My GarageIs the Infiniti Q50 a good used car?
VQ37VHR examples are the safest pick; VR30 twin-turbo is newer but potent — verify service history.
Buyer's Guide · Infiniti Q50 · Sport sedan
Used Infiniti Q50 Buyer's Guide
3 min read
Also worth reading: Infiniti Reliability Guide, Best Used Infiniti Models and Infiniti G35 Buying Guide.
The Q50 is the G-sedan successor. VQ37VHR or twin-turbo VR30 are both refined; Direct Adaptive Steering was an early quirk.
If the Q50's twin-turbo complexity is more car than you need, the older G35 is the simpler, cheaper VQ35DE alternative — start with the Infiniti G35 buying guide before you shop.
Quick Verdict
- Overall verdict
- 4.0/5 · Very good
- Reliability
- 4.0/5 · Very good
- Best years
- 2014–2019 with VQ37VHR, 2016+ with VR30DDTT
- Years to research
- 2014 with Direct Adaptive Steering
- Maintenance cost
- 4.0/5 · Very good
- Parts availability
- 4.3/5 · Very good
- Ownership cost
- 4.0/5 · Very good
Bottom line: Yes.
Overall
★★★★★4.0/5
VQ37VHR examples are the safest pick; VR30 twin-turbo is newer but potent — verify service history.
Reliability
★★★★★4.0/5
Maintenance
★★★★★4.0/5
Parts availability
★★★★★4.3/5
Ownership cost
★★★★★4.0/5
Top Picks
Best Years to Buy
Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.
2014–2019 with VQ37VHR
Proven V6.
2016+ with VR30DDTT
Twin-turbo; potent and refined.
Side by side
Infiniti Q50 ratings at a glance
| Category | Rating | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 4.0/5 | Very good |
| Reliability | 4.0/5 | Very good |
| Maintenance | 4.0/5 | Very good |
| Parts availability | 4.3/5 | Very good |
| Ownership cost | 4.0/5 | Very good |
Do your homework
Years to Research Carefully
Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.
2014 with Direct Adaptive Steering
Early software refinements; test-drive.
Known issues
Common Problems
Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.
- ✓Timing-chain guides on high-mileage VQ37
- ✓DI carbon buildup on VR30
- ✓Fuel-level sender inaccuracy on some cars
- ✓Sunroof drainage
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Ownership
Maintenance Expectations
Independent Nissan-familiar shops handle Q50.
5-cyl-like service costs on VQ37; VR30 needs quality fuel and 5k oil.
Before you buy
Inspection Checklist
What to verify on any candidate car.
Engine
VQ37: chain rattle at cold start on 150k+. VR30: oil condition.
Transmission
7AT smooth throughout.
Steering
DAS: correct feel; no faults.
Suspension
Struts and bushings at 100k+.
Rust
Rear subframe on Northeast cars.
Living with it
Ownership Experience
- • Refined and quick; strong RWD chassis.
- • Real-world 22–26 mpg highway.
- • Strong value used.
The Verdict
Should You Buy a Used Infiniti Q50?
Yes. Prefer VQ37 for the safest long-term pick.
People Also Ask
How many miles will a Q50 last?
Refined and quick; strong RWD chassis.
Is the Q50 expensive to maintain?
Independent Nissan-familiar shops handle Q50.
Which Q50 year should I buy?
2014–2019 with VQ37VHR is the range we'd shop first. Proven V6.
What are the most common Infiniti Q50 problems?
The issues that come up most often are Timing-chain guides on high-mileage VQ37, DI carbon buildup on VR30 and Fuel-level sender inaccuracy on some cars. Each one is checkable during a pre-purchase inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Infiniti Q50?
Our scoring puts the Infiniti Q50 at 4.0/5 for reliability. VQ37VHR examples are the safest pick; VR30 twin-turbo is newer but potent — verify service history.
Which Q50 years should I avoid?
2014 with Direct Adaptive Steering deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.
What are the best years for the Infiniti Q50?
2014–2019 with VQ37VHR are the strongest years to target — Proven V6.
How long does a Infiniti Q50 last?
A well-maintained Q50 from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.
Is the Q50 expensive to maintain?
Independent Nissan-familiar shops handle Q50.
What should I inspect before buying a used Q50?
Focus on: Engine, Transmission, Steering, Suspension. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.
What are the most common Q50 problems?
Timing-chain guides on high-mileage VQ37; DI carbon buildup on VR30; Fuel-level sender inaccuracy on some cars; Sunroof drainage
Is 150,000 miles too much for a Q50?
Not on its own. A 150k-mile Q50 with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Q50's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.
Should I buy a used Infiniti Q50?
Yes. Prefer VQ37 for the safest long-term pick.
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