Compare the2022 BMW 8 SeriesVS 2021 Infiniti Q60

The BMW 8 Series has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q60 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The 8 Series has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Q60 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The 8 Series’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q60 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Compared to metal, the 8 Series’ plastic fuel tank can withstand harder, more intrusive impacts without leaking; this decreases the possibility of fire. The Infiniti Q60 has a metal gas tank.

Both the 8 Series and the Q60 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The 8 Series’ corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Q60’s (12 vs. 7 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Infiniti doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Q60.

There are over 71 percent more BMW dealers than there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 8 Series’ warranty.

The battery on the 8 Series is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 8 Series’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Q60’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 8 Series first among large premium cars in their 2020 Initial Quality Study. The Q60 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Infiniti vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Infiniti is ranked 23rd.

The 840i’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 35 more horsepower (335 vs. 300) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 295) than the Q60 3.0t’s standard 3.0 turbo V6. The 840i’s 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 18 lbs.-ft. more torque (368 vs. 350) than the Q60 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6. The M850i’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 123 more horsepower (523 vs. 400) and 203 lbs.-ft. more torque (553 vs. 350) than the Q60 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the M850i 4.4 turbo V8 is faster than the Q60 Red Sport 400:

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the Q60:

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Convertible gets better fuel mileage than the Q60:

Regenerative brakes improve the 8 Series’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Q60 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the 8 Series’ 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. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Q60 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the BMW 8 Series, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q60.

The 8 Series’ launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Q60 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 8 Series’ brake rotors are larger than those on the Q60:

The 8 Series stops shorter than the Q60:

For better traction and acceleration, the 8 Series has larger rear tires than the Q60 (275/30R20 vs. 255/40R19).

The 8 Series’ standard 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q60’s standard 40 series tires.

The 8 Series has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Q60’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The 8 Series M850i has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Q60 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The M850i offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Infiniti doesn’t offer an active suspension on the Q60.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 8 Series is 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Q60.

The M850i xDrive Coupe handles at .98 G’s, while the Q60 Red Sport 400 AWD pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M850i xDrive Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the Q60 Red Sport 400 (24 seconds @ .84 average G’s vs. 25.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s).

The front grille of the 8 Series uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Q60 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The 8 Series Coupe has 1 inch more front headroom and 2.6 inches more front shoulder room than the Q60.

The 8 Series Coupe has a much larger trunk than the Q60 (14.8 vs. 8.7 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the 8 Series’ rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q60 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

The 8 Series’ standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Q60’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 8 Series’ power trunk can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Q60 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Q60 (except Pure), the 8 Series has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The 8 Series’ standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Q60 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The 8 Series has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Q60 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 8 Series’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Q60’s parking brake has to released manually.

Comfort Access standard on the 8 Series allows you to unlock the driver’s door, trunk and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading groceries, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Infiniti Q60’s Infiniti Intelligent Key doesn’t unlock the trunk.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the 8 Series keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Q60 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The 8 Series has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Q60 Luxe/Red Sport 400.

Both the 8 Series and the Q60 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 8 Series has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Q60 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Infiniti Q60 isn’t available as a convertible or sedan.