Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2018 Genesis G80

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 G80 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 G80 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 G80 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 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 Genesis G80:

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

As tested in Motor Trend the Q50 Hybrid 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid is faster than the G80 5.0 DOHC V8:

On the EPA test cycle the Q50 Hybrid gets better fuel mileage than the G80:

On the EPA test cycle the Q50 gets better fuel mileage than the G80:

Regenerative brakes improve the Q50 Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The G80 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 G80 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Q50’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the G80 3.8 are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the G80:

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 G80 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 G80 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Q50 handles at .95 G’s, while the G80 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the G80 5.0 (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.7 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

The Infiniti Q50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 550 pounds less than the Genesis G80.

The Q50 is 6.9 inches shorter than the G80, making the Q50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q50 Hybrid uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The G80 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Q50’s optional rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The G80 doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

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 G80 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the Q50’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the G80’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

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 G80 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Genesis G80 (Genesis) by 39% during the 2016 model year.