Want a luxury sports sedan that doesn’t require you to fork out the equivalent of a mortgage payment every month, or leave you wondering whether a failed turbocharger is about to grenade your engine? The Infiniti Q50 from the 2014 or 2015 model years might be exactly what you’re looking for.
As Infiniti’s last naturally aspirated sports sedan, it pairs a powerful V6 with a dynamic chassis and genuinely upscale cabin. Better still, it delivers the kind of everyday reliability that keeps ownership stress low, while used prices have fallen into bargain territory.
Why You Should Skip The Turbo
2014 Infiniti Q50 exterior front 3/4 viewInfiniti
Anyone looking for maximum bang for the buck should seek out the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400. Its 400-horsepower version of Nissan’s VR30DDTT twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, now also found in the Nissan Z, turns the compact luxury sedan into a genuine performance machine. But there’s a tradeoff. A high-output turbocharged engine is more likely to have been driven hard, and it demands more diligent maintenance. If previous owners skipped services or ignored problems, repair bills can quickly erase any bargain-buying victory.
For the Q50’s initial 2014 and 2015 model years, the standard engine was Nissan’s proven VQ37VHR. It is a naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6, an all-aluminum powerhouse shared with the 370Z. In the Q50, it produced 328 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, which was enough to launch the sedan from zero to 60 mph in about 5.3 seconds before hitting a governor-limited top speed of 155 mph. The naturally aspirated V6 also loves to rev, delivering peak power at a lofty 7,000 rpm, and its mechanical snarl ranks among the best soundtracks you’d find from a mainstream V6.
Nissan And Infiniti VQ37VHR 3.7-liter V6 EngineNissan
A hybrid option was also available during those model years, but like the later turbocharged models, it would add complexity and expense if something failed. The system paired a 3.5-liter V6 with a single electric motor for a combined 360 hp, making the hybrid the performance choice in Infiniti’s lineup at the time. It also delivered a major efficiency advantage. EPA estimates rated the rear-wheel-drive 3.7-liter V6 at 23 mpg combined and the all-wheel-drive version at 22 mpg, while the hybrid achieved 31 mpg combined with RWD and 30 mpg with AWD.
The Q50 used Nissan’s FM platform, the same underpinnings as its G37 predecessor, among other Nissan and Infiniti models.
Buyers could opt for Infiniti’s controversial Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) system. This steer-by-wire setup eliminated the traditional mechanical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels during normal operation. While precise, the system could feel numb and disconnected from what the front tires are doing, especially during highway driving. The standard rack-and-pinion steering setup avoided these issues.
When shopping for a 2014 or 2015 Q50, buyers looking to avoid DAS should focus on cars without the Deluxe Touring Package, as the technology was generally bundled with that available package.
The Q50 Still Delivers On The Road
2014 Infiniti Q50 Rear 3/4 ViewInfiniti
Infiniti had already proved it could build a great sports sedan with the G35 and G37. The arrival of the 2014 Infiniti Q50 showed the product could offer proper luxury, too. However, there’s nothing soft about the Q50, as the sedan still delivers impressive performance. The naturally aspirated engine responds instantly to throttle inputs, building power in a smooth, linear surge that encourages drivers to explore the upper reaches of the tachometer.
The twin-turbo Q50 is unquestionably quicker, but the performance gap isn’t as dramatic from behind the wheel as the horsepower figures suggest. The twin-turbo V6 delivers stronger midrange torque and effortless passing power, yet it lacks the immediacy of the 3.7-liter V6. There’s no waiting for boost, no artificial engine sounds, and no sense that the powertrain is filtering the experience. The seven-speed automatic isn’t as quick shifting as modern transmissions, but it delivers smooth, well-timed gear changes and pairs beautifully with the V6’s broad powerband. As a result, the early Q50 with the 3.7-liter V6 feels genuinely spirited and never comes across as slow, even up against its later turbocharged replacement.
How Much To Pay Today
2014 Infiniti Q50 exterior side viewInfiniti
A search of the CarBuzz Marketplace and other popular classifieds sites turns up plenty of 2014 and 2015 Q50s for sale. Because many bargain-hunting performance buyers gravitate toward the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter models available from 2016, the earlier naturally aspirated 3.7 tends to be the better value, mileage for mileage. Prices start at around $6,000 for higher-mileage examples, but the surprising part is how little values climb when you cap mileage at 100,000. With some patience, it’s still possible to find a clean Q50 3.7 for around $10,000, making it one of the most affordable luxury sports sedans on the market.
Stretch the budget to about $16,000, and the selection improves considerably. At that price point, buyers can find clean examples with fewer than 70,000 miles, and we even spotted some with closer to 50,000 miles on the odometer. Near-pristine, low-mileage cars do command a premium, but even those generally top out around $20,000. That’s still reasonable when you consider the Q50 had a starting MSRP of $36,700 in 2014, and that many buyers likely spent more than $40,000 once options and fees were added. Buyers interested in the hybrid version will be pleased to know there doesn’t appear to be any significant price premium. You can’t buy much on the new market for $20,000 these days. To get something that will also comfortably seat a family of four, you’d need to fork out $22,290 for a Kia K4 Sedan.
2014 Infiniti Q50 Interior View DashboardInfiniti
Equipment levels were generous from the start. Standard features included LED headlights, heated side mirrors, power-adjustable front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and 17-inch wheels. Most examples currently listed appear to be the well-equipped Premium trim, which added a moonroof, a 14-speaker Bose audio system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and heated front seats. Shoppers seeking the sharpest driving experience should keep an eye out for the Q50S, which includes the 19-inch wheels, solid magnesium paddle shifters, a sport-tuned suspension, better brakes, and more aggressive front and rear styling.
What To Watch Out For
2014 Infiniti Q50 exterior rear viewInfiniti
Given their age and lack of collector-car status, most 2014 and 2015 Q50s on the used market have accumulated plenty of miles. That shouldn’t necessarily scare buyers away. The 3.7-liter V6 has earned a reputation as one of Nissan’s most durable modern engines, and the Q50 as a whole scores well in long-term ownership data. RepairPal gives the Q50 an above-average reliability rating of four out of five stars and reports that its annual repair costs are lower than the class average. The 2015 model ranks slightly better for reliability than the 2014 model, with JD Power rating it 79 out of 100, up from the previous year’s 72.
That doesn’t mean these cars are trouble-free. CarComplaints identifies the 2014 model year as the most problematic Q50 overall, which is to be expected for a model’s launch year. However, the volume of reported issues remains relatively modest compared with many rivals. Common complaints include premature brake wear, infotainment glitches, and occasional transmission-related issues. Models with the moonroof can also suffer from clogged drain tubes, so check for signs of previous water damage, such as stains or damp or musty-smelling carpets.
2014 Infiniti Q50 Front WheelInfiniti
The good news is that most of the Q50’s commonly reported problems aren’t related to the 3.7-liter V6 itself. As with any 10-plus-year-old luxury sedan, maintenance history tends to matter far more than the actual mileage figure. Look for evidence of regular oil changes, transmission servicing, and cooling-system maintenance, and don’t automatically dismiss a higher-mileage car if records are available. A pre-purchase inspection would also be money well spent.
A Sports Sedan In The Classic Mold
2014 Infiniti Q50 Front 3/4 ViewInfiniti
Modern sports sedans may be quicker than ever, but they often trade character and simplicity for complexity and outright speed. The 2014-2015 Infiniti Q50 with the 3.7-liter V6 comes from a different era, pairing a rev-happy naturally aspirated engine with rear-drive dynamics and relatively straightforward engineering. It’s not the fastest sports sedan you can buy today, but it just might be one of the most satisfying bargains.
Sources: Infiniti, CarComplaints, J.D. Power, RepairPal
