Consumer Reports pans Lexus IS 250, Infiniti Q50

Consumer Reports says the heavily advertised 2014 Lexus IS 250 and technology-laden Infiniti Q50 are among the worst expensive sport sedans.

That means they'll drop off the lists of the many shoppers who closely follow the magazine's ratings in their search for a vehicle.

Lexus IS 250:

Though the IS 250 was ranked "good" overall, it had "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 says.

The publication chose to test the IS 250 rather than its sportier sibling, the IS 350, because it is the version most people buy. Lexus says about 80% of buyers go for the less expensive 250, which has a smaller, more economical engine.

ANOTHER VIEW: USA TODAY Test Drive calls IS 350 a strong performer

CR says it "found the Lexus IS 250 is neither sporty nor luxurious."

Optional, weight-adding, all-wheel-drive and the modest, 204-horsepower of the Consumer Reports test car meant that "acceleration lacks punch," while gas mileage was "disappointing at 21 mpg overall in CR's own tests"

CR also criticized IS 250's handling and ride as "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."

It found the car cramped. "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."

And it did not like the console-mounted controller for the infotainment screen: "In addition, the IS 250's controls now include the fussy, distracting mouse-like controller found in other Lexus models."

Inifiniti's redesigned 2014 Q50 sedan went on sale in the U.S. since July at a slightly lower price than the outgoing model. It is the new version of the current G37 and is the first Infiniti renamed in the move to all Q (car) and QX (crossover) names.  Infiniti WieckFullscreen In addition to the gasoline model, the Q50 will offer this Sport Hybrid model, a hybrid designed for performance and sportiness, but still is expected to be rated 36 mpg on the highway.  Infinti WieckFullscreen The Q50 has three new Infiniti tehcnologies: an adaptive steering system with electronic control, a camera-based active lane control system and a predictive forward collision warning system that senses the relative velocity and distance the vehicle ahead -- and also the vehicle ahead of that one.  Infinti WieckFullscreen The Inifiniti Q50's interior features upscale design and materials.  InfinitiFullscreen The Q50's interior includes a version of the "zero gravity" seats first used in the redesigned 2013 Nissan Altima -- seats developed using NASA research into the neutral posture the body adopts in a zero gravity environment.  Infiniti WieckFullscreen The Q50 will have the first application of "InTouch," Infiniti's next-generation communications technology with dual touch-screens.  InfinitiFullscreen The new Q50 offers a 3.7-liter, 328-hp. V6 with rear- and all-wheel drive and a 302-hp., 3.5-liter hybrid. With its 67-hp electric motor, the performance=oriented hybrid system's net horsepower is 360.  Infinti WieckFullscreen The Q50 sport sedan offers 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space.  Infinti WieckFullscreen The distinctive front light pod includes LED headlights as well as LED running lights.  Infinti WieckFullscreen The rear LED combination lights on the new Q50.  Infiniti WieckFullscreen The Q50 went on sale first in the U.S. and is being rolled out for global markets.  Infiniti WieckFullscreen While the 2014 Q50 was aimed to be the redesign of the 2013 G37 shown here and replace it in the lineup, Infiniti has decided to cut the price and keep making and selling the G sedan, too, to compete with cheaper entry level models from rivals such as BMW.  Infiniti WieckFullscreenLike this topic? You may also like these photo galleries:ReplayAutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext Slide

Infiniti Q50:

The Q50 replaces the G37 in the brand's line, as Infiniti shifts all its models to "Q" names.

While CR rated the car "very good," and was "very quick, even with the added weight of the optional all-wheel-drive system," the magazine says, the Q50 "has taken a step back from its excellent predecessor," and ranked near the bottom among its premium sports sedan rivals.

"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 CR's automotive testing.

CR says: "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.'

Infiniti has promoted the car's high-tech luxury, but CR ! found "it! s new InTouch dual-screen controls are slow to respond, and interior quality is nothing special."

Even if the cars had scored better, they could not have made CR's "recommended" list because they are too new to have the required average or better reliability in CR's annual reader ownership surveys, in addition to doing well in CR's tests and getting good scores in government and industry crash tests.