Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2018 Nissan Altima

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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

The Q50 (except 2.0t)’s optional lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The Altima doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

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 Altima 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 Altima 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, 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 Nissan Altima:

	Q50	Altima
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	79	98
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.4 inches
Hip Force	320 lbs.	493 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	196	233
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	58 G’s
Hip Force	415 lbs.	677 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	190	197
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	634 lbs.	711 lbs.

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

Warranty

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 Altima’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 24,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the Q50 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Altima. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Altima ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Q50 has a standard 150-amp alternator (170-amp - Q50 Red Sport 400). The Altima’s standard 110-amp alternator and largest (V6) 130-amp alternator aren’t as powerful.

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 Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 10th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 4 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Q50 has more powerful engines than the Altima:

	Horsepower	Torque
Q50 2.0t 2.0 turbo 4 cyl.	208 HP	258 lbs.-ft.
Q50 3.0t 3.0 turbo V6	300 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
Q50 Hybrid 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid	360 HP
Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 turbo V6	400 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
Altima 2.5 DOHC 4 cyl.	179 HP	177 lbs.-ft.
Altima 3.5 DOHC V6	270 HP	251 lbs.-ft.

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

	Q50	Altima
Zero to 30 MPH	2.4 sec	2.9 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	6.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	14.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	103 MPH	101.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima (20 vs. 18 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Q50	Q50 Sport	Altima
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	14 inches	11.7 inches
Rear Rotors	12.1 inches	13.8 inches	11.5 inches

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 Altima are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the Altima:

	Q50	Altima
80 to 0 MPH	223 feet	245 feet	Road and Track
70 to 0 MPH	156 feet	188 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	130 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	131 feet	152 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q50 has larger standard tires than the Altima (225/55R17 vs. 215/60R16). The Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Altima (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 235/45R18).

The Q50’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Altima 2.5 S’ standard 60 series tires. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s 245/40R19 front and 265/35R19 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the Altima 2.5 SR/3.5’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q50 has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima 2.5 S. The Q50’s optional 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Altima 2.5 SR/3.5.

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 Altima doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

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 Altima’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 Altima doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Altima (112.2 inches vs. 109.3 inches).

The Q50’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (53.5% to 46.5%) than the Altima’s (60.1% to 39.9%). This gives the Q50 more stable handling and braking.

The Q50 handles at .95 G’s, while the Altima 2.5 SV pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.7 seconds quicker than the Altima 2.5 SV (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 28.2 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

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

Chassis

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 Altima doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Q50 has .2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear hip room than the Altima.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Q50’s trunk lid uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Altima’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

Servicing Ease

The Q50 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Altima uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Q50 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Altima. 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 Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 52% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 20th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Q50 (except 2.0t), the optional memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Altima doesn’t offer a memory 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 Altima doesn’t offer an easy entry 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 Altima’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Altima’s optional power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

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 Altima’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors available for the Q50 3.0t/Red Sport 400 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Altima doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

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 Altima doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Q50’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Altima and aren’t offered on the Altima Base/S.

When the Q50 with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Altima’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

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 Altima offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Q50 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Altima SV/SL.

Both the Q50 and the Altima offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Q50 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Altima S/SR/SV doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

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