- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.2DT, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
125kW, 400Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 5.2L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
4 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
Infiniti Q50 diesel new car review
Infiniti may well have been bitten on its original foray into the Australian market but it certainly isn’t being shy on its return two decades on.
Already it has a flourish of its products fighting it out in various pockets of the prestige market. It hasn’t led to a landslide of sales (just a few hundred Infinitis found homes in Australia in 2013) but foundations are being laid.
Now Nissan’s luxury arm is having its biggest real go at making a name for itself with its new Q50, its answer to the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus IS and other compact sedans that are such a prominent presence on the Australian prestige scene.
What do you get?
Unsurprisingly, Infiniti is sweetening the Q50’s value deal to tempt buyers who might not be keen to chance it on an unknown name.
Pricing kicks off at $51,900 plus on-road and dealer costs for the 2.2d GT, which is less than you’ll pay for an entry-level A4, 3-Series, C-Class or IS. That price advantage is even bigger when you factor in its diesel engine, a feature that pushes the price of suitably powered rivals even higher.
The 2.2d GT’s list of standard kit includes dual-zone climate control, leather, power heated front seats, power steering-column adjustment, sat-nav, keyless entry/start, digital radio, self-healing paint and a safety artillery of six airbags, stability control, parking sensors and reversing camera. So it’s not only cheaper than its obvious alternatives, it’s better equipped too.
The $57,900 2.2d S model is even more lush with its 18-inch alloys, sunroof, powerful 14-speaker Bose stereo and Infiniti’s industry-leading drive-by-wire "Direct Adaptive Steering" system, which is capable of steering the car to keep you in your lane.
The $61,900 2.2d S Premium tested here adds 19-inch alloys and pretty much every high-tech safety aid known to motoring – from active cruise control, predictive forward collision-prevention braking and reverse collision-prevention braking to lane-departure warning/prevention, blindspot warning/intervention and a surround-view camera – yet still costs less than a much more parsimoniously appointed BMW 320d.
The Q50 range also includes two petrol-electric hybrid models, the $67,900 S Hybrid and $73,900 S Premium Hybrid, which conform roughly to the established S and S Premium equipment levels (with an extra few trinkets in the latter to justify its halo-model status).
What's inside?
Much like its exterior, the Q50 cabin’s riot of swoopy shapes is quite easy on the eye. Its quality soft-touch plastics, tasteful trims and restrained colour schemes lend it a more upmarket feel than other Infinitis we’ve sampled.
It also feels suitably high-tech thanks to its unique centre console, which eschews most traditional switchgear for two big touch-screens – the top one looks after sat-nav, the bottom climate control, entertainment and Infiniti’s InTouch (basically a bunch of smartphone-style apps) and InTuition (basically a means to customising the car’s many settings) systems. The heads-down crowd will love it.
Not that it’s all sweetness and light. The ergonomics of the setup – with some functions on the bottom screen, others on the top and some buttons thrown in for luck – aren’t always intuitive. Familiarity is necessary before it all becomes second nature.
The way it’s presented, with the bottom screen behind classy smoked glass and the old-school top one looking very much a poor cousin, contributes to the feeling it’s not a truly integrated solution.
The Q50 plays a mostly competitive functional card. The driver enjoys very supportive, very comfortable seating, power adjustment of everything and a very reasonable supply of stash spots, although headroom just a bit on the tight side if you’re tall.
The back seat, too, is respectably accommodating by class standards, albeit with a similar shortage of head space for real beanpoles.
The boot, meanwhile, proffers an easily accessed, very useable 500-litre space; thanks to the Infiniti’s run-flat tyres, it isn’t burdened by having to accommodate a spare tyre underneath.
Under the bonnet
The Q50’s 2.1-litre turbodiesel engine/seven-speed automatic combo, sourced from Mercedes-Benz, settles right in the meat of the class with its 125kW power and 400Nm torque outputs.
Its 5.2L/100km economy rating isn’t a benchmark but the Infiniti isn’t the thirstiest option in its class either.
For the most part, the Q50 diesel hits the spot in the real world. Its robust, flexible supply of low-rev pulling power delivers effective, easygoing performance in urban driving and supremely relaxed cruising. We managed a test economy average of 5.7L/100km, not far off what’s claimed on the tin.
More polish, though, is needed. The engine sounds agricultural at idle and is anything but hushed when extended. The seven-speed auto’s dozy responses, combined with some turbo lag at low revs, means it’s not always as responsive as you may hope for.
The auto stop/start system, too, as well as being grumblier on start-up than the best systems, didn’t ever quell the engine long enough to last a single full traffic-light sequence during our test. So while there are fuel savings to be had, they’re maybe not as big as they could be.
On the road
The Q50’s drive-by-wire steering setup isn’t big on road feel but it is precise, linear and – with the Drive Mode Selector switched to sport mode – highly responsive to your inputs. Push it hard through the bends and you’ll find a deep seam of agility, poise and predictability to call on.
The Infiniti’s smile-raising tendencies don’t come at the cost of comfort. While the ride is biased towards sporting control there’s an underlying cushiness that allows it to calmly soak up all but the biggest lumps and bumps. Tyre noise, while obvious, isn't intrusive.
There are some niggles. The Q50 weighs a beefy 1700kg-odd in 2.2d form, so while there are no significantly issues with its handling behaviour it doesn’t feel exceptionally lithe or responsive in the many of significantly lighter alternatives like the 1400kg-odd 320d.
Its 11.4m turning circle, too, means it’s not quite as wieldy in parking and low-speed manoeuvres as its compact size might lead you to believe.
Verdict
There are compact prestige sedan alternatives that perform better, use less fuel, have higher levels of drivetrain sophistication and even more satisfying handling than the Q50. And there are potential resale implications for its comparatively unknown badge.
Still, if it’s not truly a benchmark setter, the Infiniti’s lush cabin, sweet driving characteristics, generous tech serve and enticing value do ensure it’s not only able but quite likeable as well. It’s a worthy addition to the compact prestige sedan pack and just as worthy of consideration, even if there’s room for improvement.
Infiniti Q50 2.2D S Premium pricing and specifications
How much? From $61,900
Engine: 2.1-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder. 125kW/400Nm
Fuel use: 5.2L/100km
Emissions: 138g CO2/km
What's it got: Six airbags; Stability control; Blindspot warning/prevention; Lane-departure warning/prevention; Forward/reverse collision-prevention braking; Active cruise control; Parking sensors; Surround-view camera; Dual-zone climate control; Power heated front seats; Power steering-column adjustment; Satellite navigation; CD/DVD/MP3 stereo with digital radio; Bluetooth; Sunroof; 19-inch alloys.
The competitors
Audi A4 2.0 TDI quattro
HOW MUCH? From $65,800
ENGINE: 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder. 130kW/380Nm
FUEL USE/ EMISSIONS: 5.3L/100km and 139g CO2/km
SAFETY: Five-star ANCAP rating. Eight airbags, stability control, parking sensors, reversing camera
WHAT’S IT GOT? Tri-zone climate control, power front seats, satellite navigation, CD/DVD/MP3 stereo, Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys
FOR: Roomy cabin, strong and economical performance, foolproof road manners, exquisite cabin quality
AGAINST: Good but not great to drive, not cheap
OUR SCORE: 3.5 stars
BMW 320d
HOW MUCH? From $62,300
ENGINE: 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder. 135kW/380Nm
FUEL USE/EMISSIONS: 4.5L/100km and 118g CO2/km
SAFETY: Five-star ANCAP rating. Six airbags, stability control, parking sensors
WHAT’S IT GOT? Dual-zone climate control, power front seats, satellite navigation, CD/MP3 stereo, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloys
FOR: Standout performance and economy, able and engaging handling, roomy and functional cabin
AGAINST: Firm ride, more equipment needed
OUR SCORE: 4 stars
Mercedes-Benz C200 CDI
HOW MUCH? From $61,400
ENGINE: 2.1-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder. 100kW/330Nm
FUEL USE/EMISSIONS: 5.4L/100km and 143g CO2/km
SAFETY: Five-star ANCAP rating. Nine airbags, stability control, parking sensors
WHAT’S IT GOT? Dual-zone climate control, power front seats, satellite navigation, six-CD/MP3 stereo, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloys
FOR: Refined ride, agile handling, pampering cabin
AGAINST: Not a performance or economy leader, more equipment needed, starting to feel old, new model just around the corner
OUR SCORE: 4 stars