Should You Buy an INFINITI Q50? (Test Drive & Review) 

The anonymity of the Infiniti is the one reason that I WOULD buy one, every poser and snob (and their dogs too) go for beemers, audi etc etc but a real enthusiast would know an Infiniti and that would be good enough reason for me...

Here in America, Infiniti’s v6 engines are well known for putting out one of the best stock exhaust notes ever.

Not to sound dramatic but I’ve just seen an Infiniti Q60, and it’s possibly one of the best looking coupés today

The V6 Hybrid is AWD and I see quite a few in France. Nice cars and a refreshing change from Audi, BMW, Mercedes which are as common as muck nowadays.

“Beauty is in the eye of the KEY holder” 🤣 Brilliant!

My Q50 has proved to be a great car having owned it for the last four years. Sadly, the main stream media can’t see past merc/Audi/bmw. They reviewed it poorly yet owners review them highly 🤔

Gave a thumbs up even before finished watching- this chap always delivers

Just recently bought a pre owned Q50 Premium. It is definitely a lot of car for the money. I would have spent double to get a C class or 3 series with the same features and mileage. Great value for money, comfortable and decent power

"There were more people in Chernobyl" Ffs made me spit out my tea 😭😭😭

These cars are under rated and are really good cars, well specked usually and reliable, i quite like them, a decent car and something a bit different, they will run forever that's a fact, nice to see a decent review of this car.

I have often wondered why I watch your videos, cause I am certainly not in the market for a new or used car, but having watched today’s video I realised the reason is your chat, it’s very smooth and flows like poetry, informative with social commentary and punctuated with brilliant nuggets of humour. You are either a natural or very cleaver, you certainly deserve a PhD in marketing. 👍💯

Love that you do reviews of cars I have never considered. Great work again.

I test drove the Infiniti FX50S a few years back. Beautifully finished but incredibly thirsty. The Glasgow Infiniti dealership was indeed like a ghost town. I keep looking out for a Q50S 3.5hybrid to buy. Superb acceleration fuel economy, speed, comfort and above all unusual. It’s one of those where you can sit smugly seeing all the BMW and Audi battery hens drive past knowing you’ve got probably the driving bargain of the century. Great review Sir 👍👍.

Yrs you hit the nail on the head , a 1 Yr old 10k infiniti with all the extras on it , with 2 yrs left of warranty or a 7 Yr old range rover with 120k on the clock and no warranty for the same price , unfortunately most of us would plumb for the range ! Badge snobs and as the neighbour looks on your drive your doing well syndrome ! Keep them coming matt and good luck in the future 👍👍

You mention that people won't be interested in your car because its not a known brand but tbh, this is one of best looking cars I've ever seen, especially from the front.

Nice critique. I owned a 2014 Q50s for 3 years. Fantastic vehicle. Plenty performance and no major problems. I test drove a 535i, an S4, and a Lexus IS350. Price for performance was the reason I went with the Q50.

Really like these, I don't care what people think and I can see the VFM. The Q60 coupe outgoing model with 400bhp and AWD could be a great buy in a couple of years time. Excellent video as always!

I had one of these for almost 4 years, a really good car that was good to drive, comfortable and relatively quiet. As you say Infiniti went about the marketing all wrong and perhaps should have sold them through Nissan dealers initially instead of only having 7 dealers in the UK. I sent mine back at the end of the PCP as it wasn’t worth the final payment. Parts may become an issue, I had to wait a month for an ABS sensor to arrive as apparently it was a unique Infiniti part and not a generic Nissan one, also it cost well over £300. If anyone is thinking about buying a Q50 then go for it, just watch for minor electrical glitches and check parts availability.

Ive only recently discovered the Infiniti range myself and have watched quite a few videos for research and peoples opinions--but your video is the most informative and pleasing to watch that I have seen and its told in a straight forward real world manner..thanks and keep up the great work

I had a Q50 3.5h awd as a company car in 2015, left field choice at the time but it performed superbly in all areas. A total sleeper, good build quality, super reliable, Tax efficient, averaged 38 mpg for 3 years and 102k miles and was easily quicker than my business partners 530d (no contest in bad weather!) I should have bought it when the lease ran out as the Q50 is very popular in the states and there are loads of performance parts and mods that turn it into an animal. I have a BMW 530e G30 hybrid now, not in the same league on performance or build quality.

You dont see many infinitys in the uk I end up staring at them something different to see on the roads but tbh I'd have one in America lol

"Beauty's in the eye of the Keyholder" - very good Matt!

Iv just brought a 2007 volvo v50 2.0d estate with loads of service history of my mate that's moving to Spain he basically gave it me for 200 quid nothing wrong with it either just a small dint on the rear wing that will pop straight out I dont know why but I find Volvo's cool lol

A refreshing video. Double Infiniti owner here. First Q50 Hybrid and now a Q60 RS. I love the brand because it is unknown. The mainstream reviews didn't help, in their world, if it does not copy Audi/BMW then it must be wrong. The Hybrid is so incredibly fast off the line, with 40mpg, a ridiculously fast 370hp cruiser. But Q60 adds the high G performance but despite 400hp, because of the lack of an electric motor, is slightly less quick off the line, the acceleration is seemingly an unending surge. Disagree with the looks. I love the styling, refreshing not to be another wannabe German shape. I agree with the model naming, I can't understand it either. Infiniti engineering is top drawer. But the company is managed by complete idiots. Now that Ashley Sutton has won the BTCC championship in a Q50, maybe the second-hand market will get a boost. The prices of the Q60s seem very healthy, but still incredible value. Oh and one more thing, only very specific Nissan dealers will do any complex work on these cars. Servicing could be an issue. Research carefully. And budget in ditching the stock Dunlop Sport Maxx run-flats. The performance versions of these cars are typically and utterly transformed moving to non-run-flats. I have Goodyear Eagles.

A chap 4 dors away has just got rid of Merc CLS for one of these, in white too ... He's in the Forces and screams from base to base ... well what's left of them.

I own one, done 72k miles in it already. It's been great for driving around Scotland. You're MPG figures differ from mine a wee bit. I get 33 around town and 50 on the motorway, so the car tells me. But I'm more than happy with that.

I have a Q30 and I absolutely love it. Outstrips BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A Class on all counts, especially looks. I find myself just staring at it on occasion 😌

'Beauty is in the eye of the keyholder' Priceless!! The most informed reviewer of them all.

You are absolutely right, yesterday I got in one and immediately bought it!! I’m Audi person but this infiniti got me so easily! Great features and greater price

I really like these. The v6 was a hybrid (I think, they definitely do a hybrid v6) so actually gives decent fuel return and over 300bhp! Great review as always 👍🏼

Hey Matt. I owe you a drink. Yesterday I picked up a (new to me) Q50 2.2d Sport Tech. 2016. One owner, flawless service record etc etc. It was this video that got me on the lookout for one. I've been looking since February and finally found the one! Absolutely over the moon with it. What a car! What a bargain! So thanks man 👍

Never would have thought of the diesel until watched this. Prefer the 3.5hybrid but reliability on EV fill in battery and Hybrid gearbox think diesel auto may be where it’s at. Oh I own in trade the Hybrid. Q50. My second. These are nice enough to own as a trade smoker.

I'm an English teacher leaving in Poland and I miss the humour of the English, good review mate.

If I was in the market for a compact luxury car that is the one I would go for. I think they look fabulous on the outside and the interior looks exquisite and for under 10K for a high spec model they have to be up there with the bargains of the century.

Driven one before the lockdown, totally agree Matt. Lovely interior. Did try the hybrid, quick!

It looks like a nice car, but for some reason I find the Mazda6 a better Japanese competitor to the 3 Series overall. Maybe bcuz it just looks classier.

I didn't know they made Q50's without sunroofs. Great vid though I'm on my 2nd Infiniti Q50 I had a 3.7 and now a 3.0TT and I chose it over the holy trinity because it's an amazing car in every way possible from its reliability to performance, and looks, the tech is a little out-of-date but that's it, the only car I'd get to replace my Q50 is a Genesis G70. I had a Audi A4 previous to my Q50 and was very happy with my switch, it's also much better than the Lexus IS and Acura TLX as well..

I have a 2018 Infiniti Q50 Silver Sport 3.0 that I purchased used (25k miles) and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!! - USA

I bought an Infiniti QX30 a year ago second hand, such great value for money. Merc engine and gear box (2.2 diesel), Japanese design ( the interior makes the GLA look like a mk 1 Ford Escort) and made in Britain! Second hand it is £9 - 10k cheaper than Range Rover, Jag etc. I bought the wife a 3 year old Fiat 500 with the savings. Everyone's a winner...

I quite liked some of the cars, they did a rare Q50 eau rouge with the mechanicals from the GTR, so was like an M5 rival, they also did the G35/37 coupe, convertible which was a more luxurious version of the 350/370z models, Q30/Qx30 models which were A class mercs underneath etc, plus the large FX models and so on, still see the odd one here and there.

I've owned a Q50 V6 hybrid for the last five years, and it's easily the best car I've ever owned. And that engine (all 360 horse power) is divine. Plus I get 40 mpg on motorway trips. What's not to like?

I had one of these in Australia, bought it new S premium diesel. One of the best cars Ive owned and longest of most I've kept. the diesel auto was very frugal, the safety suite was outstanding best in class or better, things like AEB front and in reverse, all selectabel or de-selectable, on a relatively straight motorway it could self-drive itself. [There are videos on youtube showing its capability]. The were plenty pokey ie grunty nice and quiet comfortable, i had zero issues in the 4 years I owned it sold it with over 75,000km and it was still cosmetically and drive wise like it was new. Supremely safe, comfortable and solid. I miss that car.

After watching this, I bought one. Wife seems to think its bags better than the C class, never driven it after she had a go. She decided its hers. Thinking about getting the Q70 as well. Its just a nice car to own. Thank you for the tip.

I only became familiar with the infiniti brand whilst in the USA, they're pretty popular.

LOVING the wisecracks and this review of yours, Matt. The Infiniti Q50 was a strong contender because of its relative obscurity until the day I laid eyes on a... Jaguar XF. How about reviewing the Q60 next?

I have my hybrid for over 4 years now, with 0 issues,great car and great buy

I've always pondered with buying a Infiniti, the issue for me is that if you did a very quick look at the logo as it drives past, you could mistake it for the Daewoo logo.

2020 red sport awd owner here, definitely underrated machine. Mine came from the previous owner with a muffler delete.. people try to tailgate me or pull thinking they have something much more special. To say the least they get spanked horribly anything from 328i’s down to rt’s

Marketing talk was perfect logic. Brilliant. Always enjoy these videos. This was one of my ‘if I take the opt out option’ cars. I always think it but still take the boring and easy option.

I have a 2016 Q50 3.0T AWD and i absolutely love my car, Traded in my 09 Infiniti G37XS . I never listen to so called car experts on whether or not i should buy a perticular car. Buy what your heart desires!

so true i saw them all over in The US , i even had to ask a person about the brand , i think they look nice and never seen them before, so I'm one of them that like them :)

The fact that Top Gear Magazine...and basically all the motoring mags...gave the Infiniti range 1 or 2 stats meant that anyone giving the cars a bit of investigation has their interest stopped immediately. So almost nobody went in to the dealership to find out more. So after spending a fortune sending staff to Germany for training on sales and service, it was shut down in little more than a year. The cabin of the SUVs feel very American but the Q50 is comfortable. The twin screens are awkward but usable. Steering is a little wooly but otherwise that are OK. Didn't have it around long enough to form a more developed opinion but the stares you get in traffic were of puzzlement, not envy. Good review Matt.

Actually a Q 50 is the name for America and Europe.In Japan it called a skyline.Also the V6 has a hybrid 3.5 cc with 360 hp.

I passed my test in November (at the age of 27) recently bought myself a 2014 Mazda 6 which I love. If I had seen something like this though it might of turned my head. Sometimes it pays to be open minded! Keep up the videos I genuinely look forward to them! (If you get a Mazda 6 I'd love to see the negatives youd find with it haha)

Brilliant review. You have to be to best I'm subscribed to here. Just pure, clear, expert knowledge. I'd actually consider getting one of these now. Nice one

Interesting review, my dad has one of these in the same colour, engine and it’s a sport too I believe. He’s loved having it but he’s now handing it back and getting a CT200h instead. He also had the 3.2L hybrid V6 version before but it was too juicy for his motorway journeys.

Bought this exact same model last week and absolutely love it...swapped my 3 series for this and what a difference. Thank you for the video on the q50...it made my decision so much easier. In a space of a week, I haven't yet seen a single q50 sport around 🙈😂. There's a weird but cool feeling about it Cheers Matt 👍

We brexited the UK in 2017. My first and current car in Canada, is an infiniti. It an amazing car. 265k miles and no break downs. The UK really did miss out on something there - Japanese reliability.

I think you are right, I don't remember seeing one advert on this car manufacturer!! Good looking motor (in my opinion). Many Thanks, Peace From London. 👍👍👍

I wish these cars were as cheap in the US as they are in the UK. The 3.0 turbos, even 2016s with 50k miles are still going for around 15k USD. the 3.0t is a great car that can easily be tuned to beat the v8 camaros and mustangs in the US!

I traded a 2016 Q50 for the new BMW 330i just because I wanted a BMW but that Q50 was very nice 300 hp 295 torque actually I LOVED IT.

this is truly a beautiful car... almost beats the Jag and the Juke.

A few years ago I drove a few thousand miles across the U.S. southwest in a rental Q50. It was a great, great ride.

Your videos are worth watching even for someone not looking to buy any cars, for entertainment purposes alone. Some of the stuff you say is truly hilarious even for a "foreigner" like me. Cheers for that!

Hugely entertaining to watch. Great stuff!

In Canada these are also relatively rare cars which is a shame because they are great cars. We get a 400 HP twin turbo V6 which is very quick and a wonderfully fun engine to drive. Compared to the German competition you'd pay $15-20 k more for a similarly optioned car and still be missing 50-70 ponies under the hood. Also maintenance costs are much cheaper. The Infiniti is by far the best value in a sport luxury car, which is part of there problem, people don't care about value in these cars. They buy for brand recognition just as you said. Sad because they are missing out on a great car and lots of extra cash in their bank account. Ive had 2 Infiniti and loved them both.

"There were more people in Chernobyl" 😂😂😂 Never gets old!

This is the car that Ashley Sutton drove to win the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). ok different engine etc but it's probably the best advert Infiniti have had funnily enough in the same year they pulled their sales operation out of the UK.

I have had 3 the best model is the Q50 AWD Hybrid 3.5 L. You are right they did not market it I have just voluntary terminated my 2.2D Q50 Sport Tech. I do not agree with your comment about the windows the car is airy and you are driving the Sport Tech as it has the all round cameras. I did 28500 miles in my Q50 AWD 3.5L Hybrid and averaged 42 mpg. Infiniti are losing money now as people are voluntary terminating them as my 2018 is only worth £10,800. Great review.

I see these everyday at work as we are official service dealers inc Nissan and they are very underrated cars.the v6 petrol is the one to have imo

Hmmm I can get a 18 reg with 15k on clock for 14k 🤔 or do what I was planning and drop 25k on a 4 series grand coupe or E class.. You're right though, the badge just doesn't cut it for us materialistic lot, for the guys that are comfortable with the size of their manhood, we already have volvo or lexus, infinity didn't stand a chance Matt.

Infinity have a good market share elsewhere in the world, USA just one to mention. I like the fact they are different to the German norm on our UK roads. They appear well made and reliable.

The badge snobbery is dead right. I have a 2006 C Class 2.2D which i have owned for 6 years. Still when i pull up at the club people still comment, nice car. Yes I look after it. Every January with the MOT its either Serviced A or B as it asks or the Oil is changed. Even though I only do 4000 Miles a year. And yes, I do get comments from my mates, Taxis here when i pull up!

I have to say, I love the styling both inside and out, It really looks like a premium product. I am very much a fan and I actually had heard of Infinity too! I would much prefer one over a 3 series or C Class.

I knew about infiniti when I was a kid I remember the g35 when it was in need for speed underground or something. I've driven past the Infiniti showroom many times without even looking. To be honest I've never even watched a review on one and only watched this one because you reviewed it. Not a bad car now I've watched this

Really appreciate the honest video I was on the fence but will look to book my test drive

Really enjoy your reviews even if haven’t got the slighted intention of buying the car being reviewed. Keep up the good work

Something to be aware of before you part with your hard earned that I learned to my cost!. The Nissan dealers in the UK that have been authorised to look after Infiniti cars - apart from fuel/oil/air filters - hold NO STOCK of any spare parts - that's right - absolutely nothing. All parts need to come from either Holland where they have a warehouse, or Japan. So - if it packs in you 'might' have up to 6 weeks off the road waiting for spares to show up from Japan. That's why the QX70 that I had went. I couldn't take the risk of being off the road for that length of time - apart from which, absolutely no other dealer wants anything to do with them - either servicing or repairs.

The lack of marketing effort on these was so bizarre. In fairness to them, it is a very difficult segment to launch in (the 3-series is very good at being the 3-series) and the market is littered with the corpses of past attempts (remember Xedos?). The diesels in the range say to me that they did want to make a go of it. Nissan overall are pretty confusing of late.

Another great review Matt , eveything anyone needs to know and put accross in your own inimitable style , I dont watch many car reviews on RU-vid but always click on any new one you upload, I do enjoy the one liners and references you make!! Keep the videos coming please chap.

Q50 S. Q50 S in green. Q50 S in red. Yanks got Redsport. With the 3.0 Twin Turbo. We also have that engine without the namesake nomenclature. Green S if for faster hybrids. It’s in the duff PDF brochure you’d only end up reading once you’ve got one lol !! So you find out the marketing Infinity did that sterling job of marketing. After the event. Lol.

I remember my neighbour getting the hot hybrid version, Q50S I believe, and trying to brag about its power. It looked nice enough but even I had to google what it was. Another great review, you deliver your one liners so naturally and always crack me up.

Sebastian Vettel has an Infiniti FX50 as his road car, he should have a good idea of what he wants from a special edition with his name plastered all over it. The double world champion’s top priority was binning the 155mph limiter so he could properly play on the Autobahn. Infiniti was pretty confident a 186mph (300kph) top speed was possible because it believed the standard 385bhp FX50 had plenty more performance.

I love these, and the q30. I think the q30 is the best car made in the last 10 years when you consider price. The interior is gorgeous, it's got the merc power plants , it looks like a crossover (not to my taste but it's the trend), it's small enough for city but refined enough for motorway (I assume) and its like 7k cheaper than the equivalent a3 or 1 series. Every time I see one on auto trader I feel like an idiot for not buying one.....only downside I can see as you say is image. It is crazy how non car people see brands, I drive an audi a3 that's 10 years old and I get comments like how do you afford that, nice car etc from people who have cars that are twice as expensive as mine, they have no idea that their 18 plate insignia or whatever is worth more than my 59 reg audi they just see a badge and that's it

Matt - you are exactly right. "What is it?" is not the first response you want to hear - and that applies to all the private supercar manufacturers as well. In The USA, that comment doesn't come up anymore because after 20 years, we know WHAT an Infiniti is. The question we ask is " Why?".

Very popular in the Middle East with the FX range attracting younger drivers. Good review again Matt and I like the fact you mention rival options for your budget to consider and Infinity do some things very well. I eat linseed and soya bean bread instead of wheat so there are eclectic tastes to consider and satisfy! 😎

I don't understand why they didn't just sell these as the Nissan Skyline in the UK, as they were in Japan. You'd think the name would get some momentum behind them. Subaru and Mitsubishi did the same thing in separating the WRX and Evo from the standard cars. Maybe I just don't get marketing.

Hi Matt As always really enjoy your realistic review of used cars. A quick question, how do you rate q50s interior, ride quality, gearbox against Lexus is300h. Does infinity uses CVT like lexus or normal gearbox? Thanks

An interesting insight into a car I don’t think I have ever seen , gotta to be a bargain for some one looking to be different. Keep um coming Matthew,always witty and fresh.

Brilliant portrayal and interesting. Enjoyed the description a lot. Agree with you - outstanding value.

this was a very good, balanced review. thank you. I am taking delivery of 2015 Q50 this week.

1:21 "Ah the keeping up with the Jones'" syndrome 🤣. I would personally buy this car (2nd hand that is). In fact I was looking at the M range particularly the hybrid. I quite like the idea of going against the crowd. In the peak of summer- imagine sitting there in your cooled seats and sunroof next to some guy in an older Merc with none of the options- but because he's in a Merc he thinks "I must be better than you". Great review as always.

I've always really liked these. That particular model you have in this video looks brilliant in my opinion especially in white. Personally I would take the smooth and powerful Nissan sourced V6 hybrid. Very cool car though. I would happily take one over more obvious rivals.

Great review Matt thanks for bringing it to our attention. Status 🤪 buying things you don't need with money you haven't got to impress people you don't like 😀😁👍

Not a bad car tbh, but it just feels lacking idk...the only advantage is the price, used ones can be found in germany for around 9k € while similar f30 or c class is around 13k

A very honest and straightforward review

We don’t get 2.2 L option in America.Didn’t know they made that

One thing I miss about living in the USA for so long is I don’t have milk bottles to put on the door step when I want to have a “stickie beak” outside Don’t have net curtains either. Though I would say a few years back I did mosey down to the mail box when my neighbor bought a Q45 with a V8 engine in it. Infinity is pretty big here however the new ones have 6 cyl now. No more V8 ,s

Interesting review on a car I never knew much about nor really cared to find out about. Interesting the positive review you give but as you say if you are slightly brave and get it at a good price. I remember at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor show, I was amazed at the Infiniti stand and the sheer volume of cars they had on display. The whole marketing and PR budget must have went into it!!

Lovely video yet again. Here is a chinese puzzle for you to solve; I ride motorcycles for approximately half of the year, mostly due to the fact that I live in skandinavia. Im looking to buy a sensible low cost car for the winter period, since public transport isnt really a viable option if youd like to hold on to your remaining sanity. What I tried, was to buy an old but in decent nick car from an auction, and the one I ended up with was a 15 year old Clio for next to nothing, However turns out im not as tough as I thought I was, and the rattling, noise, discomfort and the all the other optional extras are not sitting right with me. Something relatively comfortable to sit in (I am 194 cm tall - like 6 feet 4 inches or that sort of area), quiet enough and most importantly it needs to have enough torque to feel safe. Ive driven alot of modern small diesel and petrol engine cars, and the lack of oomph is honestly terrifying, the feeling when you go down a motorway ramp and realize you are really going to have to try to get up to speed. Oh and it cannot be a diesel because I am technically living in Finland and register my cars there.. modern, economic diesel hatchback are like 600 euros per year in roadtax(?). I testdrove a 2013 kia ceed petrol, cant put my finger on whats wrong, but its there nevertheless. Price range id say 6-8k UK pounds, only because cars here are like 20-30% more expensive.