Infiniti Q60: 2018 Motor Trend Car of the Year Contender

We Like: Strong engine; appealing exterior styling

We Don’t Like: Vague, unnatural steering; lack of fun-to-drive factor

Most of us remember the Infiniti G35 from about a decade ago—a premium sports coupe that could put a smile on anyone’s face, thanks to its power and predictable handling. Now called Q60, the higher-performance Red Sport 400 model we tested is fast and stylish, but it lost its soul along the way.

When looking at the current field of premium coupes, the Q60’s unique and striking design immediately stands out. “I like the exterior styling a lot,” Ed Loh said. “Buyers will be attracted to this because it presents as premium but doesn’t look like anything else on the road.”

The best part—and an important one—about the Infiniti is the engine. The 400-hp twin-turbo V-6 is strong and responsive, providing quick acceleration. However, the coupe’s chassis has a hard time keeping up with the engine. “It feels very sporty driven to about eight-tenths, but after that it all starts to fall apart,” Angus MacKenzie said.

Infiniti’s Direct Adaptive Steering system felt very unnatural, unpredictable, even downright diabolical. “You could be going the same exact speed on the same exact surface and make the same exact steering movement, and the car would react differently each time,” Christian Seabaugh said.

Added Alisa Priddle: “Acceleration is abrupt, snaps your head back into your seat. The brakes are also grabby and abrupt. Although I like visceral, this is too heavy-handed.”

“You have a rear end that encourages shenanigans, but the steering can’t keep up,” Jonny Lieberman said. “Rethink. Do over.”

2018 Infiniti Q60S (Red Sport 400)
BASE PRICE	$52,995
PRICE AS TESTED	$61,145
VEHICLE LAYOUT	Front-engine, RWD, 4-pass, 2-door coupe
ENGINE	3.0L twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve V-6
TRANSMISSION	7-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST)	3,913 lb (58/42%)
WHEELBASE	112.2 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT	184.4 x 72.8 x 54.9 in
0-60 MPH	4.8 sec
QUARTER MILE	13.3 sec @ 107.2 mph
BRAKING, 60-0 MPH	110 ft
LATERAL ACCELERATION	0.91 g (avg)
MT FIGURE EIGHT	25.5 sec @ 0.76 g (avg)
EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON	20/27/22 mpg
ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY	169/125 kW-hrs/100 miles
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB	0.86 lb/mile

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