Compare the2023 Infiniti Q50VS 2023 Nissan Altima

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Altima doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q50 and the Altima 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning 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 Nissan Altima:

	Q50	Altima
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	79	187
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.4 inches
Hip Force	320 lbs.	511 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	46 G’s
Hip Force	415 lbs.	544 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	42 G’s
Hip Force	634 lbs.	769 lbs.

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

Warranty

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 Altima’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 24,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the Q50 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Nissan covers the Altima. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Altima ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Altima’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

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

	Q50	Altima
Standard Alternator	150 amps	120 amps
Optional Alternator	170 amps	150 amps

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 44 points higher than the Altima.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 2 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Q50 has more powerful engines than the Altima:

	Horsepower	Torque
Q50 3.0 turbo V6	300 HP	295 lbs.-ft.
Q50 Red Sport 400 3.0 turbo V6	400 HP	350 lbs.-ft.
Altima 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	182 HP	178 lbs.-ft.
Altima 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	188 HP	180 lbs.-ft.
Altima SR 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	248 HP	273 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Infiniti Q50 3.0 is faster than the Nissan Altima 4 cyl.:

	Q50	Altima
Zero to 30 MPH	2.4 sec	3.1 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	7.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.2 sec	4.5 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	103 MPH	92 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Q50 has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima AWD’s standard fuel tank (20 vs. 16 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q50 has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Altima FWD’s standard fuel tank (20 vs. 16.2 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Altima:

	Q50	Q50 Red Sport 400	Altima
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	14 inches	11.65 inches
Rear Rotors	12.1 inches	13.8 inches	11.02 inches
Opt Rear Rotors			11.5 inches

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 Altima are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the Altima:

	Q50	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	165 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	131 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q50 has larger standard tires than the Altima (225/50R18 vs. 215/60R16). The Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Altima (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 235/40R19).

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 Altima S’ standard 60 series tires. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s 265/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Altima SR/SL’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q50 Luxe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S.

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 Altima doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

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 Altima’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 Altima doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

The Q50’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.8% to 44.2%) than the Altima’s (59.6% to 40.4%). This gives the Q50 more stable handling and braking.

Chassis

The Q50 is 3.3 inches shorter than the Altima, making the Q50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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 Altima uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Passenger Space

The Q50 has .4 inches more front headroom and .7 inches more front legroom than the Altima.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Q50’s trunk lid uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Altima’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

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

Servicing Ease

The Q50 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Altima uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Q50 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Altima. 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 Nissan. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Nissan is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Q50, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations. The Altima doesn’t offer a memory system.

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

The Q50’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Altima’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Altima SL’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

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

The Q50’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Altima’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

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 Altima doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Q50’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Altima and aren’t offered on the Altima S.

When the Q50 is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Altima’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Q50’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Altima offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Altima SL/SR.

The Q50 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Altima SL/2.0 SR.

Both the Q50 and the Altima offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Q50 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Altima doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q50 is less expensive to operate than the Altima because it costs $73 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Q50 than the Altima, including $5 less for a water pump and $22 less for front brake pads.

Recommendations

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