Infiniti Q50 vs Audi Q8

What's the difference?

VS
Infiniti Q50
Infiniti Q50

2018 price

Audi Q8
Audi Q8

2025 price

Summary

2018 Infiniti Q50
2025 Audi Q8
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo V6, 3.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
7.3L/100km (combined)

2.6L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • Struggles to maintain traction at times
  • Confusing dual screens
  • Cabin design feels busy

  • High price tag is hard to justify
  • Lacks clever storage options
  • Small boot compared to siblings
2018 Infiniti Q50 Summary

The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport sedan really wants you to love it, and this latest version is doing its best to impress the heck out of you with its looks and features.

So much so that you'll take it home... and live with it, forever. And then there's that engine – armed with a formidable twin-turbo petrol V6, the Q50 Red Sport's outpowers all its rivals.

But then there's the BMW 340i which is not that much more expensive... and it's a BMW. And what about the Lexus IS 350? That's more like the Infiniti, but also more popular.

Oh, and don't forget that we when first met the Q50 Red Sport last year we didn't exactly get off on the right foot. The engine's formidable grunt seemed too much for the car to handle. Then there was the jiggly ride, and the steering wasn't great either unless you were in Sport + mode. It's all coming back now...

Perhaps the Q50 Red Sport had changed. This is the new one, and Infiniti had assured us it's a different car now.

Do we give it another chance? Of course, and we do, in a quick 48-hour test. So, has it changed? Is it better? Would we live with it forever?

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2025 Audi Q8 Summary

The Audi Q8 has had a mid-life upgrade and it brings a few minor tweaks to the design, technology and equipment.

Plug-in hybrids tend to rank a little lower on my excitement scale when it comes to available powertrains because I usually find the constant charging inconvenient.

However, the electric driving range of the 60 TSFIe quattro S Line grade has been bolstered by 27km, increasing it to 74km overall.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Infiniti Q50 2025 Audi Q8

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