2020 Infiniti Q60 vs. 2019 Audi A5

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Q60 (except Pure) offers optional Back-up Collision Intervention that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A5 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Q60 and the A5 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, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The Q60 comes with a full 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The A5’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

Infiniti’s powertrain warranty covers the Q60 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Q60 has larger alternators than the A5:

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Q60 has a standard 600-amp battery. The A5’s 420-amp battery 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 Q60’s reliability 36 points higher than the A5.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2019 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Infiniti vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti 19th in initial quality. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 22nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ December 2018 Auto Issue reports that Infiniti vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Infiniti 1 place higher in reliability than Audi.

The Q60 3.0t’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 52 more horsepower (300 vs. 248) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q60 Red Sport 400’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 152 more horsepower (400 vs. 248) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Q60 Red Sport 400 is faster than the Audi A5:

The Q60 has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the A5 (20 vs. 15.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the Q60 Red Sport 400’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A5:

The Q60’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the A5 are solid, not vented.

The Q60 stops shorter than the A5:

For better traction, the Q60 has larger standard tires than the A5 (255/40R19 vs. 245/40R18).

The Q60 Red Sport 400’s 275/30R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A5’s optional 35 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q60 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the A5. The Q60 Red Sport 400’s 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the A5.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Q60 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q60’s wheelbase is 3.4 inches longer than on the A5 Coupe (112.2 inches vs. 108.8 inches).

The Q60 Red Sport 400 handles at .91 G’s, while the A5 Prestige Coupe pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q60 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the A5 Prestige Coupe (25.4 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Q60’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the A5’s (36.7 feet vs. 37.7 feet).

The design of the Infiniti Q60 amounts to more than styling. The Q60 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .28 Cd. That is lower than the A5 (.29 to .3). A more efficient exterior helps the Q60 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the Q60 get better fuel mileage.

The Q60 Luxe/Sport/Red Sport 400 uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Q60 has 1.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A5 Coupe (85.4 vs. 84).

The Q60 has 1.8 inches more front legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the A5 Coupe.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Infiniti service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Infiniti fourth in service department satisfaction. With a 21% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The Q60 (except Pure) offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

If the windows are left open on the Q60 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the A5 can’t use the remote to operate the windows.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Q60 Red Sport 400 offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The A5 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Q60 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.