2019 Infiniti Q60 vs. 2019 Audi A5: Which Is Best?

2019 Audi A5 Infiniti Q60 HERO ・ Photo by Infiniti / Audi

Comparing the 2019 Infiniti Q60 to the 2019 Audi A5 means we’re looking at premium compact coupes, one of the more delightful car classes to investigate. The ideal example would be prestigious, handsome (to our eyes), sporty yet still bearable over poorly maintained city roads, and well equipped yet with some degree of practicality.

Over the next several pages, we’re going to compare the Q60 with the A5 to see which, if either, could be the perfect premium compact coupe. We’ll stop short of the Q60 Red Sport 400, though, because that competes with Audi's 354-horsepower S5. These higher-performance variants are attractive, but they'll fit a smaller number of people. Let’s get started.

Pricing

The 2019 Infiniti Q60 starts at $41,745 in 3.0t Pure trim, while the 3.0t Luxe trim begins at $45,895. All-wheel drive is an extra $2,000. The 2019 Audi A5 is priced from $45,195 for the Premium trim. The Premium Plus adds another $4,400, while the range-topping Prestige version starts at $53,295.

Even with the additional charge for all-wheel drive to make the Q60 more directly comparable with the A5 (which has this setup as standard), the Japanese coupe is the more affordable. Just in terms of initial outlay, the Q60 wins this section.

Infiniti Q60

Photo by Infiniti

Standard Equipment

The Q60 Pure comes with, among other things, LED exterior lighting, 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry/ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, simulated leather upholstery, satellite radio, an 8-inch upper infotainment touchscreen and, um, a 7-inch lower infotainment touchscreen, plus Bluetooth and a couple of USB ports. The Luxe version adds forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, A sunroof, A self-dimming rearview mirror, and a Bose audio upgrade.

The A5 Premium includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, leather upholstery, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, tri-zone climate control, and a basic forward collision mitigation setup. Overall, the 2019 A5 justifies its higher price with generally more and better standard equipment.

Audi A5

Photo by Audi

Options

It requires going up to the Luxe trim to become eligible for more options in the Q60. Most buyers will probably want blind-spot monitoring, a 360-degree camera system, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing wipers. Leather upholstery, heated front seats/steering wheel, navigation and self-dimming side mirrors are also available.

Similarly, stretching to the Premium Plus is wise with the A5 for several items offered as options in the Q60 Luxe. The big attraction here is the Virtual Cockpit digital driver information display. It’s useful and cool, and learning to use it takes hardly any time. The Prestige, meanwhile, is packed with amenities like a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and a self-parking feature. Once again, the A5 offers more.

Audi A5

Photo by Audi

Exterior Design

Unlike some high-end Japanese marques that stick oversized, over-wrought grilles to their front ends, Infiniti exercises a little restraint and the Q60 is all the better for it. The main affectation is the chromed detail in the back corners of the rear side windows.

Audi designs are always taut and polished, never using a line where one isn’t needed. Keeping the ones that are there to a minimum, so they have a greater effect. The A5’s exterior styling sticks with the script. Its profile, however, is not the typical long-nose/fastback coupe silhouette. The shape of the cabin creates some useful space for rear passengers, yet it remains sleek. Tastes will vary, but time should be kinder to the A5.

Audi A5

Photo by Audi

Interior Design

This is one area where the Q60’s age starts to show. The design looks dated, especially the gauges and the look of the infotainment screen. The front seats, however, are well-shaped and comfortable.

It’s an unfair contest, since Audi interiors are always sophisticated, intelligent, tidy, and full of classy materials. The A5 is a more modern car and comes across that way. The Virtual Cockpit digital display allows for fewer switches while also looking striking. The shift lever is perfectly placed and perfectly shaped. Overall, there’s a greater sense of occasion, which is important and helps a buyer feel that it’s money well spent.

Audi A5

Photo by Audi

Engines and Transmissions

No matter how smooth and powerful the current wave of turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines become, there’s still a distinct pleasure to having more cylinders. The Q60 sports a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 generating 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is a seven-speed automatic with rev matching on the downshifts. Rear-wheel drive is the standard setup, with all-wheel drive as an option.

The A5 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine developing 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This goes to all four wheels (Audi calls its system Quattro) through a seven-speed automatic transmission. Not only is the Q60 more powerful, but coming with rear-wheel drive is a good thing in the enthusiast’s playbook.

Infiniti Q60

Photo by Infiniti

Fuel Economy

The 2019 Infiniti Q60 with rear-wheel drive achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg combined. Subtract 1 mile per gallon of highway mileage when all-wheel drive is in the picture.

Since the 2019 Audi A5 has all-wheel drive as standard, we only need one set of figures for comparison: 23 mpg in the city, 34 mpg on the highway, and 27 mpg combined. Fewer cylinders mean less fuel is combusted. Both cars prefer to run on premium unleaded, but it's an easy victory for the A5.

Audi A5

Photo by Audi

Performance

Able to sprint from standstill to 60 mph in about 5 seconds, the 2019 Q60 has a charming turn of speed. To an enthusiast, there’s really no downside to a turbocharged V6 driving the rear wheels. This amount of muscle — 300 hp — is not scary but still wonderfully entertaining.

The A5 isn’t far behind, taking 5.6 seconds to zip to 60 mph, but its power deficit is noticeable. Then again, not many people are likely to drive both cars back to back. Taken in isolation, the 2019 A5 is pleasantly energetic and shouldn’t feel lacking in the vast majority of situations.

Infiniti Q60

Photo by Infiniti

Ride and Handling

With its standard rear-wheel drive, there’s a satisfying balance to the Q60. Infiniti also took an intelligent approach to the conflicting demands of ride comfort and handling precision, easing closer to the firm side yet still able to absorb surface imperfections at slow and high speeds alike. The extra weight of the all-wheel drive system dials down the fun by a degree, but the main detraction is the numb steering.

Not that the A5’s steering wheel is abuzz with information. Even so, we still prefer the Audi setup over the Infiniti. Its suspension also has more refinement to it. We could easily imagine it being more bearable over time, both in terms of length of ownership and length of a road trip.

Audi A5

Photo by Audi

Comfort and Cargo

Comfort-wise, it’s all about the first row in compact coupes. Fortunately, both the Q60 and the A5 have great front seats, well-shaped, supportive, and plush enough for many hours at a time.

Space in the back is respectable for both contenders. The Q60 has 32.4 inches of rear legroom; the A5 comes with 32.7 inches. The Audi also has more rear headroom: 36.1 inches compared with 34.5. An adult male of average size wouldn’t be too grumpy in the back of an A5. At 11.6 cubic feet, the A5 also has the larger trunk. The Q60 only has 8.7 cubic feet. 

 Audi A5

Photo by Audi