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Driven: 2017 Infiniti QX30

In what could be classically described as a case of twin sons from different mothers, the new 2017 Infiniti QX30 is a result of collaboration between Renault-Nissan and Daimler, which yielded the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
2017 Infiniti QX30 64 photos
Photo: Mark Elias
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While the GLA has been in-market for about two years, the subsequent time has allowed Infiniti to improve or enhance various aspects of this new Crossover platform and in the process, refine it for their particular brand of customer. Is it a case of fresh fruits of labor, or a steamy rotting mess? Shall we take a look?

The Economics of Scale

Companies join together to share technologies, designs and expertise in an effort to save the costs of developing new vehicles using strictly their own wallets or bankbooks. In the case of the 2017 Infiniti QX30, the result is a right-sized urban assault vehicle that can help a young city dweller attack his or her own urban jungle.

Infiniti showed us the fruits of this merger in the Pacific Northwest city of Seattle, home to Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing and Starbucks. It provided proper insight into this new crossover’s capabilities.

Designed for the world

The QX30 is a C-segment Crossover vehicle that is perfect for around-town living and the occasional off-road excursion. Available in North American, European and Chinese markets, it features a stylish turn on a familiar two-box design that should appeal to most global tastes. Inspired by the Infiniti Etherea concept vehicle, it bridges the gap between Infiniti coupes and sedans on one side, and the brand’s sport utility vehicles on the other.

Built in Sunderland, UK, it features flowing lines and a crisp, muscular stance which all contribute to making a strong exterior vision of this new Infiniti. Available in three ride heights, the base model starts with 6.7-inches of ground clearance. The Sport version drops 0.6-inches while the AWD rides with a total of 7.9-inches of skyscraping attitude that reveals a whole lot of confident looks that are part of this vehicle’s new vibe.

Power for the QX30 in the North American market comes exclusively from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, available at a barely-breathing 1,200 rpm. Developed by Daimler, this engine also finds its way into the Mercedes-Benz GLA and CLA. Infiniti/Nissan engineers tweak it further before squeezing it under the QX30’s aluminum hood.

2017 Infiniti Q30/QX30
Photo: Axel Griesinger
A Daimler DCT seven-speed automatic transmission is standard in the 2017 QX30. Further tweaked by Infiniti engineers, it runs on the principle of a dual clutch system, which preloads the next gear to avoid the jolt during a gear change known as shift-shock. The principle is that the result is a smoother, more enjoyable ride. In the base version, this gearbox works in concert with the QX30’s front wheel drive system.

The all-wheel-drive version can send up to fifty percent of the torque to the rear wheels, and then gradually returns power back to the front wheels once cruising speed has been achieved. The 18- or 19-inch wheels are planted on terra firma via a MacPherson strut front end and a multilink rear kit with stabilizer bars at both ends. Steering comes from an electric power-assisted rack and pinion set up.

The QX30 has been developed to compete with its distant cousin, the Mercedes-Benz GLA, as well as Audi’s Q3, and BMW’s X1. Infiniti’s baby crossover is available in six configurations ranging from front-wheel-drive, including base QX30 (starting at $29,950), QX30 Luxury, QX30 Premium, and QX30 Sport models ($42,100 with Moonroof, Navigation and leather). Two all-wheelers are available as well, including QX30 Luxury AWD and QX30 Premium AWD ($39,550 with Navigation and Moonroof) versions. There is a $950 delivery and destination fee that is not included in the MSRP.

In the European market, buyers will also be able to opt for an available diesel-based powertrain.

An inward look

Don’t think that just because the Infiniti QX30 and the Mercedes GLA ride on the same platform that they feature the same interior. The Infiniti includes a much more evolved driver-centric cockpit/dashboard arrangement that found in Cousin’s Mercedes GLA. The QX takes advantage of Nissan and Infiniti’s seating expertise with zero gravity chairs like those found in many Nissan sedans.

Entry and exit can sometimes be tight, but there is a seating feature that somehow makes it easier. Rear seat legroom can become a bit cramped and is suitable for short rides only. You will most likely feel more at home with the rear seats folded permanently forward to haul around all your worldly possessions, instead. Infiniti claims this five-seater accommodates 19.2-cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seat. Fold that seat forward, and the amount of space jumps to nearly 90-cubic feet.

The centerpiece of the Infiniti QX30’s interior is its console-mounted controller, which operates the navigation, audio and Bluetooth systems and is not such a far reach as those controls found at the top of the center stack, as in previous Infiniti examples.

2017 Infiniti Q30/QX30
Photo: Axel Griesinger
Still, the QX30 shares some of its interior controls, including the flat-bottomed steering wheel, and various switches with the Daimler product, although interior designers have attempted to refine them further. Unlike the GLA, the QX30 features an integrated seven-inch display monitor that looks like it belongs rather than the seven-inch display found in the GLA that appears like an iPad-style tablet has been glued to the top of the dashboard as an afterthought.

The QX’s base interior can be had with a base-spec synthetic Fibretec material, while various optional packages including wood and leather trim and a full sport leather interior complete with contrasting red stitching are offered at added cost.

From a safety standpoint, the QX30 can be ordered with Infiniti Driver assistance technologies that include their proven Forward Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning and Lane Departure Warning systems. Front and rear parking sensors, Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Park Assist, and Infiniti’s Around View Monitor system with cameras that stitch together a bird’s eye view from above are also value added options.

Behind the wheel

This newest Infiniti is powered by the same proven 2.0-liter turbocharged powerplant that is being rolled out through the Mercedes-Benz lineup. Tweaking by company engineers now offers a more distinctive ride and power point than that found in the German examples.

The 2.0-liter engine offered plenty of power and pep, just as its German relative. Infiniti says that It may take 6.4-seconds to run from Zero-to-60 mph. Easily an all-day cruiser, the QX30 is also a quick-change artist on the fly, with the ability to pass slow moving lolly-gaggers despite any limited passing distance.

Autoevolution sampled both the front-drive Sport model and the AWD version, which we think is the better of the two. Buyers get the best of Infiniti’s front and all-wheel-drive worlds with a powertrain that will take you -in most cases- everywhere you want to go.


2017 Infiniti Q30/QX30
Photo: Axel Griesinger
Between the front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the QX30, buyers will have a decision to make whose choice actually depends on where the car’s primary residence will be. As spec’d, the QX30 Sport rides on 19-inch low-profile run-flat tires that, while offering superior grip, transmit substantial road noise on coarse road surfaces like those found in the Northwest. On the other hand, we felt more comfortable with the 18-inchers that equipped the AWD versions. Surprisingly, despite the fact the QX30 AWD rode nearly two-inches higher than the Sport, it seemed equally at ease while negotiating twisties in the Seattle area.

Once we found smoother road surfaces, both versions of the QX30 managed to perform with a confidence that made certain a buyer felt they were getting their money’s worth. When you couple that with the lower price of entry versus the Infiniti’s Mercedes cousin, it seemed even more of a bargain.

To gain access to this information, autoevolution attended an event sponsored by the vehicle's manufacturer.
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