Both the Q50 and the S90 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, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and available all wheel drive.
Compare the2023 Infiniti Q50VS 2023 Volvo S90
Safety
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 S90’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 Volvo covers the S90. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the S90 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.
Reliability
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 61 points higher than the S90.
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 Volvo vehicles. With 52 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Infiniti higher than Volvo.
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 Volvo With 28 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Infiniti higher than Volvo.
From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 7 places higher in reliability than Volvo.
Engine
The Q50’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 5 more horsepower (300 vs. 295) than the S90 B6’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid.
As tested in Consumer Reports the Infiniti Q50 3.0 is faster than the S90 B6 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder:
|
Q50 |
S90 |
Zero to 30 MPH |
2.4 sec |
2.9 sec |
Zero to 60 MPH |
5.7 sec |
7.2 sec |
45 to 65 MPH Passing |
4.2 sec |
4.7 sec |
Quarter Mile |
14.2 sec |
15.4 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
103 MPH |
98 MPH |
Fuel Economy and Range
The Q50 has 4.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the S90 (20 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.
Brakes and Stopping
For better stopping power the Q50 Red Sport 400’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the S90:
|
Q50 Red Sport 400 |
S90 |
Front Rotors |
14 inches |
13.6 inches |
Rear Rotors |
13.8 inches |
12.6 inches |
The Q50 stops shorter than the S90:
|
Q50 |
S90 |
|
60 to 0 MPH |
126 feet |
130 feet |
Consumer Reports |
60 to 0 MPH (Wet) |
131 feet |
142 feet |
Consumer Reports |
Tires and Wheels
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 S90 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 S90 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.
Suspension and Handling
The front and rear suspension of the Q50 uses coil springs for better ride, handling and control than the S90, which uses transverse leafs springs in the rear. Coil springs compress more progressively and offer more suspension travel for a smoother ride with less bottoming out.
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 S90 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.
For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the S90’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The Q50 AWD’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the S90’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).
Chassis
The Infiniti Q50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 700 pounds less than the Volvo S90.
The Q50 is 10.5 inches shorter than the S90, making the Q50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
The design of the Infiniti Q50 amounts to more than styling. The Q50 offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .26 to .29 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the S90 (.28 to .33) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Q50 get better fuel mileage.
Passenger Space
The Q50 has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the S90.
Cargo Capacity
The Q50’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The S90 Luxury Package doesn’t offer folding rear seats.
Servicing Ease
The engine in the Q50 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the S90. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.
A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Q50 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and tire rotation based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Volvo doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the S90.
J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 9th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With an 8% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 12th.
Ergonomics
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 S90 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.
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 S90 doesn’t offer extendable visors.
Model Availability
The Q50 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S90 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.
Recommendations
Consumer Reports® recommends the Infiniti Q50, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Volvo S90 isn't recommended.
The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Volvo 90 Series by almost four to one during the 2022 model year.