Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2018 Kia Cadenza

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 Cadenza 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 Cadenza 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 Cadenza doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Q50 and the Cadenza 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, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 2 years and unlimited miles longer than the Cadenza’s (7/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

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 Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked fifth.

The Q50 2.0t’s standard 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. produces 5 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 253) than the Cadenza’s 3.3 DOHC V6. The Q50 3.0t’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 10 more horsepower (300 vs. 290) and 42 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 253) than the Cadenza’s 3.3 DOHC V6. The Q50 Hybrid’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 70 more horsepower (360 vs. 290) than the Cadenza’s 3.3 DOHC V6. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 110 more horsepower (400 vs. 290) and 97 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 253) than the Cadenza’s 3.3 DOHC V6.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Q50 3.0t 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the Kia Cadenza:

On the EPA test cycle the Q50 Hybrid RWD gets better fuel mileage than the Cadenza (27 city/32 hwy vs. 20 city/28 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Q50 2.0t RWD gets better fuel mileage than the Cadenza (23 city/30 hwy vs. 20 city/28 hwy).

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

The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Cadenza (20 vs. 18.5 gallons).

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

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 Cadenza are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the Cadenza:

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 Cadenza Technology/Limited’s 40 series tires.

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 Cadenza 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 Cadenza’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 Cadenza doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Q50 handles at .90 G’s, while the Cadenza Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the Cadenza Limited (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27.6 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

The Q50 is 6.1 inches shorter than the Cadenza, making the Q50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Cadenza doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Q50’s optional rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Cadenza doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

The engine in the Q50 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Cadenza. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 50% lower rating, Kia is ranked 18th.

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 Cadenza doesn’t offer a remote starting 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 Cadenza’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Q50 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Cadenza can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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 Cadenza’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Cadenza doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 Cadenza has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Q50 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q50 will retain 37.69% to 40.56% of its original price after five years, while the Cadenza only retains 32.17% to 36.26%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q50 is less expensive to operate than the Cadenza because it costs $90 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q50 than the Cadenza, including $258 less for an alternator.

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Kia Cadenza by almost six to one during 2017.