Makes›Infiniti›Q50›2016

2016 Infiniti Q50

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Infiniti Q50
Pictured: Infiniti Q50 S HYBRID (V37) – Frontansicht, 14. Juni 2014, Düsseldorf. Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
4dr Sedan AWD, 4dr Sedan RWD, Hybrid AWD 4dr Sedan
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
30 combined · 28 city / 33 hwy
Length
189 in
Curb weight
3,611–4,085 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • 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.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 38 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Infiniti Q50 is a compact car offered with 3 engines (3.5L 6-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), 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).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (28 city / 33 highway), 13% better than the 2016 compact car average of 26.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,750 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2016

  • Engines added: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
  • Engine dropped: 3.7L 6-cyl

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Q50 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Sedan AWD189 in71.7 in57.5 in112.2 in60.6 / 62.6 in3,788 lb57/43
4dr Sedan RWD189 in71.7 in57.5 in112.2 in60.6 / 62.6 in3,611 lb55/45
Hybrid AWD 4dr Sedan189 in71.7 in57.5 in112.2 in60.6 / 62.6 in4,085 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Q50 Hybrid Hybrid3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive28 / 33 / 30+13%$2,750295
Q50 Hybrid AWD Hybrid3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (S7)All-Wheel Drive27 / 30 / 28+5%$2,950315
Q502.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive23 / 31 / 26-1%$3,150344
Q50 AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S7)All-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 24-8%$3,400364
Q503.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 23-12%$3,550399
Q50S3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive19 / 28 / 23-12%$3,550399
Q50S Red Sport3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22-16%$3,750402
Q50S Red Sport AWD3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S7)All-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22-16%$3,750412
Q50 AWD3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S7)All-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22-16%$3,750406
Q50S AWD3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S7)All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21-20%$3,900422
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.6 MPG2016 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Infiniti Q50.

Similar 2016 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Infiniti Q50 (this car)30 MPGNot rated4
2016 BMW 3 Series35 MPGNot rated0
2016 BMW 5 Series30 MPGNot rated0
2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class23 MPGNot rated0
2016 Lexus IS26 MPGNot rated0
2016 Audi A427 MPGNot rated3
2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class30 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

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.
Electrical System › Software · Jul 27, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V476000 · 14,192 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Infiniti Q50 and 2017 Infiniti Q60 vehicles equipped with a 2.0L engine. Incorrect Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) software may allow the fuel level in the main tank to be too low to supply fuel to the engine, causing the engine to stall while driving.
Risk
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Nissan will notify owners, and Infiniti dealers will reprogram the Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM) with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began August 29, 2017. Owners may contact Infiniti customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Infiniti Q50 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

39Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
34,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine10
Electrical System8
Steering6
Air Bags5
Power Train4
Vehicle Speed Control3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Seat Belts3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/06: 120/06: 120/12: 121/06: 121/08: 121/12: 222/04: 122/09: 123/06: 223/10: 123/11: 123/12: 124/02: 124/06: 124/09: 124/12: 125/01: 225/04: 225/06: 125/09: 126/04: 126/05: 126/06: 226/07: 119/0621/0622/0423/1024/0224/1225/0626/05max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Infiniti Q50 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 10 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 8 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Steering — 6 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 34,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Infiniti Q50. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Q50 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2024 Q5023189 inNot rated00
2023 Q5023189 inNot rated08
2022 Q5023189 inNot rated01
2021 Q5023189 inNot rated36
2020 Q5023189 inNot rated03
2019 Q5025189 inNot rated130
2018 Q5029189 inNot rated344
2017 Q5029189 inNot rated463
2015 Q5031189 inNot rated3130
2014 Q5031189.4 inNot rated8138

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Infiniti. How we calculate this →