Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2018 Lexus ES Series

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 ES Series 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 ES Series 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 ES Series 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.

Both the Q50 and the ES Series 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, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

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 Lexus ES Series:

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

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 ES Series’ 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the ES Series’ (7 vs. 6 years).

The Q50 has more powerful engines than the ES Series:

As tested in Consumer Reports the Q50 3.0t 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6:

On the EPA test cycle the Q50 2.0t RWD gets better fuel mileage than the ES 350 (23 city/30 hwy vs. 21 city/30 hwy).

The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 2.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES Series (20 vs. 17.2 gallons).

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

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 ES Series are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the ES Series:

For better traction, the Q50 has larger standard tires than the ES Series (225/55R17 vs. 215/55R17). The Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES Series (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 225/45R18).

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 ES Series’ optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q50 offers optional 19-inch wheels. The ES Series’ largest wheels are only 18-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 ES Series 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 ES Series’ suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Q50 has vehicle speed-sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The ES Series doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

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 ES Series doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the ES Series (112.2 inches vs. 111 inches).

The Q50’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the ES Series’ (59% to 41%). This gives the Q50 more stable handling and braking.

The Q50 handles at .95 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3 seconds quicker than the ES 350 (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 28.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the ES Series’ (36.7 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Q50 is 3.7 inches shorter than the ES Series, 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 ES Series uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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 ES Series doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Q50 has 2.7 inches more front headroom, 2.6 inches more front legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES Series.

The Q50’s optional rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES Series 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 ES Series. 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 Lexus. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 5% lower rating, Lexus is ranked third.

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 ES Series doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Q50’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The ES Series’ power mirror controls are on the dash, hidden behind the steering wheel, where they are awkward to manipulate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q50 is less expensive to operate than the ES Series because typical repairs cost much less on the Q50 than the ES Series, including $33 less for a starter, $19 less for fuel injection, $310 less for front struts and $494 less for a timing belt/chain.