My GarageIs the Infiniti Q50 a good used car?
Verdict rates it 4.0/5 overall, with reliability at 4.0/5 and running costs at 4.0/5. Shop 2014–2019 with VQ37VHR first and treat 2014 with Direct Adaptive Steering as a records-only purchase.
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 guide to which G35 years to buy and which examples to approach carefully.
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. Prefer VQ37 for the safest long-term pick.
Shopping a specific Q50?
Don't stop at researching the model — get a verdict on the exact car you're looking at.
Overall · All generations
★★★★★4.0/5
VQ37VHR examples are the safest pick; VR30 twin-turbo is newer but potent — verify service history.
Reliability· All generations
★★★★★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
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
Frequently Asked Questions
How reliable is the Infiniti Q50?
Verdict scores it 4.0/5 for reliability and 4.0/5 overall. Buy from 2014–2019 with VQ37VHR and the known trouble spots largely drop away.
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. Those years combine the settled version of the powertrain with the fewest recurring complaints in our research.
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?
Maintenance scores 4.0/5 and parts availability 4.3/5. Routine servicing is predictable; the cost risk is the model-specific work listed above.
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, if you buy the right year and the right paperwork. Shop 2014–2019 with VQ37VHR first, treat 2014 with Direct Adaptive Steering as a records-only purchase, and make the sale conditional on an independent inspection.
You may also want to research
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