Handsome and athletic, the 2019 Infiniti Q50 is a sharp luxury sedan alternative to higher priced Germans.
Pros Attractive design Good powertrain options Potent turbocharged V-6 Room for four adults Standard automatic emergency braking
Cons Finicky dual-screen infotainment system Loses value in top trims No electrified powertrain available Losing ground to crossovers
For 2019, Infiniti has simplified the Q50's trim levels, offering just one version of the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder (available with either rear- or all-wheel drive).Streamlined model lineup.Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are now standard.
Pros Turbocharged V6 engines pack plenty of power and excitement Many high-tech entertainment and safety features come standard For a small luxury sedan, it offers a pretty roomy trunk
Cons Infotainment system isn't as user-friendly as many others Interior design looks dated and plain Allows significant road noise into the cabin Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are unavailable
The 2019 Infiniti Q50 ranked #15 in Luxury Small Cars. Currently the Infiniti Q50 has a score of 8.0 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 43 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Potent optional V6 engines Agile handling Comfortable seats
Cons Not as athletic as some competitors Below-average fuel economy Dual-screen infotainment interface has a learning curve
The 2019 BMW X3 is a versatile compact crossover that delivers on rising expectations.
Pros Handsome exterior Responsive and sharp powertrains Standard automatic emergency braking this year Good outward vision Ample interior room
Cons Can easily reach more than $60,000 CarPlay with a subscription? Really? Conservative compared to competitors No electrified version yet Relatively heavy steering
The 2019 BMW X3 ranked #5 in Luxury Compact SUVs. Currently the BMW X3 has a score of 8.6 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 13 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Powerful engines Nimble handling Spacious, supportive seats Above-average cargo capacity
Cons Rivals are more opulent inside Above-average starting price
Fifteen years ago, it might have been difficult to foresee the success of the X3. Back then, BMW's 3 Series wagon set the standard for the class and offered all the practicality you could want in a vehicle that size. Why get something that didn't handle as well and got worse fuel economy? But that original 2004 X3 helped pioneer the entry-level luxury SUV class, and the 2019 X3 is now a hugely important staple in the BMW lineup.
Pros Both available engines are fuel-efficient and powerful Wide variety of standard and optional features for personalization Plenty of room for front and rear passengers
Cons Android Auto is conspicuously absent from the options list
