“Excellent engine. Descent handle. Worse electrics and navigation I've ever seen. Everything is slow to react. Process and difficult to use. Your engineering has a lot to be desired. A vehicle should ride user friendly and should be easily learned. It's like you built the car and no one drove on a daily basis”
2016 INFINITI Q50: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2016 INFINITI Q50 received a major mechanical update, led by an entirely new turbocharged gas-engine lineup in place of the old 3.7-liter V6. It also gained the 400-hp Red Sport 400 as its new performance leader.
About the 2016 INFINITI Q50
1st generation Q50 (V37), third model year; major powertrain and chassis update before the later styling refresh.
INFINITI sells the Q50 as a stylish sports sedan that mixes strong engine choices, bold design, and technology-heavy cabin and steering features. Its core appeal is variety: buyers could get an efficient turbo four, a stronger twin-turbo V6, or a quick hybrid, each with rear- or all-wheel drive. Versus many rivals, the Q50 leans harder into dramatic styling, a roomy cabin, and distinctive driver-tech features like its dual-screen interface and advanced steering systems.
The 2016 Q50 ranges from the everyday-focused 208-hp 2.0t to the 300-hp 3.0t Premium, which combines stronger V6 performance with a moonroof and Bose audio. The Sport adds an electronically controlled suspension, larger brakes, and more supportive seats, while the 400-hp Red Sport 400 sits at the top of the performance range. The 360-hp Hybrid Premium remains the efficiency-focused model and carries extensive safety and comfort equipment.
What changed, by category
Powertrain
The gas lineup replaced the former 3.7-liter V6 with a 208-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing either 300 or 400 hp. The 3.7 and S 3.7 were dropped, the 3.7 Premium continued as the 3.0t Premium, and the 2.0t, 2.0t Premium, Sport, and Red Sport 400 joined the lineup. The hybrid received no major hardware change.
Chassis and steering
Revised front and rear stabilizer bars changed the suspension tuning across the lineup. A second-generation electronic steering system arrived, while the Sport and Red Sport 400 received an electronically controlled suspension.
Safety
Automatic emergency braking and blind-spot sensors changed from optional to standard equipment across the lineup.
Tech and comfort
Navigation, a 360-degree camera, and a heated steering wheel changed from optional to standard equipment across the lineup.
2016 INFINITI Q50 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V6, Hybrid, 3.5 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 7-Spd w/Sport Mode | Auto, 7-Spd w/Sport Mode | Auto, 7-Spd w/Sport Mode | Auto, 7-Spd w/Sport Mode | Auto, 7-Spd w/Sport Mode | Auto, 7-Spd w/Sport Mode |
| Drivetrain | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD | RWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Hybrid |
| MPG City | 23 mpg | 19 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 28 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 31 mpg | 29 mpg | 31 mpg | 30 mpg | 27 mpg | 34 mpg |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | 300 hp | 208 hp | 300 hp | 400 hp | |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 350 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 13.2 cu-ft | 13.5 cu-ft | 13.2 cu-ft | 13.5 cu-ft | 13.5 cu-ft | 9.4 cu-ft |
| Rear Legroom | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35.1 in | 35.1 in |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Doors | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Adaptive Headlights | ||||||
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Automatic Emergency Braking | ||||||
| Automatic Leveling Headlights | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors | ||||||
| Blindspot Sensors with Auto Brake | ||||||
| Lane Departure Warning | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| 360 Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Fog Lights | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| Memory Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Power Moonroof | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Touch Screen Monitor | ||||||
| Aluminum Interior Trim | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Folding Rear Seat | ||||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Memory Driver's Seat | ||||||
| Memory Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Power Steering | ||||||
| Proximity Keyless Entry | ||||||
| Push-Button Engine Start | ||||||
| Remote Start | ||||||
| Wood Interior Trim | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2016 INFINITI Q50?
The biggest change is the replacement of the old 3.7-liter gas V6 with three turbocharged engines. The 2016 range uses a 208-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 rated at 300 or 400 hp.
Is the 2016 INFINITI Q50 Red Sport 400 new for this year?
Yes. The Red Sport 400 joined the Q50 lineup for 2016 with a 400-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, an electronically controlled suspension, larger sport brakes, and more supportive front seats.
Did the 2016 INFINITI Q50 Hybrid receive the new turbo engine?
No. The 2016 Hybrid Premium retained its 360-hp 3.5-liter V6 hybrid system and did not receive a major powertrain hardware change. The new turbo engines were used by the gas-only Q50 trims.
How are the 2016 Q50 Sport and Red Sport 400 different?
The main difference is engine output: the Sport has a 300-hp twin-turbo V6, while the Red Sport 400 has a 400-hp version. Both have an electronically controlled suspension, larger brakes, sport body details, and more supportive front seats.
Is the 2016 INFINITI Q50 substantially different from the 2015 model?
Yes. The 2016 Q50 is substantially different mechanically because it replaces the previous gas V6 lineup with turbocharged four-cylinder and V6 engines. It also brings revised suspension tuning, updated electronic steering, new electronically controlled suspension hardware on performance trims, and the new Red Sport 400.
2016 INFINITI Q50 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2016 INFINITI Q50.
4.3
2016 INFINITI Q50
(279 reviews)
“The vehicle is sleek in look, with the power of a twin turbo yet can fit a family and is convenient for day to day activities. It is a combination of sporty, reliable and fun to drive.”
“Great vehicle, new motor pulls significantly harder than old VQ 3.7, gas mileage is decent. Fit and finish is good, with mostly high quality materials at all the touch points. It would be nice to have android auto or apple car play, and there are a couple of things that car in this class have optional that the q50 does not, i.e. ventilated seats, panoramic roof.”
Sources
- usa.infinitinews.com — en US / Releases / Release E4B203Ecf7F34336B506A7F0D9395786 Us 2016 Infiniti Q50 Press Kit
- usa.infinitinews.com — en US / Releases / 2016 Infiniti Q50 Sports Sedan New Engines And Chassis Technologies Deliver Empowering Performance And A More Rewarding Driving Experience
- usa.infinitinews.com — en US / Releases / Us 2015 Infiniti Q50 Press Kit
- usa.infinitinews.com — en US / Releases / Us 2017 Infiniti Q50 Press Kit
- usa.infinitinews.com — en US / Releases / Release A2151Aa0413D4286819Acb7C5E68Ba01 Infiniti Announces U S Pricing For 2016 Q50 2 0T And Q50 Hybrid Premium Models
- usa.infinitinews.com — en US / Releases / Infiniti Presents Three New Q50 Sports Sedan Engines For The First Time At The 2016 Chicago Auto Show