Hi guys,
I was thinking of picking up a Q50, but ran across this review Infiniti Q50 Review. Does the steering really suck?
I was thinking of picking up a Q50, but ran across this review Infiniti Q50 Review. Does the steering really suck?
New review / How's the steering
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Reading the professional reviews you get results all over the map. Some like it. Some hate it. The ones that hate it apparently live for road vibration transmitted through the steering wheel. 
I tried it on test drives and it was fine by me. I think it's nice that you can customize the wheel response. I don't know of any other car that offers that. Aside from the "feel", everyone has agreed that it accomplished one of its desired objectives - the steering has been very quick and precise.
The drive-by-wire setup was also necessary for some of the tech, like the lane control. Mercedes has a similar capability on one of its cars, but uses a much less sophisticated approach of braking one of the wheels rather than just nudging the steering like the Q50.
Ultimately you need to go out and test drive it. Only then will you know whether it's OK for you despite whatever the reviews say. Just appreciate the reviews for pointing out an area you need to pay attention to on your test drive.
I tried it on test drives and it was fine by me. I think it's nice that you can customize the wheel response. I don't know of any other car that offers that. Aside from the "feel", everyone has agreed that it accomplished one of its desired objectives - the steering has been very quick and precise.
The drive-by-wire setup was also necessary for some of the tech, like the lane control. Mercedes has a similar capability on one of its cars, but uses a much less sophisticated approach of braking one of the wheels rather than just nudging the steering like the Q50.
Ultimately you need to go out and test drive it. Only then will you know whether it's OK for you despite whatever the reviews say. Just appreciate the reviews for pointing out an area you need to pay attention to on your test drive.
MB steering assist steers the car. However, all automatic steering inputs turn the wheel.Reading the professional reviews you get results all over the map. Some like it. Some hate it. The ones that hate it apparently live for road vibration transmitted through the steering wheel.
I tried it on test drives and it was fine by me. I think it's nice that you can customize the wheel response. I don't know of any other car that offers that. Aside from the "feel", everyone has agreed that it accomplished one of its desired objectives - the steering has been very quick and precise.
The drive-by-wire setup was also necessary for some of the tech, like the lane control. Mercedes has a similar capability on one of its cars, but uses a much less sophisticated approach of braking one of the wheels rather than just nudging the steering like the Q50.
Ultimately you need to go out and test drive it. Only then will you know whether it's OK for you despite whatever the reviews say. Just appreciate the reviews for pointing out an area you need to pay attention to on your test drive.
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Thanks for the insight. I haven't tested it myself. I was just going by what it said the Men's Journal review.
"While other vehicles feature similar lane departure systems (most notably the new Mercedes-Benz S-Classhttp://www.mensjournal.com/gear/cars/the-first-class-luxury-sedan-20130724), the Q50 is unique in that it uses Direct Adaptive Steering, Infiniti's version of a drive-by-wire electrical steering system, to initiate course corrections instead of dragging a brake."
The lane departure and blind spot does use the brake. Steering assist is new for 2014 in the E-class and S-class and performs the same as Q50. The Q50 steers for lane departure and blind spot. The Infiniti M also uses brakes.
From the website it isn't clear with the Q50 uses the steering or the brakes for blind spot collision avoidance. Or for that matter from lane departure although the lane tracking is clearly with the steering.
From the website it isn't clear with the Q50 uses the steering or the brakes for blind spot collision avoidance. Or for that matter from lane departure although the lane tracking is clearly with the steering.
I have, but reviews from owners are often clouded by the fact that they want to justify their $45k purchase. Sorry, I didn't mean to be flip with my initial post. It's just that these guys really panned the steering, and I'm coming from a BMW e90, which has very communicative steering. I'll just have to drive it myself.
As for other manufacturers using electronic steering assist for lane departure control, it's true, but I do not believe any have gone to the extreme that Infiniti has here. They all use electronic motors attached to a conventional rack that's mechanically linked to the steering wheel. Thus, they's always some road feel transmitted through to the wheel. I think Infiniti's choice in the Q50 is the way of the future, but I'm not sure the first implementation will be the best.
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I'd trust the opinions of the owners here more than a lot of these so called professional car reviewers who don't even take the time to proofread their own work.
Several manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, and Lexus, have variable ration gearboxes on the steering column. Several have had rear wheel steering including Infiniti, BMW, Lexus, and Porsche. The Q50 is the first to uncouple the steering wheel from the steering rack rather than add a gearbox.
Several manufacturers vary the steering effort. Most (all?) with variable ratio steering vary the ratio depending on vehicle behavior: speed, turning angle, yaw rate, etc. In this aspect the Q50 is a bit primitive, requiring the driver to make the selection.
Some, BMW and maybe someone others, use the variable ratio steering to control the yaw rate. Most that do this use rear wheel braking (usually caused torque vectoring) or varying the front/rear distribution in AWD.
Several steer the car to automate parking: MB, BMW, Ford in the US. Audi in Europe. MB, and BMW beginning in November, steer the car to stay in its lane like the Q50. However, the BMW system, in package labeled traffic jam assist, only works at lower speeds.
The Infiniti combination of features is as good as the combination on any competing E-class/5-Series models and ahead of 3-series/A4 models. It doesn't have everything, but neither do any of the others.
Several manufacturers vary the steering effort. Most (all?) with variable ratio steering vary the ratio depending on vehicle behavior: speed, turning angle, yaw rate, etc. In this aspect the Q50 is a bit primitive, requiring the driver to make the selection.
Some, BMW and maybe someone others, use the variable ratio steering to control the yaw rate. Most that do this use rear wheel braking (usually caused torque vectoring) or varying the front/rear distribution in AWD.
Several steer the car to automate parking: MB, BMW, Ford in the US. Audi in Europe. MB, and BMW beginning in November, steer the car to stay in its lane like the Q50. However, the BMW system, in package labeled traffic jam assist, only works at lower speeds.
The Infiniti combination of features is as good as the combination on any competing E-class/5-Series models and ahead of 3-series/A4 models. It doesn't have everything, but neither do any of the others.
I came from a 370Z and it also had very communicative steering. You don't have as much feel as a rack on the Q50s but it's still pretty good. I have no complaints. Just go drive it and judge for yourself.
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If you have a non-hybrid with the Deluxe Touring Package or a hybrid with Deluxe Tech Package you have steer-by-wire with the conventional back-up system. Otherwise you have the conventional. Navigation Package alone does not give you the steer-by-wire.
Hi everyone,
I got around to test driving the Q50 today, along with a Lexus IS350 F Sport and a Cadillac ATS 2.0T (I still kinda can't believe I tested a Caddy!). The Q50 I drove was a fully loaded Q50S AWD. I have to say, the Car Match review was in my opinion spot on - the Q50's Direct Adaptive Steering was totally wooden. I understand it provides some isolation from road shocks, but that wasn't ever really a problem for me. The steering was so lifeless, it's a deal killer. I wanted to test drive a Q50 with the standard steering, but the dealer didn't have one available today.
With respect to the other two, I have to say, the IS350 was pretty **** impressive. It handled like a sports car, with flat cornering, lots of grip and very communicative steering. Also, the transmission was very smooth and seemed to shift more quickly than the trans in either the Q50 or the ATS.
I was also impressed by the ATS. I think it's fairly ugly, and the 2.0T was a little thrashy, but the handling is spot on. As I started this discussion about steering feel, I have to admit, the ATS has a pretty good system. Oh, the rear seat is tiny.
I haven't made my final decision yet, and I will try to get my hands on a non-DAS Q50, but thusfar I'd say the Lexus is the better car for me.
I got around to test driving the Q50 today, along with a Lexus IS350 F Sport and a Cadillac ATS 2.0T (I still kinda can't believe I tested a Caddy!). The Q50 I drove was a fully loaded Q50S AWD. I have to say, the Car Match review was in my opinion spot on - the Q50's Direct Adaptive Steering was totally wooden. I understand it provides some isolation from road shocks, but that wasn't ever really a problem for me. The steering was so lifeless, it's a deal killer. I wanted to test drive a Q50 with the standard steering, but the dealer didn't have one available today.
With respect to the other two, I have to say, the IS350 was pretty **** impressive. It handled like a sports car, with flat cornering, lots of grip and very communicative steering. Also, the transmission was very smooth and seemed to shift more quickly than the trans in either the Q50 or the ATS.
I was also impressed by the ATS. I think it's fairly ugly, and the 2.0T was a little thrashy, but the handling is spot on. As I started this discussion about steering feel, I have to admit, the ATS has a pretty good system. Oh, the rear seat is tiny.
I haven't made my final decision yet, and I will try to get my hands on a non-DAS Q50, but thusfar I'd say the Lexus is the better car for me.
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This is exactly how I felt with the q vs is. Better handling with the is, but less spacious. Then it depends if you like the looks and interior of the is. From the other forums, the infotainment system on the is is also having some hiccups just like the q, but doesn't seem as prevalent though. Hopefully lexus and infiniti are able to fix their respective problems.
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Can someone explain how superior is the adaptive sterring comparing to the conventional steering. I currently happy with the steering on my g37xs. Does it make a difference worth 3100? I dont really care for the other options that are included in the deluxe touring package.
Ill show you if you stop by to test drive, but imo the steering alone is not worth it.. this is not a G though.. this is the G and M's love child lol.. best way I can explain it
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Wow. It looks like we've got another IS350 convert!
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That guy is consistently hyperbolic..
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