Infiniti Q50S Red Sport400 Review - Sleeper - Test Drive | Everyday Driver
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- Опубліковано 28 вер 2024
- The 2020 Infiniti Q50S Red Sport 400 is the best performance sedan Infiniti offers, up against other sleepers like the M3 and C63. We take the Q50S down a great back road to discuss the sports sedan requirements and the technology packed into this car. Join us for a real time test drive.
#Infiniti #RedSport400 #Q50 #Review
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These are a steal on the used car market, but at 60k there’s just too much competition to justify the price.
Seems to be Infiniti's calling card. The 370 Zs are the exact same way. Old styling and tech that haven't been updated enough, going for way too much money, in segments where their competition has gotten so much better. Not a good place to be.
I totally agree! Infiniti cannot Justify that price in today’s market! There is just Too much competition out there as you stated! Infiniti really have to put one out of the park with the next q50 for this price point to even compete with other automakers in this sport sedan segment OR just into the electrification segment and pull all the stops like Tesla did! They need to find their way fast! I Love Infiniti , but other competitors have taken my enthusiasm else where! For ex. That Blackwing CT4-V is very nice esp with those Recaro seats!!! Base price starts out at 58 fully loaded 72k I can get a well equip one for about the same price of the redsport with Very much better tech , power, and Comfort!!
Most people who own an Infiniti with DAS say that once they get fully used to the steering after a few weeks or so, they absolutely love it... Especially so with the 2016 & 2018 DAS revisions. The people testing these vehicles do not drive them long enough to get used to it, so compared to a non DAS system, it's going to be a learning curve with most not liking it at all.
I have one 2017 and it drive very well 😅
Spot on!
When I got mine I immediately got a new set of wheels and tires and mufflers. Performance rubber def made a huge difference.
Differences are 3:1 final drive vs 2:9 , two water pumps for intercoolers vs 1 for 300 hp, & 10 psi vs 14.5 psi.
Used Q60 with the twin turbo v6 and the electronically assisted steering is by far the best way to get a Q.
DOES THAT HAVE steer by wire?
@@DiaperSNiFFER Steer by wire is optional and part of the ProActive pkg that gets you the adaptive cruise, etc
@@steviebster1 thanks
I own a 2019 Q50 Signature Edition (better wheels and seats). They do look great and even the 300hp engine in the one I have is pretty good. I’ve always said the design of this car is writing checks that it’s chassis, transmission and suspension can’t cash.
Chassis, transmission, suspension and infotainment.
This thing looks SO good that literally all you would have to do to make this thing top tier is give better steering, better infotainment, and LSD bam!!!
I don't understand why, with all the negative response that the steering has garnered for several years, Infiniti continues to provide reviewers with cars that have that steer by wire option. It would be interesting to see what this review would have been if the car had the standard steering.
So don’t get the steer by wire option & it becomes a great sport sedan??
Agree! Idk why people go on and on about the steer by wire when it’s just an option lol. I don’t have it on my Q50 and I love it!
@@phpratap24 I agree.
also they need to update the tech transmission and well price 60k brand new is a ripoff
You need to trash the pos run flats that comes with this car and your golden. But will definitely agree with you on the price of the Red Sport hard to justify it at 60K at 50K maybe. Better to buy this car used though easily can find these cars for under 25K now.
Living in Alaska where I have one more month of winter than summer driving I tend to look more for AWD than RWD. So to me, the Red Sport appears a bit more accessible than the G70 (or the Stinger).
G70 and stinger come with AWD too
@@Tsand4 I wonder how much that compromises the driving feeling. I know that the 3-series loses a lot with their Xdrive system.
@@FosterMcTeague it doesn’t compromise it t all. The AWD system is rear biased sport mode sends 80% tq to the rear 20% to the front. I have a AWD stinger GT. I can get the back end to step out whenever I want to.
@@Tsand4 That's not what I'm talking about when it comes to driving dynamics. You can get the backend of an AWD to step out whenever you want as well. The biggest problem with the Xdrive is that it adds a significant amount of weight as all AWD systems do. This changes the driving dynamics as you lose some acceleration and, depending on where the weight is in the vehicle's balance, affects understeer, braking, etc. That's the problem with the 3-series. It feels kind of like they just added the extra weight without thinking about how it affects the vehicle.
I like the looks on this better than the Acura. I wish the good looks and space of the Infiniti and the Acura handling could merge together in a sedan.
Red sports only competes against M sports and c 43s . It’s not a full on M and amg competitor .
Bought a rs400 coupe a few weeks actually. Lacking some sensation of performance. definitely replacing exhaust and rims to something lighter. Commute is mostly straight roads. We'll see how it works on a Sunday drive along the river...
"No! No...not at 60,000 dollars." 1:42
This gets pretty boring to watch after every damn reviewer talk half of their video about the damn STEERING WHEEL. 90% of the people who buy these cars could probably care less about "information" and feed back. These are just commuter daily fun cars not a race car.
I had a 2017 q50s I loved it. Its a great every day car not a sports car, with good get up and go.
I just bought a used 2022. I drove all the competitors. The Q50 Red, for me, was the best value. At 0-60 in 4.5, it's faster off the line than my Ghibli SQ4. The styling is ok and the interior and amenities are good to great.
I love my 2017 Q50 3.0t, but agreed. Couldn't imagine paying MSRP for it, but for 23k I'm a happy customer. Great review
that can be said about any car tho
@@floggyWM1 used Q50's are great deals cause they deprecated fast
You guys gravely understated why people buy this car (and more so the Q60 RS 400) - it's by far the best looking and most fun / best straight - line powerhouse wrapped in a luxury coupe. The car looks like it's moving standing still w/o oversized grilles and copious fake vents. The added bonus (which reviewers seem to conveniently omit) is reliability and TCO. Put a handful of years on a BMW and Audi and then tell me about how expensive the Infinity is. Getting a Q60 / Q50 RS a few years old under warranty with low miles at ~30+% off MSRP is a steal; that's what I did.
I have the 2016 version no DAS and yes after installing EBC bluestuff, michellin pilot 4s and lowering springs and sway bars its much better. The engine is the best part
The drive by wire totally electric steering and Active Trace Control are both great features. Don't let these guys hate on them. Active Trace Control works great. Many say leave it off but why....it works. The self driving ability of the Q50 is great too.
i think you gotta get used to. if you dont then you dont like it
Infiniti dealers are willing to work with you. Believe me. The lease and finance deals are generous.
It's so nice to see a modern luxury car without a silly oversized grill.
You guys need to drive the CTS V Sport. That is also a pre owned sleeper saloon with 420HP and magnetic ride suspension from the Corvette.
Agreed... I like the CTS-V but the V-Sport is probably a better choice
Dominique Brown i wanna get one of those!!! i love it! its nobody's business what i drive and its fast! sych a sleeper i love it! 420hp and jusr about the same torque jesus!!
My favorite car I have ever owned.
That was America’s first and best sport sedan.
Infiniti is hurting themselves by not renovating the interior of the q50s . This would be serious hotboy car if they do that while keeping the prices relatively same
Also p.s. All q50's come with a regular rack and pinion steering. You have to add the ProActive (Adaptive Cruise Control) option to get the Steer by wire steering. Also there is a clutch engaged column in case of power failure.
So if i were to get a q50 without steer by wire, how would i know it has it equipped or not. i dont want it because of how indirect the steering is
@@DiaperSNiFFER you have to option it in. Just make sure it doesn’t have proactive package. Aka adaptive cruise control.
I like the Infiniti q 50. It still has a 6 cylinder and a CD player
See, Todd and I know how well Nissan can use electronics to add to a driving experience, rather than detract from it, because we are 300zx owners (well, past tense for Todd). That’s a car with a disproportionate amount of electronics for its age, including a very complex power steering system. And yet, the driver focused nature of the car comes through, the technology allows for baseline comforts to be integrated with driver engagement usually only available when you neglect those comforts. So Nissan CAN still make a brilliant drivers car with all the computers. But they don’t anymore.
Buy a Q60RS without the electronic steering, put on good tires, enjoy.
I completely agree. I was looking to get a sports sedan in 2018. I test drive a red sport. Loved the engine, liked they looks but couldn’t get past the lack of steering feel. So bought a G70 3.3T instead which is great.
As a G35S owner, I drove a Q50S (RS) as a service loaner & believe they’ve lost the character for which they were once known b’c it seems like “an Altima in a bow tie.” Love a more visceral feel and the drive-by-wire didn’t give me that; I’ve always owned Japanese lux & now shopping for a Scat Pack or Hellcat ironically. Nissan/Infiniti definitely have a lot of work to do as Acura, Lexus, the Euro brands & now Genesis continue moving forward. - Great review as always!
The Q50 isn’t a Product of the G35 or G37 it based off the Nissan Maximum the Q60 is the prodigy of G35 and G37
Your drive by shots are so good. It sounds like a rocket flying by
‘Good commuter as long as you don’t turn’. Sounds like the older subway lines in NYC. That’s not good. Great review.
The G/Q has always been in a strange position. It's not a base sports sedan and definitely not at the AMG/M level. I'm torn between the Red Sport w/o DAS and Chevy SS as a daily driver. An Red Sport AWD does make sense.
-$10k off MSRP is the normal price for these Q50 RSs
-Compare this to the Mercedes C43 and it’s over $20K cheaper with matching options
-Steering could use work but most people do not live where there are twisty mountain roads. Nice to see reviewers acknowledge that.
-Replace stock Dunlap run flats with any non run flat for significant handling improvement
I own a C43 and also owned an Infiniti for the wife before upgrading her to a large family suv….. you would have to spend $10k in suspension and wheel tire set up to attempt to even get its handling and rotation even close to an out of the box C43…. One thing you can’t change is Mercedes’ pushes the engine closer to the windshield for weight and handling compared to Audi and Infiniti hanging weight over the front axle.
Would have been great if they made the Eau Rouge.
Nobody pays $60k for these! I got mine brand new 2019 RWD, without DAS for $44k. Propose a better option for what you get at less than $45k. Deals on these far below sticker are the norm not the exception and that is what makes it an actual contender. I have the regular steering and I like it!
Great deal on the q50 bro! From a customer’s stand point , they’ll win all day long! From a dealer an manufacturer’s stand point they’re losing..resulting in a non profit for that product for the manufacturer to make future upgrades that can be very substantial an to really compete with this high competitive market in the sport sedan segment. Infiniti dealers have to basically dumb down the car with HEAVY incentives just to move these cars off the lots. The company really has to sit down an evaluate , examine themselves starting from SVP- down to the employees , regroup, rethink , redesign etc. the company seems though it’s building cars only for themselves and what they believe how it should be instead of listening to customers what they want .....an building cars for enthusiasts who wants a blackwing, M, AMG, RS etc. they do great in some sort of building cars for non enthusiasts,but there’s even much more competition out there with great bells and whistles that can out beat them in that...these are just my opinions about the company.
The car has so much power Nissan wanted to make it safer and disappoint! fantastic review!!!👍
Too bad it's slower than the Genesis G70 around the race circuit.
@@rockefelleragent1357 The car isn't set up for circuit or track it's set for street comfort and grip.
@@vvvvel One of the reputable reviewers said that after test driving the G70 the car feels so ridgid and solid that it feels as if the car's chassis is one piece, carved out of a stone. That's how strong and solid the car feels in handling. That's one scary remark from the reviewer.. The Q50 on the other hand would feel twisty and hollow compared to that. Don't get me wrong..I would like to have a Q50RS.
@@rockefelleragent1357 Ya the Q50 chassis is also without proper track bracings let alone suspension components and motor mounts.
@@rockefelleragent1357 yeah byt its an hyandai...
7 years from now, everyone will look back and say damn those Red Sport 400’s were really underrated, everyone wants that copy cat floating LCD screen right now. Trends die but power lives forever.
Sadly screens and old interior design is not what holds this car back. The interior might end up aging far better than many. But the steering is the Achilles heel. Thanks for watching!
@@TestDriveVideos you can get the car without one as well.
I thought you could get this with out the steer by wire option?
You can. My 2017 doesn't have it.
Yes you can. Wonder why they don't mention that.
I think the thing is professional reviewers like you guys have so much experience on top notch handling cars like Porches or BMWs. People just want a beautiful car with great horse power and Japanese reliability. That says a lot about the sales in the past decade or so. Buy by now they are outdated cause there are a lot of choices at the same price.
It sounds like if the Lexus IS had the Q50S's power it would be a beast.
You guys are complaining about a steering system that is optional. Don't check that box and it's a great car, especially if you plan to keep it a long time. I expect 200,000 miles and 10 years of service without any major maintenance like all the other Nissan products I've had over the last 30 years. I never come close to that with any of the German cars my wife likes to drive.
You can get a brand new Stinger GT AWD for 37k wit the twin turbo v6 that’s just better than this car all around........just as quick with less hp better transmission better interior better handling more space and better looking imo.
Also don't forget the insurance rates on these things. Where I live, you can pay 50 - 75% more than you would for that G70, TLX, or IS350.
...that means people wreck them (a lot); probably due to the vague steering and then when it comes time to fix it, they are more expensive to repair, thus being a larger liability for the insurance company and you, the customer end up paying more...
Step this way to see your brand new 2014 Q50
Great review and I think Infiniti heard the complaints about Direct Adaptive Steering. My 2022 Red Sport Q50 doesn’t have it, and I absolutely love it! Steering is way better!
Most dealers are doing up to $10K off MSRP. Better to lease this at $459 a month cheap cheap lease
looks and sounds great- for $40k maybe.
35k used for 2018's now
I have a 2019 Red Sport 400, a twin of the car shown here, with RWD and I got it brand new for $44k. I passed on the DAS and I honestly cannot think of a better bargain for a car with these looks, comfort, and speed for under $45k brand new.
I paid 27900 for my 16 with 30k miles
Great review - objective, accurate and honest. I love my '18 Q50RS - it's beautiful, roomy enough, a great road trip car with a punchy engine. But I also think about trading it in for something else almost every time I drive it lol. It's so close to being great but there are so many misses. The steering honestly isn't a glaring flaw when you live with this car, you get used to it and don't think about it, but I'm not tracking my car either...just spirited driving to the grocery store, running kids around etc. The engine definitely is the best part of the car. But the transmission, while it might be the best Jatco transmission ever, is dim-witted and not competitive with the ZF8A or 9A or the new 10A's from Honda, Ford, GM, Lexus. The Bose sound system is good but not great and the user interface for the infotainment is a mess. The "semi-aniline" seats feel supportive and provide hours of comfort but the ride never feels as sorted as my F30 335i M Sport that had adjustable shocks. There is no LSD (badly needed even with AWD). You MUST find the diagnostic menu to turn off the fake engine noise (although it seems like they improved it in the 2020 or 2021 models because it seems to sound a bit more natural?) because the real engine sounds so much better than 80's video game soundtrack they used for who knows why(?). The interior, for some reason seems modeled after the 2011 - 15 Hyundai Sonata ua-cam.com/video/lLSd7h8YGJA/v-deo.html Why, just why? Of course it's nicer in the Q and I don't hate it, but why do they look so similar? And when you compare the styling to Audi or even most Honda's it just looks so dated. Materials are decent but not great. I bought mine in April 2019 for about $43k out the door with warranty until 2026 so it was a good value and my wife really wanted it which doesn't usually happen lol, but it was a lesson learned. Just because it was a good buy doesn't mean it was the right purchase. I'll go back to BMW or try an Audi next time.
this is going to b the z car engine. but 60k.....no
Can I get one for $35k out to door? Then it's a great replacement 2006 G35. At $50k the 340i and the C43 are better.
At $60k any Model 3 is better.
A 340i or C43 you could definitely make a case for at the price point, but to throw a Model 3 into the equation is laughable!
All any Model 3 has going for it is straight line performance... "One trick pony" of the highest order!
On many an occasion I used to take great delight in following a Model 3, be it Standard, Dual motor or Performance on a winding road in my CLS 350D Shooting Brake, laughing to myself as the driver of said Model 3 used every bit of the road to try and keep ahead, while I stayed firmly in the driving Lane. So easy to do and on the occasion that I got really bored, I would slingshot out of a bend and scoot by and that would be the last the driver of said 3 would see of my CLS.
In my CLS 63S Shooting Brake it wasn't even a contest.
Plus, dreadful and shockingly poor interior materials and fit on a par, at a stretch, with a 30 yr old Renault 5😂.
So would you suggest, if someone wants one AND is a little more interested in cornering, that they look for one with the standard electric assist steering?
For cornering the Genesis G70 is better and faster. It's got the same laptime as the F80 M3...and nearly 5 seconds faster than the Q60RS.
Just like back when Lincoln made sedans this Infiniti is a great CPO value. It will be for sale for $30K after the lease is up.
"You're in car nobody sees. Nobody knows how much power you have." - Sounds like my TourX.
(You might joke about 400 hp but even 2.0T with 260 hp and 300 lb ft of torque in an under 4000 lb car is enough to blow away most of the jokers on the average commute.)
These dudes are just hating😂
Just sold my fully loaded 2018 RedSport. Very good car but the engine is not a long term reliable one. Anyone who is on the forums or FB Groups will see that there are innate problems with the Serpentine Belts. It absolutely responds well to a mere JB4 piggy back tune too. REALLY wakes it up down low torque wise, etc. All that said, NEVER BUY one of these, lease them. Audi S4 is by far a nicer car all around. Had one just prior to this and the only reason I got the Q50 was because the lease was stupid cheap.
enthusiasts, they don’t buy this. Most of the people who buy these are men and women in their 30’s 40’s that want something that purrs and that is covered by their company car lease payment of 599.
The Q50 is coming up on 9 freaking years lol. I loved my 2014 Q50.....back when I bought it in 2014..
There are lotssssss of differences between the redsport and other models,shorter gear ratio,bigger brakes,bigger wheel set up, more carbon, more electronic features in suspension and console
400 hp is cool. The steering and styling is lacking. for sixty its tesla model 3 performance jmo
How much whp possible with fbo ? kinda seems like a powerful 5 series without any sport packages lol
Expensive.. poor steering feel.. not focused.. wow I think the cayman is calling me
THIS is actually a Nissan skyline and an awesome car to drive:)
Thanks guys. Those wheels look like my WRX's 17" wheels, just in a larger diameter. So, is this the engine that will underpin the new/upcoming "400Z"; since the 400Z will only be a 75% new car from the current 370? That is what Nissan does, right?; reuse stuff from other places and repurpose it versus designing entirely new stuff...Nissan (and Infiniti) has lost their way as a company years ago. Even with joining the French conglomerate Renault/PSA, Nissan is, in my eyes, a company without any goals, except to milk everything to the bitter end to make the most money before having to spend money on designing new stuff..."Innovation that Excites" is more like "Innovation that Lingers and doesn't get updated as soon as it should".
Lexus is somewhat guilty of this as well look at the new IS same engine just retuned body essentially. Acura to there credit is trying at least. As for the Genesis brand now if they can just work out there dealer network better they have a chance to steal marketshare from Japanese.
Infiniti still a chance to redeem themselves if they could offer a CUV that’s using this same engine and RWD biased/AWD.
This world needs unbiased reviewers. And reviewers who can think outside the box.
drive this car without the adaptive steering and it's actually pretty good. Much more linear and progressive, and you get some feel. I hated driving the DAS versions as they really suck compared to the non-DAS cars.
I had a Q50 and it was a great car..........except the steering. I totally understand what they are saying. That was my one gripe.
infinti does a lot of deals and/or rebates on their cars for buying or leasing
Excellent car on the used market, not so much on the new market
Do a review of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport. I heard it's great to drive.
You might enjoy this comparison of ours:
ua-cam.com/video/HtZDoPOKnJA/v-deo.html
Thanks for your interest!
A great and very helpful review as I look at these in the used market right now..
Glad this was helpful. Thanks for
Watching!
My G37 is a sleeper
Don't forget these depreciate like a ton of bricks. 2018 RSs with 30k miles can be bought for low 20k USD. This is the fastest cheapest used luxury car on the market in the United States.
If you find one priced like that in TX then please let me know. Cheapest I found was 28k with over 50k miles
Do you have a link to back up what you're saying?? I can't find that price anywhere so you might want to actually do some research
They were in the low $20k before the pandemic. They’re mostly in the low $30k now
Great review! Thanks again.
in way too late but they are also amazing tuning platforms.
how much whp fbo ?
@@jonasbaine3538 there are stage 3+ packages that get them between 400 - 500 whp (upgraded fuel but stock turbo). for the money, they are good tuners but since I don't own one, I can't attest to road manners after bolt ons and tune, nor can I speak directly to longevity but from what I've read and seen, owners love them.
Drove one of these back in 2019. Definitely great power. Didn't get a chance to judge the steering feel much, looks like I wasn't missing out. Come on Infinity, you are so close! Give your red sports some good dynamics!
09:42 illegal move. Crossing a double solid yellow line. Keep it in your lane boys.
Use to have a 2019 redsport same color....now I feel like this car is irrelevant now imo because of better options out there! For a fully loaded q50RS awd is 63k , I can get a well equipped CT4-V black wing for that much because the base price is 58k. Infiniti needs to provide something a bit more to keep up for that price point and they need to do it Now!
I have 2018 Q50 Red Sport400 AWD. I got for daily driving. Issue is the platform. it’s super dirt old back from 2003. I dumped it for 2020 BMW M2 Comp. Never will look at Infiniti again. I owed 2013 6MT IPL best car they made. I wish had never sold for the Q50. :-(
I have a Q50 with a Mercedes diesel engine in it. Bought used for obvious reasons. Love it but then again I clearly don't care about steering feel otherwise I wouldn't have a diesel.
They still make the Q70/M56 with the V8 but its rare.
The Red Sport 400 would be the proper match up.
My mdx aspec will smoke this unfiniti anyday
I have a 2017 Q60 I bought used for 30,000ish. If your willing to drop another 5,000 on bolt-on parts and a tune you've got a real sports car making 460 horse and 370 torque. The Red Sport doesn't seem to give enough at its price point, but the VR30 platform is a great engine if your are willing to take it to a shop or work on it yourself (plus the lower trim levels don't have drive by wire, your literally a heat exchanger and a tune away from 400 horse).