Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2017 Volkswagen CC

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 CC doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests front crash prevention systems. With a score of 6 points, IIHS rates the Forward Emergency Braking optional in the Q50 as “Superior.” The CC scores zero, and is rated by the IIHS as having no effective frontal crash prevention.

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 CC 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 CC 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 CC 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.

The Q50 (except Pure)’s optional blind spot warning system uses digital cameras monitored by computer to alert the driver to moving objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. The CC doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing safer, the Q50 (except Pure)’s optional cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The CC doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Q50 and the CC 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 and available lane departure warning systems.

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 CC’s 3-year/36,000 mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 24,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the Q50 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Volkswagen covers the CC. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CC ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Q50 has a standard 150-amp alternator (170-amp - Q50 Red Sport 400). The CC’s 140-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 13th in reliability, above the industry average. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2017 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 14 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Q50 2.0t’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 8 more horsepower (208 vs. 200) and 51 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 207) than the CC’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The Q50 3.0t’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 100 more horsepower (300 vs. 200) and 88 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 207) than the CC’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The Q50 Hybrid’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 160 more horsepower (360 vs. 200) than the CC’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 200 more horsepower (400 vs. 200) and 143 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 207) than the CC’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.

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

As tested in Car and Driver the Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the CC 2.0T:

On the EPA test cycle the Q50 Hybrid RWD gets better fuel mileage than the CC SMG (27 city/32 hwy vs. 22 city/31 hwy).

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

The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the CC (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 CC.

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

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 CC are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the CC:

For better traction, the Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CC (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 235/45R17).

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 CC R-Line’s 40 series tires.

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

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 CC’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 CC doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 5.5 inches longer than on the CC (112.2 inches vs. 106.7 inches).

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

The Q50 handles at .95 G’s, while the CC 2.0T Sport pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the CC 4Motion (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27.1 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the CC’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

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 CC doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

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

The Q50 has 7.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CC (101.5 vs. 93.6).

The Q50 has 2.8 inches more front headroom, 2.9 inches more front legroom, .7 inches more front shoulder room, .9 inches more rear headroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the CC.

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

The Q50 3.0t offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The CC doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 CC doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 CC 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 CC’s headlights, which were rated “Poor” to “Fair” (depending on model and options).

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 CC doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

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 CC’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 CC 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 CC doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

With standard voice command, the Q50 offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The CC doesn’t offer a voice control system.

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Volkswagen CC by over five to one during the 2016 model year.