You have to juggle a lot of variables while shopping for a car. Price is paramount, followed by (depending on what you’re looking for) safety, reliability, fuel efficiency, comfort level, and finally, power. In today’s car market, the writing is on the wall: excitement is taking a step back, and everything else is getting preferential treatment. It’s how you end up with underpowered cars with fabric-wrapped plywood seats that get 100 mpg. While shopping for a car, it’s essential to consider that you will spend a lot of time inside this car and will be paying tens of thousands of dollars for it. The 2021 Infiniti Q50 is capable, comfortable, efficient, affordable, and reliable, but is it satisfying? Here’s what some owners had to say.

2021 Infiniti Q50 performance is abundant

The 2021 Infiniti Q50 uses a 3-liter V6 with two turbos producing 300 horsepower, much like a 300zx Z32. It’s paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission and weighs in at 4,126 pounds. Reviewers pegged the car as thoroughly lackluster in acceleration and handling, but some owners state otherwise, citing the car as responsive. Regardless, Infiniti’s Q50 has proven controversial among testers and owners. The Q50 performs well on paper, and many owners are on their second Q50.

For out-and-out performance, however, you should turn your attention to the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport. It also uses a 3-liter twin-turbo V6 but sends 400 horsepower to the rear wheels (or all wheels if you prefer). It sprints to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and runs a 13-second quarter-mile, topping out at 155 mph. Where the base Q50 has failed, the Red Sport has succeeded.

The 2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport is expensive

While the Red Sport may have picked up some slack from the base model’s wake, a lot of its curb weight comes from its hefty price tag. It starts at around $56,000, and while it satisfies with speed and performance, the MSRP may be enough to deter some consumers’ enthusiasm. Various weaknesses hinder the Q50 from receiving a perfect grade. Nissan still has yet to work the bugs out of its infotainment software, according to Car and Driver, and its interior looks dated compared to cars at lower price points. Make no mistake. It’s a safe car with all the usual refinements plus some state-of-the-art features sprinkled on top, like blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Infiniti Q50 is basic

For all of its weaknesses and strengths, the 2021 Infiniti Q50 emerges as a solid, albeit predictable, luxury sedan. It’s reliable, safe, and affordable. However, it’s also bland, like a piece of gum you’ve been chewing on for hours. Your jaw gets tired, and after a while, you spit out the gum and either go for a new piece or try a different flavor. The Red Sport tries to diversify the familiar platform, but for over $15,000 more, we expect something a little more original. If you want a solid, boring sedan, the Q50 is probably for you. Those who want to try a new flavor might do better, opting for something else or waiting until the 2022 model debuts.