Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2017 Acura ILX

The Q50’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The ILX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Q50 (except Pure) offers optional Back-up Collision Intervention which use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The ILX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Q50 offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The ILX doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Q50 (except Pure) offers an optional Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The ILX only offers a rear monitor.

Both the Q50 and the ILX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Infiniti Q50 weighs 534 to 1094 pounds more than the Acura ILX. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Infiniti Q50 is safer than the Acura ILX:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Q50 comes with a full 4-year/60,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The ILX’s 4-year/50,000 mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the ILX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2017 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Acura vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 4 places higher in reliability than Acura.

The Q50 2.0t’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 7 more horsepower (208 vs. 201) and 78 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 180) than the ILX’s 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. The Q50 3.0t’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 99 more horsepower (300 vs. 201) and 115 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 180) than the ILX’s 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. The Q50 Hybrid’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 159 more horsepower (360 vs. 201) than the ILX’s 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 199 more horsepower (400 vs. 201) and 170 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 180) than the ILX’s 2.4 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Car and Driver the Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Acura ILX:

Regenerative brakes improve the Q50 Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The ILX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Q50 Hybrid/2.0t’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The ILX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Q50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the ILX (17.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 6.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the ILX (20 vs. 13.2 gallons).

For better stopping power the Q50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ILX:

The Q50’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the ILX are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the ILX:

For better traction, the Q50 has larger standard tires than the ILX (225/55R17 vs. 215/45R17). The Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ILX (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 225/40R18).

The Q50 Red Sport 400’s 265/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the ILX A-SPEC’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q50 offers optional 19-inch wheels. The ILX’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Q50 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The ILX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Q50 offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The ILX’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Q50’s optional drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The ILX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 7.1 inches longer than on the ILX (112.2 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Q50 is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the ILX.

The Q50’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the ILX’s (63% to 37%). This gives the Q50 more stable handling and braking.

The Q50 handles at .95 G’s, while the ILX A-SPEC pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Q50 has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The ILX uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the Q50 is rated a Mid-size car by the EPA, while the ILX is rated a Compact.

The Q50 has 12.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the ILX (101.5 vs. 89.3).

The Q50 has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 2.2 inches more front legroom, 2.9 inches more front hip room, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.6 inches more rear headroom, 1.1 inches more rear legroom, .8 inches more rear hip room and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the ILX.

The Q50 has a larger trunk than the ILX (13.2 vs. 12.3 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Q50’s trunk lid uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The ILX’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

The Q50’s optional folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The ILX’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

The Q50 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The ILX uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Q50 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the ILX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The Q50 (except 2.0t)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The ILX doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Q50’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The ILX’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Q50’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The ILX’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Q50’s available headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the ILX’s headlights are rated “Marginal.”

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Q50 3.0t/Red Sport 400 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The ILX doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Q50 Premium/Sport offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The ILX doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Q50 offers optional automatic dimming rear and side view mirrors which automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The ILX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

On extremely cold winter days, the Q50’s optional (except Pure) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The ILX doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the Q50 and the ILX offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Q50 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The ILX doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Insurance will cost less for the Q50 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Q50 with a number “5” insurance rate while the ILX is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q50 is less expensive to operate than the ILX because typical repairs cost less on the Q50 than the ILX, including $136 less for a starter and $12 less for a fuel pump.

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Acura ILX by almost three to one during the 2016 model year.