Volkswagen Golf/GTI vs Infiniti Q50

The Volkswagen Golf/GTI is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 119 mpg combined versus 31 mpg for the Infiniti Q50, a 88 mpg advantage and costs about $1,800 less per year to fuel.

Across 5 measured categories, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.

2015–2026

Volkswagen Golf/GTI

Compact Cars · 84 configurations

119mpg combined (best)
All Volkswagen Golf/GTI specs

2015–2024

Infiniti Q50

Midsize Cars · 60 configurations

31mpg combined (best)
All Infiniti Q50 specs

Head-to-head specifications

MetricVolkswagen Golf/GTIInfiniti Q50
Best combined MPG119 mpg31 mpg
Best city MPG126 mpg29 mpg
Best highway MPG111 mpg36 mpg
Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year$650$2,450
Lowest CO2 output267 g/mi286 g/mi
Engines offeredSIDI, 2.0SIDI, 3.5, 2.0, 3.7
TransmissionsAutomatic (AM-S7), Manual 6-spd, Automatic (AM7)Automatic (S7)
DrivetrainsFront-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel DriveAll-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel typesRegular, Premium, ElectricityPremium
EPA classCompact CarsMidsize Cars
Years covered2015–20262015–2024
Configurations on record8460

Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.

Golf/GTI vs Q50: common questions

Which is better on gas, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI or the Infiniti Q50?

The Volkswagen Golf/GTI is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 119 mpg combined versus 31 mpg for the Infiniti Q50, a 88 mpg advantage and costs about $1,800 less per year to fuel.

Which costs less to run per year?

By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Volkswagen Golf/GTI runs about $650 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,450 for the Infiniti Q50 — a difference of roughly $1,800 per year.

What engines do the Golf/GTI and Q50 offer?

Volkswagen Golf/GTI: SIDI, 2.0. Infiniti Q50: SIDI, 3.5, 2.0, 3.7.

Are they in the same vehicle class?

The EPA classifies the Volkswagen Golf/GTI as Compact Cars and the Infiniti Q50 as Midsize Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.

More Golf/GTI comparisons

Comparison id: volkswagen-golfgti-vs-infiniti-q50