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.

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 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.