Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2018 Volvo S90

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 S90 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Q50 and the S90 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 all-wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

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 S90’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 Volvo covers the S90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the S90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2017 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 23rd in initial quality. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 30th.

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 Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 42 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 16 places higher in reliability than Volvo.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Q50 3.0t 3.0 turbo V6 is faster than the S90 T6 2.0 DOHC 4 cyl.:

The Q50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 4.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (17.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q50 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 T5’s standard fuel tank (17.8 vs. 14.5 gallons). The Q50’s standard fuel tank has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 T6’s standard fuel tank (20 vs. 15.9 gallons).

For better stopping power the Q50 Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the S90:

The Q50 stops shorter than the S90:

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 S90 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The front and rear suspension of the Q50 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.

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 S90 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Q50 handles at .95 G’s, while the S90 T6 Momentum pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q50 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the S90 T6 Inscription (25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the S90 18” wheels’ (36.7 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The Q50 AWD’s turning circle is 2.6 feet tighter than the S90 19” wheels’ (37.4 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Q50 is 10.5 inches shorter than the S90, making the Q50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Infiniti Q50 amounts to more than styling. The Q50 offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .26 to .29 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the S90 (.28 to .33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Q50 get better fuel mileage.

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 S90 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Q50 has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the S90.

The engine in the Q50 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Q50 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and tire rotation based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the S90.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti first in service department satisfaction. With a 34% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 14th.

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 S90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Q50’s available headlights were rated “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the S90’s headlights are rated “Marginal” to “Poor.”

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 S90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Volvo 90 Series by almost four to one during 2017.