Review: 2022 INFINITI Q50 Sensory AWD

Welcome to winter driving in the Lone Star State, where the lanes are made up and stop signs are optional ... unless you drive the INFINITI Q50 AWD. What a great week to test drive the INFINITI Q50 Sensory AWD. Most would see the Q50 with its lean look and athletic stance as a fair weather queen, but it was an absolute beast on the super-slick ice covered roads in North Texas this week. I found myself in a 45-minute must-drive situation during the peak of an ice storm that had left a thick sheet of ice on the windshield. As someone who grew up in the snow and ice of the Midwest, I was not concerned about my driving abilities by rather the ability of this sports sedan to handle the icy challenge. It proved to be a great opportunity to showcase the INFINITI Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.

This drive system, which is on all INFINITI vehicles, comes with four different drive mode choices. I changed the drive profile from the 'sunny-day, rip through the twisty turns of a country road sport' mode to the 'get me home safe and sound' snow mode, and took off on my great adventure. As I drove on the super-slick ice-covered toll roads and city streets of North Texas, the unsanded bridges and slightly banked sweeping turns that I encountered on the trip were never an issue. The Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system is designed to provide enhanced traction without compromising rear-wheel drive, and it most definitely accomplished that.

People who know me know that I absolutely believe that the true definition of a sports car refers to a vehicle with two seats, two doors, and a high-performance engine. Period. The driver should also be able to reach across the car and open the passenger door from the driver's seat. With those criteria in mind, the INFINITI Q50 does not fit my definition, but I would say this car is probably closer to a true sports car than a number of cars currently on the road that do fit my above criteria. The design of the driver and passenger compartments look inspired by many of the top-end sports cars with the sports-styled seats, curved dash, flowing center console lines, and dual-screen center stack design that does not over power the space. Everything about the design says sports car; but when also adding the INFINITI luxury touch with black open pore wood trim and leather-appointed seats with nicely sculptured side bolsters and a leather wrapped heated steering wheel, you have a one-two combo that is hard to beat. The front and rear zero-gravity spinal-support seats are designed in such a manner to provide a consistent level of support thereby minimizing pressure on lower and upper back muscles. Yes there are seat adjusters, but they are pretty comfortable from the first time you sit in them.

I really liked the overall design of the center stack and console. It appeared to me that the design engineers put some serious time and thought into the placement of as well as the proper mix of knobs and sensors for a safe and stress free drive. One example where the engineers knocked it out of the park in my opinion, is the INFINITI dual high-definition displays. They are correctly sized for the space and super easy to view. I like it because it allows you to keep your navigation map open while your audio, climate, or menu options are displayed.

Q50 has a tendency to move people.
Meticulous design inside and out sets a high bar for what a luxury sedan could be, and shatters it.

INFINITI Motor Company

In the News

Source: INFINITI | The 2022 INFINITI Q50 sedan adds newfound smarts this year to its strong exterior style and tailored interior. In addition to the newly standard Bose Performance Series Audio, every INFINITI Q50 now includes wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility for 2022. The 2022 INFINITI Q50 arrives in showrooms later this month and starts at $42,100 MSRP. The 2022 INFINITI Q50 sedan continues its award-winning formula by combining a lean, athletic stance with a crafted, connected, and comfortable interior. The 2022 Q50 is available in three well-equipped grades: LUXE, SENSORY, and RED SPORT 400. Each grade is available with INFINITI's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. The Q50 SENSORY grade, which was new for 2021, offers sumptuous Saddle Brown leather-appointed seatsi as optional equipment for 2022.

Every 2022 INFINITI Q50, including the LUXE grade, includes standard leather-appointed seats; power tilt and telescoping steering wheel; power-folding outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down; a dual-occupant memory system for the driver's seat that remembers steering wheel, seat, and outside mirror position, linked to individual Intelligent Keys; driver's seat power lumbar adjustment; and Bose Performance Series audio. Every 2022 INFINITI Q50 sedan is powered by a dynamic 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that spins out 300 or up to 400 horsepower in Q50 RED SPORT 400 models. Paired to an advanced 7-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and Downshift Rev Matching, the Q50's powerplant combines excellent drivability with efficiency and performance.

Specifications

Engine: 300 horsepower 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo
Torque: 295 pound-feet
Transmission: Electronically Controlled 7-Speed Automatic
Wheels: 19" Sport-Design Aluminum Alloy
Sound: Bose 16-Speaker Performance Series Audio
Color: Pure White
Fuel: 19/27/22 (mpg city/highway/combined)
MSRP (starts): $49,800
MSRP (shown): $52,130

Learn More

For more information or to test drive this vehicle for yourself, stop by a local dealer or visit online at:
INFINITI

About INFINITI

INFINITI Motor Company is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, with operations around the world including regional offices based in the Americas, China, and INFINITI International Markets based in Dubai. The INFINITI brand of premium automobiles are assembled in manufacturing facilities in Japan, North America, and China. INFINITI design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego, and Beijing. More information about INFINITI and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.INFINITIUSA.com. You can also follow INFINITI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and see the latest videos on YouTube.