Compare the2023 Infiniti Q50VS 2023 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

The Q50’s 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. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q50 has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Back-up Collision Intervention automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Mercedes charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Alert on the C-Class Sedan.

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

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the C-Class Sedan’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the Q50 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Infiniti will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the C-Class Sedan.

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 40 points higher than the C-Class Sedan.

The Q50’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 45 more horsepower (300 vs. 255) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 145 more horsepower (400 vs. 255) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 295) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

The Q50 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the C-Class Sedan (20 vs. 17.4 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 C-Class Sedan:

The Q50 stops much shorter than the C-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. F:225/40R19 & R:255/35R19).

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 C-Class Sedan 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 C-Class Sedan.

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 C-Class Sedan’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the C-Class Sedan’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.6 feet). The Q50 AWD’s turning circle is .2 feet tighter than the C-Class Sedan’s (37.4 feet vs. 37.6 feet).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Q50 a Mid-size car, while the C-Class Sedan is rated a Compact.

The Q50 has 7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (100 vs. 93).

The Q50 has 2.3 inches more front headroom, 2.8 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the C-Class Sedan.

The Q50 has a larger trunk than the C-Class Sedan (13.5 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

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.

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 C-Class Sedan.

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