Business Car Manager car review verdict
Residual forecaster CAP suggest that residual values – the car’s secondhand worth – will be improved over previous Infinitis, retaining as much as 35% over three years, reducing lease costs slightly (though they’re not out yet).
There’s no doubt therefore that the hybrid provides a lot of bang, albeit for quite a lot of buck. Given that, does the Q50 make sense?
For the most part, yes.
Don’t be put off by the steer by wire technology – should it go wrong, there’s a failsafe mechanical link that will take over – as it really does take away a lot of the ‘noise’ that’s transmitted from the road to the wheel while letting you know his much grip you have and what the wheels are doing.
It loses its edge though when combined with the optional Safety Shield pack, where the myriad different systems end up interfering just too much, leading you to fight the car rather than work with it. Finding the Q50 adjusting my line mid corner found me reaching for the off button pretty quickly.
The fear was that these systems were masking a poor car, but underneath it all is a finely balanced vehicle that is as happy on a long motorway cruise as it is being hustled through the twisty bits.
Fortunately neither the steer-by-wire nor Safety Shield is standard on the diesel SE or Luxury models, so company car drivers should head towards this model for an enjoyable car, impressive economy and a lower company car tax bill.
Business owners, though, will no doubt be tempted by the hybrid’s high performance and economy balance.
The Low Down…
Doors and body style | 4-door saloon |
Engine/gearbox | 3.5 litre V6 petrol hybrid/7-speed auto |
CO2 Emissions | 144g/km |
Economy | 45.6mpg |
Power/torque | 364PS/546Nm |
0-62mph/top speed | 5.1secs/155mph (limited) |
Insurance group | N/A |
…and what it costs
P11D Value | £40,000 (as tested) | |
Monthly business rental (ex VAT) | N/A | |
Road tax (VED) | Band F | |
Company Car Tax Bands 2013/14 to 2015/16 | 20%, 21%, 23% | |
Benefit in kind 2013/14 to 2015/16 | £8000, £8400, £9200 | |
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (20%) | £844/£70 | |
Annual/Monthly fuel benefit (40%) | £1688/£141 | |
Annual/monthly company car tax (20%) | £1600/£133 | |
Annual/monthly company car tax (40%) | £3200/£267 | |
Figures correct at time of posting | ||
For latest figures | Use our company car tax calculator |