others that are also there which show Infiniti’s genuine concern are the Backup collision prevention and Lane-keep assist. Some of them worth mentioning are:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blindspot monitor
• Lane-keep assist
• Forward collision alert
• Backup collision prevention
• Lane departure warning

The Infiniti Q50 is a complete package that offers impressive performance and a cabin that is one of the best places to be in. It offers you all the luxurious features and class-leading fuel economy in the segment. Although it is not the best in terms of utility, it is manageable, nonetheless. If you are looking for such a sedan in the segment, the Q50 will be a better option than most of the rivals.