Compare the2022 Infiniti Q50VS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

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 C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q50 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the C-Class Sedan.

Both the Q50 and the C-Class Sedan 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and available all-wheel drive.

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 Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

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

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

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

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Q50’s reliability 19 points higher than the C-Class Sedan.

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’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 45 more horsepower (300 vs. 255) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 145 more horsepower (400 vs. 255) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

The Q50 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the C-Class Sedan (20 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

For better traction, the Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q50 Luxe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the C-Class Sedan.

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 C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan.

The Q50 offers an available 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 C-Class Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

To almost totally eliminate engine vibration in the passenger area, the Q50 has liquid-filled engine mounts. The liquid helps further dampen engine harshness. The C-Class Sedan uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

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

The Q50 has 10 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (100 vs. 90).

The Q50 has 2.4 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the C-Class Sedan.

The Q50 has a larger trunk than the C-Class Sedan (13.5 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

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.

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 C-Class Sedan.

Insurance will cost less for the Q50 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Q50 with a number “1” insurance rate while the C-Class Sedan is rated higher at a number “3” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q50 is less expensive to operate than the C-Class Sedan because it costs $409 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q50 than the C-Class Sedan, including $421 less for a water pump, $337 less for a muffler, $28 less for front brake pads, $48 less for a starter and $366 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Infiniti Q50 and the Mercedes C-Class Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.