Presentation and road test of the Infiniti Q50S Hybrid: a saloon with plenty of character and personality

In the car world, a considerable number of segments are being absorbed by the SUV segment but, fortunately, there are still brands that have managed to find the perfect balance and keep alive a range of models full of variety. This is where Infiniti stands, a firm that continues to bet on the saloon segment with its flagship model, the Q50. On this occasion, we travelled to A Coruña to get to know the Japanese saloon in its most radical version, the Q50S Hybrid in great detail.

The Infiniti Q50S speaks for itself, something it achieves with an undeniable road presence and an attractive design, which means that every passer-by turns to see what car it is. But the Q50S is not only good-looking, it is also sporty, a perfect formula that we wanted to verify first-hand.

Muscle, elegance and even more muscle

There is no denying that Infiniti’s saloon has plenty of character, and this is immediately conveyed through its design. The Japanese firm has skilfully achieved a splendid harmony between elegance and sportiness, two traits that come together in the Q50S’s styling. To do so, Infiniti’s designers have relied on unique lines, which aim to offer a high degree of personality.

The first thing that captivates us about the Infiniti Q50S is its imposing front end, which is dominated by the brand’s emblem positioned above a black grille contrasted with chrome details. At the same time, we can appreciate well-defined flanks on which sharp headlights are set, which continue to convey Infiniti’s sporty design language. The side of the Japanese saloon has also sought to carry on the muscularity that is so characteristic of its overall look, blending perfectly with the subtle elegance of its lines.

To achieve this, the designers have created pronounced creases that carry the character printed on the Q50S’s front end towards the rest of the vehicle, anticipating a rear that follows the same canons established by the brand. The rear of the saloon is one of the most attractive areas, featuring two elongated LED rear lights and a diffuser that houses a dual exhaust outlet, which hints at a spicy and very playful character.

A cabin that creates an appealing contrast

Once we have finished succumbing to the aesthetic charms of the Infiniti Q50S, it is time to step inside and experience the contrast it is capable of creating with the exterior. The Japanese firm has wanted to offer a package where sportiness and elegance go hand in hand, and the cabin is no exception even though it rejects a more radical character in favour of a calmer and more subdued one.

We find a very comfortable layout of the controls, which allows the user to quickly get used to everything despite being unfamiliar with the Infiniti Q50S interior. The steering wheel features multifunction buttons and a pleasant feel with a good thickness and, in addition, is fitted with two paddles that let us play with the gearbox. Right away we find an analogue instrument cluster, which gives way to a small digital screen that provides information on consumption, electric motor input and numerous data related to the condition of the Q50S.

On the centre console we notice a layout very common in today’s car world, and through which Infiniti shows a very forward-looking attitude. We are referring to the dual touchscreen that lets us manage all the functions of the infotainment system. This configuration allows for a cleaner and more minimalist design, but the somewhat sluggish software responsiveness and rather dated graphics require a certain adaptation period. Even so, a future facelift could integrate a digital instrument cluster and a new dual screen, which would offer greater fluidity and a cleaner, more up-to-date integration.

However, one great positive aspect of the Infiniti Q50S is the sobriety of its interior, where efforts have been made to reduce the number of buttons as much as possible in order to offer a very minimalist cabin. This new design is complemented by good materials, such as leather and, although there is some hard plastic in the Japanese saloon, the fit and finish are more than correct and worthy of the segment it belongs to.

A car built to devour kilometres without fuss

With the Q50, Infiniti has created a very versatile car, as it combines all the advantages of a hybrid vehicle with a powertrain that is in danger of extinction and that lets us enjoy driving. On the other hand, it also behaves like a vehicle ready to satisfy customers looking to cover long distances with a high level of comfort, a purpose the Q50S Hybrid can fulfil.

Once at the controls of the Japanese saloon, we set off on a motorway journey to get to know its comfort levels thoroughly when our intention is to travel. The first thing that strikes us is the calm with which we can drive the Q50S, a sensation it conveys with great composure and a well-defined suspension setup for relaxed driving.

The enveloping and comfortable cabin of the Infiniti Q50S also invites us to spend several hours with it on the road, as it presents itself as a vehicle showing no signs of fatigue when cruising on the motorway. However, it was time to leave this calm route and head into the heart of the province in search of a road with twisty bends to experience first-hand the sporty character that the Japanese saloon’s styling promises.

Thanks to the different driving modes offered by the Infiniti Q50S, we can configure it depending on the situation we face. On this occasion, we engaged Sport mode to bring out, and get to know, the most radical side of the saloon, which firms up the steering and makes the engine response more immediate. The first setting helps us leave behind a steering that is too soft and vague, which means we don’t know precisely what is happening at the road surface, but this feeling is remedied when changing the driving mode.

Once we were ready to experience the capabilities of the Q50S, the first thing that strikes us is its powerful and delightful powertrain. It is a naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 capable of producing 306 CV of power and 350 Nm of torque, figures that rise to 364 CV and 546 Nm of torque thanks to the presence of an electric motor delivering 68 CV and 270 Nm of torque. Its impressive power is rounded off by an almost instantaneous delivery of torque courtesy of the electric heart -from just 1,770 rpm-, resulting in energetic behaviour both at low revs and when approaching the red line of the rev counter.

The engine has an insatiable spirit, almost begging us to take it high in the rev range so that we do not forget its naturally aspirated nature either, something that lets us have a lot of fun. Furthermore, we find a 7-speed automatic gearbox offering quick, no-nonsense gearchanges, though a little slow on downshifts, without seriously weighing down the sporty character of the Q50S. At the same time, the chassis does justice to the engine and, together with power being sent to the rear axle in this powertrain, we find entertaining hints of rear-end movement that also help us round off the line.

However, the 1,842 kg the Infiniti Q50S weighs on the scales and its 4.8-metre length make themselves felt between bends, which gives rise to some inertia and body roll but without reaching very pronounced extremes. The regenerative braking is precise and strong enough to stop the nearly two tonnes of the Q50, but it has a slightly different feel to conventional brakes and we will have to get used to them. The same goes for the accelerator pedal, which, when driving for a few metres in electric mode, feels somewhat spongy until the combustion engine kicks in.

A hybrid that helps in moments of fatigue

One of the most significant improvements in this Infiniti Q50S is the presence of an electric motor, which not only provides extra power but also moves the saloon along. However, this only happens in very specific situations, such as pulling away, where the electric heart is responsible for pushing the Q50 until the combustion engine starts working.

On the other hand, the electric energy supports the powerful V6, with the aim of delivering greater performance when driving without too much restraint; but it also plays a part in moments of calm. During the presentation of the Infiniti Q50S Hybrid, we were able to cover certain city stretches, which allowed us to get to know better how it behaves when the electric motor is most involved.

Despite the Infiniti’s dimensions -4.8 metres long, 1.8 wide and 1.4 high- it does not feel clumsy in the urban environment. At the same time, the electric motor helps reduce consumption -with a claimed average of 6.2 litres per 100 km- by taking over from the combustion engine in the most demanding moments, allowing us to pull away and stop without worrying about how much petrol we use. Furthermore, its comfort and refinement at low speeds make getting around the city in the Q50 more pleasant than one might expect.

Conclusion

After getting to know and driving the Infiniti Q50S Hybrid, we realise that it is a vehicle with great doses of personality that arrives with considerable force to rival its German competitors. Its strong and attractive design will make us fall at its feet, a feeling accentuated by a very pleasant interior which, despite some hard plastic and a somewhat dated infotainment system, allows its occupants to enjoy every journey we make.

Its motorway behaviour is admirable, offering a level of comfort that will invite us to spend many hours with the Infiniti Q50. Its delightful engine is not only suited to long journeys, but also to getting around quickly and without fuss and, although winding roads are not its main territory -nor does it aspire to be-, it delivers performance good enough to put a smile on our faces.

With these premises and with a starting price for this variant of 37,100 euros thanks to the MY18 promotion, we find a vehicle ready to offer a great deal in exchange for an outlay that is far removed from what we would have to pay with other brands seeking to compete head-to-head with the Infiniti Q50S Hybrid.