Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2018 BMW 330e

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 330e 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 330e 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 330e 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 330e doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

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 330e doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Q50 and the 330e 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 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 330e’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 330e. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the 330e 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 3.0t’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 52 more horsepower (300 vs. 248) than the 330e’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. hybrid. The Q50 Hybrid’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 112 more horsepower (360 vs. 248) than the 330e’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. hybrid. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 152 more horsepower (400 vs. 248) and 40 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 310) than the 330e’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the BMW 330e:

The Q50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 7 gallons more fuel capacity than the 330e (17.8 vs. 10.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 9.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 330e (20 vs. 10.8 gallons).

For better stopping power the Q50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 330e:

The Q50 stops much shorter than the 330e:

For better traction, the Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 330e (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:255/40R18).

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 330e’s optional 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q50 offers optional 19-inch wheels. The 330e’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

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 330e doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 1.6 inches longer than on the 330e (112.2 inches vs. 110.6 inches).

The Q50 handles at .95 G’s, while the 330e pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Infiniti Q50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the BMW 330e.

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 330e 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 330e is rated a Compact.

The Q50 has 5.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 330e (101.5 vs. 96.2).

The Q50 has 2.5 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the 330e.

The Q50 has a much larger trunk than the 330e (13.2 vs. 10.8 cubic feet).

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 330e 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 330e 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 330e doesn’t offer extendable visors.