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First Test: Motor Trend Reviews the Q50S

21083 Views 73 Replies 30 Participants Last post by  chicagokevo
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Thanks for posting!

So, no word about the in-touch system. Nada. I think that must be a good thing. With the Caddy Cue and BMW iDrive systems, you can't get too far into any review without hearing laments about their problems. Not even a peep about in-touch.

This review sounds like they got to drive around a track with an Infiniti nanny keeping a close eye on things. Almost like some of the test drives from people on these boards. While they cover a good bit,it just doesn't feel like they had the time to do a very thorough review. That might just be me.

Not much in the way of complaints and the comparison to the 335 and S4 is admittedly, by the author, hitting on the edge of reasonableness in terms of base models/pricing.

I wonder if Infiniti took the sticker off of the in-touch screen for this test drive since the only mention of anything related is the steer by wire settings. I still think no comment on in-touch is a huge win. Go back and read an ATS review, any one, and see if you don't hear about the awful CUE system.

Sounds like a good all around performer, solid offering with some great tech to separate it from the pack and to make up for the same ol' drivetrain and engine.

Now to see how it leases compared to the 335 and S4. Therein lies the challenge for Infiniti per this article.
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The Q50 performed the 0-60-mph sprint in 5.2 seconds and kept running through the quarter mile in 13.8 seconds at 102.1 mph.

That's not even the hybrid model!!
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Sorry did not see it was posted allready.. You guys are quick..
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Can a moderator or the OP rename this thread to include "Motor Trend" in the title. It's not going to get as much visibility without it, and people will keep posting it in new threads thinking no one posted it yet.
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the way the article reads to me is that they didnt really like the car...at all.

or at least, they talked about what they didnt like mroe than what they liked.


not a good shwoing for the brand
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I did a little research on the "author" of this review, and he is a huge European car guy...Here are a few snippets from his bio on Motor Trend:

My dad is a car guy and so is my brother. My sister is a car fan, but is far too practical to devote enough of her time, money, and emotion to let four-wheeled time-wasters control her life. She has owned a variety of interesting European vehicles, so the apple still doesn't fall far.
My first actual position in journalism was as engineering editor at European Car magazine.
So, I would take this review with a grain of salt seeing his extreme bias for European cars.
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Disingenuous to compares the 335i and S4 to a base Q. Compare them to the Hybrid Q.

I also wonder how much performance will improve if you switch to non-RFTs
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the way the article reads to me is that they didnt really like the car...at all.

or at least, they talked about what they didnt like mroe than what they liked.


not a good shwoing for the brand
If that is the case then we as Infiniti customers, when we purchase our Q50s and any other Infiniti product need to make sure that we let people know what WE like about our vehicles. Since WE will be the ones driving on a daily basis and not just out testing them for kicks.
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I take it as a compliment that the A4 isn't even whispered in comparison, only the S5.
What do you all think about the "lack of feel" that the author was pointing out compared to the 3 series? Has anyone had the opportunity personally to push the sport model in the twisties to see how it is?

I have my car sitting on the lot (hybrid/sport) and I am coming from a 370z so I hope its not too much of a downgrade in the "driver feel" and handling department. I haven't even been able to drive it to see how I like the handling. Any input would be much appreciated before I take a $50k plunge.
Not liking the comment about the "floaty feel" of the suspension. This is one thing that I don't like about my dad's M37x. I'm hoping its not the same feel in the Q. I was attributing the floaty feeling to the fact that it was a non-sport M37x.
I did a little research on the "author" of this review, and he is a huge European car guy...Here are a few snippets from his bio on Motor Trend:





So, I would take this review with a grain of salt seeing his extreme bias for European cars.
Come on, just because you don't agree with someone's opinion you
question their cradibility? This review is very similar to Automobile Mag
impressions. You can always wait for my review, I'm an ex BMW fan who switched to Infiniti 7 years ago:D

I can say that because you never owned a sport sedan and drive a truck
your review is invalid...
Come on, just because you don't agree with someone's opinion you
question their cradibility? This review is very similar to Automobile Mag
impressions. You can always wait for my review, I'm an ex BMW fan who switched to Infiniti 7 years ago:D

I can say that because you never owned a sport sedan and drive a truck
your review is invalid...
This is true...the only review that matters is your own personal review...You're the one driving it every day.
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They complained about the care being both harsh over bumps and floaty. They complained about floating in the 335i in a recent comparison that the 335i won.

This is probably an artifact of the runflat tires. Because of their sidewall stiffness they can be harsh. The way to compensate is to make the shocks softer. It appears that even the dual piston shock didn't get it right in the Motor Trend tests or although it is possible it had the dual flow if it was a pre-production model.

A change to non-flats will immediately fix the harshness. With shocks that were made soft for use with runflats, the ride will be good even with "Max performance" tires. Michelin Pilot Super Sports or Michelin Pilot Sport AS3s (probably a better choice for most people) and Michelin Pilot Alpine PA4 winter tires.

The shocks are a bigger problem. Aftermarket shocks, even for the G37, are a bit limited in selection to different coil over setups. Not only expensive, many of them only have settings that lower the car (not something you do in the pothole strewn northeast) and are often on the stiff side. Further, most of the aftermarket shocks only work with RWD models while in the northeast dealers generally only sell AWD models.
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This is true...the only review that matters is your own personal review...You're the one driving it every day.
I agree!! I read the reviews and for a brief moment I question my decision but then realize that I know myself and my wants better than anyone. I like that the car performs well in 0-60 but I'm not about to sit at a stop light and floor it like a douche bag just to beat everyone off the line. I'm not 22! ha

I love the lines/curves, the interior, the technology and the fact that I had ZERO issues with my beautiful G37 for the past 39 months. That's what sold me so I don't care if a reviewer thinks otherwise. We all have preferences.
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I agree!! I read the reviews and for a brief moment I question my decision but then realize that I know myself and my wants better than anyone. I like that the car performs well in 0-60 but I'm not about to sit at a stop light and floor it like a douche bag just to beat everyone off the line. I'm now 22! ha
There is nothing douchy about flooring the car at a stop light.
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There is nothing douchy about flooring the car at a stop light.
Yeah, there is.........especially for anyone over 40!!! It's kind of a sign that they haven't quite matured into knowing they don't need to prove "mine's bigger than yours." ;)
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