2021 Infiniti Q50

If you can't afford something as grand as a BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class, then the premium division of Nissan has a compelling alternative for you. The 2021 Infiniti Q50 is a luxury, midsize sedan that presents you with an upscale interior and a capable twin-turbo V6 engine that develops between 300 and 400 horsepower, depending on trim. While it may be true that the Q50 sedan can't quite match the same levels of opulent luxury or straight-up performance of its German rivals, the fact that it comes threateningly close as a much more palatable price is commendable and bodes well for shoppers who want a taste of the good life without breaking the bank. By adding a new trim level to the range, Infiniti has closed the gap even further, but will it be enough to draw away some fence-sitters?

Each vehicle in the range gets some form of the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder gas engine. On all but the Red Sport 400, this power plant develops 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty for a car this size. It's also remarkably accessible at the lower rev range. This makes town driving a breeze, with more than enough grunt left over for passing on the highway. It sounds good too, though not as great as more performance-oriented competitors like the Alfa Romeo Giulia. While neither motor is particularly fuel-efficient, this is the one to go for if you care about such things.

Living up to its name, the Red Sport 400 has access to an additional 100 hp and a total of 350 lb-ft. This allows it to keep up with the best of them, sprinting from 0-60 mph in a brisk 4.5 seconds. But, while it may be able to match figures with top rivals, it doesn't offer the same level of engagement or that whiplash-inducing thrill. Regardless of the powertrain you opt for, you'll always get a smooth-shifting 7-speed automatic transmission, though the Sensory and Red Sport models add a set of paddle shifters. Both rear- and all-wheel drivetrains are available across the board.

Like many of the 'budget' premium cars out there, the 2021 Q50 is an interesting, albeit flawed offering. While it may lack the sophisticated refinement and technological splendor of the more established German brands, it manages to keep up in terms of power and performance, at least on paper. The US safety authority reviews of the 2021 Infiniti Q50 also return favorable results, with the IIHS awarding it a safety rating of Good in most categories. The NHTSA hasn't taken a look, but several issued recalls do make us wonder about its reliability.

These quibbles aside, the Q50 has a lot going for it - more than just a very capable powertrain. It looks the part with suave exterior aesthetics, and the interior is comfortable, if a little behind the times. You get all the essentials when it comes to safety tech, too. Sadly, doing just enough to get by in this segment isn't sufficient to draw attention away from the premium giants like Mercedes and BMW. True, you have to pay a bit more, but you get better quality, a more engaging drive, and a lot more features for the investment. Infiniti is certainly getting better with its 4-door luxury sedan, but it isn't ready to dethrone the kings yet.

There are several trims to choose from in the Q50 sedan range, but we'd keep things simple. The Luxe gets all the additional safety features added this year and rolls on smaller 18-inch wheels that don't upset the ride too much. It still looks just as good, and gets the power sunroof for an extra splash of leisure. The price of the 2021 Infiniti Q50 sedan in base guise is $36,600 going up to $41,700 for the Luxe, but you can add AWD for $2,000 if needed. This further allows you to add the Seat and Sound Package for leather upholstery and the 16-speaker Bose sound system. It's a little pricey at $2,500, but it does feel and sound really nice.