Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid

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 Accord Hybrid 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 Accord Hybrid 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 Accord Hybrid 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 Accord Hybrid 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.

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 Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Q50 and the Accord Hybrid 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 and blind spot 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 Accord Hybrid’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 Honda covers the Accord Hybrid. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Accord Hybrid ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Accord Hybrid’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 Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 2 places higher in reliability than Honda.

The Q50 3.0t’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 88 more horsepower (300 vs. 212) than the Accord Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl. hybrid. The Q50 Hybrid’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 148 more horsepower (360 vs. 212) than the Accord Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl. hybrid. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 188 more horsepower (400 vs. 212) than the Accord Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl. hybrid.

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

As tested in Car and Driver the Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Honda Accord Hybrid 2.0:

The Q50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord Hybrid (17.8 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord Hybrid (20 vs. 15.8 gallons).

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

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 Accord Hybrid are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the Accord Hybrid:

For better traction, the Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Accord Hybrid (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 225/50R17).

The Q50 Red Sport 400’s 245/40R19 front and 265/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Accord Hybrid’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q50 offers optional 19-inch wheels. The Accord Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 17-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 Accord Hybrid 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 Accord Hybrid’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 Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Accord Hybrid (112.2 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

The Q50’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the Accord Hybrid’s (59.5% to 40.5%). This gives the Q50 more stable handling and braking.

The Q50 handles at .95 G’s, while the Accord Hybrid Touring pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.5 seconds quicker than the Accord Hybrid Touring (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is 1.5 feet tighter than the Accord Hybrid’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The Q50 AWD’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the Accord Hybrid’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.2 feet).

The Q50 is 4.5 inches shorter than the Accord Hybrid, making the Q50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Accord Hybrid uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Q50 has 1.1 inches more front headroom and 2 inches more front legroom than the Accord Hybrid.

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

The Q50’s optional rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The Q50 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Accord Hybrid 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 Accord Hybrid. 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 Accord Hybrid 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 Accord Hybrid’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 Accord Hybrid’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Accord Hybrid 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 Accord Hybrid’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 Accord Hybrid offers 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 Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.