The 2016 Infiniti Q50 2.0t Premium delivers an air of sophistication from the curvaceous inside door handles to the super soft creamy leatherette seats and leather-wrapped tilt and telescopic steering wheel, all the way to the center console’s asymmetrical design. There is no question that the elegantly packaged Hagane Blue-colored sedan with stone-colored interior is pleasing to the eye.
It’s fast too with a 2.0 liter turbo engine, 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. More than enough power for city driving. The rear wheel drive, entry luxury sedan is equipped with a seven speed automatic-transmission with manual shift mode and downshift rev matching and stop-start technology. Drive modes range from snow, normal, sport and personal. Tie in the 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels and P225/55R 17 all season run-flat tires, and the whole package really pops.
Like many new vehicles today, the Infiniti features a push-button ignition, USB connection ports, a rear view monitor as well as eight-way power front seats. It also offers heated outside mirrors, auto dimming inside mirror and a power sliding/tinted glass moonroof that can be operated with a one-touch auto open/close button. The front and rear carpeted floor mats at first sight are a welcome touch, especially when you realize the creamy color scheme extends to the carpeting. Either way, when bad weather hits, you’re going to be cleaning either the carpet itself or the mat if you go with this interior color.
When I first start driving a car I give myself time to memorize the exact locations of the door lock and unlock buttons vs the window up-down buttons. I truly appreciated the fact that these buttons lit up in the Q50. It’s easy to take these buttons for granted, but when I’m in a dark parking lot somewhere this simple gesture of courtesy and security goes a long way.
The trunk capacity is a little tricky. You may be able to comfortably fit a couple of carry-on bags. The available 60/40 split rear seat with pass-through armrest helps if you must use it. The Q50 takes safety a step further than I imagined. It’s easy to think safety ends with seatbelts, anti-braking systems and airbags, which the Q50 does have; however, I was pleasantly surprised to see a release lever inside the trunk for emergencies. You never know.
With so much creative sophistication going on inside and out, I expected to be able to close the trunk with hands-free functionality. No such luck. The fact that I had to raise my arm a little higher to close the trunk actually caught me off guard almost as much as the stop-start engine technology that involves an unexpected shudder before acceleration. I just had to get used to it.
I’m not complaining. Just saying.
The 2016 Infiniti Q50 2.0t Premium MSRP: $37,650; Combined City/Highway MPG: 26.
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