DecodedCars2015 Infiniti Q50
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan AWD 3.7 AWD/3.7 Sport AWD, 4dr Sedan RWD 3.7/3.7 Sport, Hybrid AWD 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl, 3.7L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 31 combined · 29 city / 36 hwy
- Length
- 189 in
- Curb weight
- 3,611–4,085 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 31 MPG combined — 18% better than the average 2015 compact car (26.3 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Many owner complaints130 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 7 for similar models — most often about the power train.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 39 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2015 Infiniti Q50 is a compact car offered with 2 engines (3.5L 6-cyl and 3.7L 6-cyl), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,788 lb (4dr Sedan AWD 3.7 AWD/3.7 Sport AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (29 city / 36 highway), 18% better than the 2015 compact car average of 26.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,650 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 130 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2015
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 Q50 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Q50 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan AWD 3.7 AWD/3.7 Sport AWD | 189 in | 71.7 in | 57.5 in | 112.2 in | 60.6 / 62.6 in | 3,788 lb | 57/43 |
| 4dr Sedan RWD 3.7/3.7 Sport | 189 in | 71.7 in | 57.5 in | 112.2 in | 60.6 / 62.6 in | 3,611 lb | 55/45 |
| Hybrid AWD 4dr Sedan | 189 in | 71.7 in | 57.5 in | 112.2 in | 60.6 / 62.6 in | 4,085 lb | 55/45 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q50 Hybrid Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 29 / 36 / 31 | +18% | $2,650 | 286 |
| Q50S Hybrid Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 28 / 33 / 30 | +14% | $2,750 | 295 |
| Q50 Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 28 / 34 / 30 | +14% | $2,750 | 293 |
| Q50S Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 / 30 / 28 | +6% | $2,950 | 315 |
| Q50a | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | -11% | $3,550 | 384 |
| Q50 | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | -11% | $3,550 | 389 |
| Q50a AWD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -14% | $3,750 | 411 |
| Q50 AWD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic (S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -14% | $3,750 | 410 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Infiniti Q50.
Similar 2015 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Infiniti Q50 (this car) | 31 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 BMW 3 Series | 36 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2015 BMW 5 Series | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2015 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2015 Audi A4 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Jun 21, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V470000 · 7,222 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (INFINITI) is recalling certain 2011-2013 M56, 2012-2013 M35 Hybrid, 2014-2018 Q50, Q70 Hybrid, 2014-2019 Q70, and 2015-2019 Q70L two-wheel drive vehicles. The driveshaft can fatigue and break.
- Risk
- A broken driveshaft can result in a loss of drive power, or a vehicle roll away when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 13, 2024. Owners may contact INFINITI's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. INFINITI's numbers for this recall are R24A5 and R24A7.
Steering › Automated/Adaptive Steering · Jun 13, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V430000 · 28,182 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc.'s (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Infiniti Q50 vehicles manufactured December 26, 2012, to December 11, 2015, and Infiniti Q50 Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 10, 2012, to December 17, 2015. The Direct Adaptive Steering system may experience an error at vehicle start up altering the vehicle's steering responsiveness and turning radius.
- Risk
- If the vehicle does not steer as the driver anticipates, there is an increased the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Direct Adaptive Steering ECU software, free of charge. The recall began on August 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Apr 26, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Not every 2015 Infiniti Q50 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2015 Infiniti Q50 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 40 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Steering — 29 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 21 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 28,429 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Infiniti Q50. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Q50 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Q50 | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 Q50 | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 0 | 8 |
| 2022 Q50 | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 Q50 | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 3 | 6 |
| 2020 Q50 | 23 | 189 in | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2019 Q50 | 25 | 189 in | Not rated | 1 | 30 |
| 2018 Q50 | 29 | 189 in | Not rated | 3 | 44 |
| 2017 Q50 | 29 | 189 in | Not rated | 4 | 63 |
| 2016 Q50 | 30 | 189 in | Not rated | 4 | 39 |
| 2014 Q50 | 31 | 189.4 in | Not rated | 8 | 138 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Infiniti. How we calculate this →