2016 Infiniti QX30 Review

In recent years, Infiniti has been making headway into the UK market – offering a premium take on the types of vehicles that are popular with British consumers, albeit at a higher price tag. It was only a matter of time before they entered the ever-popular crossover market and they have done with two models, the smaller variant being the QX30. This market is already crowded and is dominated by the Nissan Qashqai, but what can Infiniti do to make themselves stand out?

Exterior:

The first thing to note is that the QX30 sits more in the pumped up hatchback market than the fully fledged C-SUV one. This means that the styling is familiar as we have seen many manufacturers make their hatchbacks more rugged and label them as crossovers. Unfortunately, in the case of the QX30, this is little more than visual upgrades – adding roof bars, adding new bumpers and wing mirrors – each featuring matte black plastic and a slightly raised ride height. Although these styling cues are reminiscent of an SUV, a crossover they do not make. Without the C-SUV context, the Infiniti is actually a very attractive car. It features bold, dynamic lines, an expressive face and coupe style lines towards the rear – sharing these traits with its counterpart, the Q30.

Interior:

Inside is where you really expect the Infiniti to shine as they are known for their premium trim, providing comfort and safety. The QX30 doesn’t disappoint – its cabin is filled with luxurious materials, from the nappa leather seats to wood inserts in the door panels. The addition of mixed up market material creates a sense of stature while maintaining a relaxed environment.

Performance:

Performance is good with the Infiniti QX30 – it’s no slouch compared with its rivals and it feels quite sporty. Its 168bhp four-cylinder unit is paired up with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox which changes into gear itself well. Infiniti also claim a combined mpg cycle of 57.6 which is pretty accurate while excellent handling, visibility and increased suspension travel all add up to make a well-performing car in a competitive market.

Technology:

Costing over £10,000 more than the Q30, you’d be right to suggest that there must be some major technological advancements and the very latest safety and security features. The QX30 has most of the just mentioned with an excellent blind spot warning system and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). The vehicle also features a sleek 7” LCD VGA touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity and a rear-view camera – plus all the other bells and whistles as expected.