Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2022 Infiniti Q50

The Passat has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Q50 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.

Both the Passat and the Q50 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Infiniti Q50:

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

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 Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Infiniti Q50:

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

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Passat the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 205 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Q50 has not been fully tested, yet.

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Passat for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Infiniti doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Q50.

There are over 3 times as many Volkswagen dealers as there are Infiniti dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Passat’s warranty.

The Volkswagen Passat’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Q50’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better mileage than the Q50:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Volkswagen Passat uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Q50 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Passat higher (7 out of 10) than the Infiniti Q50 (3). This means the Passat produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q50 every 15,000 miles.

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the Q50 (235/45R18 vs. 225/50R18).

The Passat’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q50 Luxe’s standard 50 series tires.

The Passat has a standard 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 Q50; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Passat is 1.2 inches wider in the front than the average track on the Q50.

For better maneuverability, the Passat’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the Q50’s (36.4 feet vs. 36.7 feet). The Passat’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Q50 AWD’s (36.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The Volkswagen Passat may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 650 pounds less than the Infiniti Q50.

The Passat has .2 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Q50.

The Passat has a much larger trunk than the Q50 (15.9 vs. 13.5 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Passat Limited’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Q50 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Passat has a maintenance free battery for long life without checking the battery’s water level. The Q50 doesn’t have a maintenance free battery, so the water level in the battery’s cells must be checked often to prevent damage.

The power windows standard on both the Passat and the Q50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Passat is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Q50 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Passat to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q50 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the Passat and the Q50 have standard heated front seats. The Passat Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Q50.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Passat is less expensive to operate than the Q50 because typical repairs cost much less on the Passat than the Q50, including $160 less for fuel injection, $14 less for a fuel pump, $163 less for front struts and $787 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Passat and the Infiniti Q50, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Volkswagen Passat outsold the Infiniti Q50 by 57% during the 2021 model year.