RE: Infiniti Q50 2.0T: Review

[blearyeyedboy]

Lexus showed how to challenge the traditional heirarchy in the UK when the original LS was launched. They don't set the keen driver's backside on fire but they're now well established in the European marketplace.

Xedos showed how not to do it. Who were they? For those of you who don't remember and lack Google Fu, they were Mazda's effort at selling "more premium" cars.

Nissan should have a good foundation in Infiniti and their tie in with Mercedes but I fear they're dangerously close to the latter example with this one.
Nissan? The marketplace is telling you that drive by wire and correcting the steering for the driver isn't working in a market sector where driving fun is a prized selling point. Even buyers who don't really care will read reviews and forum commentary written by people who do. If you don't want the Q50 to die a commercial death, stop spending all your time on the Eau Rouge car and make the base ones fun to drive.

I suspect this will be withdrawn or undergo a rapid "Escort Mk 5" facelift surprisingly quickly in its life cycle.

[TUS373]

I am a Lexus driver and recently stopped into an Infiniti garage to check their cars out first hand. I sat in a few cars, but the first impression of most models is that I did not like the interiors and the quality of materials was inferior to that of Lexus.

The Q50 did look nice, and the performance of the hybrid (on paper) makes it look like quite a pokey but refined, and eminently usable motor, with IIRC, 4 wheel drive. However, the hybrid version did lose quite a bit of boot space to the batteries.

The showroom was one of the classiest I have ever visited, even compared to very high end dealers selling Ferrari/Masertic etc. The salesman clearly know his products, and the customer service was also excellent and very premium. I could not help that he had a tough job on his hands selling the cars though, especially next to the Lexus dealership. I sensed that if a cheque book was produced, a deal could be had. I think the fear for me is that Infiniti is still not a well established brand, thus when it comes to selling the car on, depreciation would be on the worse side of a Lexus or German brand.

The technology in the cars is spot on, but I agree that I would not particularly enjoy the drive by wire set up. It could have some benefits isolated the driving from a rough road surface, but I think most drivers buying their own car would not mind that, and on balance, prefer the direct feedback of a mechanical system.

As for Lexus, I love mine- a RX400h. Whenever I think about changing it and go around the showrooms, I can never find something that feels such a complete package and fits so well with our lives. OK, it is a hybrid - but it is supremely smooth except when flooring it,when you get the V6 engine flair. It returns 32mpg on average, has ample overtaking and cruising power, low running costs, excellent in snow, brilliantly built, and does whatever asked of it. It is the most relaxing car to drive, so while other drivers are hell bent on tailgating, revin to the red line, and sitting on someone's bumper - I just get to my destination and back, feeling very relaxed and not tired. I "get" these cars, and I am glad that there is a choice to be had.

So, I am probably going to opt for the new RX hoping it comes out late 2015 or early 2016. It WILL be good. Unfortunately for Infiniti, the Q50 is the only car I would take from the range as a new car, but there are good deals on used. From that perspective, they are make some sense.