The 2016 Infiniti Q50S Red Sport AWD gets 22 MPG combined. While it’s not the most fuel-efficient car in its class, its exhilarating performance, dynamic handling, and all-weather capability make it appealing. For buyers who are alright with higher fuel consumption, this car offers spirited driving and everyday practicality.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the Q50S achieves 19 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. Keep in mind that these figures are based on standardized testing. Your actual mileage will vary depending on your driving habits. Expect city MPG to change a lot based on how hard you accelerate and the amount of traffic. You can reach the highway MPG with consistent cruising speeds and a light foot. The seven-speed automatic transmission is designed for both performance and fuel efficiency, but it emphasizes performance in Sport mode. When enjoying the car’s full power, expect your MPG to decrease.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2016 Infiniti Q50S Red Sport AWD is $2,650. This is based on 15,000 miles per year and average national gas prices. Your actual fuel costs will depend on your driving habits, local gas prices, and how much you drive. If you drive aggressively or spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic, you’ll likely spend more than $2,650.

Real-world expectations

Owners report that achieving the EPA’s 22 MPG combined requires effort. In mixed driving, expect anywhere from the high teens to the low twenties potentially reaching the high twenties on longer highway trips. The Q50S Red Sport’s sporty nature encourages fast driving. To improve fuel consumption, avoid fully using the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6’s power.

Using the car’s drive mode selector to choose “Eco” or “Standard” can also reduce the engine’s and transmission’s aggressiveness. However, these modes decrease the car’s responsiveness, which is a key feature for many buyers.

How it compares

Compared to its competitors, you can see how the 2016 Infiniti Q50S Red Sport AWD performs in fuel economy. The BMW 340i xDrive, with its 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, gets around 25 MPG combined, so it is slightly more efficient. The Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG (later C43 AMG), with its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, gets around 23 MPG combined. The Audi S4, featuring a supercharged 3.0-liter V6, gets about 24 MPG combined. Although these differences are small, some buyers care a lot. The Q50S stands out with its price and included standard features, and is worth considering [ all Infiniti fuel economy data]. Buyers of the Q50S Red Sport might accept slightly lower MPG for a performance car at a good price.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Check your tire pressure regularly. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and consume more gas. Keeping your tires at the manufacturer’s recommended pressure is a simple way to improve MPG.

Avoid fast acceleration and hard braking. The Q50S Red Sport’s twin-turbo V6 provides quick power, but rapid acceleration and braking waste gas. Driving smoothly and carefully helps the engine operate efficiently, improving fuel economy. If you want more [ Q50S MPG across all years] results, consider driving style.

Reduce idling. Modern engines use gas even when stopped. If you’ll be stopped for more than a minute, turn off the engine. This habit can save a surprising amount of gas, especially in cities.

Use cruise control on the highway to maintain a consistent speed on long drives, which limits unnecessary acceleration and deceleration. Cruise control lets the engine run steadily, improving MPG compared to manual speed control.

Reduce weight by removing unnecessary items from the trunk and passenger area to lighten the load, particularly if you regularly carry things that aren’t needed.