2001 Infiniti Q45 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

A larger, more powerful Q45 bows this Spring as an early 2002 arrival. Meantime, the existing 5-year-old design adds body-color door handles, real bird's-eye maple interior trim, and a leather/simulated-wood steering wheel as the only changes for 2001. Q45 comes in Luxury and sportier Touring (Q45t) models, the latter with new bright-finish wheels, plus electronically controlled shock absorbers. Both have automatic transmission, ABS, traction control, front side airbags, anti-whiplash front head restraints. Optional two-tone paint, heated front seats, and a navigation system satellite/cell-phone link to a staffed assistance center.

Competition

This diverse segment offers the widest price range. It covers everything from the $34,000 Saab 9-5 to the $130,000 Mercedes-Benz SL500. Obviously our Best Buys are somewhere in between. We think that the Acura RL is a steal at $42,000 fully equipped. Though it is a front-drive V6 in a field of V8 rear-drive models, it has a great ride, plenty of power, and is quite luxurious. Mercedes-Benz E-Class, though a bit long in the tooth, also continues to impress with its impeccable road manners and luxurious comfort.

If you are looking for something a bit more sporting we recommend the BMW 5-Series. If your taste ranges more toward the luxury end, then take a look at the Cadillac DeVille or Lexus GS 300.

News

Infiniti's flagship sedan has been a sales dud since its 1997 redesign, which many critics thought a step backward. That's why a brand-new Q45 has been introduced somewhat earlier than normal. It comes not a moment too soon. Despite a booming luxury market in most of 2000, sales of the old Q declined some 33 percent for the calendar year to a rather paltry 4178. For full information on the far more ambitious 2002 Q45, just click that report.

2001 Infiniti Q45 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Fuel economy

Quietness	Cargo room

Build quality

Exterior finish

Interior materials

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
7	7	6.4

Our test car ran 0-60-mph in 7.2 secs., good but not exceptional for the class. Midrange passing response equally brisk, aided by smooth, responsive automatic transmission.

Fuel Economy

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
4	4	4.3

Our most recent test car averaged 18.8 mpg, but others returned only 15.4-17.6 depending on driver and conditions. Premium fuel is recommended but not mandatory.

Ride Quality

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
7	7	7.7

Almost "magic carpet" plush, with outstanding impact isolation, even in the tauter Q45t.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
6	7	6.1

The softly sprung Luxury model is competent but not that agile. The Q45t has quicker steering response and a tad less cornering lean, but is still no sports sedan. Hard stops induce marked nosedive but are straight and fairly short.

Quietness

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
8	8	7.8

Little noise from any source. Silky V8 never rises above a muted growl in hard acceleration.

Controls

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
7	7	5.6

Dashboard is uninspired, but orderly and convenient. Posh, high-quality cabin evidences thorough detail workmanship.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
6	6	7.7

Comfortable seats, but head and leg room a tad snug for 6-footers. Good basic driving position provides the usual adjustments plus memory and power tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Wide roof pillars hamper visibility over the shoulder.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
5	5	6.9

Head and leg room limited for taller passengers. Transmission hump precludes comfortable seating for a middle adult.

Cargo Room

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
2	2	4.5

The trunk is wide but not very long, with space for about four medium suitcases and a few odds and ends.

Value within Class

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
3	3	4.9

Quick, quiet, pleasantly undemanding to drive, but rather bland for a luxury liner and short on rear-seat space and trunk room. Slow sales and announced close-out status mean deep discounts should be available.

Total Score

Q45	Q45t	Class Average
55	56	61.9

Scores for all Premium Large Cars

Low Score		50
Average Score		61
High Score		78

2001 Infiniti Q45 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 10/02/2000

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Q45 Luxury 4-door sedan	$48,895	$44,014	$545

Q45t 4-door sedan	$50,595	$45,039	$545

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Q45 Luxury

Powertrain

4.1-liter dohc V8 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control system, limited-slip differential.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side-airbags, front seat active head restraints, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, interior air filter, variable-assist power steering, power tilt/telescopic steering wheel w/memory, wood-tone/leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, leather upholstery, 8-way power front bucket seats w/power lumbar adjustment, memory driver seat, center console, cupholders, wood interior trim, Bose AM/FM/cassette/CD player, power antenna, steering wheel radio controls, analog clock, tachometer, power sunroof, heated power mirrors w/memory, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, outside temperature indicator, automatic day/night rearview mirror, rear defogger, remote power fuel-door and decklid releases w/decklid pull-down, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, variable intermittent wipers, automatic-off headlights, universal garage-door opener, power rear window sunshade, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, Xenon headlights, fog lights, 215/60VR16 tires, alloy wheels.

Q45t

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped sport steering wheel.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Electronically-controlled suspension w/driver adjustment, 225/50VR17 tires, bright alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Comfort and Convenience Features	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Infiniti Communicator
Q45 Luxury, Q45t	$1,599	$1,378
Includes Global Positioning System, cellular telephone, roadside assistance, emergency services. Includes four years of Infiniti Response Center Service.

Navigation system
Q45 Luxury, Q45t	$2,400	$2,166
Navigation system w/LCD screen.

Heated front seats
Q45 Luxury, Q45t	$420	$378


6-disc CD changer
Q45 Luxury, Q45t	$460	$332


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
Q45 Luxury, Q45t	$530	$395


Mud guards
Q45 Luxury, Q45t	$109	$81


Two-tone paint
Q45 Luxury, Q45t	$500	$431

2001 Infiniti Q45 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Infiniti Q45 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	111.4

Overall Length, in.	199.6

Overall Width, in.	71.7

Overall Height, in.	56.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	4007

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	12.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	21.4

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	37.6

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.6

Rear Head Room, in.	36.9

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.9

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.1 /252

Horsepower @ rpm.	266 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	278 @ 4000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	18/23

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Infiniti Q45 4-door sedan

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	6/70,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/60,000	--

Corrosion	7/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Japan

Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive

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