Compare the2024 Infiniti Q50VS 2023 Mercedes E-Class Sedan

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 E-Class Sedan.

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 E-Class Sedan.

Both the Q50 and the E-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 E-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 E-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 E-Class Sedan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the E-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, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Mercedes doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the E-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 25 points higher than the E-Class Sedan.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 16 places higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The Q50’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 45 more horsepower (300 vs. 255) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the E 350 Sedan’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q50 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 38 more horsepower (400 vs. 362) than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder hybrid.

The Q50 has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the E-Class Sedan 350’s standard fuel tank (20 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

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 E 350 Sedan’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 E-Class Sedan doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Q50 Red Sport 400 handles at .88 G’s, while the E 450 4MATIC Sedan pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Q50’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the E 350 Sedan’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The Q50 AWD’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the E 450 4MATIC Sedan’s (37.4 feet vs. 39 feet).

The Q50 is 4.7 inches shorter than the E-Class Sedan, making the Q50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q50 has 2.2 inches more front headroom and 2.8 inches more front legroom than the E-Class Sedan.

The Q50 has a larger trunk than the E-Class Sedan (13.5 vs. 13.1 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.

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

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 E-Class Sedan.

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 E-Class Sedan 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 E-Class Sedan because it costs $136 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q50 than the E-Class Sedan, including $517 less for a water pump, $537 less for a muffler, $22 less for front brake pads, $364 less for a starter, $111 less for fuel injection and $407 less for a timing belt/chain.

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