2020 INFINITI Q60 RED SPORT 400 DELIVERS FUN DRIVE IN EYE-CATCHING PACKAGE

Despite an impressive appearance and refreshing for the 2017 model year, Infiniti’s Q60 small luxury sports coupe doesn’t get the respect it deserves from critics who generally give higher marks in their reviews to its mostly Teutonic competitors.

This is in direct contrast to the praise its predecessor received when Motor Trend named the G35 sedan and coupe its Car of the Year when it was introduced for the 2003 model year.

So has Infinity lost its way here? Or not kept up with modern tastes (which can be fickle at times).

I think not.

The 2020 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 model is one of the most striking vehicles on the road today, fun to drive with an eye-catching design that is sure to attract attention if (when?) it shows up in your driveway. Coupes nearly always look sexier than sedans, and the Q60 is no exception.

Little change has been made since the third generation was introduced three years ago, and little had to be for 2020 after some tinkering was done the last couple of years.

The Q60 lineup for 2020 features six models with the 3.0t Pure, 3.0t Pure AWD, 3.0t Luxe, and 3.0t Luxe AWD getting a 300 horsepower, 3.0 twin-turbo V6 and both the Red Sport 400 and Red Sport AWDs getting a more powerful V6 version under its hood.

The 3.0-liter V6 in the Red Sport 400 (upon which this review is based) is rated at 500 horsepower and 360 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters for manual gear selection.

In addition, the Red Sport 400 gets an extra Sport+ mode for enhanced performance in addition to the Personal, Standard, Snow, Eco, or Sport modes available in other models. Fuel economy is rated at 20 miles-per-gallon city, 27 highway, and 20 combined, 

The 2020 Q60 Red Sport 400 comes with a long list of standard features included in the base price of $58,175 (including the $1,025 destination and delivery charge.

Among them are exclusive 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, exclusive Red Sport exhaust tips, LED headlights, chrome double-arch grille, dual-zone climate control, heated 8-way power front seats, leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel (not a big attraction in South Florida), power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, genuine carbon fiber interior trim and matte black interior accents, aluminum accent sport pedals, tinted glass moonroof, remote and push-button start, front and rear sonar system to aid maneuvering in close quarters, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, and a 13-speaker Bose audio system.

The Infiniti InTouch infotainment system includes navigation and voice recognition and is very user friendly.

In addition to the usual airbags and seatbelt systems, safety features include automatic collision notification and emergency call, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, electronic brake distribution, blind-spot warning and backup collision intervention, and a surround-view monitor with moving object detection.

Oh, yes, The Q60 is available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

With all those features as standard, the only options on my test Q60 were a cargo package (trunk protector, cargo net, console net, first-aid kit and shopping bag hook), illuminated kick plates, welcome lighting, and Infinity interior ambient lighting that ran the total to $59,880. 

What I liked about the 2020 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400: This is an attractive car inside and out. Adjusting settings to Sport or Sport+ upgrades the performance from the twin-turbo V6 even further.The interior has a sophisticated ambiance, and the ride is very comfortable. The dual touchscreen displays allow you make adjustments like changing audio settings without having to switch from the navigation screen. The exhaust notes are sweet.

What I didn’t like about the 2020 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400: The trunk was only big enough to handle just three bags we were taking on our trip, even though one was on the small side. Fuel economy is on the low side among its segment.

Would I buy the 2020 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400? Yes. There is a lot of competition among luxury coupes, but the Q60 and its eye-catching exterior is one of the most stylish in the small luxury segment. With its coupe form, it has more the feel of a sports car than simply a small luxury vehicle.

AFTER A YEAR HIATUS, QX50 RETURNS WITH NEW ENGINE, NEW PLATFORM, NEW LOOK

After taking a year off, the Infiniti QX50 is back as a 2019 model, a little bit shorter but wider and taller than its predecessor with a new interior, a more fuel-efficient, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and generous cargo space as it moves into its second generation under the QX nameplate. (The first QX50 in 2014 was essentially an update of the EX series introduced in 2008.)

The result is a midsize luxury crossover that offers buyers a quality alternative in a very popular segment.

With an all-new platform, the 2019 QX50 is offered with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive in three trim levels dubbed Pure, Luxe, and Essential. (You have to wonder how they came up with these names.)

All are equipped with a 2.0-liter VC Turbo-4 (for Variable Compression) that generates 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque while delivering fuel economy numbers of 24 miles-per-gallon city, 31 highway and 27 combined in FWD and 24/30/26 with AWD.

That’s less horsepower but more torque and better fuel mileage than the 2017 model that had a 3.7-liter V6 under the hood. That engine pumped out 325 hp but only 267 lb.-ft. of torque while drinking fuel at the rate of 17/24/20 mpg.

The improved torque is what gives the 2019 model a rather peppy performance for its class, though that you have to suspect that it is somewhat held back by the continuously variable transmission.

It does have a DS (Sport) mode and features a manual shift mode that works like a regular 7-speed transmission if you want to shift gears yourself. But a 7-speed (or 6) would be better.

The new QX50 is 184.7 inches long compared to the 2017’s length of 186.6, but stands taller (66 inches) and wider (74.9). The 2017 is less than 63 inches tall without roof rails and only 71 inches wide.

There is less leg room up front (39.6 on the 2019, 44.3 on the 2017) but more in the back (38.7 to 35.3).

Designers gave the 2019 QX50 a bolder look with a long, clamshell hood that is made to appear even longer by the slanted A pillar. The front fascia features LED headlights and LED daytime running lights. The top two trims (Luxe and Essential) also get LED fog lights as standard.

The interior, in a word, is beautiful. Infiniti calls it the finest interior it has ever created, and it’s hard to argue with that. The cabin is packed with high-grade materials with leatherette-appointed seats on Pure and Luxe trims. The Essential trim gets full leather as standard with two options for upgrades.

Aluminum accents add a nice touch to the interior’s two-color scheme.

Both front seats are power-adjustable eight ways with the driver getting two-way power adjustable lumbar support. You can opt for blue ultra-suede door panels on Essential models in a package that also includes white premium grade leather seating surfaces.

The console features a double screen on the center stack that allows you to perform infotainment functions without putting down the 8-inch screen that serves the navigation system, a feature that many critics don’t seem to appreciate. But I do, maybe because I am constantly fiddling with the radio.

Pricing for the 2019 QX50 starts at $36,550 (plus the $995 destination and delivery charge) for the Pure FWD model. Luxe and Essential trims with FWD start at $39,400 and $43,350, respectively. AWD adds $1,800 to the price.

That pricing makes the QX50 very competitive in its class, but the QX50 Essential can quickly top $50,000 when optional packages are added in.

Standard equipment for the QX50 Essential includes a power moonroof, roof rails, rain-sensing windshield wipers, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, around-view monitor (other trims get the standard rearview camera), parking sensors, power liftgate, push-button start, and hill-start assist.

Adding options and packages like a Sensory Package (premium audio, 20-inch dark painted wheels over the standard 19s, upgraded premium leather, seating, motion-activated liftgate, maple wood interior trim, etc.), a Pro-Assist Package (Back-Up Collision Prevention, adaptive cruise control, etc.), and Pro-Active Package (lane-departure warning and prevention, steering assist, head-up display, etc.) plus illuminated kick plates and welcome lighting ran my test vehicle up to $55,285.

That’s still pretty good considering some of its competitors are hitting the $80,000 mark.

What I liked about the 2019 Infiniti QX50: The interior has gone through a serious upgrade and taken the QX50 to a new level with lots of quality materials throughout. The double screen for nav and infotainment helps simplify operations. You don’t have to get out of navigation mode to change a radio station, for example. Cargo space behind the second row is a generous 31.1 cubic feet and 65.1 with those seats folded. Sport mode provides a lift in performance.

What I didn’t like about the 2019 Infiniti QX50: Though this CVT is light years ahead of previous versions, it still is a CVT. I could live with this one, but still would prefer a 6- or 7-speed. Most of the option packages, including some safety functions, are available only on the Essential model.

Would I buy the 2019 Infiniti QX50? Yep. It’s good-looking inside and out, quiet on the highway, and the overall performance is pretty good for the genre despite the CVT.

INFINITI RECAPTURES MAGIC OF G-SERIES WITH 2018 Q60 SPORTS COUPE

Infiiniti’s switch to a new naming system for its products four years ago was intended to simplify things, making Nissan’s luxury portfolio easier for customers to understand.

Beginning in 2014, Infiniti designated its sedans, coupes, and convertibles“Q” while crossovers and SUVs were given “QX” badging. The number in the alpha-numeric nomenclature no longer reflected engine size but where the vehicle stood in the portfolio’s hierarchy.

Thus the Q50 and Q60 replaced the G37 sedan and coupe and the M sedan became the Q70 while QX50, 60, 70, and 80 replaced the myriad number of the company’s crossovers/SUVs.

Reaction to then-president Johan de Nysschen’s idea, however, was slightly less than enthusiastic. Sales took an immediate dip, though part of the reason for that likely was a failure to update the models along with the rebadging. (Sales showed an increase of 10.9 percent for 2017 over 2016, but are down 8.8 percent so far in 2018, though the QX50 crossover had its best month ever this past June.)

Something seemed to be lost in the transition, though, especially with the relabeling of the G37 to QX50 (sedan) and QX60 (coupe). Red Sport models jazzed things up a bit, but one reviewer’s comment that it was “still tough to get excited about the new 2017 Infiniti Q60” seemed to be a prevailing thought.

That may be no more.

The 2018 Infiniti Q60 S Red Sport has the verve and charm of the old G37 coupe. It’s beautiful inside and out, and it packs a 400 horsepower punch from its 3.0-liter V6 engine (350 pound-feet of torque), a boost of 100 hp over the V6 in other trims.

A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder is the other engine choice, and both it and the V6 are mated with a 7-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode. It is available in either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

Fuel mileage isn’t that great, 20 miles-per-gallon city, 27 highway, and 22 combined for the V6 Red Sport, 22/30/25 for the 4-banger, and premium fuel is recommended. Why would you not want to put the good stuff in? Just asking.

The 2017 model moved the Q60 into its third generation. Few changes were made for 2018. Infiniti adapted its global nomenclature (Pure, Luxe, Sport, and Red Sport 400) for its trim levels, and the Red Sport 400 now gets 20-inch wheels over the previous 19s.

The 2018 model also is lower and wider than its predecessors, and its bold design gives it an aggressive appearance befitting a sports coupe. Car & Driver called the Q60 Infiniti’s best-looking car to date, which is saying something considering the company’s portfolio is filled with refined, sharp-looking vehicles.

The inside has the usual assortment of niceties, though you will play extra for such functions as Infiniti’s InTouch infotainment system that includes navigation, blind-spot warning and cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure prevention, and high-beam assist.

The interior features comfortable, sport-type leather-appointed seats with a manual thigh extension and lumbar support for the driver, an 8-way adjustable passenger seat, a dual-display system with navigation on one screen and audio and other functions on another, and carbon-fiber trim throughout the cabin.

Though it still has the inconvenience of access to the backseat typical of a coupe, it offers 32.4 inches of legroom in the back and a spacious 43.1 in the front. You lose about a half-inch of headroom in front to 37.4 inches if you opt for the sunroof.

Pricing for the Q60 starts at just under $41,000 when the $995 destination and delivery charge is tacked on to the base MSRP of $39,950 for the Q60 2.0t PURE trim. RWD Red Sport starts at $52,995 with AWD adding another $2,000.

Loading it up, however, can put a well-equipped Red Sport at nearly $64,000.

What I liked about the 2018 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport: Frankly, just about everything. I liked being able to select to my preferred driving mode (Standard, Sport, Sport-plus, Personal) and the response I got when changing from Standard to Sport-plus. Technology was very easy to operate, and the dual screen lets you adjust many functions without the need to switch from the navigation system’s large display.

What I didn’t like about the 2018 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport: Headroom in the back was limited (34.5 inches). Just about anybody taller than 6-feet likely would have a real issue. Trunk volume is only 8.7 cubic feet, small even for a coupe.

Would I buy the 2018 Infiniti Q60S Red Sport? Yes. Its stunning looks and sporty performance make it a winner in just about every aspect.

INFINITI QX80 GETS A NEW LOOK WITH EXTERIOR REFINEMENTS FOR 2018

If you had gone by what was being said about them a decade or so ago, you would have thought that full-size SUVs, like the dinosaurs that provide them the fuel to run on, would be extinct by now.

High fuel prices gave even those consumers who had a legitimate need for such a big vehicle reason to pause and rethink their potential purchase.

But, unlike the dinosaurs, the full-size SUV has survived, thank you very much, because there are so many things they do better than other vehicles — like hauling passengers and lots of cargo and towing and going off-road.

And a full-size SUV provides a more commanding driving position, which rates high among some. If you live in a place like Miami, I think you can see all the way across the Everglades to Naples from the driver’s seat of one. (If I’ve been told once, I’ve been told 10 billion times not to exaggerate, but I can’t help myself!)

As rugged and functional as the full-size SUVs are, they also can be luxurious and refined, like the Infiniti QX80, which the luxury division of Nissan introduced as the QX56 for the 2004 model year and rebadged in 2014 to follow the company’s new naming convention. It has been around for a while so designers and engineers have had some time for tinkering over the years.

For 2018, the QX80 gets a makeover for the exterior with a more angular look and a slightly higher (20 mm, or about an inch) ride than the outgoing model. The flat hood is longer, and new LED headlights and fog lights grace the front fascia and new, thinner LED taillights the rear.

At 208.9 inches in length, it is slightly longer than some of its competitors, yet it has a smaller feel about it. Not small, mind you, but not overly bulky either.

It’s a great expressway cruiser, and the only time you may really be conscious of its size is when you’re in a tight mall parking lot or garage.

It gets plenty of power. A 5.6-liter (hence the former QX56 designation) V8 engines is mated with a 7-speed automatic transmission and produces 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, which is plenty of power. Infiniti clockers caught the QX80 from zero-to-62 mph (yes, 62 mph; beats me) in 7.5 seconds.

In two-wheel-drive configuration mileage figures are 14 miles-per-gallon city, 20 highway and 16 combined. With 4WD, the numbers are 13/19/15. 

A dial on the console switches the QX80 4-wheel drive models from automatic to high 4-wheel level to low 4-wheel for more adventurous off-roading. There also are settings for Snow and Tow mode. It can tow up to 8,500 pounds.

Inside, the cabin exudes an air of refinement, from the analog clock in the middle of the center stack that catches your eye as you climb into the cabin to the comfortable seats that provide two-way lumbar support for both the driver and the passenger.

There’s plenty of room in the cabin as well, with those in the front getting up to 39.6 inches of legroom and those in the second row up to 41. Third-row occupants are a bit more crowded with only 28.8 inches of legroom.

Handles mounted on the A-pillars are helpful in getting in and out, and the second-row captain’s chairs easily tilt forward to allow access to the far back, though that doesn’t necessarily make it easy for an adult to get back there.

A common complaint among several reviewers is that the technological features are a bit dated and not up to the competition, but frankly I’m not sure what those critics were looking for.  I came to drive, not play computer games or watch a movie.

Too often, the latest technology just complicates things. In the QX80, I found audio, climate, and navigation systems easy enough to operate. Knobs can be used to adjust audio sounds and radio stations as well as blower and A/C temperature! Hooray for knobs!

Standard equipment includes Bluetooth communications, navigation with 8-inch touchscreen display and voice recognition, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, two storage compartments in the console, a second-row console with storage compartment and 12V outlet, power rear liftgate, remote engine start, roof rails, and a Bose 13-speaker premium sound system.

That was included in the base MSRP of $67,850 for the 4WD model that served as my test vehicle. Adding option packages like a Deluxe Technology Package (which added two more speakers for the audio and leather-appointed seats with quilting), a Theater Package (heated second-row seats, dual 8-inch monitors and two wireless headphones), 22-inch wheels, a Driver Assistance Package (backup collision intervention, blind-spot and lane-departure warning, Forward Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection, and Intelligent Cruise Control) ran the final total to $84,660 including $995 for destination and delivery.

What I liked about the 2018 Infiniti QX80: Too often, third-row seating infringes greatly on rear storage capacity, but not-so much with the QX80. There’s 16.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 49.6 when the third-row seats are folded. Those seats are power-folded, by the way, also a nice feature.

What I didn’t like about the 2018 Infiniti QX80: I wouldn’t want to have to ride in the third row very often. Though the captain’s chairs fold easy enough, it’s still not easy to get back there.

Would I buy the 2018 Infiniti QX80? I don’t have a need for a vehicle this size, but if you do, you might want to look past the usual suspects and check it out. It has an air of quality and refinement about it that I find appealing.

INFINITI Q50 RED SPORT 400 GETS NEW

TRIM NAMES, DESIGN TWEAKS FOR 2018

It seems like it was just a month ago that I got a red 2017 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 for review. Actually, of course, it wasn’t that recent. It was back in November.

But this year still has over four months to go, and already now I have had the pleasure of spending a week in the 2018 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400.

Time flies, especially when you’re having the fun I did in the two vehicles.

The luxury division of the Japanese automaker Nissan, Infiniti has given its best-selling vehicle some enhancements and new nomenclature for its trim lines. For 2018 it is offered as Q50 2.0t PURE and Q50 2.0t LUXE, Q50 Hybrid LUXE, Q50 3.0t LUXE, Q50 3.0t SPORT and Q50 Red Sport 400.

As was the case when I drove it late last year, my time was spent in the Q50 Red Sport 400, which is the sportiest of the group (natch) with a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine that sends 400 horsepower (hence the 400 designation) and 350 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission. (All-wheel drive is also available.)

With a likely zero-to-60 time of well under five seconds (the 2018 clocking wasn’t available and the website zeroto60times.com caught the 2016 Red Sport in 4.5 seconds), the Q50 Red Sport gets high grades when it comes to performance.

In addition to the tweaks to the trim level names, Infiniti also refreshed both the interior and exterior with some styling tweaks to the front and rear fascias and a new steering wheel. Designers also added another color — Mocha Almond. In plain English, I’d call it light brown, but I don’t know for sure. Both of the Red Sport models I had were, appropriately enough, red. Dynamic Sandstone Red. I like red.

Visually, other than that, there isn’t a lot of difference. And that is a good thing because the Q50 has a rather sexy profile, not coupe-like but close, and the cabin is attractive with high quality materials throughout. Also, it is comfortable and quiet.

Mechanically, a refined electronic power steering is new, and Infiniti’s Directive Adaptive  Steering is available as an option. With either one, the car pretty much goes in the direction you point it, and isn’t that the idea?

Frankly, as I have mentioned before (somewhere in previous blogs), it’s hard to get much in the way of feedback when it comes to steering driving South Florida’s mostly straight roads with 90-degree intersections and the occasional expressway on-ramp.

The Red Sport rides on new, 19-inch aluminum wheels that are slightly wider (9.5 inches) in the rear in RWD models and the same all-around (9.0 inches) with AWD. That’s the same as last year’s Red Sport as are the EPA numbers of 20 miles-per-gallon city, 26 highway combined with RWD and 19/26/22 with AWD.

MSRP for the 2018 Q50 starts at $34,200 for the 2.0t PURE (not including destination and delivery) with the 3.0t Red Sport RWD listing at $51,000 or $53,000 for AWD. That’s a slight bump up from the $33.950 for the 2017 2.0t (the base model) and $48,750 for the RWD Red Sport and $50,700 for the 2017 Q50 Red Sport 400 AWD.

I’m thinking that a dealer who is looking to get 2017 models out of his showroom might be willing to haggle, but then what do I know? I may be the only guy who started to pay retail for a golf bag in Mexico.

What I liked about the 2018 Q50 Red Sport 400: Pretty much what I did about the 2017 model, which among other things was its driving performance. I like the idea of a two-screen center stack — one for the navigation map, the other for audio and other systems — and the intuitive way they operate.

What I didn’t like about the 2018 Q50 Red Sport 400: I’d like to see a knob for surfing the radio dial instead of pushing a button. Yes, I know you can set presets for local radio but what about when you go out of town? I also had an issue with taking and making calls despite hooking up my cell via Bluetooth. You can blame me for that. A techno-whiz I am not.

Would I buy the 2018 Q50 Red Sport 400? Yes. But if you can get a good price on a 2017, the changes are so subtle you might want to take advantage of that. Frankly, I don’t think that this car, whether 2017 or 2018, gets the respect it deserves.

INFINITI Q60 RED SPORT 400 DELIVERS WHEN IT COMES TO FUN DRIVING EXPERIENCE

According to Shakespeare, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Maybe that works in cases of love — the quote is from Romeo and Juliet, in case you missed that lit class — but maybe not so much when it comes to automobiles.

Consider, for example, the Infiniti Q60.

When introduced as a G35 replacing the outdated G20 in the company’s lineup, it played to generally good reviews. Car & Driver’s Aaron Robinson wrote: “The G35 coupe is the most appealing article to slide down the Infiniti chute since the original Q.”

When it morphed into the G37 because of its slightly bigger engine, the G37 coupe still carried a lot of verve. The anonymous reviewer for Edmunds.com called the 2008 G37 coupe “a hoot to drive” while praising the interior for its abundance of quality materials and high-tech features offered.

Then a couple of years ago, when the company announced its policy of labeling its cars with a “Q” designation and its SUVs “QX” followed by a number corresponding to the vehicle’s place in the overall lineup, the G37 coupe became the Q60 and the G37 sedan the Q50.

So what do we hear about the redesigned 2017 Q60?

Well, the U.S. News & World Report’s usual analysis of reviews of luxury small cars rates the Q60 no better than tied for 18th with the Acura ILX and Buick Cascada in a field of 20 luxury small cars. Not that it is a bad car, the magazine notes. Just that in such high class competition, it rates as merely “OK.”

When it comes to performance, Autoblog says the Q60 “underwhelms,” and the New York Daily News groans that “despite its performance-oriented specifications, gorgeous body, and promise of a relaxed driving experience, it’s still tough to get excited about the new 2017 Infiniti Q60.”

At least Automobile Magazine had good things to say about the “clean and elegant finish” of the interior.

So what happened? Did Nissan engineers and designers take a dose of stupid pills along with the name change?

I don’t think so.

After spending a week in the 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400, I’d be hard-pressed to come up with 17 cars to put ahead of it in its class.

First, it has the inherent sexiness of a coupe’s profile. You can even see a familial resemblance to parent company Nissan’s 370Z sports coupe in its profile.

Next, inside it has the requisite luxury leather and niceties for its segment, like some carbon fiber trim touches. Door handles are placed at a convenient spot, and the steering wheel and shift lever get the full leather treatment.

Riders in front get up to 43.1 inches of legroom while the two in the back, who are separated by a mini-console featuring two small cupholders and a small flat space for, um, well I’m not really sure that it would be for, get 35.1 inches of legroom and, despite the sloping roofline, 34.5 inches of headroom.

Infiniti calls the overall theme for the cabin “driver-centric” and “passenger-minded.” I call it elegant and comfortable.

The center stack features two screens for operation of Infiniti’s In-Touch infotainment system. This cleans up the dash from an excessive number of buttons and knobs, but it doesn’t make for the most intuitive of operating systems. Also, without the available navigation system, the top screen has a rather bland look about it that takes away from the overall appeal of the flowing dash design.

The powertrain is where the Q60 really delivers.

The Red Sport 400 that served as my test vehicle came with a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine tuned to 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, which folks running the website zeroto60times.com clocked at 4.5 seconds from zero to 60 mph.

With that engine mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, the Red Sport’s fuel mileage ratings are 20 miles-per-gallon city, 27 highway, and 22 combined, though the computer showed that I was getting closer to 24 in mostly around-town driving.

A 300-hp V6 and 2.0-liter 4-banger rated at 208 horsepower are the other engine choices in the Q60 portfolio.

Starting MSRP for the 2017 Q60 is $39,855 (including destination and delivery) for the Q60 2.0t with rear-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line Q60 Red Sport 400 checks in at $52,205. All-wheel drive adds $2,000 to the MSRP.

What I liked about the 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400: Set in Sport-Plus (one of six driving modes along with Standard, Sport, Personal, Snow, and Eco) it delivers a fun driving experience. Some reviews criticize it for poor steering feedback, but I have found that’s not uncommon for steer-by-wire systems. I experienced no issues.

What I didn’t like about the 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400: Though the system responded quickly and accurately with voice commands, the operation of the In Touch system overall could use some fine-tuning. I happen to like the two-screen approach (some don’t) but the steps for the various functions need a review to make it more intuitive.

Would I buy the 2017 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400? Yes. The small luxury segment is a competitive one with lots of good choices, but the Q60 needs to be on your list if you are shopping in the segment.