“In New England, AWD is a must and at its current price point, the Q50 should be in every purchaser's Top 2-3 choices.”
2018 INFINITI Q50: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2018 INFINITI Q50 gets a mid-cycle refresh, led by updated exterior and interior styling. It also adopts the PURE, LUXE, SPORT, and RED SPORT 400 grade names, while its engine choices carry over.
About the 2018 INFINITI Q50
1st generation Q50 (2014-2022), mid-cycle refresh year.
The 2018 Q50 is Infiniti’s compact luxury sport sedan built around choice. Infiniti sells it as a sleek, driver-focused four-door with a wide spread of personalities: a turbo-four entry model, a stronger twin-turbo V6, a hybrid, and the 400-hp RED SPORT 400. Its core draw is combining sharp styling, rear- or all-wheel drive, supportive seats, and available advanced driver-assistance tech in a sedan that aims to feel sporty without giving up everyday comfort.
The 2018 Q50 ranges from the straightforward 208-hp 2.0t PURE to the comfort-focused LUXE models and the sharper-looking 3.0t SPORT. Hybrid LUXE combines 360 horsepower with extensive driver-assistance equipment, while RED SPORT 400 tops the range with a 400-hp twin-turbo V6, upgraded suspension, sport brakes, and quilted leather seats.
What changed, by category
Styling
The grille, headlights, taillights, and front and rear bumper treatments were revised. Inside, the Q50 received a stitched upper dash and a new steering wheel, with paddle shifters moved onto the wheel when fitted. LUXE and SPORT gained new wheel designs, while RED SPORT 400 received a more distinct front end, black mirror caps, revised cabin trim, and quilted red-stitched seats.
Trim lineup
The lineup adopted the PURE, LUXE, SPORT, and RED SPORT 400 naming structure. The revised range added 2.0t PURE, 3.0t LUXE, and Hybrid LUXE names and retired the previous Premium, Signature Edition, and older Sport labels.
2018 INFINITI Q50 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Turbo, 2.0 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 Liter | V6, Hybrid, 3.5 Liter | V6, Twin Turbo, 3.0 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 | Hybrid | Gas |
| MPG City | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 20 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 30 mpg | 30 mpg | 29 mpg | 29 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg |
| Horsepower | 208 hp | 208 hp | 300 hp | 300 hp | 400 hp | |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft | 258 lb-ft | 350 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb | 1000 lb |
| Trunk/Cargo | 13.2 cu-ft | 13.2 cu-ft | 13.5 cu-ft | 13.5 cu-ft | 9.4 cu-ft | 13.5 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 | ||||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| 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 | ||||||
| Chrome Interior Trim | ||||||
| Dual-Zone Climate Control | ||||||
| Folding Rear Seat | ||||||
| Rear Air Conditioning | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Heated Steering Wheel | ||||||
| Integrated Garage Door Opener | ||||||
| Interior Ambient Lighting | ||||||
| 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
Is the 2018 INFINITI Q50 a full redesign?
No. The 2018 Q50 is a mid-cycle refresh of the first-generation model, not a complete redesign. Its main updates are revised exterior details, cabin changes, and new grade names.
What changed on the 2018 INFINITI Q50 compared with the 2017 model?
The 2018 Q50 received a revised grille, headlights, taillights, bumpers, upper dash, and steering wheel. It also moved to PURE, LUXE, SPORT, and RED SPORT 400 grade naming, with new wheel designs for LUXE and SPORT and a more distinctive look for RED SPORT 400.
Did the 2018 INFINITI Q50 get new engines?
No. The engine choices carried over for 2018. The range still included a 208-hp turbo four-cylinder, a 300-hp twin-turbo V6, a 360-hp hybrid system, and the RED SPORT 400’s 400-hp twin-turbo V6.
What is special about the 2018 INFINITI Q50 RED SPORT 400?
The 2018 RED SPORT 400 is the performance-focused Q50, with a 400-hp twin-turbo V6, upgraded suspension, sport brakes, and quilted leather sport seats. For 2018, it also gained a more distinctive front end, black mirror caps, revised interior trim, and a new steering wheel.
2018 INFINITI Q50 Reviews
What owners are saying about the 2018 INFINITI Q50.
4.1
2018 INFINITI Q50
(321 reviews)
“The price of lease is reasonable and good service. Design car is quite good and interior design meets your standards.”
“Great engine with lots of aftermarket support. The infotainment system is dated and there is extremely limited storage space in the cabin. Handling is average- but can be modified. I would not buy this vehicle to keep it stock. Has been reliable. Comfortable seats, but lots of road noise.”
Sources
- usa.infinitinews.com — en US / Releases / Release Dfbb86E372C8404D85139C300Efc0A4D Us 2018 Infiniti Q50 Press Kit
- usa.infinitinews.com — en US / Releases / Infiniti What S New For 2018
- usa.infinitinews.com — en US / Releases / Release 5734Bf84Ae1F4Aab8Bde831543Fe8A49 Us 2019 Infiniti Q50 Press Kit
- infinitiusa.com — Vehicle Brochures / 2018 / 2018 Infiniti Q50 Brochure En