2017 Infiniti QX30 - Review

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►Edited by : Shahen Tharammal

► PRICE :

QX30  2.0L I4 Turbo / FWD  $29,950

QX30 Luxury  2.0L I4 Turbo / FWD  $32,600

QX30 Premium  2.0L I4 Turbo / FWD  $35,300

QX30 Sport  2.0L I4 Turbo / FWD  $38,500

QX30 Luxury AWD  2.0L I4 Turbo / AWD  $34,400

QX30 Premium AWD  2.0L I4 Turbo / AWD  $37,700

Infiniti considers its all-new 2017 QX30 a combination of coupe, hatchback and crossover. The way it straddles these body types can be advantageous. From a driver enjoyment perspective, you will find the QX30 more athletic and better handling than a typical SUV. Compared to a traditional sedan, the QX30's hatchback design gives you greater versatility, both in terms of its taller ride height and increased cargo capacity. Then there's the QX30's coupe-like styling, which helps it look sportier than the typical sedan or crossover. The question you might wonder, though, is whether this extensive blending results in a vehicle that delivers the best of both worlds or is diluted to the point of not excelling at anything.

With an as-new entry cost around $30,000, the compact QX30 acts as an introduction to the Infiniti brand. In this position, it's a lot like rivals such as the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. In fact, the QX30 is heavily based on the GLA-Class and shares the Benz's underlying body structure and powertrain. But Infiniti applied its own suspension and powertrain tuning to give the QX30 a more refined feel of the two. The QX30 has its own interior design as well, which is highlighted by Infiniti's superior InTouch infotainment system. A flat-bottom steering wheel and two-tone, distinctive leather and simulated suede seats are available on Sport models to help further buff out the QX30's appeal.

Keep in mind that it is not all roses. The QX30 is smaller than your typical SUV and isn't as good at carrying cargo and/or rear passengers. And it doesn't ride as smoothly as a sedan. If you're shopping for a QX30, it'd also be worthwhile to check out some primary competition, including the sporty and roomy BMW X1, the handsomely finished Lexus NX 200t and the aforementioned Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. The race is tight, with some differentiation separating one from the next, but we think the new QX30 is right in the mix.

EXTERIOR

The look of the QX30 is obviously pretty similar to that of the Q30, and it is even surprisingly similar to that of the Geneva concept. There were a few of the sorts of changes that you’d expect in turning a concept into a production car, the mirrors are bigger, the wheels are smaller and so forth, but the sheet metal is essentially the same. It is also, obviously, taller than the Q30 hatchback, even if that design is slightly taller than what is usual for its niche. It’s a bold design, with strong creases running down either side, a different sort of look than Infiniti’s other crossovers.

Bold and unique designs are important in the compact crossover segment. Infiniti’s press release is filled with dense marketing nonsense language, but the overall point is still a valid one: the sorts of people who buy compact crossovers don’t want one that just looks like a shrunken version of a brand’s bigger crossovers, they want something unique. Nissan Nissan taught this fact to the automotive world with the Juke, and wisely elected to follow the same path with the QX30. This will be especially useful in a market niche currently dominated by Germans, where shrunken versions of the X5 or the Q5 have been the mainstays.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

INTERIOR

The design of the QX30’s interior is unique to Infiniti, but you might notice some Mercedes parts if you look closely. These are small things though, like buttons, and even if they aren’t unique, it’s not as though Mercedes makes bad interiors. There is a big 7-inch screen and everything is covered in Nappa leather in your choice of black or beige. This includes leather on the dash, complete with visible stitching on the seams, which really looks surprisingly good.

Infiniti also says the QX30 will have one of the quietest interiors in its segment. That’s quite a boast, and it’ll be interesting to see when the crossover finally hits showrooms. The seats are even said to offer above average support for your back, something that anyone who will be driving a QX30 for long distances is bound to appreciate.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

SPECIFICATION

► Year:2017

► Make:Infiniti

► Model:QX30

► 0-60 time:6 sec. (Est.)

► Top Speed:155 mph (Est.)

FEATURES

The 2017 Infiniti QX30 comes in six models: base, Luxury, Premium, Sport, AWD Luxury and AWD Premium. The AWD models add a raised ride height and unique body panels.

When Infiniti originally announced the QX30 for the U.S., the automaker split the first two—QX30 and QX30 Sport—into a different nameplate called Q30. Since that initial introduction, Infiniti has moved the cars into a single nameplate, though the Q30 name will still be used overseas.

For a starting price under $30,000, the base QX30 comes standard with cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with a 7-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, two USB ports, auto-dimming rearview and driver's side mirrors, LED running lamps, a rearview camera, and 18-inch alloy wheels on run-flat tires.

The QX30 Premium adds Nappa leather upholstery and dash insert, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, a 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat with memory, heated front seats, rear center armrest, and a rear-seat pass-through. The QX30 Luxury gets LED fog lamps, a panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, and roof rails,

Staring under $40,000, the QX30 Sport ups the performance ante with larger 19-inch wheels on summer tires, cross-drilled front rotors, a 0.6-inch lower ride height, sport front and rear fascias, a glossy black grille, a leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, leatherette-upholstered front sport seats, aluminum pedals and footrests, a panoramic sunroof,  a 10-speaker Bose audio system, surround-view cameras, and automatic parking assistance, which steers the vehicle into parallel spots for you.

Priced under $35,000, the QX30 AWD Premium sits 1.2 inches higher than the QX30 and comes with Nappa leather upholstery and dash insert, an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat with memory, a 4-way power adjustable front passenger seat, heated front seats, roof rails, and a rear passthrough. There is also the QX30 AWD Premium model with rain-sensing wipers, LED fog lights, aluminum kick plates, the 10-speaker Bose audio system, and a universal garage door opener.

Options include a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, a navigation system, and wood interior trim. An LED package has LED headlights, active headlights that point into turns, and LED ambient interior lighting. A Technology package offers blind-spot monitors, lane departure warning, forward collision warning with emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, parking assistants, and a surround-view camera system.

A Leather package for the QX30 Sport comes with Nappa leather upholstery and dash insert, heated front seats, and a black headliner. A Gallery White theme package for the base model features white Nappa leather upholstery and dash insert, red contrast stitching, a black headliner, satin silver mirror caps, and unique 18-inch wheels with red accents. A Cafe Teak theme package for the QX30 AWD adds brown Nappa leather upholstery and dash insert, a black headliner, satin silver mirror caps, and wood center stack and door handle trim.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

STYLING

As a vehicle designed for worldwide sales, the 2017 Infiniti QX30 represents an interesting proposition for the American market. That's because it's essentially a hatchback and U.S. buyers barely tolerate hatchbacks. To combat that perception, Infiniti is marketing the QX30 as a compact crossover SUV.

We give it a 7 for styling, with points for its interesting exterior and interior. 

The heavy dose of Franco-Japanese style creates a very attractive vehicle. Its shark-like nose flows rearward to fenders that swell architecturally around massive wheel wells, beneath a low-cut greenhouse, and on to a tail with a steeply sloped rear window. It bears a resemblance to the Mazda3 in a passing glance, but in person it appears as a much more elaborate and upscale design.

Also in its favor, the QX30's lines don't read like an inexpensive hatchback. The long nose, almost Mazda-like in its proportions, and the truncated tail with Infiniti's characteristic reverse-crescent C-pillar, give the QX30 a shape unlike any other. Relatively large alloy wheels sit inside large openings rimmed in black lacquer, giving it an elevated stance that disguises its upright hatchback proportions. Sharply incised accent lines in the doors taper toward each other from the hood and the bottom of the front wheel arches, giving the doors a complex 3-D shape and emphasizing the horizontal proportions. Overall, it's a well-executed shape that's very much an Infiniti to the eye.

It's daring—to be sure—but looks about as good as a hatchback can look. And that may be what it takes to distract American buyers from their usual prejudice.

And then there's ride height. All models, including the Sport, sit higher than conventional hatchbacks, creating the look of a crossover. It's even higher in the QX30 AWD.

The AWD also features a blockier front fascia, roof rails, and flat black fender flares, as well as more space between the wheel arches and the tires due to the raised ride height.

The interior is equally stylish, and defined by a strong asymmetrical element that sweeps across the dashboard. It stops just short of gimmickry, and provides an interesting counterpoint to the businesslike designs in German rivals.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

DRIVETRAIN

Versatility is also an apt descriptor for the new QX30's advanced powertrain, which delivers a confidence-inspiring, dynamic driving experience aided by available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.

The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged unit is rated at 208 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, with peak torque of 258 lb-ft available from 1,200 - 4,400 rpm. This engine has been engineered to blend responsive performance with enhanced fuel efficiency. It features a lightweight aluminum block and cylinder head with chain-driven dual-overhead camshafts, die-cast aluminum cylinder crankcase and optimized crank assembly, resulting in further weight savings, reduced friction and improved efficiency. The QX30 also includes an idle stop-start system (ISS) in combination with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The engine was developed in conjunction with Daimler and is sourced from Kolleda, Germany.

All 2017 QX30 models feature a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission system. The dual-clutch intelligently pre-selects gears so the next shift is always ready to go, while manual mode lets the driver control gear changes when desired. Delivering seamless acceleration at any speed and in any gear, the application of torque is almost uninterrupted during gear changes, reducing lurching while in motion and between shifts. Paddle shifters are standard.

The Infiniti QX30's chassis was developed to offer a comfortable ride and confident or both two-wheel and all-wheel drive models. Development teams responsible for QX30's ride and handling worked hard to ensure the car's dynamic characteristics met with buyers' expectations of a vehicle that has been engineered to bridge the gap between compacts and crossovers.

The front suspension is a MacPherson strut design with twin-tube shock absorbers, while the rear utilizes independent multi-link with rear monotube shocks. Stabilizer bars are used front and rear.

Steering is provided by an Electric Power Assisted (EPS) system and braking is a power-assisted 4-wheel disc design with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). QX30 Sport uses cross-drilled front rotors and Infiniti-branded calipers.

The Infiniti QX30 Luxury AWD and QX30 Premium AWD models come equipped with an Infiniti's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. The drivetrain is able to send up to 50 percent of the engine's power and torque to the rear axle to maintain traction on slippery surfaces and in inclement weather, enhancing a feeling of control and confidence when driving. For example, if wheel slip is detected by sensors, braking is applied to the slipping wheel, while torque is sent to the gripping wheel for additional stability.(SEE ALL PHOTOS)

ENGINE

Regardless of trim level or the number of driven wheels, all versions of the new QX30 share the same Daimler-sourced but Infiniti-tuned powertrain elements also found in the Mercedes-Benz GLA250. While not the most powerful engine in its class, the QX30’s smooth and responsive turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder teams well with the paddle-shiftable 7-speed dual-clutch automatic to deliver spirited acceleration across a fairly wide rev range. A driver-selectable start/stop system further enhances fuel economy, netting 24/33-mpg city/highway EPA marks in front-drive QX30s and 21/30 stats in AWD configuration.

► 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4

208 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm

258 lb-ft of torque @ 1,200-4,000 rpm

EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/33 mpg (FWD), 21/20 mpg (AWD)

SAFETY

The QX30 obviously hasn’t been crash tested yet, and the NHTSA hasn’t published any results for the GLA-Class yet either. But the good news is that there are Euro NCAP results for the GLA, and it was awarded a 5-star rating. There will be a number of electronic driver’s aides as well, although Infiniti Infiniti has been oddly vague about these. We do know that there will be Around View Monitor with moving object detection and Intelligent Parking Assist.

Infiniti has even found a way for the radar for the adaptive cruise control to pass through the badge on the front grille. It’s a small thing, but it eliminates the need to find somewhere in the front fascia to mount it, and nobody is going to argue that it doesn’t look better for it, even if it is just a minor detail.

FUEL ECONOMY

The 2017 Infiniti QX30 is a completely new vehicle, yet it's built with a powertrain already established in the Mercedes-Benz CLA and GLA.

The QX30 comes in a little less fuel efficient than the GLA250, however: In front-wheel drive form, it is rated at 24 mpg city, 33 highway, 27 combined. 

By comparison, the GLA checks in at 25/35/29 mpg, which is noticeably better. 

Opt for an all-wheel drive QX30 and you'll see those figures decline to 21/30/25 mpg, per the EPA. 

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.

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By : TFLCars

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►Edited by : Shahen Tharammal

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