The Infiniti Q50 is one of the best alternatives to a luxury German sedan. In a market sector that’s dominated by BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, it’s easy to ignore the other options out there. One of those options comes from Infiniti, the luxury arm of Nissan. Their current lineup includes a range of luxury SUVs, alongside the Q50, their premium sedan.
The Infiniti Q50 was first released in 2014, and the current model still closely represents the original design. This is Infiniti’s answer to the likes of the BMW 3 Series or the Cadillac CT4, and as a result, it’s going head to head with some major competitors. Despite this, the Q50 shouldn’t be overlooked if you’re in the market for a compact, luxury sedan.
Unlike its rivals, the Q50 isn’t tied down with endless optional extras and packages. Like most Japanese models, the Q50 is kept simple, with three trim levels, the Luxe, Sensory, and Red Sport 400. Unfortunately with these titles, it’s difficult to tell which spec is going to be right for you.
Here at TheWeeklyAutos, we wanted to help find the right Infiniti Q50 for you. In this article, we’ll talk you through the features of each trim level, and the cost differences, so you can decide which Q50 to buy.
Let’s get started!
What Are The Different Trim Levels On The Infiniti Q50?
Firstly, let’s talk about the features you get in each trim level on the Infiniti Q50. From the entry-level (the Luxe) to the premium trim (the Red Sport 400) there are a wide variety of features added as you move up the levels.
The table below shows you what is included at each trim level for the Q50:
| Features | Luxe | Sensory | Red Sport 400 |
| 18-inch wheels | Y | Y | Y |
| 19-inch wheels | Y | Y | |
| LED foglights | Y | Y | Y |
| Moonroof | Y | Y | Y |
| Keyless remote entry | Y | Y | Y |
| Heated side mirrors w/turn signals | Y | Y | Y |
| Chrome exhaust tips | Y | Y | |
| Red Sport 400 exhaust tips | Y | ||
| Dual-zone climate control | Y | Y | Y |
| Air purifier and polyphenol filter | Y | Y | |
| Rear window defroster | Y | Y | Y |
| Electronically adjustable front seats | Y | Y | Y |
| Bose Soundsystem | Y | Y | Y |
| Enhanced ambient lighting | Y | Y | |
| Wireless hotspot | Y | Y | Y |
| Sirius XM | Y | Y | Y |
| Sirius XM Travel Link | Y | Y | |
| Apple CarPlay (wireless) | Y | Y | Y |
| Android Auto | Y | Y | Y |
| Dual display touchscreens | Y | Y | Y |
| Auto-dimming rear mirror | Y | Y | Y |
| Auto-dimming side mirrors | Y | Y | |
| Lane departure warning | Y | Y | Y |
| Blind spot intervention | Y | Y | Y |
| Distance indicator | Y | Y | Y |
| Aluminum trim | Y | ||
| Black wood trim | Y | ||
| Black exterior trim | Y | ||
| Upgraded semi-aniline seats | Y | ||
| Carbon fiber trim | Y | ||
| Upgraded paddle shifters | Y | Y | |
| Aluminum foot pedals | Y | ||
| Dynamic digital suspension | Y |
Even at the entry-level Luxe trim, the list of features on the 2023 Q50 is generous. So which trim level is right for you? We’ll take a look at the best parts of each Q50 trim level, and what you’ll be missing out on the most at each level.
Luxe Features
The Luxe is the entry-level trim for the Infiniti Q50, but it still comes packed with features. One of the highlights of the Luxe spec is the access to both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. To see this on a basic trim level is great, as most of the Q50 rivals keep this feature locked behind an optional extra.
The Luxe trim is also generous with its other technology features. Keyless entry and the Bose Soundsystem make a huge difference to this model, and even features like the electronically adjustable seats are often non-standard on German sedans.
There are downsides to the Luxe though, and that’s to be expected for the entry-level trim. The most noticeable difference is the 18-inch wheels, which feel out of place on this car. That’s a common issue with luxury sedans, as the mid-level trim option usually has the best choice of wheel size. The dynamic suspension is also a big miss here, and a good reason to upgrade to the Sensory trim.
Sensory Features
In the middle of the Q50 range is the Sensory trim. This spec level includes everything from the Luxe, with some notable upgrades. First amongst these improvements are the 19-inch wheels, which suit the Q50 far better than the 18-inch option on the Luxe trim.
On the interior, you get full ambient lighting and an air filter in the Sensory model. We aren’t the biggest fans of ambient lighting systems, but it’s still a good feature to have, and the air filter is a nice touch too. These are both features with fairly limited uses, and I wouldn’t choose either if they were individual options, but as part of the Sensory pack, I can’t complain.
The largest differences between the Sensory level and the top-spec Red Sport are the engine and the interior options. We haven’t mentioned the performance stats for the Q50, but the main reason owners will choose the top-spec model is for an additional 100 bhp. Aside from the power increase, the Sensory trim misses out on semi-aniline seats, and some carbon fiber trim pieces. For us, if you are happy with the 300 bhp, there’s no reason to go any higher than the Sensory trim level.
Red Sport 400 Features
With one of the strangest trim names on the market, the Red Sport 400 is the highest trim level on the Q50. We have to start with a feature that isn’t present on the comparison list above, and that’s the engine. The Luxe and Sensory trims come with a modest 300 bhp from a V6 engine, but the Red Sport 400 steps this up a level. As the name suggests, this model comes with the same V6, only this time with 400 bhp. At 400 bhp, this is one of the main reasons to choose the Red Sport trim, although the price tag reflects this.
Aside from the engine, the design and tech have seen upgrades at the Red Sport level. The Red Sport Q50 has upgraded suspension, and more noticeably, carbon fiber trim. We felt the carbon fiber was a little out of place with the overall styling of the Q50, but it’s still a nice touch on the top-spec model. You also get different exhaust tips, upgraded 19” wheels, and semi-aniline seats, although the seating on the Sensory trim was more than acceptable.
If we had to find fault with the Q50 Red Sport, it would be in the car’s identity. The Q50 is a strong alternative to the German sedans, and overall is priced fairly well to tempt owners. On the Red Sport model, Infiniti has tried to compete on the performance level too, which is almost impossible against the likes of the BMW M3 or Mercedes C63. The Q50 Red Sport doesn’t handle it as well, it doesn’t have the aggressive looks, and simply can’t match up. What’s left is a great-looking car, trying to be something it isn’t.
How Much Does Each Trim Level Cost?
Now that we’ve looked at the features included with each trim level in the Q50, you will want to know how much it costs to specify each trim. Below is a quick summary of the current cost differences between the base Luxe trim, and each trim level:
- Sensory: + $6,000
- Red Sport 400: + $13,500
There’s a large jump in cost between each trim level, and with the difference in features this is expected.
Which Q50 Trim Level Should I Choose?
Overall, each level of the Q50 offers value, depending on what you need from your car. For us here at the WeeklyAutos, our choice would be the Sensory trim level. You still get 300 bhp, which is plenty for a luxury sedan, and you get access to the larger wheels and dynamic suspension. These options alone are enough to look past the Luxe model.
For most owners, I think the Sensory will also be the best choice. The Red Sport 400 has that extra bhp that will tempt some of you, but if you’re buying an Infiniti Q50, are you focused on performance? Alternatively, the Luxe trim offers great value, but it just feels incomplete without the dynamic suspension. This might not seem like a big deal, but it will make a difference for long-term owners.
We hope that this article helped you to understand the trim levels in the Infiniti Q50, and what trim is right for you. To find out more about buying a luxury sedan, or other vehicles, check out the links below:
Nissan Rogue Trim Levels Explained
Comparing The BMW 3 Series vs The 5 Series
