Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2017 Hyundai Azera

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 Azera doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Q50 (except Pure) offers optional Forward Emergency Braking, which use forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The Azera has a collision warning system without the crash-mitigating brake feature that could reduce stopping distances.

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

Both the Q50 and the Azera 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 lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2016 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 13th in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 19th.

The Q50 3.0t’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 7 more horsepower (300 vs. 293) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 255) than the Azera’s 3.3 DOHC V6. The Q50 Hybrid’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 67 more horsepower (360 vs. 293) than the Azera’s 3.3 DOHC V6. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 107 more horsepower (400 vs. 293) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 255) than the Azera’s 3.3 DOHC V6.

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

On the EPA test cycle the Q50 Hybrid RWD gets better fuel mileage than the Azera (27 city/32 hwy vs. 20 city/28 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Q50 2.0t RWD gets better fuel mileage than the Azera (23 city/30 hwy vs. 20 city/28 hwy).

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

The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Azera (20 vs. 18.5 gallons).

A seven-speed automatic is standard on the Infiniti Q50, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Azera.

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

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 Azera are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the Azera:

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 Azera Limited’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 Azera 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 Azera’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 Azera doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Q50’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the Azera’s (59% to 41%). This gives the Q50 more stable handling and braking.

The Q50 handles at .95 G’s, while the Azera pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.4 seconds quicker than the Azera (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Q50 is 4.1 inches shorter than the Azera, 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 Azera doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Q50 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and tire rotation based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Hyundai doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Azera.

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 Azera’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or 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 Azera can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Azera’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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

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 Azera doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the Q50 with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Azera’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Azera 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 Azera doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Q50 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q50 will retain 37.69% to 40.56% of its original price after five years, while the Azera only retains 32.88% to 34.09%.

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Hyundai Azera by over nine to one during the 2016 model year.