Compare the2023 Infiniti Q50VS 2023 Mercedes CLA

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 CLA 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 for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The CLA doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

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 CLA.

Both the Q50 and the CLA 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, rear cross-path warning 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 CLA’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 CLA. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the CLA ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the CLA’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 CLA.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Q50 has a standard 150-amp alternator (170-amp - Q50 Red Sport 400). The CLA’s 115-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

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 CLA.

The Q50’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 79 more horsepower (300 vs. 221) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 179 more horsepower (400 vs. 221) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 258) than the CLA’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Infiniti Q50 3.0 is faster than the Mercedes CLA:

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

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 CLA are solid, not vented.

The Q50 stops shorter than the CLA:

For better traction, the Q50 Red Sport 400’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CLA (F:245/40R19 & R:265/35R19 vs. 225/45R18).

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

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 CLA 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 CLA.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 4.8 inches longer than on the CLA (112.2 inches vs. 107.4 inches).

The Q50’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.8% to 44.2%) than the CLA’s (60% to 40%). This gives the Q50 more stable handling and braking.

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

The Q50 has 11 cubic feet more passenger volume than the CLA (100 vs. 89).

The Q50 has 1 inch more front headroom, 2.7 inches more front legroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, 1.1 inches more rear headroom, 1.2 inches more rear legroom and 2.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the CLA.

The Q50 has a much larger trunk than the CLA (13.5 vs. 11.6 cubic feet).

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

The engine in the Q50 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CLA. 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 CLA’s 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 CLA 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 CLA.

The Q50 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q50 will retain 43.31% to 44.42% of its original price after five years, while the CLA only retains 41.76% to 41.79%.

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