Compare the2023 Infiniti Q50VS 2022 Mercedes 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 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 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 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 A-Class doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

Both the Q50 and the 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 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 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 A-Class ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the A-Class’ (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 56 points higher than the A-Class.

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 112 more horsepower (300 vs. 188) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 212 more horsepower (400 vs. 188) and 129 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 221) than the A-Class’ 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Infiniti Q50 3.0 is faster than the Mercedes A-Class:

The Q50 has 6.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the A-Class (20 vs. 13.5 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 A-Class:

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 A-Class are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops shorter than the A-Class:

For better traction, the Q50 has larger standard tires than the A-Class (225/50R18 vs. 205/55R17). The Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A-Class (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 225/40R19).

The Q50 Luxe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A-Class’ standard 55 series tires. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s 265/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the A-Class’ optional 40 series tires.

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

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 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 A-Class.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the 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 A-Class is rated a Compact.

The Q50 has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 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 A-Class.

The Q50 has a much larger trunk than the 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 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 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 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Mercedes is ranked 18th.

Consumer Reports rated the Q50’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the A-Class’ headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

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 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 A-Class.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Infiniti Q50, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Mercedes A-Class isn't recommended.

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