Infiniti, the premium arm of Nissan, make cars whose faces will probably provoke a range of opinions but indifference is unlikely to be one of them.

The Q50 Sport Tech, which I drove recently, is currently the manufacturer’s smallest model - at least until the Q30 goes on sale this year - and, like others in the line-up, its front end is dominated by a huge, double-arc grille flanked by Infinti’s sweeping signature LED headlamp assemblies that wrap around the wings.

It’s impossible to ignore, imposing, and very much a matter of taste.

The rear three-quarter view is probably the most aesthetically pleasing. There’s a definite sporting character to its styling with a swooping roofline and raised rear haunches. Twin chrome exhausts complete the picture.

The Q50’s design has been led by aerodynamics and its shape directs the flow of air over, under and around the car to generate zero-lift.

From a position that can best be summed up as ‘meh!’, I have grown to love the Q50 but that’s only after a week with the car. It’s a car that grows on you, slowly revealing its strengths, and weaknesses, over time until you begin to look at it in a new, more appreciative, light.

It’s very different to anything else on the road with, perhaps, only Lexus providing any competition in the looks department but it can’t match the Q50 in the rarity stakes.

In many ways Infiniti is one of Japan’s best kept secrets. The brand is more than a quarter-of-a-century old but has only been on sale in Europe, officially at least, for the past seven years.

Its rarity means that while the Q50’s striking looks are enough to get it noticed, if not instantly admired, a significant number of people will have little idea about its identity and, with a paltry 12 dealerships spread across the UK, it’s likely to remain that way for a while yet.

Under the bonnet of my test car was a 2.2-litre diesel engine sourced from Mercedes. It proved reasonably quiet, with very little resonance through the cabin, even on start-up and, indeed, at cruising speeds there’s little more than a muted hum.

Infiniti have, in fact, done a commendable job of insulating the cabin, and consequently its occupants, from most sources of irritating and unwanted noises. There’s little wind or tyre roar to speak of which means that, if you did want to speak of it, you could without resorting to raising your voice.

The leather seats are exceptionally comfortable and supportive. I would argue that they are probably among the best front seats I’ve had the good fortune to park my derriere in. They are, of course, fully adjustable and, in combination with the steering wheel which adjusts for reach and rake, ensure that it’s quick and easy to find the perfect driving position.

I love technology, although I sometimes struggle to see the benefits of touchscreens in cars simply because, unlike physical buttons, you have to take your eyes off the road to operate them. You’d imagine then, that I would be none-too-happy to discover that the Q50 has not one, but two, touchscreens stacked vertically in the centre console.

Well you'd be wrong.

The uppermost screen is your sat nav and, while you can use it to make changes to your route and other settings, most of the time you’ll be accessing basic car functions via the lower of the two displays.

I still think touchscreens are, for the most part, impractical but I like the way Infiniti have tried to do something a little different and it does give the dashboard a futuristic edge.

There’s some rather innovative technology included in the Q50, such as Infiniti Intuition, which adjust the car’s settings to your own personal preferences - such as seat position, climate and audio - as you approach the vehicle via its link with the Intelligent Key.

There is also Infiniti InTouch, which lets you connect to the Q50 using your smartphone and the dual touchscreens. It puts your contacts, emails and a selection of your favourite apps at your fingertips from the comfort of the driver’s seat. Infiniti include a suite of InTouch apps which are free for the first year.

The fit and finish is first class and there is evidence of some excellent attention to detail, such as the leather-trimmed magnesium gear paddles on the steering column. All the switches, stalks and buttons are tactile and have been imbued with a pleasing action.

There’s ample head and legroom in the front but things can get a little tight in the back where taller people will find their heads pressed against the rakish roof. Legroom can be a little bit limited if those same tall people somehow find their way into the front and move the seats back.

On the move you’ll find progress is mostly serene and untroubled. The springs are soft enough to shield passengers from bumps, lumps and potholes while there’s enough damping to ensure that those same uneven surfaces don’t leave the Q50 wallowing uncomfortably.

One of the most intriguing technologies installed in the Q50 Sport is the drive-by-wire steering which removes the physical connection between the wheel in your hands and the wheels on the road. Infiniti refer to it as Direct Adaptive Steering and claim that it has allowed them to eliminate friction and kickback while allowing both the weight and responsiveness to be calibrated by the driver.

Under normal driving conditions there’s very little to give the game away, it feels very much like a normal mechanical set-up and its adaptability is a boon driving through built-up areas but there’s a definite air of detachment if you’re keen on pressing on. There’s grip there, although you do arrive at the limits of adhesion a little too rapidly compared to the very best in this class, but the vagueness at your fingertips means that you’re unlikely to discover the confidence to push things that far.

One anomaly I did encounter is when I hit a pothole and, peculiarly, the steering became misaligned and started pulling slightly to the right. It did, after 30 seconds or so, reset itself but it is something that wouldn’t have happened with a traditional steering mechanism.

If you’re in the market for a premium saloon and are trying to steer clear of the more obvious choices then the Infiniti makes a strong argument as a 3-Series or C-Class alternative. The styling provides an antidote to the usual fare that crowds our roads and it offers levels of comfort that easily rival the big sellers in this segment.

It’s all too easy to get hung up on the uninvolving handling and vague steering but few drivers ever really test the limits of their cars so it becomes rather a moot point.

The Infiniti Q50, in diesel form at least, is competitive, well-equipped and technologically innovative. It also possesses something that its Teutonic rivals have long since surrendered, exclusivity.

If that’s what you’re hankering after, perhaps it’s time to join the Q.

Infiniti Q50 2.2D Sport Tech

Price: £39,870

As tested: £41,410

Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cylinder diesel

Transmission: 7-speed automatic

Power: 168bhp

Torque: 295lbft @1,600rpm

Maximum speed: 143mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 8.5sec

Urban: 47.1mpg

Extra urban: 67.3mpg

Combined: 57.7mpg

Emissions (CO2): 57.7g/km

For more information about Infiniti cars visit www.infiniti.co.uk