Handsome and athletic, the 2019 Infiniti Q50 is a sharp luxury sedan alternative to higher priced Germans.
Pros Attractive design Good powertrain options Potent turbocharged V-6 Room for four adults Standard automatic emergency braking
Cons Finicky dual-screen infotainment system Loses value in top trims No electrified powertrain available Losing ground to crossovers
For 2019, Infiniti has simplified the Q50's trim levels, offering just one version of the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder (available with either rear- or all-wheel drive).Streamlined model lineup.Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are now standard.
Pros Turbocharged V6 engines pack plenty of power and excitement Many high-tech entertainment and safety features come standard For a small luxury sedan, it offers a pretty roomy trunk
Cons Infotainment system isn't as user-friendly as many others Interior design looks dated and plain Allows significant road noise into the cabin Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are unavailable
The 2019 Infiniti Q50 ranked #15 in Luxury Small Cars. Currently the Infiniti Q50 has a score of 8.0 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 43 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Potent optional V6 engines Agile handling Comfortable seats
Cons Not as athletic as some competitors Below-average fuel economy Dual-screen infotainment interface has a learning curve
The 2018 BMW X2 has agile handling to match its sleek looks, and while it gives up some interior space for the low roofline, it still retains some crossover utility.
Pros Sprightly acceleration Agile handling Stylish design Efficient for a crossover Good backseat space
Cons Interior space is compromised A front-drive BMW? Pricing creeps up quickly Most safety features are optional and pricey
Boldly styled on the outside, the X2 shares its underpinnings with the already excellent X1. A 228-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four mates to an eight-speed automatic transmission with front- or all-wheel drive. The fun-to-drive X2 went from 0–60 in 6.4 seconds in our testing. Connectivity options include a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay. Available safety tech includes lane-departure warning, automatic high-beams, forward-collision warning, and low-speed automated emergency braking.
Pros Attractive inside and out, nails the fun-to-drive quotient.
Cons Stiff ride, road and suspension noise, high as-tested price.
One of the nicest-looking BMWs of late also happens to be one of the most affordable, but despite its gorgeous design, it's far from perfect.
Pros Exterior design Driving dynamics Interior fit and finish Spacious for its size Very competent powertrain Great ride comfort (Adaptive Suspension), infotainment system
Cons Misses out on full autonomous emergency braking Apple CarPlay optional and an ongoing cost Interior carry-over from X1 showing its age
