Value

Infiniti: The Q60 range starts $62,900 (plus on-roads) for the entry-level GT with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine, with our test featuring the Enhancement Pack that costs an additional $3000 and adds a sunroof, adaptive front headlights, 360-degree camera and a higher-grade, 13-speaker Bose audio system with active noise cancelling.

Otherwise, standard equipment includes 19-inch alloys, semi-aniline leather interior trim with heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and push-button start and Infiniti’s unique dual-screen multi-media set-up with sat nav, Bluetooth and digital radio.

BMW: The entry-level 420i Coupe has recently been refreshed with a mildly-revised front bumper and extra features with a standard Luxury Line interior trim. But it costs a little more than the Infiniti, starting at $69,900 (plus on-roads) and misses out on some of the goodies, like heated front seats and keyless entry while it only has a six-speaker audio system.

But it does have Apple Carplay smartphone mirroring (which the Infiniti doesn’t have) and it’s even more convenient than in other brands with wireless connectivity, as well as a head-up display and BMW’s Connected Drive with functions such as live traffic updates, automatic emergency call and valet services.

Like the Q60, it rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, has dual-zone climate control, leather interior trim, sat nav and a reverse camera.

Winner: Infiniti

Inside

Infiniti: There’s a mix of genuine luxury and modern overkill about the Q60’s cabin. For starters, the front seats are comfortable, the materials are generally of a high quality and there’s reasonable space for a sporty coupe with enough room in the rear for small children to squeeze in without too much trouble.

But, at the other end of the spectrum, it feels more like a dressed-up Nissan than a legitimate premium car with some of the switchgear looking cheaper than normal while the carbon fibre appears overly polished.

Then there’s the dual-screen configuration of the multi-media system which has the map displayed on a low-res top screen while the myriad of menus are accessed via a high-res lower screen.

BMW: The 420i doesn’t feel as special as the Infiniti in some areas with lower-grade plastics in places where the Q60 has leather and the lack of keyless entry and heated seats are notable omissions from a luxury brand Yet at the same time it has a more premium feel about its cabin as it borrows tech from higher-grade BMW models.

There’s a bit more space in the back seat, but adults will still feel cramped and have to climb over the front seats to get in, but otherwise the 4-Series’ cabin is more consistent, the multi-media system is better and the wireless smartphone mirroring makes accessing phone functions more convenient.

Winner: BMW

Engine

Infiniti: Interestingly, the Q60’s 2.0-litre turbo charged four-cylinder engine and seven-speed automatic transmission come from BMW’s rival, Mercedes-Benz.

As it does in the Benz models it is used in, including the C-Class Coupe it also competes again, it produces 155kW and 350Nm and drives the rear wheels but it has a slightly higher claimed average fuel consumption figure of 7.7L/100km.

BMW: The 420i also has a 2.0-litre turbo charged four cylinder petrol engine that drives the rear wheels, but it generates lower outputs of 135kW and 270Nm.

However, it has an eight-speed automatic transmission that helps it accelerate almost as quickly to 100km/h (7.3 seconds for the Infiniti compared to 7.5 seconds for the BMW) while using less fuel, with a claimed average consumption of 5.8L/100km.

Winner: BMW

On the road

Infiniti: The Q60 is a great-looking machine but its on-road character isn’t as convincing. The engine, somehow, doesn’t feel as energetic as its numbers suggest (or as it does in a Benz) with a noticeable degree of turbo lag when you step on the throttle, especially in its default Comfort mode.

It picks up pace in the mid-range with a stronger surge of pulling power – and has more instantaneous response in the Sport settings, but it isn’t all that inspiring and doesn’t sound all that great under load.

While the GT doesn’t have the awkward Direct Adaptive Steering of higher-grade models, it still feels disconnected in its weighting and feedback and the suspension is neither as supple nor as balanced as the BMW.

BMW: The 420i isn’t as sporty as it looks either, as the engine needs to be worked hard to get the best performance from it but, overall, it feels like a more cohesive package.

The steering is more linear in its weighting, the suspension has a greater degree of compliance to deal with the lumps and bumps in the road and the eight-speed automatic does a better job of keeping the engine spinning in its sweet spot with a broader spread of ratios and silken shifts.

Winner: BMW

Ownership

Infiniti: All Infiniti models are covered by a four-year/100,000km warranty with roadside assistance while the Q60 has a capped price servicing scheme with intervals spaced every 12 months or 10,000km, costing between $353 for basic maintainence to $757 for major visits.

BMW: The 420i is covered by a three-year/100,000km warranty with roadside assistance and condition-based servicing intervals, where the car determines when it needs maintainence based on usage. BMW has pre-paid service schemes where the basics are taken care of for the first five years or 80,000km, costing $1340 for 4-Series.

BMW’s Connected Drive function alerts BMW to the condition of your car and allows the dealership to contact you with an available appointment.

Winner: Draw

Verdict

The Q60 proves that Nissan’s luxury division still has some work to do to pull premium buyers away from traditional German brands. While it offers more power and more features for less than the 420i, it doesn’t feel as convincing as the conventional BMW, which wins this contest despite offering less equipment for more money.

Infiniti Q60 GT Price and Specifications

Price: $65,900 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 155kW at 5500rpm

Torque: 350Nm at 1250-4800rpm

Transmission: 7-spd automatic, RWD

Fuel use: 7.7L/100km

BMW 420i Price and Specifications

Price: $69,900 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 135kW at 5000rpm

Torque: 270Nm at 1350-4500rpm

Transmission: 8-spd automatic, RWD

Fuel use: 5.8L/100km