First look: 2016 Infiniti Q50

In 2015, Infiniti gave a mild update to their best-selling mid-size sedan, the G37, but renamed it the Q50. In 2016, the Q50 underwent major upgrades from the inside to the outside, but the biggest upgrade of the Infiniti Q50 in 2016 was under the hood.

What’s New

Performance

Availability

Additional 2016 Infiniti Q50 Images

What’s New

For 2016, the Q50 gains a Premium Plus package which includes heated front seats, navigation, Sirius XM Traffic, memory exterior mirrors, and a heated, electrically adjustable steering wheel.

Available safety technologies on the 2016 Infiniti Q50 include adaptive front lighting, intelligent cruise control with full speed range, forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning, back collision intervention with cross traffic alert, and more.

The exterior of the new Q50 remains relatively unchanged as it retains its narrow headlights, long hood, and mesh pattern grille. The new, top-of-the-range Red Sport 400 gets unique 19-inch aluminum alloy rims and special exhaust tips. The cabin of the new Q50 features two touchscreens and includes hand-gesture operations. The dashboard layout remains unchanged and retains the rounded curves, which is now interrupted by a vertically oriented center stack.

Performance

The base engine in the 2016 Infiniti Q50 is a new 2.0 L turbocharged four cylinder unit, which produces 208 horsepower and 258 lb.ft. torque. The new engine also features a stop/start system, which should help improve fuel efficiency. The mid-level engine is a new 3.0 L twin-turbo V6, which delivers 300 horsepower and 295 lb.ft. torque.

The 3.5 L V6 hybrid with 360 horsepower carries over unchanged from last year.

The 2016 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 features the same 3.0 L twin-turbo V6 found in the mid-level Q50, but the power is bumped to 400 horsepower and 350 lb.ft. torque. All engines are paired to a 7-speed automatic and can send power either to the rear wheels or to all four wheels.

The 2016 Q50 also gets an updated Direct Adaptive Steering System, which is re-tuned to deliver more road feedback from the front wheels, through the wheel and to the driver. A new Dynamic Digital Suspension will improve ride comfort and agility via firmer damping control. Drivers of the Q50 will also be able to personalize the engine, suspension, and steering settings.

2016 Infiniti Q50

Availability

The 2016 Infiniti Q50 will make its global debut at the North American International Auto Show next month and arrive at dealerships, nationwide, this spring. When it arrives, it will compete against the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Lexus IS, Acura TLX, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

*Rahul Raman is the Founder of CARS 360 Mke, an automotive news outlet. He is a regular contributor to Automoblog.net and the author of our First Look series.

Additional 2016 Infiniti Q50 Images

2016 Infiniti Q50 Left Front Three Quarters

2016 Infiniti Q50 Rear Fascia

2016 Infiniti Q50 Right Rear Three Quarters

2016 Infiniti Q50 dashboard and center console