Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2018 Mercedes C 350e

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 C 350e 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 C 350e 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 C 350e doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Q50 and the C 350e 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 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 C 350e’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 Mercedes covers the C 350e. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the C 350e ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the C 350e’s (7 vs. 5 years).

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 Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 15th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 7 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Q50 3.0t’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 25 more horsepower (300 vs. 275) than the C 350e’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. hybrid. The Q50 Hybrid’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 85 more horsepower (360 vs. 275) than the C 350e’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. hybrid. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 125 more horsepower (400 vs. 275) than the C 350e’s 2.0 turbo 4 cyl. hybrid.

The Q50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the C 350e (17.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 6.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the C 350e (20 vs. 13.2 gallons).

For better stopping power the Q50 Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C 350e:

For better traction, the Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C 350e (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. F:225/45R18 & R:245/40R18).

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 C 350e doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Q50 Red Sport 400 RWD offers an optional space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the C 350e; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Infiniti Q50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Mercedes C 350e.

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 C 350e 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 C 350e is rated a Compact.

The Q50 has 11.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C 350e (101.5 vs. 90).

The Q50 has 3.1 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the C 350e.

The Q50 has a much larger trunk than the C 350e (13.2 vs. 11.8 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 8% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 6th.

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 C 350e doesn’t offer extendable visors.