Luxury car clientele who want to maximize their shopping budget should consider the 2024 Lexus ES and Infiniti Q50. Outside of having similar dimensions and room for five, they each come with a long lineup of standard features and cost thousands less than many of their direct rivals.
With the Lexus ES, you get a hushed driving experience that includes a whisper-quiet and classy cabin that feels built to withstand many years of driving duty. By comparison, the Infiniti Q50 takes a sportier approach. Buyers have a choice of two potent twin-turbocharged V6 engines, and, similar to the ES, the Q50 can be optioned with all-wheel drive (AWD).
Want to know how they compare in a head-to-head contest? Let’s explore the key advantages of the Lexus ES and Infiniti Q50 premium sedans.
2024 Lexus ES
This generation of ES was introduced for the 2019 model year, though a steady stream of improvements has kept it fresh. For the 2024 model year, Lexus has expanded the availability of the Technology Package. This bundle of features includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen, head-up instrument display, and Smart Access key card.
Three engines are offered, including a fuel-conscious hybrid, and the base ES 250 has an asking price of $43,190, including destination fees.
Lexus ES Highlights
Ample rear legroom: Choose the ES if you plan on driving with a full complement of passengers with any regularity. There is 39.2 inches of rear legroom, which is more than enough for taller adults.
Available all-wheel drive: The ES can be had with AWD for extra grip when roads turn slick with ice, rain, or snow. Lexus limits availability of AWD to the base 203-hp 4-cylinder, however. All other versions route power solely to the front wheels.
Strong and smooth V6 engine: Unless you really need the assurance of AWD, we think the optional 302-hp V6 that comes in the ES 350 is better suited to this Lexus sedan’s demeanor. It’s equally refined and powerful; during road testing, we found it zips the ES from zero to 60 mph in about 6.6 seconds.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the ES models near you.
2024 Infiniti Q50
The 2024 Q50 can be had in three trims — Luxe, Sensory, and Red Sport 400 — and pricing starts at $44,200, including destination charges. Having been introduced all the way back during the 2014 model year, the Q50 is a veritable old-timer among luxury vehicles.
That being said, it still looks great, and Infiniti has packed in a ton of mod-cons buyers expect. This includes wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 16-speaker Bose audio system, and a moonroof.
Infiniti Q50 Highlights
A whole lot of driver aids, too: Infiniti doesn’t just cram the Q50 full of convenience items and tech touches. Every Q50 has driver aids like rear cross-traffic warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, surround-view camera, rear cross-traffic assist, automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, and rain-sensing wipers.
Potent twin-turbo V6: A 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 300 hp comes standard in the Q50 Luxe and Sensory models. This is one of the strongest entry-level powertrains in its class, and it’s much more powerful than the base engine in the Lexus ES. For those feeling racy, there’s the Red Sport 400 with bigger brakes and an adaptive suspension. The Red Sport 400’s name is also a not-so-subtle hint that its twin-turbo V6 churns out 400 hp. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive can be added to all trims and both engines.
Aging gracefully: After more than a decade, the Q50 is still a looker. The curvaceous shape and bold front grille give this Infiniti sedan a style all its own.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Q50 models near you.
Similarities
Style and plenty of substance, that’s a good way to summarize the Lexus ES and Infiniti Q50. They have upscale interiors, nearly identical cargo volume, similar warranty coverage, and base prices separated by a little more than $1,000.
Conclusion
It speaks volumes that the Infiniti Q50 remains competitive after roughly a decade. This is one handsome sedan that’s very speedy in how it gets down the road, not to mention generous in terms of feature content. Yet its dual-screen infotainment system looks dated, fuel economy is mediocre, and the steering lacks fingertip-pleasing feedback.
The Lexus ES excels if you’re after a luxury sedan that goes about its business like a pedigreed butler. Everything is done in a hushed and sophisticated manner. An excellent record for reliability and resale value further bolsters the case for going with the ES. Just keep in mind that the base 203-hp 4-cylinder provides tepid passing power, although it does come with AWD. The optional V6 is worth the added expenditure, in our opinion, and it helps to make the Lexus ES the clear winner in this comparison.
| 2024 Lexus ES | 2024 Infiniti Q50 | |
| Starting Price | $43,190 | $44,200 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 |
| Horsepower | 203 hp @ 6,500 rpm | 300 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 184 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 295 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 7-speed automatic |
| Fuel economy MPG | 25 city/34 highway/28 combined | 20 city/29 highway/23 combined |
| Also Available | 2.5-liter gas-electric 4-cyl; 3.5-liter V6, AWD | AWD/3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 (400 hp) |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 4 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 6 years/70,000 miles | 6 years/70,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | N/R |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 113.0 inches | 112.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 195.9 inches | 189.6 inches |
| Width | 73.4 inches | 71.8 inches |
| Height | 56.9 inches | 57.2 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.0 feet | 36.7 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 37.5 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.8 inches | 36.8 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.4 inches | 44.5 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 39.2 inches | 35.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.9 inches | 56.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.3 inches | 56.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 13.9 cubic feet | 13.5 cubic feet |
