Infiniti vs. BMW: Which is the Better Car?
Infiniti is the new kid on the block when it comes to luxury vehicles. Although it’s been around since the latter part of the 1980s, it has a lot of ground to cover to catch up with the older and more established brands that have been around for longer, and have had more time to perfect their craft as automakers. Today we compare the Infiniti luxury brand with the German leader in the industry BMW. In the Infiniti vs BMW battle, which is a better car? Well, that depends on your needs and preferences as a driver. There are multiple aspects of quality that must be considered. In our assessment, we look at a few different factors including comfort and convenience features, various aspects of performance, pricing, safety and security features, and range of model choices. We compared various models from each brand, with pros and cons, and here is how Infiniti and BMW stack up against one another.
How to weigh the evidence and decide which brand is right for you?
According to US News, the best vehicle is the one that meets your needs and suits your preferences. Both Infiniti and BMW are luxury automakers well respected in the auto industry in the luxury niche. Neither is bad, but both have their good points, and bad. BMW is the eldest of the two with a history that goes back to 1916. It’s had a lot of time to work out the kinks. Infiniti was established in the 1980s era as the luxury division of Nissan. BMW has achieved the status of an icon but Infiniti is not without merit. The 1989 company has come a long way in a short amount of time with innovative technology and understated luxury. It’s a matter of personal preference and what fits in best with your lifestyle. Consider the features that are most important to you as we compare the two brands.
BMW vs Infiniti: General performance
Both automakers have made fast cars, but when it comes to speed, one stands out above the other. There are notable differences in performance that set the two apart. The 2021 BMW 3 Series Sedan is equipped with a 2.0-liter Inline 4 gasoline-powered engine, mated with 8-speed automatic transmission. It provides a generous 255 horsepower. The 2021 Infiniti Q50 is equipped with a 3.0-liter Twin-Turbo V6 gasoline-powered engine paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The engine generates 300 horsepower, which outshines the BMW. Both come with a rear-wheel drive train. The BMW gets 26 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway. The fuel tank capacity is 15.6 gallons. The Infiniti on the other than gets 20 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway. The fuel tank capacity for the Infiniti is 20 gallons. The Infiniti receives high praise for its powerful engine, driving dynamics, and handling. It’s exceptional, however, the BMW takes all of these up a notch with a punchy engine and the handling is outstanding. For this battle, the clear winner is BMW for performance when it comes to handling and dynamics, but Infiniti forges ahead with a more powerful engine. Overall, it’s a tie between the two unless you value extra power, preferring the Infiniti engine, or other performance factors as provided by the BMW.
BMW vs Infiniti: Interior
The QX60 and QX80 are Infiniti’s strongest scoring for their interiors. They rank highly in terms of comfort, convenience, and luxury. BMW, with decades more experience has perfected its interiors with a notch above the Infiniti when it comes to the quality of the build and driver/passenger comfort. The front seats are later and more supportive with both traditional and modern styling. While the quality of the materials used for Infiniti is good, the designs of some models are found wanting. They’re largely outdated and in need of an upgrade. BMW has outperformed Infiniti when it comes to the interior in quality and luxuriousness.
Infiniti vs BMW: Reliability
In our quest to determine which brand overall is the most reliable, we look at the entire lineup of each make and add the scores together. Surprisingly, Infiniti’s predicted reliability for the QX60, Q50, and Q70 was given a score of 2.5 out of a possible fie, which lowered the overall average for the brand. BMW on the other hand, received high scores with most models granted a 4.5 out of 5. A few BMW models did score lower but these were ranked with a 4 out of 5, which kept the overall average for BMW far higher than Infiniti. The winner of this competition is clearly BMW.
Infiniti vs BMW: Safety
When it comes to the safety rating, both BMW and Infiniti have strong scores. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, commonly known as NHTSA and IIHS, respectively have tested most of the models for each brand with a few exceptions. These organizations rank vehicle safety on a scale of one to ten with ten being the highest. Some BMW vehicles including the BMW 2 Series and the BMW X1 have achieved a perfect 10 score. The Infiniti Q50 also received a perfect 10 rating. When all was said and done, so far, BMW has tested higher overall when compared to Infiniti. When it comes to safety, BMW has emerged as the winner of the battle.
2021 BMW Series 3 Sedan vs Infiniti Q50: Compact executive sedans
We consulted Suburban Infiniti, for the data on the 2021 editions of the BMW 3 series sedan and the Infiniti Q50 to compare these two vehicles for the executive compact car class. Starting with the Infiniti, the interior of this vehicle is modern and attractive with an angular approach to the elements of design. The layout of frequently used features is handy and visually balanced. The digital display screens are mounted in the dashboard in a stacked styling to allow quick and easy access to Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth technology, the navigation system, and other features. BMWs 3 Series offers an alternative interior layout design that takes advantage of a layered aesthetic across the dashboard with a display screen for the infotainment system on the top, followed by climate management controls and air vents beneath. Both are tastefully laid out on the interiors in very different styling. Although there is no winner for interior aesthetics concerning layout, the differences do provide radially different approaches to design that are worth noting. Which is better? This becomes strictly a matter of personal preference.
Infiniti Q50 vs BMW 3 Series: Exterior
The exterior of the Infiniti Q50 features a body design that offers a flat-shaped nose that is eye-catching. The grille adds a note of sophistication. The Q50s exterior design is a bit more curvaceous with a stretched look when compared to the BMW, which has a more elongated nose for a longer appearance. Both models feature elite features including a sunroof, heated side mirrors, and more. The exteriors are strikingly different, which offers drivers a choice for aesthetic value. Both offer a sophisticated luxury appearance and in this battle, they are tied.
Infiniti Q50 vs BMW 3 Series: Drivetrain comparison
A comparison of the Q50 and the 3 Series shows that there are marked differences between the two in this arena. We look at the Infiniti Q50 first. Infiniti offers consumers a choice of two engine options. The 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine is the standard powerplant that generates 300 horsepower. Infiniti also offers this engine in a premium iteration that cranks out 400 horsepower for 2021. When we compare this to the BMW 3 Series engine, there are glaring differences. The Series 3 comes standard with a turbo inline-4 engine that produces 255 horsepower for vehicles at the lower trim levels. Upgrading to the higher trim levels gives you the option for the twin-turbo inline-6 engine that offers significantly more power as it produces 382 horsepower. Although this is a big step up from BMW’s 255 horse engine, the comparisons show that the lower trim Infiniti beats out BMW by 45 hp, and for the upper trim, it edges the German-made car out by 18 hp. We have to give the Q50 the win in the performance category, although both are powerful and high-performing vehicles.
Infiniti Q50 vs BMW 530: Comfort and convenience
New Cars compares the Infiniti Q50 with the BMW 530 in a head-on competition to assess which is the better car in terms of comfort, convenience, cost, performance, handling, and other related factors of value to consumers. Both brands excel in these areas but does one come out ahead of the other?
The Infiniti Q50 is a comfortable model because it has a higher cabin than the BMW 530. This provides ample headroom for taller drivers, but this doesn’t tell the whole story when it comes to overall comfort. It offers more legroom and headroom than the 530 in the front seating area, but when it comes to the back/passenger area, the BMW 530 has more head and legroom. When it comes to spaciousness and comfort, the Infiniti Q50 and BMW 530 are tied. When it comes to fuel efficiency, both models are tied because they average the same number of miles for each tank of gas, so one isn’t better than the other.
Infiniti Q50 vs BMW 530: Cost
When considering the cost, the factors that are included are the retails selling price, dealer charges for acquisition from the factory. The destination charges for Infiniti and BMW are similar, but when it comes to the MSRP, there is a difference. The BMW is more expensive than Infiniti. If you’re budget-conscious you may want to consider the Q50 vs the 530. Infiniti is the winner in the more affordable category
Infiniti Q50 vs BMW 530: Size/dimensions
The dimensions of a vehicle are important when considering the ease of parking in small places. We look at the width of the vehicles to determine which is larger overall. If you’re the type of driver who prefers a wider vehicle, then the BMW 530 is the better choice. The BMW is not only wider than the Infiniti Q50, but it is also a little longer. Those who prefer a more compact size would prefer the Infiniti Q50 because it’s narrower and shorter, making it easier to park.
Infiniti Q50 vs BMW 530: Drivetrain, performance, and handling
The BMW 530 has an engine that generates lower horsepower than the Infiniti Q50 engine. The torque is lower and when it comes to sending power to the wheels it isn’t up to par with the Infiniti Q50. It’s slower overall. Also, the turning radius of the BMW 530 is larger so it’s harder to maneuver the vehicle into and out of tight places. When it comes down to the drivetrain, performance, and handling, The Infiniti Q50 is the winner of all three hands-down. It’s more powerful, faster, and more agile.
Infiniti Q50 vs BMW 530: Utility and warranty
When it comes to utility, both cars are running neck and neck. The 530 and the Q50 provide 5 seats. The same number of people can be accommodated, but keep in mind that taller passengers do better with the BMW and taller drivers are more comfortable in the Infiniti. The cargo room is also comparable, which results in a tie for which is the better vehicle for utility. When it comes to the warranty, it’s tough to beat Infiniti’s warranty plans. When we look at the basic warranty plan for both BMW and Infiniti, you get more for your money with Infiniti.
Final verdict
In the battle of Infinity vs BMW, there really isn’t a clear winner. When you compare the various models that are grouped in the same class you find pros and cons for each. One is not necessarily better than the other when it comes to the overall quality of the brand. What makes one outshine the other is the consumer and his or her individual needs and preferences. Which vehicle comes closest to satisfying your every need and preference? This is the best choice for you.
