TangoRed

This is the only thing that bothers me. Hyundai cribbed Infiniti's interior design in the first place. The current gen-FX and their other models show that this was just a clear evolution of that design. I think it would be dumb to fault Infiniti for updating their current design, even though it was copied by another automaker.

Carmaker1

I am one not to post my personal opinions of vehicles in an effort not to appear biased(I don't drive a Lexus, just a fan) and also because I 'm primarily focused on future products. However, I'd say that it looks much better than my own and better than the image my dad's Infiniti GM showed us in late November. It's not as extreme as the 3IS.

I actually would've considered the 3IS(which I don't understand the over-the-top criticism for it), but the lack of a manual is the deciding factor. The F30 3er or F32 4er is another consideration of mine for this summer, when I replace my '08 G35. BMW reliability is one thing that deters me as I like to drive my vehicle trouble-free 99% of the time. The name change doesn't make sense to me, but I expect it will work out well in the long run.

They are very guilty of overlapping design cues between Nissan and Infiniti models, which I've found to be very unacceptable as the term "fancy Nissan" that I get from others at times is definitely related to this. Toyota sometimes is guilty of designing Lexus models with a unique design, then spilling over in a non-L-Finesse form to Toyota models. I am praying that stops happening now that Akio's in charge and separating Toyota designers from Lexus designers.

I usually agree with you 100% of the time, but one should remember that the Sonata interior(designed in 2007/early '08) took inspiration from Infiniti and this is merely an evolution of that Infiniti interior design theme designed in late 2004 for the 2007-2013 G25/G35/G37(V36) models and later introduced in 2006. That spread across the Infiniti line-up and even has offshoots on Nissan brand models like the Maxima.

There are earlier, more angular interpretations of it dating back to 2003 models, which were designed in 2000-01. Even though I respect Hyundai for stepping up their game lately, they did take from Infiniti, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz, not to mention even some others. The only Q50 interior element that takes is the steering resembles the the Cadillac steering wheel, which itself was designed 6-7 years before Infiniti's. However, one should remember that the FX steering wheel is the true source of design inspiration.

The 2 screens are an interesting interpretation, which is similar to the (ugly)Etherea Concept and some new Acura/Honda models. As for the grilles, something tells me that somehow it can easily relate to local Japanese suppliers circa '08-09. Even though the MY2012 FX facelift was the first to have it in late 2011(designed in 2010), this grille dates back to the '09 Essence Concept which was designed in 2008.

That was also around the time the CTh & 4GS(w/ the spindle grille of course) were being designed, so further info on that could explain why all of sudden Japanese automakers are implementing such grilles. Similar to why cars were boxy most of the '80s, as the newly computer-based automotive design programs in the 1970s could only process and manufacture straight edges. That changed in the mid-1980s when rounded edges could be processed again, hence the jellybean look of the '90s.

I agree it looks similar to them, but as far as copying, I'd take the 4GS and Mazda 6('09 or 2014 model?) out, as that would merely be coincidental. The design for the Q50 was frozen in June 2011, a time when the 4GS was still "camouflaged" and not even leaked. If you are referring to the new Mazda 6, both were designed simultaneously in 2011 and the Takeri wasn't even available until last year as a publicized design reference.

I'd like to hope so, as one GM manager told me that it would still be offered. I hope he's right.

Hyundai took from Infiniti's interior design theme, while designing the current Sonata's interior in 2007-08 and even the facelift 2014 Sonata makes them look closer now.

'07 G

'08 EX

'09 FX


2014 Sonata


Thank you, as I've once test driven an '11 IS350 F-Sport sedan and a '10 G37S 6MT sedan. I felt that the latter performed better and more of a driver's car. Then again, it might be because I'm biased towards manuals and the Lexus didn't have one. I also was more restricted by the Lexus salesman as he understandably didn't know me as well as those at Infiniti. Even though I have the 3.5 liter G35S, it still isn't much different performance wise than the G37S sedan I drove. The lovely 3IS I expect will do much better this time around as it clearly was high on Akio Toyoda's list.

That is because of course Hyundai took inspiration from the Infiniti EX & FX interiors and implemented their own version. The Sonata interior would've been completed by mid-2008, which by that time the '09 FX had debuted. It's coincidental how woefully dreadful the Genesis center stack was when released in 2008, only for the Sonata's being the first Hyundai to resemble Infiniti's in late 2009/early 2010.

Carmaker1

Ah, beat me to it. I've been typing that for awhile and noticed how everyone kept making it seem as if Infiniti copied Hyundai. We all should know better about how much work and time goes into development for cars. There should be at least a 18-24 month gap between start of production on various cars concerning interior design freezes and for exterior design, 24-42 months in order for copying to take place. If there is anything less than that, it is mere coincidence. Hyundai designed that interior in 2007-08 and Infiniti did theirs in late 2004/early 2005. I had the prior generation Sonata for several months, before it was replaced in late '07 with the G and remember how the early 2008 MY09 facelift of the Sonata NF ended up becoming closer to the Genesis interior, only for the MY2011 YF redesign to mimic the interior of my G35 (V36).

ISFPOWER

iTrader: (20)

you guys are kidding yourselves if you are complaining about this car. it has universal good looks exterior/interior and has the infinti brand behind it. if the car has potential to even look better, then it will be a hot seller for the aftermarket crowd. everybody takes designs from everybody here and there.

Carmaker1

Exactly, I don't understand the logic behind that when many are also heavily lambasting the aggressively styled 3IS and now this one for obvious reasons. The only ones of this class I don't like are the C-Class, A4 B8 facelift, and the CTS to a lesser degree(non-CTS-V). Even then, they are all still decent and will sell well.

Mr. Burns

Yes the Sonata did take from the FX. The problem for Infiniti is that the Sonata sells in much higher volume than the FX, and even if Infiniti was the originator, more people will probably associate the Q50 interior with the Sonata. This is just business as usual for Hyundai and the damage they are doing to premium brands.

Either way I'm not a huge fan of the interior. I think the design is very last generation. Most premium brands have largely abandoned the waterfall style center stack and moved on to hooded displays and remote controllers.

Carmaker1

Very true, as the average person wouldn't be able to deduce such a thing on first notice. Hyundai does this as they don't have to invest as much as premium brands in extra costs, so it's easy to sell their own version of a premium brand's interior at a much lower price. The thing is, over time people do forget where a design theme originated and if Hyundai had a modified form of it for a few years, it's easy to point fingers saying that any other new model copied them, like Infiniti. The only reverse oddity is the similarity of the W212 E-Class and the prior generation Sonata.

pman6

How about the next Acura competitor? Same high road? Or one time exception?

speedflex

I agree on the mesh grille. The new IS-F has a sort of mesh as well. The horizontal bars looks good on the new FX and I think they would on the Q50 as well.

LexFather

Except the Cadillac CTS debuted before them all with that waterfall. The FX really doesn't sport a waterfall, the centerstack is much more upright.



They are not competitors, Acura isn't a luxury brand.

LH1

lol

I hope they weren't counting on the ZDX to push them into tier 1 status.

MikeSC4

Yup, you can see that the 2004 Infiniti FX was a trend setter in interior design with the vertical A/C vents. Hyundai and Cadillac took notice.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

You, and the other folks who made the same point, are absolutely correct. I forgot about how Hyundai has ripped more than a few design cues from Infiniti and other brands. My bad.

natnut

Woah woah, not so fast. Lexus is on a bit of a roll right now with the new GS (best handling car in its segment), the facelifted LS F-Sport and the current IS-F.

Since the new IS is based off the GS chassis, it stands to reason, unless the IS engineers screw up bigtime, that the IS will be very competitive if not class-leading in terms of handling. Let's wait for the testdrive first before proclaiming anything.

oldcajun

As a previous G35 owner, I really like the new style. It is new and exciting without being a polarizing as the new IS. Infiniti can't take really big chances with the Q50 since is serves both as their IS and ES. One of their stated goals with this new car was to reduce weight. If they are successful, the existing 330hp 3.7 liter engines will provide adequate performance. The real sport star of their line-up is the coupe which can have much wilder styling than the sedan. Rumor has an AMG style version of the coupe at around $100K which uses power train elements from the GTR.

This is a beginning of what could be an exciting rebirth for Infiniti.
Steve