2019 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD Quick Drive Review
Infiniti Q60 looks sharp and drives well, but shows its age and lack of innovation compared to its German rivals.
I recall driving the Infiniti Q60 in 2017, albeit very briefly, and thinking that it was charming to drive, at least in a straight line, and that the looks alone would probably help move them off dealer’s lots. Now, it’s two years later and very little has changed, other than the color.
This Iridium Blue 2019 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD is no less striking than it was several years ago. Tight lines, low-slung body work, and large 20-inch wheels take care of that.
Its 3.0-liter V6 engine, which is twin-turbocharged, feels no less potent, either. With 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, the Q60 offers impressive acceleration with 0-60 mph happening in 4.5 seconds. The AWD model gets 19 MPG city, 26 MPG freeway and 21 combined, which is on the lower side in the luxury coupe segment, but the power figures are also near the top, so there’s an inherent trade-off.
Unlike my first encounter with the Q60, however, there are a few bends in the road with which to sample its agility, and, despite the nearly 4,000 pound curb weight, it does feel quite agile. This is impressive not only because of the mass, but because underneath the skin is a platform that stretches back over 15 years, and can be traced all the way back to the original Infiniti G35 and Nissan 350Z.
That’s not a bad thing, however, as that means this front-engine, all-wheel drive coupe features a very capable double wishbone suspension, and enormous brakes. If we ditch the AWD system, the RWD model also gets a limited-slip differential, so it certainly has a sporting pedigree. Though, unlike it's predecessor the Q60 forgoes the availability of a manual transmission, with a 7-speed automatic being the sole, slightly less inspired choice.
What’s new here is all on the options list, and helps raise the price of the Q60 to an as-tested figure of $64,130, including the $995 destination charge. There are two notable options ticked on this test car, and both should be skipped.
First is a carbon fiber appearance package, which rings in at $2,280. That adds a small rear decklid spoiler, mirror caps, as well as fender and bumper trim pieces made of the lightweight material. It’s a big ask for such a small amount of carbon, and is a total miss considering it blends in which certain colors, like this Iridium Blue test car, and makes the pieces almost invisible. Did you spot the fog light inserts? I didn’t at first glance, either.
Next up is the Pro Assist package, which for $2,250 adds blind spot warning, back-up collision intervention, front and rear sonar systems as well as an “Around View” monitor and rain-sensing wipers. Notably absent from that list is radar-guided cruise control, however, what’s even more notable is that system trails what’s available in less expensive Nissan vehicles: ProPilot Assist, which can do all of the above, as well as control the vehicle semi-autonomously in stop-and-go traffic.
Fortunately, buyers can opt to skip this Pro Assist package, but they can’t skip the interior. Sure, the Monaco Red leather interior trim is lovely, and the door cards look great with bright, sharp contrasting colors, but for something that looks so modern on the outside, the inside is lacking.
The instrument cluster, and, crucially, the Infiniti InTouch infotainment system are terribly dated. InTouch, in particular, looks comparable to the system I recall seeing in an early Infiniti G37, a vehicle that debuted a decade ago. For perspective, the window sticker still touts its iPod connectivity, with no mention of things like Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. That’s not good. The latest BMW iDrive, Mercedes MBUX and Audi MMI systems are all far, far superior.
In general, the interior quality of the comparable BMW 440i, Mercedes-AMG C 43 Coupe or Audi S5 is also notably higher. Cheap plastics abound in the Infinti, unfortunately. This is quite disappointing considering that the 2019 Infiniti QX50 has a jaw-dropping interior that is so far ahead of its competition that it feels like a $100,000 vehicle when optioned up. Infiniti can do better.
Infiniti’s Q60 Red Sport 400 is a charming, but dated ride, whose main audience will be those banking on the long-term reliability that Japanese luxury vehicles have prided themselves on. The dated interior prevents it from being a stand out against its German rivals who offer a notably more luxe atmosphere. An interior and tech overhaul needs to be in the works for Infinti to really be cooking with gas.
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