2014 Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS 250 fail to achieve Consumer Reports 'Recommended' rating

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INFINITI Q50 & LEXUS IS 250 MISS THE MARK IN CONSUMER REPORTS'
TESTS

IS 250 Scored Too Low to be Recommended

YONKERS, NY- Two promising upscale sedans, the redesigned Infiniti Q50
and Lexus IS 250, fell short in Consumer Reports' tests and wound up
near the bottom of the rankings-below competitors from BMW,
Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln, and Volvo.

The Q50 was intended to replace the G37 in Infiniti's lineup, but it
has taken a step back from its excellent predecessor. "The
Infiniti G has been one of Consumer Reports' highest-rated sedans for
many years, but after its 2014 redesign and transition to the new Q
designation, this car seems to have lost its way," said Jake
Fisher, director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports.

The Infiniti Q50 posted a "Very Good" overall road test
score but still landed near the bottom of the rankings for sporty and
upscale sedans. The IS 250 scored merely a "Good." It was
the worst road test score posted by any Lexus sedan in recent memory.
Other competitors posting higher overall road test scores include the
BMW 328i, Mercedes-Benz C250, Lincoln MKZ 2.0 EcoBoost and Volvo S60
T5.

CR's engineers and editors found that the Q50 isn't as much fun to
drive as the G37. Handling is mundane, due in part to dull steering.
The underwhelming driving experience strips the car of much of its
sporty legacy. The Q50 also doesn't ride well and isn't particularly
quiet. Its new InTouch dual-screen controls are slow to respond, and
interior quality is nothing special. On the plus side, the Q50 is very
quick, even with the added weight of the optional all-wheel-drive
system.

Consumer Reports' testers found the Lexus IS 250 is neither sporty nor
luxurious. CR purchased and evaluated the IS 250 with the small
2.5-liter V6 because that is the model most consumers will buy; the
test vehicle is also fitted with all-wheel-drive, a popular option. In
that trim, the vehicle's acceleration lacks punch. Fuel economy is
disappointing at 21 mpg overall in CR's own tests.

The Lexus IS handling is short on finesse, with vague-feeling steering
that doesn't telegraph much feedback. Road noise is elevated and the
ride is neither plush nor tied-down. The interior is very tight, even
when considered against the modest standards for sports sedans, with a
narrow cabin, wide center console and large overhanging dashboard. In
addition, the IS 250's controls now include the fussy, distracting
mouse-like controller found in other Lexus models.

Neither the Q50 and IS 250, can be Recommended. Although the Q50
scored reasonably well, it's still too new for CR to have reliability
information. The IS 250 scored too low to be Recommended; CR also
doesn't have reliability data on it because it's new. To be
Recommended, a vehicle must perform well in CR's battery of tests,
have average or better reliability in CR's Annual Auto Survey and
perform well in government and industry crash tests.

Complete tests results for the Infiniti Q50 and Lexus IS250, as well
as results of the new Fiat 500L and Nissan Versa Note appear on
www.ConsumerReports.org today, and in the December issue of Consumer
Reports, on newsstands November 5. Updated daily, ConsumerReports.org
is the go-to Website for the latest auto reviews, product news, blogs
on breaking news, and car-buying information. Check out CR's ongoing
Twitter feed at @CRCars.

Consumer Reports is the world's largest independent product-testing
organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and
survey research center, the nonprofit rates thousands of products and
services annually. Founded in 1936, Consumer Reports has over 8
million subscribers to its magazine, Website and other publications.
Its advocacy division, Consumers Union, works for health reform, food
and product safety, financial reform, and other consumer issues in
Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.