The 2015 Infiniti Q60 Convertible once again combines grace and performance with signature Infiniti attention to detail. It was created around the central idea that a luxury performance convertible should look equally inviting with its top up or down – and be equally enjoyable to drive sans roof or not.
All it takes is a quick press of the push-button ignition to get this car purring. And that purr from Infiniti's luxurious Q60 Convertible is an ever-present assurance that the sporty coupe is holding back a lot of get-up-and-go. To tap into it, simply depress the gas pedal. And hold on tightly.
Based on the popular Infiniti Q60 Coupe, the Convertible, which features a one-button hard-top retractable roof, looks just as pleasing with the top up or down. With the top up, it never feels cramped and visibility is never compromised.
More pleasing than its streamlined looks, though, is the Q60's performance. Packed with a 3.7-litre V-6 engine bridling 325 horsepower, sure, this car is nice enough to take for a Sunday cruise with the top down. It is in its element, though, traversing high-speed highways. The depth of the Q60's power never leaves the driver in doubt about passing slower vehicles – or, for that matter, a string of slower vehicles.
While this car comes in six-speed manual and seven-speed automatic editions, the automatic transmission was used for this road test. That the Q60 had seven available gears was pleasingly obvious; it gives off the feel of power that could go on forever. Occasionally this tester would shut off the radio – transmitted by an excellent sound system – just to hear the roar of the engine downshifting before exploding with more speed.
However, this car is no brute. While it's capable of going fast, it isn't demanding to drive. If the task is just a run-of-the-mill trip to the office, the Q60 is a worthy companion. While weighty – a commonality amongst convertibles – it feels capable instead of cumbersome. The car we tested didn't have a load of driver assistance features, but it was well-equipped with a touch-screen multi-media display, navigation and Intelligent Cruise Control, which automatically adjusts cruise speed up or down to maintain one, two or three car lengths from a lead vehicle.
The question, for most prospective buyers, is where ought this car fit into one's collection? Its rear-wheel drive configuration takes it out of the running for winter driving. Even in slightly wet spring conditions, it was obvious the car will be tough to control in anything more slippery. And there's the storage problem. As any hard-top convertible aficionado knows, the trade-off one must make for the retractable roof (which has an excellent seal here and leaves little wind noise when up) is an utter lack of trunk space. With the roof down, the trunk is not an option for storing anything. That leaves the small back seat, which would fit a couple sets of golf clubs snugly, but little else. The alternative to jamming it full of stuff would be to leave the roof up. But then, what's the point of having a convertible?
You'll like this car if ... You travel light and want a powerful, capable, luxurious convertible that can push the boundaries of Canada's short spring and summer seasons.
TECH SPECS
- Base price: $67,300
- Engine: 3.7-litre V-6
- Transmission/Drive: Seven-speed automatic/rear-wheel drive with optional paddle shifters; six-speed manual RWD
- Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 13.6 city; 9.3 highway (manual transmission, as tested)
- Alternatives: BMW 3 or 4 series hardtop convertible; Lexus IS hardtop convertible; Mercedes Benz SLK class
RATINGS
- Looks: The Q60 is a clean, compact package with sporty hips that widen out nicely in the back end. But overall its lines could be sharper to hint at the devilish capability this drop-top truly has.
- Interior: Clean and sleek. Our tester had a pebble-coloured leather interior that was refreshing to slide into. This ride loses points, though, for hanging on to the old-timey clock – watch face style – embedded smack in the middle of its otherwise mod, brushed aluminum dash.
- Technology: While it wasn’t overloaded with technology, Intelligent Cruise Control was a nice feature on the highway; the back-up camera has a pleasing angle and good, functional clarity.
- Performance: Roar. This metric is right in the Q60’s wheelhouse. With 325 horsepower, there was never any trouble urging this car forward, whether just off the line or asking for more juice to weave through highway traffic.
- Cargo:
- Nothing goes in the trunk while the roof is retracted. In fact, if you even think you might want to drop the top, there’s no point in stowing anything in the trunk because you’ll have to get out to move it.
The Verdict
7.5
A fun, satisfying ride if you have space in your driveway – and a budget – for three cars.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Add us to your circles
Sign up for our weekly newsletter