USED: 2018 Infiniti Q50S Review – The Sports Sedan for The Road of Your Dreams

2018 Infiniti Q50S Is The Sports Sedan Of Your Dreams.
2018 Infiniti Q50S is the sports sedan of your dreams. Photo: Kendra Pierson

Prepare to be impressed!

When I was asked if I was interested in reviewing a 2018 Infiniti Q50S, I jumped at the chance. My best friend just bought her second Infiniti and has loved it, so I was prepared to be impressed. When the Q50S (s – sport) was delivered to my door, I was thrilled!

To me, the Q50S is a good mix of sports and safety. It’s the sports sedan for the person who needs a larger car but still wants the fun and power of a sports car. Two of my favorite surprises: a 360-degree view backup camera (Around View Monitor) and the sports mode when driving.

Is the Infiniti Q50S A Sports Sedan?

From the inside and out, Q50S delivers on the sports expectation. Looking that the lines of the car, front grill and mirrors, it’s sleek and glossy. Inside is just as cutting edge with the dash and dual navigation screens.

Driving it around, I grew to appreciate it more and would have really taken it to a track to see what it could do. Sport was one of my favorite modes to drive it in. Settling for this video of Stephen Curry was enough for me.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey4uC4MlRAA[/embedyt]

Who this car is for

  • Singles
  • Couples
  • Young Executives
  • Smaller families
  • Families without children in car seats
  • Drivers who appreciate and understand precision driving
  • Drivers who want luxury experience in a slightly smaller size

What it costs

  • The Q50 3.0t SPORT model as reviewed was $50,410. This model included the Essential, ProAssist, Performance and Sensory Sport Packages.
  • Q50 2.0t PURE base price starts at $34,200
  • Q50 2.0t LUXE base price starts at $36,550
  • Q50 3.0t LUXE base price starts at $38,950
  • Q50 3.0t SPORT base price starts at $40,650
  • Q50 Hybrid LUXE base price starts at $50,600
  • 12 model variations are available including features like All Wheel Drive

Why the 2018 Infiniti Q50 is the Car of Your Dreams

Sports sedan is a perfect description because the 2018 Infiniti Q50S is such an intuitive car similar to most sedans. Yet it’s easy to customize for your specific needs like the performance vehicle it is. The controls for most of the important things (climate, audio, drive) were redundant; they’re both on the control panel and touch screen. I could just start the car and go while taking the time later to tune each of the settings for my comfort.

The Climate Controls In The Q50S Are Not Only Found On The Touch Screen But Also A Standard Settings On The Sides.
The climate controls in the Q50S are not only found on the touch screen but also a standard settings on the sides. Photo: Kendra Pierson

ProAssist safety systems default setting is on (intuitive again). I was wowed by the Around View Monitor. The first time I used it, I had to call a friend and share how much I loved it. This is the standard for what I believe a backup camera should be.

My Absolute Favorite Feature On The 2018 Infiniti Q50 Around View Monitor! Photo Credit: Kendra Pierson
My absolute favorite feature on the 2018 Infiniti Q50 Around View Monitor! Photo Credit: Kendra Pierson

Given that this is a luxury sedan, the driver’s seat gives you control of your drive. The seat controls make it easy to find your perfect fit from the posture adjustment to the power tilt on the steering wheel. All of the controls are within hands reach.

A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Infiniti Q50S Review - The Sports Sedan For The Road Of Your Dreams - Just As Sleek As The Outside The Dash Has All The Lines That You Expect From A Sports Car.
Just as sleek as the outside, the dash has all the lines that you expect from a sports car. Photo Credit: Kendra Pierson

Smooth Driving and Smooth Connecting

Using the technology in the Q50 was a breeze. Infiniti InTouch Navigation package is a win! The navigation not only provided directions but also gave me options for what type of route we choose but also a listing for locations of interest. This came in handy when I was calling to ask a show time.

The Dual Screens And Type Of Routes To Choose From Make Using The Navigation A Route And Go Experience.
The dual screens and type of routes to choose from make using the navigation a route and go experience. Photo Credit: Kendra Pierson

Bluetooth pairing happened almost automatically. The Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound gave a perfect sound for talking on the phone. Listening to music and audiobooks was just as clear and crisp.

Read More: Rock Out Your Ride with the Six Best Apps for Listening to Music in Your Car

The Infiniti Q50 does not come with Apple Car Play or Android Auto however it does connect with your devices with USB and an auxiliary port. Music lovers will appreciate the CD player; even if you don’t want to bring along the devices you can still listen your favorite songs.

The Drive is Why You Want This 2018 Infiniti Q50

The 2018 Infiniti Q50 has a smooth drive regardless of the drive setting. It’s a car that lets anyone feel confident because of its size and all the safety features. When just driving around town, I shifted into Eco. This is an Eco worth using because I didn’t see any lag when going for greater full efficiency. On average, my 25 MPG was just above the 23 MPG manufacturer estimate.

With The Drive Mode Selector, You Can Pick Just The One That Makes Your Heart Sing.
With the drive mode selector, you can pick just the one that makes your heart sing. Photo Credit: Kendra Pierson

Precision drivers will certainly better understand the differences in drive settings. I adjusted a little with the paddles but didn’t have enough time to test each in the different traffic conditions as I would have like. Other reviews I’ve seen said that it delivers on the promises of speed. They can easily be adjusted for personal preferences with the Infiniti InTuition Intelligent key.

I would love to own this car just to drive it on the Sport setting all the time. I took full advance of Sport to achieve a little extra push when merging into Atlanta traffic. And I’ll admit that I blew through a few leaves on curves near my house.

A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Infiniti Q50S Review - The Sports Sedan For The Road Of Your Dreams - Lines Of The Car
Rushing through a few leaves and curves gave me a feel for how powerful this car could be. Photo Credit: Kendra Pierson

Seating & Storage – A Win and A Loss

While there are several things I loved, one I didn’t was the backseat seating. It’s a smaller sedan with seating for 5, however it’s more comfortable for 4 people. At 5’1”, even I found the back seat a tight fit. It wouldn’t work for more than one car seat either. One of my children is still in a booster seat and it was difficult to center the seat to use a seat belt.

The Space In The Backseat Was A Clear Loss.
The space in the backseat was a clear loss. Photo Credit: Kendra Pierson

Another area that I didn’t love was the lack of storage space inside the car. The center console is rather small – I couldn’t even put a bottle of water inside let alone anything large like a tablet or camera. My purse was a loss as well. If there was no one else in the car with me, I could put it on the front seat. With a passenger, it went on the backseat floor.

Cargo Space And The Ease Of The Fold Down Seats Makes This A Clear Win.
Cargo space and the ease of the fold down seats makes this a clear win. Photo Credit: Kendra Pierson

There was a win with the cargo space. Rear seat cargo space made up for the lack inside of the car. The 60/40 split seats could be folded down with one hand. One reason why I see this as a great car for singles is because it is functional. The trunk space was large enough for a 27” suitcase. I can just as easily envision this car as convenient for Ikea runs.

A Girls Guide To Cars | Used: 2018 Infiniti Q50S Review - The Sports Sedan For The Road Of Your Dreams - 2018 Infiniti Q50S

What We Loved:

  • Safety features, especially the Around View Monitor
  • Insulation from road noise
  • Quality of the Bluetooth phone system
  • Smooth feel of the drive
  • Sleek design
  • Options for creating a personalized ride

Read More: 8 Ways to Make Sure Your Family Road Trip Isn’t All About The Backseat Fighting 

What You Need to Know:

  • Manufacturer suggests premium gasoline.
  • The Q50 has a 5-Star rating for “Rollover” by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA); other areas haven’t been rated yet.
  • The warranty/service options includes a 4-Year/60,000 Mile Basic Limited Warranty Coverage, 24-hour Roadside Assistance and Complimentary Service Loan Car.

Disclosure: The Infiniti Q50 was provided for my review. All opinions are my own.

Kendra Pierson
Kendra Pierson

Kendra Pierson is a freelance writer, lifestyle blogger, wife and mother of two homeschooled boys based in the Atlanta area. She is the Long Weekend TravelingMom on TravelingMom.com and manages her own blog at KendraPierson.com. When she's not traveling, you can find her battling Atlanta traffic and serving as the Social Media Manager for Junior League of Atlanta.

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