Introduction

The 2021 Infiniti Q60 stands out in a shrinking class of two-doors with a big advantage: beauty. 

The new model year sees almost no major changes aside from newly standard heated leather seats in the Luxe model. The Q60 continues to be offered in Pure, Luxe, and Red Sport trims. 

Power for the Pure and Luxe models is provided by a 3.0-liter V-6 making a strong 300 horsepower. In the Red Sport, that V-6 is massaged to dole out 400 hp. In both cases a 7-speed automatic is the only transmission choice. Rear-wheel drive is standard but all-wheel drive is available. 

Fuel economy for a rear-drive model with the base engine is 19 mpg city, 28 highway, 22 combined, figures that remain nearly unchanged when all-wheel drive is selected. The Red Sport with all-wheel drive checks in at 19/26/21 mpg. 

Standard safety equipment doesn't include any of the driver-assist features now found on most new cars for no cost. Buyers will have to step up to the Luxe in order to get no-charge automatic emergency braking. The Red Sport gets standard blind-spot monitors, parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control is available only on the Red Sport. 

The IIHS and NHTSA have not crash-tested a Q60 due to its low sales volume. 

Lineup

The opening salvo in the Q60 lineup is the Pure, which starts at $42,675 after destination charges. That price includes LED lights, 19-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, eight-way power seats, and a twin-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The Luxe costs a good bit more at $51,225, but the upcharge does buy leather upholstery, heated front seats, navigation, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, 13-speaker Bose audio, and a panoramic roof. 

The poshest and fastest Q60 is the Red Sport. Besides its 400-hp engine, the Red Sport gets staggered 20-inch wheels, adaptive dampers and upgraded brakes. The interior benefits from more bolstered seats upholstered in semi-aniline leather. 

Walkaround

If the Q60 is any indication, Infiniti designers haven't yet discovered the straightedge. More so than the rest of the brand's lineup, the Q60 is all curves, arcs, and parabolas; about the only straight line is the license plate bracket. 

We think the curvaceous styling suits the car well. It cuts a unique and handsome profile that will set it apart in a parking lot of sedans and crossovers. It is bolder than the BMW 4-Series, but isn't any more juvenile. Those graduating from a Mustang or another more overtly youthful coupe will appreciate the Q60's mature but distinctive styling. 

Interior

The exterior styling of the Q60 has held up well, but the interior is more dated. It's wrapped in fine materials, but the twin-touchscreen setup can take some time to get used to, and the shapes have been familiar for a long time. 

The front seats are comfortable and look appropriately luxurious when upholstered in leather. The back seat is more shelf space than seating area, but that's common to all two-door cars bold enough to come with a pair of extra seats. Like a crossover's third row, they're great in a pinch but don't rely on them. 

Cargo space is just 8.7 cubic feet, a figure that trails that of the Mercedes C-Class coupe and BMW 4-Series. 

Driving Impression

Turbo-4 engines have become the norm in everything short of pickup trucks, so Infiniti's 3.0-liter V-6 stands out in the Q60. The engine might be the highlight of the experience, especially in Red Sport trim, where 400 hp does the talking. The base model, with its 300 hp, is hasty enough-but drive the two tunes back-to-back and the Red Sport is noticeably faster. 

Handling is fine, especially with the adaptive dampers on the Red Sport. Over the road, the 19- and 20-inch wheels don't affect the ride, which is stable and composed even over the rougher stuff. The Red Sport's adaptive dampers again shine through when the road surface gets gnarly. In most circumstances the Q60 behaves like the buttoned-up daily driver most buyers are seeking. 

Summary

The 2021 Infiniti Q60 wears a sleek shape and offers refreshing V-6 power. Two-door coupes are rarer by the day, but buyers seeking something unique should give it a look, particularly the better-equipped Luxe model. 

 

-by Anthony Sophinos with driving impressions by The Car Connection.