By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(July 1, 2021) It’s been five years since we last drove and tested Infiniti’s luxury sport coupe the Q60. Since that time little has changed. Oh, there has been tweaks a few nips and tucks here and there like an updated infotainment system last year, new wheel options and exterior color changes along the way and a new trim level structure that now consists of three choices: Pure, Luxe and Red Sport 400.

Infiniti has kept the Q60 pretty much the same for the past five model years and there are no major changes for 2021 however a heated steering wheel and heated front seats along with semi-aniline-leather-trimmed seats are now standard on the Luxe trim. Odd for a luxury vehicle, the seats are not cooled or ventilated.



The Q60 is the two-door version of Infiniti’s Q50 compact four-door sedan. The market for sedans has been rapidly shrinking in favor of trucks, crossovers and SUVs by the car buying public. There’s even less demand for two-door luxury coupes with few competitors in the segment including the BMW 4 Series, Audi A5, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe. Cadillac discontinued their two-door coupe a few years ago and Lincoln is completely out of the passenger car business now only offering utility vehicles.

Those who buy two-door luxury coupes do so because they want one, not because it’s necessarily a practical choice. Still, I get the appeal, the Q60 is gorgeous inside and out and easily an object of desire.

All three Q60 trim levels use a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine connected to a seven-speed automatic transmission. Pure and Luxe trims are powered by the 300 horsepower V-6 with 295 lb.-ft. torque, while the Red Sport 400 bumps it up to a more powerful 400 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel-drive optional on all trim levels.

For this review Infiniti supplied us with the mid-level Luxe all-wheel drive finished in a gorgeous Dynamic Sunstone Red (add $900) that’s new for 2021 and composed of several clear coats on top and look like the paint is still wet.  Only white, graphite and black exterior finishes are offered at no additional charge.

Inside, the Q60 seats four with front and rear bucket seats not unlike its competitors. Front seats are spacious with eight-way power-adjustability. Materials are attractive and upscale, including metal and soft-touch leather and faux leather surfaces. The rear seats are difficult to access but rear legroom is better than expected. However, the low, sloping roofline compromises headroom for taller passengers and overall is best for occasional use only. There are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the rear seats. The Q60 is tight on cargo space with only 8.7 cubic feet of trunk space. Be sure to check and see if your golf clubs fit before choosing to buy.



Infiniti’s InTouch infotainment system comes with dual touch screens with an 8-inches upper screen and the lower 7-inches. Bluetooth, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hot- spot, satellite radio, HD Radio, and a Bose Premium sixteen-speaker audio system are all standard in our Luxe model.

Adding the optional $2,050 Essential Package and you get a new climate control system, navigation with premium traffic and MapCare along with voice recognition for navigation, lane guidance, dual occupant driver’s seat memory, auto dimming outside mirrors with reverse tilt-down feature, and a power-operated tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel. Know that it will take some time to solve and master the non-intuitive and baffling operating system with the two screens and all the car’s systems. But once you do, you’ll find it less fussy.

Additionally, the 2021 Q60 Luxe comes standard with blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, a surround-view monitor, and pedestrian detection among the numerous other features.

On the road the Q60 delivers a quiet ride thanks to its active noise cancelling system. The ride is a bit unsettled but gentle, handling is compliant and the brakes strong. There are selectable drive modes from which to choose. Engaging Sport or Sport+ sharpens handling and limits body lean helping to take sharper curves and cornering confidently. Acceleration is quick and punchy with ample amounts of power to quickly get up to interstate speeds or when passing but all-out sports sedan performance isn’t part of the package.

Overall, the Q60 can best be described as more of an easy-driving touring car than a driver enthusiast car. You won’t get the same driving stimulation or sports coupe engagement from the Q60 as you will with the BMW 4-series or the C-Class coupes. Still, the exterior design is gorgeous and quite distinctive, perhaps the Q60s best feature. Trust me on this…that sells a lot of cars regardless of brand. And, if you like exclusivity I can almost guarantee you’ll be the only Q60 owner in your neighborhood.

Vital Stats
Base Price: $52,200
Price as Tested: $56,485
Engine, Transmission: 300 horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 paired connected to a 7-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive.
EPA Fuel Economy: 19/27/22 mpg – City/Highway/Combined
Seating: Four

Crash Test Safety Ratings: Overall rated “Good” for crashworthiness by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Where Built: Tochigi, Japan

Competes With:
Audi A5
BMW 4-Series
Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Fab Features
Stunning good looks
Stylish, high quality, well-built interior
Gutsy twin-turbo V-6 engine