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Cheap and luxurious don’t normally go hand in hand, but they can when it comes to the Infiniti lineup. In fact, you can even throw in the word “sporty,” and that would adequately describe the most affordable sedan Infiniti has to offer – the Q50. If you’re looking for a sporty and luxurious car for under $50,000, the 2023 Infiniti Q50 could be the answer.

2023 Infiniti Q50 luxe driving
2023 Infiniti Q50 | Infiniti

The 2023 Infiniti Q50 Luxe has plenty to offer

2023 Infiniti Q50 interior
2023 Infiniti Q50 | Infiniti

Any luxury car shoppers interested in a 2023 Infiniti Q50 don’t need to look much further than the entry-level Luxe trim. Although it’s the most basic trim level, with a starting price of $43,675, the Q50 Luxe comes with the same powertrain as the up-level Sensory model but with plenty of luxury appointments. Some of those features include a heated steering wheel and front seats, remote start, and a host of driver-assist features.

An all-wheel-drivetrain can also be added for an additional $2,000. As for the engine, there’s a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 under the hood that produces 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels. According to Car and Driver’s testing, this setup can make the car go from 0 to 60 mph in only five seconds, which is super quick. Overall, the Infiniti Q50 Luxe offers the most bang for the luxury dollar.

Stepping up to the Infiniti Q50 Sensory adds a few more luxuries

2023 Infiniti Q50 engine
2023 Infiniti Q50 | Infiniti

After checking out the specs, the 2023 Infiniti Q50 Sensory only offers slightly more than the Luxe trim level. The most notable additions include black open-pore wood trim in the interior, black exterior trim, an onboard navigation system, and 19-inch alloy wheels. There’s also an advanced automatic climate control feature with an air purifier built in.

Are the Sensory trim level and its appearance features worth the extra $6,000? We think not. But the top-trim Q50 Red Sport could be worth the extra cash.

The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport offers up a lot more performance than the lower trim levels

2023 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport front
2023 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport | Infiniti

Stepping up to the highest trim level adds more performance to the Infiniti Q50’s sporty luxury formula. Under the hood of the range-topping trim level is a twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, both engines with which the Q50 is available only come mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. A manual transmission is not available.

Aside from the added power, the Q50 Red Sport also comes with red-painted sport brakes, 19-inch allow wheels, and a dynamic digital suspension. The price for this high-performance Q50 is $56,500, which is nearly $14,000 more than the base trim. Again, is it worth it? Sure, if you really crave performance. But we think the base trim level will suit most driving enthusiasts just fine.

Ultimately, the 2023 Infiniti Q50 is a sporty and luxurious bargain for anyone not wanting to spend over $50,000. That is, provided that they don’t opt for the Red Sport trim level. However, even that’s a bargain compared to some German competitors like the BMW M3 and the Audi S5. Either way, it’s hard to lose with an Infiniti Q50.