Infiniti vs. BMW: Head to Head

Which Luxury Automaker Is Right for You?

Infiniti and BMW are a pair of luxury auto brands with much different stories. Based in Germany, BMW has been around since 1916, has an extensive racing pedigree, and makes one of the auto industry’s most iconic sedans, the 3 Series. Infiniti was created in 1989 as a luxury brand for Nissan.

These two brands compete in most of the same categories, though BMW offers more overall models, illustrated by its four vehicles in the luxury small cars segment, compared to two for Infiniti.

In this slideshow, we’ll determine which brand has the better overall lineup by comparing U.S. News scoring in individual categories. These scores are based on dozens of professional reviews and other pieces of data, providing a comprehensive picture of test-driver opinion for each vehicle.

As you click through, keep in mind that our scores are updated constantly as new information becomes available, so scores mentioned in this slideshow may not match those in the reviews. 

• Find the best price on the 2018 Infiniti Q50
• Read the 2018 Infiniti Q50 Full Review
• See 2018 Infiniti Q50 Photos
• See Luxury Small Cars Rankings

Performance

Winner: BMW

Infiniti makes some fast cars, just not as fast as BMW’s. The BMW 3 Series is the legendary sport sedan, but the 4 Series and 2 Series both get high marks from test drivers, too. Consistent throughout the BMW lineup are punchy engines and outstanding handling, and that’s before getting to the high-performance M models.

Infiniti has a 300-horsepower V6 powering multiple vehicles, and critics like that engine. Infiniti also has vehicles that generate praise for their handling and driving dynamics, but BMW is on a different level.

• Find the best price on the 2018 BMW 3-Series
• Read the 2018 BMW 3-Series Full Review
• See 2018 BMW 3-Series Photos
• See Luxury Small Cars Rankings

Interior

Winner: BMW

Infiniti’s larger SUVs, like the QX60 and QX80, have strong scores for their interiors, but BMW takes things up a notch in terms of build quality and comfort. Test drivers like the large, supportive front seats they find in most BMWs, and styling that blends traditional and modern.

Infiniti uses quality materials in its interiors, but some of the designs, such as in the Q70, are outdated, and the features are due for an update, too.

• Find the best price on the 2018 BMW 7-Series
• Read the 2018 BMW 7-Series Full Review
• See 2018 BMW 7-Series Photos
• See Super Luxury Cars Rankings

Price

Winner: Infiniti

Undercutting German competition on price is a big part of Infiniti’s identity, making it a good option if you’re looking for a luxury vehicle at a friendlier cost. Take the luxury midsize category, for example. BMW offers the 5 Series, which starts at $52,400, while Infiniti offers the Q70, which starts at $50,300. Or look at subcompact SUVs. The 2018 Infiniti QX30 starts at $29,950, almost $4,000 below the BMW X1.

However, Infiniti doesn’t come in thousands of dollars less than BMW in all categories. If you’re interested in a luxury small car, the BMW 2 Series starts at $34,800 and the 3 Series starts at $34,900, whereas the Infiniti Q50, which has a lower rating than both, goes for a similar $34,200.

• Find the best price on the 2018 Infiniti Q70
• Read the 2018 Infiniti Q70 Full Review
• See 2018 Infiniti Q70 Photos
• See Luxury Midsize Cars Rankings

Reliability

Winner: BMW

Here’s a chance to discard some stereotypes about German vs. Japanese reliability. Though there are some exceptions, BMW’s lineup outscores Infiniti’s on predicted reliability, with Infiniti models like the QX60, Q70, and Q50 earning just 2.5 out of five for predicted reliability from J.D. Power and Associates. That’s below average.

BMW has a handful of vehicles that received at least four out of five from J.D. Power, including the 2 Series, 3 Series, and X5. The X6 scores even higher, earning 4.5 out of five. It would be good to keep in mind the costs of parts and repairs can vary wildly from brand to brand and mechanic to mechanic.

• Find the best price on the 2018 BMW X6
• Read the 2018 BMW X6 Full Review
• See 2018 BMW X6 Photos
• See Luxury Midsize SUVs Rankings

Safety

Winner: BMW

Both brands offer strong safety scores, although it should be noted that not all BMW or Infiniti vehicles have been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Among those that have been tested, there are some standout performers, like the BMW X1, BMW 2 Series, and Infiniti Q50, which have perfect 10 scores for safety.

None of the BMW or Infiniti vehicles that have been tested have safety scores below 9.3, but BMW’s fleet has tested just a little better overall.

• Find the best price on the 2018 BMW X1
• Read the 2018 BMW X1 Full Review
• See 2018 BMW X1 Photos
• See Luxury Subcompact SUVs Rankings

Small Cars

Winner: BMW

BMW not only has more vehicles in this class, all four of them – the 4 Series, 3 Series, 2 Series, and i3 – have higher scores in our rating system than either of the two Infiniti models, the Q50 and Q60.

The 4 Series, 3 Series, and 2 Series are among the top vehicles in the class, with scores of 8.8 all around. The i3 is closer to the middle, with an 8.3, while the Q50 and Q60 rank near the bottom. 

• Find the best price on the 2018 BMW 4-Series
• Read the 2018 BMW 4-Series Full Review
• See 2018 BMW 4-Series Photos
• See Luxury Small Cars Rankings

Midsize Cars

Winner: BMW

In this class, it’s a competition between the BMW 5 Series and the Infiniti Q70, and it isn’t much of a race. The 5 Series has an overall score of 8.8 in our rankings, boasting strong engines, state-of-the-art technology, and a quiet cabin.

In base form, the Q70 is the more powerful car, but with an overall score of 7.5, it leaves a lot to be desired. Outdated technology, poor fuel economy, and a poor ride leave it near the bottom of the pack.

• Find the best price on the 2018 BMW 5-Series
• Read the 2018 BMW 5-Series Full Review
• See 2018 BMW 5-Series Photos
• See Luxury Midsize Cars Rankings

2-Row SUVs

Winner: BMW

Both brands have a number of solid vehicles in this category, but the highest-rated are the BMW X3 (8.7) and X1 (8.5), followed by the Infiniti QX50 and BMW X6 at 8.2, and a handful of vehicles in the high 7s after that.

If you’re cross-shopping the QX50 and X6, pricing might make the difference. Both are powerful, and both handle well, but the QX50 starts at $34,000 and the X6 at more than $60,000.

• Find the best price on the 2018 BMW X3
• Read the 2018 BMW X3 Full Review
• See 2018 BMW X3 Photos
• See Luxury Compact SUVs Rankings

3-Row SUVs

Winner: BMW

BMW offers one vehicle in this category, but it’s a good one, the X5. It has an 8.9 overall score in our rating system thanks to a healthy lineup of powerful engines, a slick infotainment system, comfortable seats, and BMW’s legendary handling.

The Infiniti QX80 is a strong full-size SUV with an overall score that would be higher than 8.1 if the interior technology was up to date. The QX60 gets above-average fuel economy and can comfortably seat seven, but a history of reliability issues and lack of smartphone integration leave it with a 7.8.

• Find the best price on the 2018 BMW X5
• Read the 2018 BMW X5 Full Review
• See 2018 BMW X5 Photos
• See Luxury Midsize SUVs Rankings

The Winner Is …

BMW

BMW has a deep lineup of well-built vehicles that reinforce its reputation for driver-oriented performance and upscale interiors. It is difficult for any auto brand to hang with BMW when it comes to performance, and BMW’s lineup also has stronger safety scores and better predicted reliability than you might think. However, BMW prices can creep upward rapidly, especially as you add performance upgrades.

Infiniti can’t match BMW around a track, but it offers some well-rounded luxury vehicles that are fast (but not the fastest), nice inside (but not the nicest), and do well in crash testing. Infiniti’s biggest advantage is price; it offers an easier pathway to luxury features and branding.

• Find the best price on the 2018 BMW 7-Series
• Read the 2018 BMW 7-Series Full Review
• See 2018 BMW 7-Series Photos
• See Super Luxury Cars Rankings

More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

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