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Infiniti Q50 vs Q60: Sedan and Coupe Face-Off

Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 (top) vs Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400

Let’s face it… the luxury-brand midsize sport-sedan and sporty-coupe segments aren’t exactly on fire these days. Even when it comes to performance-focused premium vehicles, the majority of American shoppers prefer crossover SUVs over traditional passenger cars. Infiniti knows this as well as any brand; all of its most-recent product launches—the redesigned-for-2019 QX50, the new-for-2022 QX55, and the redesigned-for-2022 QX60—are crossover SUVs. The Q50 sedan and its Q60 two-door coupe counterpart are the only traditional passenger cars in Infiniti’s model roster, and even within their respective classes (we categorize the Q50 as a premium midsize car and the Q60 as a premium sporty/performance car), they are pretty elderly players. The Q50 dates back to the 2014 model year and has not seen any major revisions other than updated powertrain offerings. The Q60 coupe debuted for 2017, on Q50-based architecture, and likewise has not seen significant updates since.

For 2021, both cars continue to offer a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that makes 300 horsepower in standard form, or a healthy 400 hp in the top-line performance-oriented Red Sport 400 models. A 7-speed automatic transmission is standard on all, and all-wheel drive is available on all models as an option to rear-wheel drive.

Neither car changes much at all for 2022. The Q50 gets a pared-down model lineup, modest trim changes (a Saddle Brown upholstery color is available, open-pore wood trim, and an updated HVAC system with an air purifier). The Q60 is unchanged for 2022, save for the addition of wireless Apple CarPlay as a standard feature.

Given the overall direction the new-vehicle market is headed, and the state of the Infiniti brand as of late, it seems likely that the Q50 and Q60 won’t live to see another generation, at least not in their current form. These Infinitis don’t trump their Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, or Lexus rivals in any significant way, but their attractive styling (particularly when comparing the Q50 to BMW’s “in-your-face” 4-Series models) and luxurious interiors still hold a lot of appeal.

Infiniti Q50 vs Q60: Sedan and Coupe Face-Off

Q50 vs Q60

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Q50 vs Q60

Though their family resemblance is clear, there are several subtle differences between the Q50’s and Q60’s front-fascia treatments.

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Q50 vs Q60

The Q50 Red Sport 400 comes standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, while the Q60 Red Sport gets standard 20-inch sport alloy wheels. Our Q60 tester was further upgraded with the 20-inch accessory wheels ($1790) shown here.

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Q50 vs Q60

Things are more or less identical under the hood—the Red Sport 400’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 puts out 400 horsepower and emits a satisfying growl at full throttle.

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Q50 vs Q60

Though the Q50 and Q60 interiors both have a convincingly upscale feel thanks to their premium materials and trim details such as carbon-fiber accents and classy contrast stitching, the control layout and twin-screen infotainment system are dated compared to newer-design rivals.

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Q50 vs Q60

Both the Q50 and Q60 have comfortable front seats with bolsters that offer decent support in spirited driving without being confining on long road trips.

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Q50 vs Q60

The lower overall profile of the Q60 is apparent when comparing the door panels.

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Q50 vs Q60

Not surprisingly, the Q50’s rear seat is more spacious and much easier to access than the Q60’s.

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Q50 vs Q60

Though they look somewhat comparable in these photos, the Q50 handily trumps the Q60 in trunk space: 13.5 cubic feet, compared to 8.7 cubic feet.

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2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 in Slate Gray

2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 AWD

Class: Premium Midsize Car

Miles driven: 377

Fuel used: 16.4 gallons

CG Report Card


Room and Comfort	B-
Power and Performance	B+
Fit and Finish	B+
Fuel Economy	C
Value	C-

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	C
Tall Guy	B

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	400-hp 3.0-liter
Engine Type	twin-turbo V6
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	AWD

Real-world fuel economy: 23.0 mpg

Driving mix: 40% city, 60% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 19/26/22 (mpg city, highway, combined)

Fuel type: Premium gas required

Base price: $57,750 (not including $1025 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Cargo Package ($270), rear USB charging ports ($145), Infiniti Radiant illuminated kick plates ($485), Infiniti Radiant exterior welcome lighting ($465), Carbon Fiber Package ($1520), premium paint ($695)

Price as tested: $62,355

Quick Hits

The great: Gutsy engine; classy interior; relatively spacious cabin

The good: All-wheel-drive traction is available on every model; decent ride/handling balance, attractive styling

The not so good: Aged basic design; spendy options drive up bottom-line price

More Q50 price and availability information

2021 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 in Majestic White

2021 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD

Class: Sporty/Performance Car

Miles driven: 148

Fuel used: 8.0 gallons

CG Report Card


Room and Comfort	C+
Power and Performance	B+
Fit and Finish	B+
Fuel Economy	C
Value	C-

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	B
Tall Guy	B-

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	400-hp 3.0-liter
Engine Type	twin-turbo V6
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	AWD

Real-world fuel economy: 18.5 mpg

Driving mix: 70% city, 30% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 19/26/21 (mpg city, highway, combined)

Fuel type: Premium gas required

Base price: $60,100 (not including $1025 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Illuminated kick plates ($420), Cargo Package ($310), Infiniti Radiant exterior welcome lighting ($465), 20-inch accessory wheel ($1790), Carbon Fiber Package ($2280), premium paint ($695)

Price as tested: $67,085

Quick Hits

The great: Gutsy engine; upscale cabin trim; sexy styling

The good: all-wheel-drive traction; decent ride, good front-seat room

The not so good: Aged basic design; stingy trunk; spendy options drive up bottom-line price

More Q60 price and availability information

Listen to the Car Stuff Podcast

Q50 vs Q60 Gallery

Click below for enlarged images.

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Forgotten Concept: Chevrolet Nomad

Chevrolet Nomad Concept

This is an installment in a series of posts looking back on show cars that we feel deserved a little more attention than they got. If you have a suggestion for a Forgotten Concept topic, please shoot us a line or leave a comment below.

Chevrolet Nomad

First Shown: 2004 Detroit Auto Show

Description: Small sporty 2-door wagon

Sales Pitch: “A personal vehicle that carries the expressions and emotions of the driver.”

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Chevrolet Nomad Concept

Details:

First shown at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show, the Chevrolet Nomad Concept was a compact 2-door wagon designed to be both sporty and practical. An homage to the Chevrolet Corvette Nomad show car that debuted at the 1954 GM Motorama, the 2004 Nomad was designed around General Motors’ Kappa small sporty-car architecture, which would soon underpin the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky two-seat sports cars. (The Solstice debuted as a 2006 model, and the Sky followed for 2007.)

The Nomad Concept was powered by a turbocharged Ecotec 2.2-liter 4-cylinder that put out 250 horsepower and was paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.

To accommodate cargo loading, the rear glass retracted into the bottom-hinged tailgate. A roof panel over the cargo area could be removed to create space for larger items. Unlike the Solstice and Sky, the Nomad Concept was outfitted with a folding rear seat for ostensible 2+2 occupant capacity, but those back seats must have been extremely cozy.

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Chevrolet Nomad Concept

CG Says:

The problem with concept cars as cool as the 2004 Nomad is that the potential audience is typically limited to auto journalists and diehard enthusiasts. And, auto journalists often tend to buy only used cars.

A shame, as seeing one of these sleek, sporty 2-door wagons on the road would have brought me great pleasure. As there are currently no small wagons available for sale in the U.S., it seems GM made the fiscally prudent decision not to proceed with Nomad as a production vehicle. Still, a new-age retro Nomad would likely have been pretty cool.

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Chevrolet Nomad Concept

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Concept Car Gallery

(Click below for enlarged images)

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Forgotten Concept: ZIL-4102

ZIL-4102 Concept

ZIL-4102

First Shown: 1988 private event near Moscow

Description: Large luxury sedan/limousine

Sales Pitch: “Modern update on the ZIL-4104.”

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ZIL-4102 Concept

Details:

First shown in 1988 at a private preview in Moscow for Soviet leaders (including then President Mikhail Gorbachev), the ZIL-4102 from Russian automaker ZIL was designed to replace the dated ZIL-4104–a ponderous, slab-sided limousine which was first produced in 1978, but had been out of production since 1983.

Like the 4104 (an image of which can be found in our gallery below), the 4102 was meant to serve as transportation for high-ranking Russian officials, and as a chauffeured limousine for the highest-ranking leaders. The 4102 broke with ZIL (Zavod imeni Likhacheva–literally, Likhacheva factory) in two ways. First, it was to be available with a V6 engine—all prior ZILs were V8 powered—and second, it was to feature unibody construction—also novel for ZIL.

Three engines were scheduled for use in the planned production versions of the 4102: a 4.5-liter V6, a 6.0-liter V8, and a mammoth 7.0-liter V8 diesel. Two transmissions were also on the drawing board: a 4-speed automatic, and, intriguingly, a 5-speed manual.

Unfortunately, ZIL never shared basic specs for the 4102, so we have nothing to share in that regard. Rumor has it that the contemporaneous Mercedes-Benz S-Class was referenced by designers of the car, though the 4102 looks longer than that to us.

Two prototype 4102s were built—charmingly named Mishka and Rayka, affectionate nicknames applied to Gorbachev and his wife Raisa. (It’s unclear which prototype—one was blue, the other tan—was which.)

Stories vary on why the 4102 failed to see production. The most interesting is that Gorbachev himself nixed the project, having recently railed against the excessive perks with which Soviet officials were rewarding themselves.

There are some reports that a third 4102 prototype was fabricated in 1990, but history seems unclear on why that was.

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ZIL-4102 Concept

CG Says:

One of the most intriguing elements of cold-war Soviet vehicles is that they all appear to have been stubbornly built without any consideration for design, but then are contrastingly finished with Western-looking grilles and trim bits. At some point you have to wonder why the Soviets even bothered with capitalist-inspired niceties such as chrome or wheel covers.

While the 4102 appears to have been designed to look at least a little like a European luxury vehicle, the end product is something akin to a peanut-allergic Volvo after a chance encounter with a Payday bar. Some of the ungainliness may have come from the car’s dual purpose, since it was designed as a personal-use car for some, and as a chauffeured ride for others.

Two thoughts about the interior: First, check out that sickle-handle gear-selector knob. Secondly, I can’t tell if the car is equipped with a radio or not. Any guesses?

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ZIL-4102 Concept

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ZIL-4102 Concept Gallery

(Click below for enlarged images)

ZIL-4102

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ZIL-4102

Written by: Tom Appel on July 1, 2021.on July 2, 2021.

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