Review of the Infiniti Q60 Coupe
The new two-door Infiniti Q60 Coupe is a nice bit of eye candy that’s fast, furious and luxurious. It stands out from the crowd and represents an intriguing alternative to the likes of BMW and Mercedes.
Infiniti is one of the newer brands on the market, the luxury division of Nissan was founded nearly 30 years ago. Find out more about the history of Infiniti on our page about the manufacturer.
The big question is this, though: Is it ultimately good enough for you to splash your cash on it instead of a BMW or a Mercedes? OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2018 Infiniti Q60 Coupe review.
Overview of the Infiniti Q60 Coupe
On the Road
There are two Q60 models available to pick from: A standard variant and a more exhilarating Q60S variant. In standard guise, the Q60 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that develops 208bhp, and which can get you from rest to 62mph in 7.3 seconds.
The Q60S variant, meanwhile, is backed by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre six-pot petrol engine that develops 400bhp, and which has a 0-62 time of 5.0 seconds.[vc_single_image image=”81134″ img_size=”article-image”]Naturally, the Q60S sounds more exciting on paper, and theoretically, it is. But it isn’t free from problems. For one thing, it doesn’t make much noise, with Infiniti doing such a fine job of insulating the car that any roar the engine makes doesn’t find its way into the cabin. For enthusiasts who love a loud soundtrack, this will be problematic.
Then there’s the small issue of a hesitant automatic gearbox that takes too long to shift gears. The steering, meanwhile, offers little communication with the result being that the Q60S feels too artificial to be called enjoyable. And that’s a major shame.
There are one or two positives, of course. Body lean is superbly resisted thanks to a classy suspension setup, and you can take corners with plenty of enthusiasm. Four-wheel-drive is standard and it gives you more confidence simply by beefing the car up and making it feel more secure.
The Q60S also comes with a DAS steering system as standard. It’s not meant to make the car more engaging (and if it is, it fails on this front), but instead proves useful when you’re driving long distances. The aim is to reduce driver fatigue.
The standard model, on the other hand? Well, it’s just as problematic as the Q60S – but slower. Worse still, because the Q60 is such a heavy car, you need to work both engines hard to get the best out of them, and this can ruin what might otherwise be a fairly relaxed driving experience.
Infiniti Q60 Coupe Interior, Design and Build
[vc_single_image image=”81133″ img_size=”article-image”]Credit where credit is due – this is a pretty beautiful cabin that Infiniti have put together. Build quality is exceptional, there’s plenty of kit offered as standard, as well as lots of modern tech.
The dashboard design – which is stunning – is largely taken from the Q50 Saloon, while fit and finish is excellent. The materials used are all of a high quality, and our only real issue is that the optional colour schemes are likely to clash with the exterior colours if you fail to choose wisely.All models come with not one but two touchscreen’s, and this has allowed Infiniti to clear away a lot of buttons. The touchscreen’s control most of the car’s functions, including the InTouch infotainment system. It’s an easy system to use that’s nice and responsive.
Insulation is good, with very little wind, road or engine noise getting into the cabin. All models come with an active noise cancellation system that uses the speakers to create a more pleasant driving experience when you’re out on the motorway.
Is the Infiniti Q60 Coupe practical? It’s a two-door coupe, so as you can imagine it’s never going to be the most practical car on the planet. But neither is it the most impractical.
Of course, the two people sat up front are treated the best, as these are largely who this car is for. The doors come with enough storage for smaller items and bottles, and you also get two cup holder’s up there.
In the rear, adults will be cramped on longer journeys – as will children.
The boot, meanwhile, measures 343-litres. That doesn’t seem too bad at all, although for comparison’s sake it’s smaller than a Volkswagen Golf. It’s also smaller, by some distance, than the BMW 4 Series, as well as most of its rivals.
A relative newcomer on the luxury market in the UK, is Infiniti a reliable brand?
Equipment and Safety of the Infiniti Q60 Coupe
All models are very well equipped, with the entry-level model getting sat-nav, LED headlights, active noise control, Bluetooth, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera, a speed limiter, cruise control, powered front seats and leather upholstery.
The Premium Tech model adds a 360-degree camera, adaptive headlights, ambient lighting, and an electrically adjustable steering column, while the Sport model nets you unique alloys and aluminium pedals.
In terms of how safe the car is, the Q60 Coupe hasn’t – and probably won’t be – tested by Euro NCAP, but it’s mechanically similar to the Q50 model, which scored 5/5.
Its standard safety kit includes 6 airbag’s, a rear view parking camera, lane departure warning, automatic braking, a speed limiter and cruise control.
Costs of the Infiniti Q60 Coupe
Prices for the new car start out from £34,300 and rise to £47,235. For more information on our leasing deals, you can check out our page here.
In terms of its running costs, the 2.0-litre petrol engine benefits from turbochargers and is able to return as much as 41.5mpg on a good day. The bigger twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol engine, meanwhile, is good for returns of 31mpg at best. BiK ratings vary from as low as 28% to as high as 37%.
Pros and Cons of the Infiniti Q60 Coupe
Pros:
It’s different
One motor journalist described it as an “oddball two-door tech-fest for those who dare to be different.” Enough said.
Powerful engines
The V6 is an absolute firecracker of an engine.
Stuffed with tech
From Direct Adaptive Steering to noise cancellation, the Q60 is one of the most modern cars on the planet.
Cons:
Expensive to run
We can’t help but feel as though Infiniti missed a trick by not including a frugal diesel among their engines.
Lack of badge appeal
The Q60 has got the looks, the drivability … but not the badge.
Infiniti Q60 Coupe vs Audi A5 Coupe vs Mercedes E-Class Coupe
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2018 Infiniti Q60 Coupe review.
Infiniti Q60 Coupe vs Audi A5 Coupe
The new Audi A5 Coupe is stylish, slick and upmarket.
On the road, the car is measured and composed, sophisticated and calm – but not much fun at all. It isn’t without its merits, and each engine offers a good amount of power. Moreover, the steering is nice and precise.
It’s just that, ultimately, it offers no excitement. The steering might be precise but it lacks feel and, as ever, a BMW is the best car to drive in this class.[vc_single_image image=”81131″ img_size=”article-image”]In terms of its engines, a pair of 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrols are on offer. They develop 187 and 248bhp respectively, with the former completing the rest to 62mph sprint in 7.2 seconds, and the latter doing it in 5.8 seconds.
Meanwhile, a bigger S5 model rivals the Q60S. It’s powered by a V6 petrol engine that develops 349bhp, and which catapults you from rest to 62mph in 4.7 seconds.
Running costs? The 187bhp variant of the 2.0-litre engine is able to return as much as 50.4mpg on a good day and emits 127g/km of CO2. The bigger 248bhp variant of the same engine can return 45.6mpg, while the S5 model is good for 36.7mpg while emitting 174g/km.
Inside, the A5 is just sumptuous. Everything is well appointed, with Audi sparing no expenses as they lavished the car with aluminium accents and leather trim. Insulation is excellent, with barely a trace of wind, road or engine noise finding its way into the cabin.
The dashboard is great to look at and comes with the brands advanced Virtual Cockpit, while the MMI infotainment system is as user-friendly as ever.
Is the Audi A5 Coupe practical? Although the back seats are really only for occasional use, this is a pretty practical car for a two-door coupe. Accessing the two front seats is easy and the 465-litre boot is competitive for this class and much larger than the Q60.
Price:
Infiniti – £34,300 – £47,235
Audi – £33,840 – £42,895
Infiniti Q60 Coupe vs Mercedes E-Class Coupe
The new Mercedes E-Class Coupe is more practical than last time, and it’s also more stylish, too.
It’s not the most riveting car you’ll ever drive, but it’s hard to beat on the comfort and relaxation stakes. It’s super fuss-free to drive, and although the fact that it’s a fairly heavy car means that it isn’t very agile, it’s still enjoyable on the whole.[vc_single_image image=”81132″ img_size=”article-image”]There’s lots of performance on offer, with the entry-level E220d model able to develop 191bhp, which allows it to get you from a standstill to 62mph in 7.4 seconds. Overtaking is easy.
The E300 model, meanwhile, is powered by a 2.0-litre four-pot petrol engine that develops 242bhp, and which has a 0-62 time of 6.5 seconds.
If you need more pace, this car’s rival to the Q60S model is an AMG E53 petrol model that’s backed by a meaty twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine that develops 423bhp, has six cylinders, and which can complete the 0-62 sprint in just 4.4 seconds.
Running costs? The E220d diesel model is the most frugal and can return as much as 61.4mpg on a good day. The E300 model is good for returns of 40.4mpg economy at best, while the AMG model manages 33.6mpg at best.
Inside, there’s a lot to love about the E-Class. The materials are top notch, insulation is first rate and comfort levels are very high. This is a truly luxurious cabin exemplified by soft-touch plastics, metal turbine air vents and wood trim. We think buyers will appreciate the pillar-less, frameless windows, too.
Air suspension is optional and definitely worth adding if you want the ride to be as cosseted as possible, while the COMAND online navigation system is another optional extra well worth adding for its two high res screens.
Is the Mercedes E-Class Coupe practical? It’s got in common with the E-Class Saloon and has grown in size since last time. The wheelbase is 113mm longer, which means back seat passengers can now enjoy more legroom.
Access is easy for everyone, and there are plenty of storage spaces dotted around the place, including a very reasonably sized glovebox.
The boot, meanwhile, measures a decent 424-litres and can be extended a bit by dropping the rear seats.
Price:
Mercedes – £40,180 – £41,820
Verdict of our 2018 Infiniti Q60 Coupe Review
It’s stylish, it’s powerful, and it’s a very intriguing rival to the big Germans. A huge twin-turbo V6 petrol engine is key to its appeal, while adaptive dampers and four-wheel-drive are available to turn the car into an absolute beast.
The problem is that it’s not as much fun as it sounds, while the electronic aids going as far as making the car feel too artificial. Has the Infiniti Q60 Coupe done enough to topple the Germans? It’s doubtful.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
