Compare the2022 Infiniti Q50VS 2021 Volkswagen Arteon

The Q50 Red Sport 400’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Arteon doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q50 and the Arteon 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, rear cross-path warning 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 Arteon’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 Volkswagen covers the Arteon. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Arteon ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Q50’s 7 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Arteon runs out after 100,000 miles.

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 36 points higher than the Arteon.

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 Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 21st in initial quality. With 43 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 30th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 23rd in reliability. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volkswagen is ranked 28th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Volkswagen vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 13 places higher in reliability than Volkswagen.

The Q50’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 32 more horsepower (300 vs. 268) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 132 more horsepower (400 vs. 268) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 258) than the Arteon’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Infiniti Q50 3.0 is faster than the Volkswagen Arteon:

The Q50 has 1.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Arteon FWD’s standard fuel tank (20 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q50 has 1.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Arteon AWD’s standard fuel tank (20 vs. 18.3 gallons).

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

The Q50’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Arteon are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops shorter than the Arteon:

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 Arteon 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. The Arteon doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Q50 Sport’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 Arteon doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Arteon’s (36.7 feet vs. 39 feet). The Q50 AWD’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Arteon’s (37.4 feet vs. 39 feet).

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 Arteon uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

The Q50 has 3.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Arteon (100 vs. 96.5).

The Q50 has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 3.3 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Arteon.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Q50 offers cargo security. The Arteon’s hatchback body style and non-lockable folding seat defeat cargo security.

The engine in the Q50 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Arteon. 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 Volkswagen. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti third in service department satisfaction. With a 64% lower rating, Volkswagen is ranked 27th.

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 is only available on the Arteon SEL Premium R-Line.

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

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Volkswagen Arteon by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.