2020 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400

Overview

The 2020 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400's crown jewel is its brawny engine: How does 400 horsepower sound to you? This compact luxury sedan offers thrilling handling and it comes with a lengthy, up-to-date list of standard equipment. Keep in mind, though, that it's less refined than others in this class, with more road noise and vibration. It also falls short when it comes to cabin design. Its interior looks distinctly low rent when compared with that of rival sedans. This Infiniti merits consideration if your top priority is performance, but we'd recommend that you check out competing models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz if you're seeking a well-rounded, polished package.

Where This Vehicle Ranks

#17 in Best Compact Luxury Cars for 2020

1

BMW 3-series

STARTING AT: $41,245

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2

Genesis G70

STARTING AT: $36,475

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3

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

STARTING AT: $42,395

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4

Audi A5

STARTING AT: $43,895

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Kia Stinger

STARTING AT: $34,125

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17

Infiniti Q50

STARTING AT: $37,425

SHOP Q50

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What's New for 2020?

For the 2020 model year, the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 ushers in a new standard infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

With the Q50 Red Sport 400 RWD, power is sent to the rear wheels; the Q50 Red Sport 400 AWD has an all-wheel-drive powertrain. Unless you regularly face slippery roads and need the extra traction provided by all-wheel drive, the base trim should suit you fine. This model comes with a long list of standard equipment, including exterior features such as 19-inch wheels, a sunroof, automatic LED headlights, and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Within the cabin, all models are equipped with amenities such as eight-way power-adjustable front seats, a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering column, keyless entry and ignition, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Also, vital driver-assistance features such as blind-spot monitoring are standard.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

All 2020 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 sedans are motivated by a 3.0-liter V-6 engine with twin turbochargers. This powerplant delivers 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available for those who want improved grip. In our tests, the Q50 Red Sport 400 raced from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Other models in this segment offer quicker acceleration. For example, a BMW M340i we tested made the sprint in 3.8 seconds and a Mercedes-AMG C43 4Matic covered that stretch in 4.1 seconds. When driven around town, the Q50 Red Sport 400 delivered handling that was sharp and responsive. However, relative to rival models, there was a fair amount of noise and vibration within the cabin.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

According to EPA estimates, the 2020 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 achieves fuel economy of 20/26 mpg city/highway with rear-wheel drive. Other models in this class offer better fuel economy. For example, the Audi S4 delivers mileage of 20/27 mpg, while the BMW M340i achieves mileage of 22/30 mpg. With optional all-wheel drive, this Infiniti's mileage dips to 19/26 mpg. During our time with a rear-drive model, we observed fuel economy of 22 mpg.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

At this point, it's worth noting that the Q50 Red Sport 400 was last redesigned all the way back in the 2014 model year. That fact is important, since it helps explain why the car's cabin looks so dated. Also, relative to the competition, this Infiniti's interior has an appearance that's less upscale. When it comes to cargo capacity, the Q50 Red Sport 400 provides 14 cubic feet of room for your stuff. That's less than you'll get with the BMW M340i (17 cubic feet).

Infotainment and Connectivity

Infiniti has equipped the 2020 Q50 Red Sport 400 with an extensive selection of standard tech features. All models come with an infotainment system governed by two touchscreen displays that measure 8.0 and 7.0 inches. Sirius XM satellite radio is standard, along with Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone calls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are on hand for effortless device integration, and the standard Wi-Fi hotspot allows you and your passengers to easily connect to the internet. A 16-speaker Bose sound system delivers crisp sound, and an integrated navigation system helps you chart your course.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The 2020 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 hasn't received an overall crash-test score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it hasn't been evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. However, the sedan is equipped with a broad range of standard driver-assistance amenities. Key safety features include:

• Standard blind-spot monitoring
• Standard front and rear parking sensors
• Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Available adaptive cruise control
• Available lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Infiniti offers longer warranty coverage than many luxury brands. However, rival marques such as BMW provide complimentary scheduled maintenance, which isn't offered with Infiniti vehicles.

• Limited warranty covers 4 years or 60,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance