Compare the2023 Infiniti Q50VS 2022 Audi S5 Sportback

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 S5 Sportback doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Q50 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the S5 Sportback’s blind spot costs extra.

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 S5 Sportback.

Both the Q50 and the S5 Sportback 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, 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 S5 Sportback’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 Audi covers the S5 Sportback. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the S5 Sportback ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Q50 has larger alternators than the S5 Sportback:

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 35 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Infiniti higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 4 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Infiniti higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 3 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 51 more horsepower (400 vs. 349) than the S5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6.

The Q50 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the S5 Sportback (20 vs. 15.3 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 S5 Sportback:

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 S5 Sportback 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 S5 Sportback 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 S5 Sportback doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the S5 Sportback’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The Q50 AWD’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the S5 Sportback’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Q50 has 9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S5 Sportback (100 vs. 91).

The Q50 has .1 inches more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the S5 Sportback.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Q50 offers cargo security. The S5 Sportback’s hatchback body style defeats cargo security.

The Q50 offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Q50’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Q50’s power window and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S5 Sportback’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Q50 Red Sport 400 offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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 S5 Sportback.

The Q50 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S5 Sportback doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

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