Compare the2024 Infiniti Q50VS 2024 Audi A4

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 A4 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The Q50 has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A4’s blind spot costs extra.

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. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A4.

Both the Q50 and the A4 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, 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 A4’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 Audi covers the A4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Infiniti pays for scheduled maintenance on the Q50 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Infiniti will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A4.

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 12 points higher than the A4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 9 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Infiniti higher than Audi.

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 Audi With 4 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Infiniti higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 6 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The Q50’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 99 more horsepower (300 vs. 201) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 236) than the A4 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Q50’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 39 more horsepower (300 vs. 261) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the A4 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 139 more horsepower (400 vs. 261) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the A4 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Q50 Red Sport 400 is faster than the A4 45 TFSI:

The Q50 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the A4 (20 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Q50’s brake rotors are larger than those on the A4:

The Q50 stops shorter than the A4:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q50 Luxe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the A4.

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 A4 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 A4 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

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 A4’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 A4 doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q50’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the A4 (112.2 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the A4’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The Q50 AWD’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the A4’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

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 A4 uses conventional solid rubber engine mounts.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Q50 a Mid-size car, while the A4 is rated a Compact.

The Q50 has 8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A4 (100 vs. 92).

The Q50 has 2.2 inches more front headroom, 3.2 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more front shoulder room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4.

The Q50 has a much larger trunk than the A4 (13.5 vs. 12 cubic feet).

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 A4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the Q50’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the A4’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The A4’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

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 A4.

The Q50 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A4 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Insurance will cost less for the Q50 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Q50 with a number “1” insurance rate while the A4 is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q50 is less expensive to operate than the A4 because it costs $91 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q50 than the A4, including $465 less for a water pump, $58 less for a muffler, $62 less for front brake pads, $347 less for a starter, $99 less for a fuel pump and $274 less for front struts.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Infiniti Q50 and the Audi A4, based on reliability, safety and performance.