Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2018 Buick LaCrosse

The Q50 (except )’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The LaCrosse 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 LaCrosse doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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 LaCrosse only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Q50 and the LaCrosse 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 all-wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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 LaCrosse’s 4-year/50,000 mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the LaCrosse’s (7 vs. 6 years).

The Q50 has more powerful engines than the LaCrosse:

As tested in Motor Trend the Q50 Hybrid 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid is faster than the Buick LaCrosse V6:

As tested in Car and Driver the Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Buick LaCrosse 3.6:

On the EPA test cycle the Q50 gets better fuel mileage than the LaCrosse:

The Q50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the LaCrosse FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.8 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the LaCrosse AWD’s standard fuel tank (20 vs. 16.2 gallons).

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

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 LaCrosse are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the LaCrosse:

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 LaCrosse Essence/Premium’s optional 40 series tires.

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 LaCrosse doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 LaCrosse doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

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

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the LaCrosse Premium (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.8 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the LaCrosse’s (36.7 feet vs. 38 feet). The Q50 AWD’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the LaCrosse’s (37.4 feet vs. 38 feet).

The Q50 is 7.9 inches shorter than the LaCrosse, making the Q50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q50 has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 2.5 inches more front legroom and .3 inches more rear headroom than the LaCrosse.

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 LaCrosse’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Q50. The LaCrosse doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

The engine in the Q50 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the LaCrosse. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

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

If the windows are left down on the Q50 the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the LaCrosse can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Infiniti Intelligent Key standard on the Q50 allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Buick LaCrosse’s Keyless Access doesn’t unlock the trunk.

The Q50 has a standard locking fuel door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and fuel theft. The LaCrosse doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

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 LaCrosse’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 LaCrosse’s headlights are rated “Poor.”

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 LaCrosse doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

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 LaCrosse is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q50 is less expensive to operate than the LaCrosse because it costs $369 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q50 than the LaCrosse, including $104 less for front brake pads and $215 less for front struts.

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Buick LaCrosse by 48% during the 2016 model year.