Compare the2022 Infiniti Q50VS 2021 Mercedes AMG A-Class

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Infiniti Q50 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Mercedes AMG A-Class doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Q50 has standard Back-up Collision Intervention that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Q50’s standard 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. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the AMG A-Class.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q50’s standard rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Q50 and the AMG A-Class 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and available all-wheel drive.

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

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the AMG A-Class’ (7 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 21st in initial quality. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 9 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 98 more horsepower (400 vs. 302) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 295) than the AMG A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Q50 has 6.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the AMG A-Class (20 vs. 13.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Q50 Red Sport 400’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the AMG A-Class:

For better traction, the Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the AMG A-Class (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 235/40R18).

The Q50 has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard 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. Run-flat tires aren’t available on some tire packages on the AMG A-Class.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the AMG A-Class (112.2 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Q50 a Mid-size car, while the AMG A-Class is rated a Compact.

The Q50 has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the AMG A-Class (100 vs. 93).

The Q50 has 2.7 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the AMG A-Class.

The Q50 has a much larger trunk than the AMG A-Class (13.5 vs. 8.6 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Q50 offers cargo security. The AMG A-Class’ non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

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

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Mercedes. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti third in service department satisfaction. With a 20% 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 AMG A-Class doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Q50 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 costs extra on the AMG A-Class.

The Q50 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The AMG A-Class doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Mercedes A-Class by 41% during the 2021 model year.