2018 INFINITI Q50 Hybrid Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Hybrid vehicles like the INFINITI Q50 Hybrid are best known for their ability to make a gallon of gas go further. But there is another benefit to hybrids that not many automakers take full advantage of—their potential for increased performance. Electric motors deliver all their power at 0 rpm, which makes for impressive performance figures. Hybrid powertrains are beginning to be seen in hypercars like the La Ferrari and Porsche 918 Spyder, but if you don’t have the cash to drop on one of these models, you’ll be happy to know there’s an affordable alternative—the 2018 Q50 Hybrid.
The heart of the Q50 Hybrid is a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 50-kilowatt electric motor to deliver a total output of 360 hp. In the Q50 lineup, only the Red Sport 400 with its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 outperforms the Hybrid, with an output of 400 hp. The end result for the Hybrid is an impressive 0-to-60 time of under 5 seconds. One issue noted by reviewers, however, is the vehicle’s tendency to lurch when accelerating under certain conditions, likely due to the Intelligent Dual Clutch Control. As the name suggests, 2 clutches are fitted to either end of the 7-speed automatic transmission to help smooth the transition from electric to hybrid power and vice-versa, although it seems INFINITI still has some work to do to perfect the system. Nevertheless, the Q50 Hybrid does stand out from the competition with the availability of all-wheel drive (AWD) in addition to the standard rear-wheel drive (RWD).
The EPA rates the Q50 Hybrid at 27 mpg city, 32 highway, and 29 combined with RWD and 26, 30, and 28 with AWD. When compared to other luxury hybrid sedans in the class, the Q50 Hybrid’s fuel-economy numbers come up a bit short. Taking into account that the performance on tap rivals that of turbocharged V6-equipped competitors but with slightly better fuel efficiency, however, the Q50 Hybrid does begin to make some sense.
The Q50 Hybrid is equipped with a sport-tuned suspension that offers composed handling when cornering but a slightly rougher ride than the standard Q50 model. INFINITI’s Direct Adaptive Steering, a steer-by-wire system that uses sensors and electrical signals to turn the front wheels, was revised in 2017 to address a number of problems such as poor feel and inconsistent weighting when turning. Test drivers, however, have given mixed feedback on this updated system—some say that INFINITI has fixed the various issues, while others note that turning the wheel still feels unnatural.
For 2018, INFINITI has given the Q50 Hybrid some exterior tweaks. The front end comes with updated LED headlights and a revised grille for a more aggressive look, while the rear boasts a new set of LED taillights. For the interior, INFINITI has borrowed some features from the Q60 coupe such as a reworked steering wheel and “spinal support” seats with improved comfort for long drives. The cabin gains some luxuriousness for 2018, with high-quality materials like wood trims for the dashboard and leather-like surfaces with double stitching. The dual-screen infotainment system, however, is starting look a bit dated compared to that of the Q50’s competitors.
The 2018 Q50 family will be INFINITI’s first model lineup to come equipped with the new ProPilot driver-assistance system. ProPilot includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning and braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-departure warning and prevention. INFINITI will begin selling the 2018 Q50 Hybrid at dealers later this summer.
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2018 INFINITI Q50 Hybrid Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Surround audio: 7.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 14
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.1 · Rear brake width: 0.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Interior accents: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: voice recognition controls · Storage: sunglasses holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 2.61
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 67 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 50 · Electric Motor Torque: 214 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 302 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6800 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 258 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: driving performance · Infotainment: InTouch · Infotainment screen size: 7 in. and 8 in. (dual)
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: manual folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: sliding sunshade
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: front · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front and rear · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.1
Suspension
Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 27 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bose · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Surround audio: 7.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 14
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 12.6 · Front brake width: 1.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.1 · Rear brake width: 0.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Interior accents: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): two 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: multi-function screen controls · Storage: sunglasses holder · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: on demand · Axle ratio: 2.61
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium ion · Electric Motor HP: 67 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 50 · Electric Motor Torque: 214 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 302 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6800 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 258 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color with chrome accents · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: chrome · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: driving performance · Infotainment: InTouch · Infotainment screen size: 7 in. and 8 in. (dual)
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Steering
Turns lock-to-lock: 2.0
Suspension
Front Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Stabilizer Bar: diameter 32 mm · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: twin-tube gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Stabilizer Bar: diameter 20 mm · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: maintenance status
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation