Infiniti Q50 vs Audi S8

What's the difference?

VS
Infiniti Q50
Infiniti Q50

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2018 price

Audi S8
Audi S8

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2021 price

Summary

2018 Infiniti Q50
2021 Audi S8
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Turbo 4, 2.0L

Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

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

10.2L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

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

  • Tricky to find a space big enough
  • Pricey
  • Short warranty
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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2021 Audi S8 Summary

Big sedans are not in vogue at the moment and huge luxury sedans were on the way down before the humble Commodore and Falcon departed the upper end of the sales charts. The Germans, who have always done a spectacular job of these flagship sedans, cheerfully persist with these cars.

Absolutely loaded with fascinating technology that bleeds its way down to the more mainstream models, they represent the zenith of the brand's innovation and style. The A8 is certainly that.

What it isn't, is particularly sporty, but after two years since its launch, V8 power has reached the fourth-generation super-sedan to deliver the latest iteration of the iconic S8.

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Deep dive comparison

2018 Infiniti Q50 2021 Audi S8

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