2020 Infiniti Q60

Pricing for the Infiniti Q60 is relatively affordable for the luxury sport coupe class, especially in comparison with high-ranking competitors such as the BMW 4 Series, Audi A5, and Mercedes Benz C-Class. The base-spec Q60 in RWD, the Pure, comes in with a starting MSRP of $41,350, the mid-spec Luxe follows at a price of $45,500. At the top of the lineup, the top-spec Red Sport 400 carries a sticker price of $57,150. It'll cost $2,000 to option any of the models with the available AWD system. All prices are exclusive of any tax, registration, and licensing fees as well as of Infiniti's destination and handling fee of $1,025.

The Q60 doesn't quite live up to what its sporty aesthetic presents - while it is thrilling to jaunt mindlessly down a straight, it's at the corners where it fails to deliver any true level of competitive or confidence-inspiring capability. That being said, however, it's not awful. Both the base models provide suitable levels of stability and grip, and the Red Sport 400, which is equipped with a Dynamic Digital Suspension, exhibits even more poise. A Direct Adaptive Steering system is available too, but it curses the coupe with lack of steering feedback, artificial weighting, and inconsistent steering responses based on the speed the coupe is traveling at, negatively impacting the driving experience. Even with the system optioned in, plenty of mid-cornering input is required to keep the Q60 on track. In general, steering in the Q60 is harder work than it is with the competition. Fortunately, braking in the Q60 is a different story: the responses are precise and easy to modulate, whether in town or jaunting it down the highway.

Though the Q60 may not be one of the more enjoyable sports coupes to take on a joy ride, it is one of the more comfortable ones. In fact, it's surprisingly composed and supple at most times. More prominent road imperfections and undulations will have to be traversed carefully, but the ride quality it delivers during everyday driving is suitably relaxed.

There are some positives to the Infiniti Q60, but in a class where competition is brutally high and expectations focus on performance over anything else, those few positives just don't quite have it come through as a top contender. If anything, the Q60 is a middling luxury coupe, its cabin, though obviously dated, is upscale and the seats are genuinely comfortable, there are plenty of creature-comforts to enjoy, and driver-aids are somewhat decent. It delivers a decently comfortable ride quality too, and it is certainly a good looking coupe. Unfortunately, those sporty good looks don't translate into actual performance, while it is fast and both of the engines it gets are powerful, it's let down by mediocre handling and little poise at the corners. Rivals such as the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series are in a league of their own in terms of driver engagement and driving enjoyment. The negatives don't stop there though, with the Q60's frustrating infotainment system also a major downside, its trunk capacity is extremely limited, and the rear seats are mostly useless. All in all, while the Q60 isn't the worst luxury sports coupe out there, but its negatives outweigh its positives, and with so many renowned competitors in the class, that's something that can't be overlooked.

Being that the Infiniti Q60 is more of a luxury-oriented sports coupe than a performance-oriented one, we suggest making the most out of what the nameplate has to offer in luxury by going for the mid-spec Luxe. Apart from the many more creature-comforts that it gets as standard over the base-spec model, the Luxe also comes with a superior Bose surround-sound system and with a few more driver-assist technologies. With that, we suggest throwing in the exclusive EDITION 30 Package which outfits the Luxe with the lineup's full complement of features, bringing it up to that of the top-spec model, but without the same exorbitant price tag.

Barring its classification as a four-door sedan rather than a two-door coupe, the Infiniti Q50 is essentially the same car in every other way as the Q60. As such, the Q50 is naturally capable of seating up to five passengers with the head and legroom in the rear seats to appropriately accommodate them, and offers more trunk capacity with 13.5 cubes offered behind the rear seats. These elements make the Q50 a better commuter for passengers over the Q60 with its cramped rear cabin and significantly limited trunk capacity. Both vehicles are otherwise identical in every other way, sharing the same positives and negatives too, from the assertive V6 engine options and refined ride quality to the mediocre handling dynamics and frustrating infotainment system. With a starting MSRP of $36,400, the Q50 may be the better value for money buy, especially for a family - the Q60, thanks to its size and sporty aspirations, would be the better drivers car, but for the little it offers in terms of dynamic abilities, we feel the luxury element of the Q range is where the value lies, and in this case, there's more to be had in the Q50.

The Lexus RC is similar to the Infiniti Q60 in that it's focused on aesthetics and luxury, rather than on performance. The base RC engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder, while it isn't nearly as powerful as the Q60's, it is a little more fuel-efficient with EPA gas mileage estimates of 21/30/24 mpg. A larger, 260-hp V6 engine is available for the RC, but it still isn't quite as potent as the Q60's, the Q60, in this case, will be the better offer in terms of straight-line performance. There's a little less room in the RC as well, but with a little more of its body length dedicated to the trunk, there's a more usable 10.4 cubes of cargo room behind the rear seats. Both vehicles offer upscale interiors and many features, but the RC has a more contemporary feel. Ultimately, the RC is the vehicle to go for here, despite the Q60's superior engines, it simply hits a higher mark in premium packaging, which is where these two cars aim to strive.