Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2018 Audi A3 Sedan

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 A3 Sedan 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 A3 Sedan 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 offers optional Infiniti Connection, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The A3 Sedan doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Q50 and the A3 Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Infiniti Q50 is safer than the Audi A3 Sedan:

	Q50	A3 Sedan
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	24%	45%
Neck Stress	223 lbs.	427 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	143 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	185/312 lbs.	461/426 lbs.

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

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 Audi A3 Sedan:

	Q50	A3 Sedan
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	79	172
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	196	277
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	415 lbs.	777 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	190	333
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	634 lbs.	666 lbs.

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

Warranty

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 A3 Sedan’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the Q50 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A3 Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A3 Sedan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2017 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 23rd in initial quality. With 8 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 26th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 13th.

Engine

The Q50 has more powerful engines than the A3 Sedan:

	Horsepower	Torque
Q50 2.0t 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.	208 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
Q50 3.0t 3.0 turbo V6	300 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
Q50 Hybrid 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid	360 HP
Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 turbo V6	400 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
A3 Sedan 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.	186 HP	221 lbs.-ft.
A3 Sedan 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.	220 HP	258 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Motor Trend the Q50 Hybrid 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid is faster than the Audi A3 Sedan 2.0:

	Q50	A3 Sedan
Zero to 60 MPH	4.9 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.6 sec	14.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	103.6 MPH	98.3 MPH

As tested in Car and Driver the Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Audi A3 Sedan 2.0:

	Q50	A3 Sedan
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	5.4 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	10.5 sec	14 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	13 sec	14 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	112 MPH	100 MPH
Top Speed	153 MPH	153 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q50 Hybrid AWD gets better fuel mileage than the A3 Sedan 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. (220 HP) Quattro SMG (26 city/30 hwy vs. 24 city/31 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the Q50 Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The A3 Sedan 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 A3 Sedan doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Q50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 Sedan FWD’s standard fuel tank (17.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 5.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 Sedan Quattro’s standard fuel tank (20 vs. 14.5 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A3 Sedan:

	Q50	Q50 Sport	A3 Sedan
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	14 inches	12.3 inches
Rear Rotors	12.1 inches	13.8 inches	10.7 inches

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 A3 Sedan are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the A3 Sedan:

	Q50	A3 Sedan
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	121 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A3 Sedan (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 235/35R19).

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 A3 Sedan doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

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 A3 Sedan’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 A3 Sedan doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 8.4 inches longer than on the A3 Sedan (112.2 inches vs. 103.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Q50 is 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A3 Sedan.

The Q50 handles at .90 G’s, while the A3 Sedan Premium Quattro pulls only .87 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the A3 Sedan Premium Quattro (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 25.9 seconds @ .76 average G’s).

Chassis

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 A3 Sedan doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the Q50 is rated a Mid-size car by the EPA, while the A3 Sedan is rated a Subcompact.

The Q50 has 15.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A3 Sedan (101.5 vs. 86).

The Q50 has 3.7 inches more front headroom, 3.3 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more front shoulder room, 1.4 inches more rear headroom and 3.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the A3 Sedan.

Cargo Capacity

The Q50 has a larger trunk than the A3 Sedan (13.2 vs. 12.3 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Q50 offers cargo security. The A3 Sedan’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Q50 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the A3 Sedan. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 5% lower rating, Audi is ranked third.

Ergonomics

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 A3 Sedan doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When two different drivers share the Q50 (except 2.0t), the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The A3 Sedan doesn’t offer a memory 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 A3 Sedan doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Audi A3 Sedan’s available Audi Advanced Key doesn’t unlock the trunk.

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 A3 Sedan 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 A3 Sedan’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 A3 Sedan doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Economic Advantages

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 A3 Sedan 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 A3 Sedan because it costs $295 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Q50 than the A3 Sedan, including $10 less for an alternator, $21 less for front brake pads and $121 less for front struts.

Recommendations

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Audi A3/S3 by 73% during 2017.

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