Infiniti’s 2021 Models Bring Unique Style & Tons of Tech
The 2021 Infiniti Lineup
- 2021 Infiniti Q50 – Compact sedan
- 2021 Infiniti Q60 – Performance Coupe
- 2021 Infiniti QX50 – Compact Crossover
- 2021 Infiniti QX80 – Fullsize SUV
Note:We’re not including the QX60 here, as Infiniti has not yet confirmed details on the model.
In this post: our take on each 2021 model Infiniti is bringing to the American market.
Infiniti will be the first to tell you that they’ve got a long way to go to catch up to other premium brands like Acura and Lexus, but as it stands now the automaker has a unique lineup with vehicles that are more stylish and innovative than their counterparts in many ways.
The company rolled out a clever variable compression turbo engine last year that allows its crossover, the QX50, to compete on fuel economy with true hybrid engines.
In some respects, the Q50 and Q60 carry on the performance pedigree that the brand has spent years curating. If you’re wanting a premium sedan with 400 horsepower, the Q50 Red Sport may be an attractive option.
See also: best mid-sized luxury cars for 2021 and best full-sized luxury cars for 2021.
2021 Infiniti Q50
2021 Infiniti Q50 Trims
The 2021 Q50 is offered in four trims, but one is much more powerful than the others.
- Q50 Pure
- Q50 Luxe
- Q50 Sensory
- Q50 Red Sport 400
2021 Infiniti Q50 Performance Figures
- 2021 Infiniti Q50 0-60 mph – 5.0 seconds
- 2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 0-60 mph – 4.5 seconds
2021 Infiniti Q50 Engine and Powertrain
- 2021 Infiniti Q50 – 3.0-liter V6 producing 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque
- 2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport – 3.0-liter V6 with 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque
Rear-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission are standard. All-wheel drive is available.
2021 Infiniti Q50 Fuel Economy
- 2021 Infiniti Q50 RWD – 20/29/23 mpg city/hwy/combined
- 2021 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 RWD – 20/26/22 mpg
2021 Infiniti Q50 Competitors
Sedans aren’t anywhere near as popular as they used to be, but things are a bit more promising on the premium side, which is where the Q50 does business.
- 2021 Lexus ES
- 2021 Audi A4
- 2021 Lexus ES
2021 Infiniti Q50
The Q60 takes many of the elements that make the four-door Q50 so attractive and places them in a rowdy coupe package.
2021 Infiniti Q60 Trims
The Q60 mostly follows the Q50’s lead in the trim and model line department:
- Q60 Pure
- Q60 Luxe
- Q60 Red Sport 400
2021 Infiniti Q60 Engine and Powertrain
Some engines, such as the 5.7-liter Hemi, are available in other trims. We’ve listed the standard powertrain for each trim.
- 2021 Infiniti Q60 – 3.0-liter V6 producing 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque
- 2021 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport – 3.0-liter V6 with 400 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque
Rear-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic transmission are standard. All-wheel drive is available.
2021 Infiniti Q60 Performance Figures
Acceleration numbers are currently available only for the hot-rod Red Sport model.
- 2021 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 0-60mph – 4.5 Seconds
2021 Infiniti Q60 Fuel Economy
- 2021 Infiniti Q60 RWD – 19/28/22 mpg city/hwy/combined
- 2021 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400 – 20/27/22 mpg
2021 Infiniti Q60 Competitors
The Q60 competes against a crowd of high-end coupes.
- 2021 Lexus RC 300
- 2021 Audi A5
- 2021 BMW 4-Series
2021 Infiniti QX50
Infiniti’s compact crossover carries a high-tech engine and a gorgeous interior that has to be seen to be believed.
2021 Infiniti QX50 Trims
The 2021 QX50 comes in five well-equipped trims:
- 2021 Infiniti QX50 Pure – $37,950
- 2021 Infiniti QX50 Luxe – $41,500
- 2021 Infiniti QX50 Essential – $44,700
- 2021 Infiniti QX50 Sensory – $50,000
- 2021 Infiniti QX50 Autograph – $54,200
All prices listed are for front-wheel drive models. All-wheel drive is a $2000-$2,650 upgrade.
2021 Infiniti QX50 Engine and Powertrain
A single engine powers the QX50 line, but it’s a good one. Infiniti and its parent company, Nissan, have developed a variable compression engine that adjusts engine operation to match driving styles. The result is an engine that is powerful when it needs to be and frugal when it doesn’t.
- 2021 Infiniti Qx50 – Turbocharged 2.0-liter VC four-cylinder that makes 268 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque.
Front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission are standard. All-wheel drive is available.
2021 Infiniti QX50 Performance Figures
- The 2021 QX50 is capable of running 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds.
2021 Infiniti QX50 Fuel Economy
All-wheel drive impacts the QX50’s fuel economy, but only slightly.
- 2021 Infiniti QX50 FWD – 23/29/26 mpg city/hwy/combined
- 2021 Infiniti QX50 AWD – 22/28/25 mpg
2021 Infiniti QX50 Competitors
The QX50 faces some of the stiffest competition of any vehicle in the Infiniti lineup.
- 2021 Acura RDX
- 2021 Cadillac XT5
- 2021 Audi Q5
2021 Infiniti QX80
Infiniti’s largest vehicle is surprisingly capable on- and off-road, but you’ll pay dearly for the experience.
2021 Infiniti QX80 Trims
The 2021 QX50 comes in 3 well-equipped trims:
- 2021 Infiniti QX80 Luxe – $69,050
- 2021 Infiniti QX80 Premium Select – $73,350
- 2021 Infiniti QX80 Sensory – $80,200
All prices listed are for rear-wheel drive models. Four-wheel drive is available for a $3,100 upcharge.
2021 Infiniti QX80 Engine and Powertrain
The big QX80 gets a big V8, which gives it strong towing and payload capacities.
- 2021 Infiniti Qx80 – 5.6-liter V8 that makes 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque.
Rear-wheel drive and aseven-speed automatic transmission are standard. Four-wheel drive is available.
2021 Infiniti QX80 Performance Figures
Despite its size, the QX80 is able to put down some respectable acceleration numbers.
- The 2021 QX80 is capable of running 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds.
2021 Infiniti QX80 Fuel Economy
Four-wheel drive QX80 models don’t perform as well as do the rear-wheel drive models, but to be fair, both are extremely thirsty animals.
- 2021 Infiniti QX60 RWD – 14/20/16 mpg city/hwy/combined
- 2021 Infiniti QX50 4WD – 13/19/15 mpg
2021 Infiniti QX80 Competitors
Big SUVs are surprisingly plentiful in the premium SUV arena.
- 2021 Lincoln Navigator
- 2021 Cadillac Escalade
- 2021 BMW X7
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS
Best of the 2021 Infiniti Lineup
Though gorgeous, much of the Infiniti lineup could use a refresh. Because of this, the QX50 is our choice for the best of the 2021 Infiniti lineup. It’s got a truly innovative engine that, while not being as economical as a hybrid, saves quite a bit of fuel. It’s also got one of the most upscale interiors of any crossover in its class and it performs as a true luxury cruiser, even over the roughest of roads. Infiniti finally nailed its infotainment systems, though two screens is a bit much. We’ll give it a pass for 2021, due to the fact that both screens are colorful, responsive, and easy to use.
