The New 2017 Infiniti QX30: A Growing Player in the Compact Luxury SUV Field
The new 2017 Infiniti QX30 is the latest addition to the growing entry-level compact luxury SUV field, which is already populated by popular models such as the BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA. The QX30 shares underpinnings with its German counterpart, the GLA, including a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and transmission. This collaboration between Infiniti's corporate owner Renault and Germany's Daimler brings up several interesting points to consider when purchasing an Infiniti.
One point of interest is that many Nissan Infiniti models have been found to be below average in terms of reliability, according to a recent survey by CRS. This highlights the importance of considering all aspects of a brand's reputation and history when making a purchase decision. While some may assume that an Infiniti, as a Japanese manufacturer, would be reliable due to its country of origin, this survey suggests that this is not necessarily the case.
In terms of driving experience, the QX30 does not have as harsh a ride as the GLA, according to our impressions in a rented sport model. However, it is still capable and handles well. The 2-liter engine puts out 208 horsepower and comes with a standard transmission that features three driving modes: manual, eco, and sport. Infiniti claims that this transmission is more responsive than what's found in the GLA, with different shift points and throttle mapping. However, we are not ready to say that the QX30 is definitively better than models like the Mazda 3 or Volkswagen GTI.
Many buyers will likely opt for the all-wheel-drive version of the QX30, which has a higher ride height in a different trim to make it look more off-road capable. This version also features a sports suspension and handling that seems quite tied down but is still capable. The cabin feels cramped, but it has plenty of soft touch materials, and the seats are mostly comfortable, with Mercedes familiar adjustment switches pinned in the upper regions of the door panel.
The styling on the QX30 may have leaned slightly more to the sports side, including a distinctive Infiniti trade kink behind the rear door. However, this does take a toll on visibility, which can be a concern for some drivers. A surround view camera system is optional, but the QX30 also comes equipped with an InTouch infotainment touchscreen system, which Infiniti claims has been vastly improved since its introduction in the Q50 a few years ago.
One area where the QX30 falls short is in terms of safety features. Like many luxury cars, it does not come standard with forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, which are now common in this class of vehicles. These important safety features are available as options on the QX30, but they should be standard on a luxury car like this.
In terms of pricing, Infiniti estimates that the starting point for the QX30 should be below $30,000, with a typically equipped model coming in around $40,000. We look forward to conducting a more extensive drive and test program to further evaluate the QX30's capabilities and features. For more information on SUVs and compact luxury vehicles, we recommend checking out Consumer Reports.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthe new 2017 Infiniti qx30 is the latest member in the growing entry-level compact luxury SUV field already populated by the audio cue three BMW x1 and mercedes-benz GLA among others the qx30 is particularly intimate with the GLA as it shares underpinnings with this german-made counterpart including the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and transmission that's all made possible via a deal between infinities corporate owner Renault and Germany's Daimler and that brings up a few interesting points if you're buying an Infiniti you might think that since it's Japanese it'll be reliable but CRS recent reliability survey shows that many Nissan Infiniti models are below average helping to sync the brands in our industry report card and if you're thinking that since the qx30 is based on a mercedes-benz it must surely deliver a classically rewarding German driving experience well not so fast our driving impressions in a rented sport model show that the qx30 does not have as harsh a ride as the GLA we also like the powertrain it feels quick and fairly responsive once past the initial turbo lag the 2-liter engine puts out 208 horsepower the standard transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic which comes with three driving modes manual eco and sport Infiniti says that the transmission is more responsive than what's in the GLA with different shift points and throttle mapping this QX 30s is the sports version it's lower and has a sports suspension handling seems quite tied down and capable but we're not ready to say it's better than a Mazda 3 or a Volkswagen GTI many buyers will go for the qx30 all-wheel-drive version it has a higher ride height in a different trim to make it look more off-road ready inside the cabin feels cramped but has lots of soft touch materials the seats which Infiniti officials state are different than the ones in the GLA are mostly comfortable and come with Mercedes familiar adjustment switches pinned in the upper regions of the door panel and while the styling on this Infiniti perhaps leaned slightly more to the sports side including the Infiniti trade kink behind the rear door it really takes a toll on our visibility a surround view camera system is optional the qx30 also gets infinities In Touch infotainment touchscreen system instead of the Mercedes command system Infiniti claims that they vastly improved in touch since the introduction of the q50 a few years ago while the Mercedes GLA has standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking those important safety features are options on the Infinity they should be standard on a luxury car like this Infiniti says that the starting pressure should be below thirty thousand dollars and a typically equip model should be around forty thousand dollars we look forward to a more extensive drive when we purchase one for our test program for more on SUVs check out consumerreports.org youthe new 2017 Infiniti qx30 is the latest member in the growing entry-level compact luxury SUV field already populated by the audio cue three BMW x1 and mercedes-benz GLA among others the qx30 is particularly intimate with the GLA as it shares underpinnings with this german-made counterpart including the 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and transmission that's all made possible via a deal between infinities corporate owner Renault and Germany's Daimler and that brings up a few interesting points if you're buying an Infiniti you might think that since it's Japanese it'll be reliable but CRS recent reliability survey shows that many Nissan Infiniti models are below average helping to sync the brands in our industry report card and if you're thinking that since the qx30 is based on a mercedes-benz it must surely deliver a classically rewarding German driving experience well not so fast our driving impressions in a rented sport model show that the qx30 does not have as harsh a ride as the GLA we also like the powertrain it feels quick and fairly responsive once past the initial turbo lag the 2-liter engine puts out 208 horsepower the standard transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic which comes with three driving modes manual eco and sport Infiniti says that the transmission is more responsive than what's in the GLA with different shift points and throttle mapping this QX 30s is the sports version it's lower and has a sports suspension handling seems quite tied down and capable but we're not ready to say it's better than a Mazda 3 or a Volkswagen GTI many buyers will go for the qx30 all-wheel-drive version it has a higher ride height in a different trim to make it look more off-road ready inside the cabin feels cramped but has lots of soft touch materials the seats which Infiniti officials state are different than the ones in the GLA are mostly comfortable and come with Mercedes familiar adjustment switches pinned in the upper regions of the door panel and while the styling on this Infiniti perhaps leaned slightly more to the sports side including the Infiniti trade kink behind the rear door it really takes a toll on our visibility a surround view camera system is optional the qx30 also gets infinities In Touch infotainment touchscreen system instead of the Mercedes command system Infiniti claims that they vastly improved in touch since the introduction of the q50 a few years ago while the Mercedes GLA has standard forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking those important safety features are options on the Infinity they should be standard on a luxury car like this Infiniti says that the starting pressure should be below thirty thousand dollars and a typically equip model should be around forty thousand dollars we look forward to a more extensive drive when we purchase one for our test program for more on SUVs check out consumerreports.org you\n"
