Topic: Comparison Test: 2016 Lexus IS 350 F Sport AWD vs Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 AWD

[Autos_Editor]

Because long model names are just so cool.
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[Jaeger]

Good comparo and sweet rides.  I think I might go for the Infiniti between these two - I'd be making use of all that power more frequently than I would its at-the-limit handling.

[safristi]

WOW before finishing the article I was thinking nearly $70K stuff....was I wrong (just this once) ..BARGAIN AWD STORMERS............The Infiniti appeals a lil more ......POWER over RELIABILITY  a big diff there.  300v400......

[dougjp]

Same thoughts as both of you on this. If I was leasing (which I'm not) and if a dealer was nearby, the Infinity would be an easy choice. But only leasing as this engine is new.

This comparison also reminded me of a thread in the Forum where the 300 HP version of the Infinity was brought up as a value comparison to the currently available but never yet tested by ANY magazine Ford Fusion Sport. For that matter there are no tests of the 300 HP Infinity that I can find either  . Anyway, that made me think how much more appropriate this test would have been if the 300 HP Infinity was used instead of the Red Sport. 

[Noto]

If leasing, I'd go German. If buying, these two are really neck and neck for me and as posited in the article, for different reasons.

I really like the Infiniti, but it has a few irritating omissions that would try my patience in terms of ownership. At least the rear seats now fold (previous gens only had a ski pass thru), but that steering numbness would me off. I drove my buddy's parents' Q50S Hybrid and really liked the car overall, but the steering was so, so numb.

Still, the Lexus is too tight inside and so I'd probably go Infiniti on this one.

[mixmanmash]

If leasing, I'd go German. If buying, these two are really neck and neck for me and as posited in the article, for different reasons.

I really like the Infiniti, but it has a few irritating omissions that would try my patience in terms of ownership. At least the rear seats now fold (previous gens only had a ski pass thru), but that steering numbness would me off. I drove my buddy's parents' Q50S Hybrid and really liked the car overall, but the steering was so, so numb.

Still, the Lexus is too tight inside and so I'd probably go Infiniti on this one.

I am with you on the leasing front.  And buying wise, I'm sure it would take multiple test drives to decide between the two.  On paper, the Infiniti has me mostly sold.  But multiple reviews have mentioned the lack of steering feel and handling not quite matching the performance of the power plant.

And I can also get a 340i in manual which neither of these offer.

[Jaeger]

If leasing, I'd go German. If buying, these two are really neck and neck for me and as posited in the article, for different reasons.

I really like the Infiniti, but it has a few irritating omissions that would try my patience in terms of ownership. At least the rear seats now fold (previous gens only had a ski pass thru), but that steering numbness would me off. I drove my buddy's parents' Q50S Hybrid and really liked the car overall, but the steering was so, so numb.

Still, the Lexus is too tight inside and so I'd probably go Infiniti on this one.

I am with you on the leasing front.  And buying wise, I'm sure it would take multiple test drives to decide between the two.  On paper, the Infiniti has me mostly sold.  But multiple reviews have mentioned the lack of steering feel and handling not quite matching the performance of the power plant.

And I can also get a 340i in manual which neither of these offer.

Good point.

[aquadorhj]

infiniti rear ends looks too much like nissan stuff.    still can't get used to the naming scheme.  fack that.

power is nice, but powertrain shared with MB worries me.

lexus all the way for me since neither comes with manual anyway.

[ChaosphereIX]

out of the two...the Nissan

but actually would have neither, would have the BMW for it has a manual...or, whenever it gets here, the Alfa Romeo Giulia mid-ranger [whatever spec that will be not sure - lower tune V6T?]

[kings10]

Because it’ll blow the roundels off a 3 Series in a straight line.

Really?  I thought a 340i xDrive would be comparable.  A quick search shows me that it is a low to mid 4 second car. 

[CanuckS2K]

If leasing, I'd go German. If buying, these two are really neck and neck for me and as posited in the article, for different reasons.

I really like the Infiniti, but it has a few irritating omissions that would try my patience in terms of ownership. At least the rear seats now fold (previous gens only had a ski pass thru), but that steering numbness would me off. I drove my buddy's parents' Q50S Hybrid and really liked the car overall, but the steering was so, so numb.

Still, the Lexus is too tight inside and so I'd probably go Infiniti on this one.

I am with you on the leasing front.  And buying wise, I'm sure it would take multiple test drives to decide between the two.  On paper, the Infiniti has me mostly sold.  But multiple reviews have mentioned the lack of steering feel and handling not quite matching the performance of the power plant.

And I can also get a 340i in manual which neither of these offer.

Yup, very true.  I haven't looked, but what would a comparably equipped 340i cost in comparison to the Q50 and IS?  I'm guessing $10k or so, but that's just a guess.

[JRM]

I don't want 400 hp with numb steering and so so handling.  So it would be the Lexus of the two for me, except that my 6' 3", 210 lb frame wouldn't fit well anyway.  So, neither would be on my short list.   

[dougjp]

Just went to the Infinity web site and the 300 HP version is not there to build and price? Only the 2.0 and the 400.

A couple of things to clarify. First, I don't think this powertrain is shared with MB. That's only the 4 cylinder 2.0 turbo. Second, the numb steering is not a requirement, its in the optional technology package costing $ 3,800-. The normal steering seemed quite good to me in last year's Q50. The technology package has a number of things in addition to the Direct Adaptive Steering that I also don't want anyway, like lane departure warning, intelligent cruise control, lane departure prevention with active lane control and an "Eco Pedal"     

[Fobroader]

Sounds like the Infinity with a better set of shocks, springs and tires would be the car to have. Yeah, 400hp, can't go wrong with that.

[dirtyjeffer]

If leasing, I'd go German. If buying, these two are really neck and neck for me and as posited in the article, for different reasons.

I really like the Infiniti, but it has a few irritating omissions that would try my patience in terms of ownership. At least the rear seats now fold (previous gens only had a ski pass thru), but that steering numbness would me off. I drove my buddy's parents' Q50S Hybrid and really liked the car overall, but the steering was so, so numb.

Still, the Lexus is too tight inside and so I'd probably go Infiniti on this one.

I am with you on the leasing front.  And buying wise, I'm sure it would take multiple test drives to decide between the two.  On paper, the Infiniti has me mostly sold.  But multiple reviews have mentioned the lack of steering feel and handling not quite matching the performance of the power plant.

And I can also get a 340i in manual which neither of these offer.

Yup, very true.  I haven't looked, but what would a comparably equipped 340i cost in comparison to the Q50 and IS?  I'm guessing $10k or so, but that's just a guess.

i just built one online...a 2017 340xi, in blue, automatic transmission, with the premium enhanced package (to get the safety features, luxury options, etc), and the smartphone package is $66,259 (excluding taxes).

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Neither of these really do much for me. Overstyled on the outside and not much to write about on the inside. The Lexus would be the safer bet, though I couldn't live with the stupid mouse arrangement I don't think.

I'd save up a few more dollars and get the A6 3.0L TFSI, or give up a bit of performance and get a well loaded A4 for less.

Edit: I'd also kick the tires of the ATS or CTS, if I could remember to. JohnnyMac's post reminded me of their existence. That's a problem.

[dirtyjeffer]

i also wonder how the Genesis 5.0 Ultimate would fare here...it is bigger, i guess, but priced almost exactly the same.

[JohnnyMac]

For me I'd probably choose a German (most likely the Audi S4) but if I had to pick one of these two it would have to be the Infiniti, simply because I can't stand the front end of the Lexus.  I wonder which of this class has the best handling?  If I were to guess I'd probably say the Cadilac ATS, which pretty much no one even considers.  So how important is handling/steering feeling to the buyers of these rigs.

[Nuttygent]

  That's a very good question JM, referring to importance of handling/steering to these buyers. I'm guessing 90 percent wouldn't know what that really is even if it hit them square on the side of the head. That is the state of driving on Ontario roads, sad though it is.

[Solstice2006]

Neither of these really do much for me. Overstyled on the outside and not much to write about on the inside. The Lexus would be the safer bet, though I couldn't live with the stupid mouse arrangement I don't think.

I'd save up a few more dollars and get the A6 3.0L TFSI, or give up a bit of performance and get a well loaded A4 for less.

Edit: I'd also kick the tires of the ATS or CTS, if I could remember too. JohnnyMac's post reminded me or their existence. That's a problem.

I agree.  Except for the Audi part.  I guess it would determine if I was leasing or financing.  If leasing, probably a 3 series.  If buying (used CPO), an ATS, or a previous gen Lexus (before the spindle).  Wouldn't consider new in the category.