Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2018 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

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 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Infiniti Q50 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

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 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Q50 and the 3 Series Gran Turismo have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 around view monitors.

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 3 Series Gran Turismo’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 BMW covers the 3 Series Gran Turismo. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 3 Series Gran Turismo ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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 BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 8th.

The Q50 has more powerful engines than the 3 Series Gran Turismo:

The Q50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 3 Series Gran Turismo (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 3 Series Gran Turismo (20 vs. 15.8 gallons).

For better stopping power the Q50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 3 Series Gran Turismo:

The Q50 stops much shorter than the 3 Series Gran Turismo:

For better traction, the Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 3 Series Gran Turismo (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. F:225/45R19 & R:255/40R19).

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 340i Gran Turismo’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear 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 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Q50 handles at .90 G’s, while the 330i Gran Turismo pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the 330i Gran Turismo (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.6 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is 3.7 feet tighter than the 3 Series Gran Turismo’s (36.7 feet vs. 40.4 feet). The Q50 AWD’s turning circle is 3 feet tighter than the 3 Series Gran Turismo’s (37.4 feet vs. 40.4 feet).

The Infiniti Q50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 350 pounds less than the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo.

The design of the Infiniti Q50 amounts to more than styling. The Q50 offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .26 to .29 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the 3 Series Gran Turismo (.29 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Q50 get better fuel mileage.

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 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Q50 has 2.5 inches more front legroom, 1.5 inches more front shoulder room and 2 inches more rear shoulder room than the 3 Series Gran Turismo.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Q50 offers cargo security. The 3 Series Gran Turismo’s hatchback body style defeats cargo security.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than BMW. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 19% lower rating, BMW is ranked 8th.

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 3 Series Gran Turismo 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 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Q50 has standard extendable sun visors. The 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Q50 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The 3 Series Gran Turismo doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q50 is less expensive to operate than the 3 Series Gran Turismo because it costs $117 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Q50 than the 3 Series Gran Turismo, including $68 less for a water pump, $42 less for an alternator, $73 less for front brake pads, $130 less for a starter and $11 less for fuel injection.