2018 Infiniti QX30 SUV

It may carry a Japanese badge but the 2018 Infiniti QX30 is as German as it gets. Designed in partnership with the Daimler and assembled in Great Britain, the QX30 borrows its engine, transmission, and chassis form the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. It part ways with its German cousin by offering a more lavish interior at a low price. Its 2-liter turbocharged inline 4 engine sends power via a 7-speed automatic to either the rear or all four wheels.

The 2018 Infiniti QX30 subcompact luxury crossover comes in four trims: Base, Luxury, Premium, and Sport. All these trims are different in terms of comfort, amenities and safety features. A 2.0-liter inline-4 engine with seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission comes as standard. Front wheel drive is standard on all the Q30 models but if you want AWD (all-wheel drive) then you will have to go with the Luxury or the Premium trim. The AWD fitted Infiniti costs around $2,100 than a standard version.

You can also choose from the available packages in select models, like the Navigation package ($1,850) gives you turn-by-turn direction and traffic updates, Infiniti’s Touch telematics system and front and rear parking sensor. The Technology package ($2,200) adds loads of safety features and a 360-degree camera.

Trims	QX30	QX30 Luxury	QX30 Premium	QX30 Sport
MSRP(2WD)	$29,950	$32,600	$35,300	N/A
MSRP(AWD)	N/A	$34,400	$37,700	$38,500
Features	QX30 standard key features: INFINITI InTouch 7-inch vehicle-information display 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels Paddle shifters RearView Monitor Intelligent Key with Push Button Start Leather-wrapped steering wheel Power folding heated driver-side auto-dimming outside mirrors 4-way power driver lumbar	Includes all QX30 features plus: Nappa leather-appointed seating 8-way power front seats 4-way power front passenger lumbar Memory seats and mirrors Heated front seats Leatherette-appointed and stitched dash insert	Includes all QX30 Luxury features plus: Bose 10-speaker premium audio system Panoramic Moonroof Rain-sensing windshield wipers Universal Garage Door Opener LED front fog lamps Cargo area finisher Aluminum kick plates Roof Rails Heated windshield washer nozzles	Includes all QX30 Premium features plus: 19-inch Gun Metallic aluminum-alloy wheels Sport brakes with cross-drilled front rotors Unique front and rear sport styling Sport seats with suede-like material Flat-bottom sport steering wheel Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection Intelligent Park Assist Front and rear parking sensors Lowered sport suspension Dual dark chrome exhaust finishers

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With five trims to choose from, you might get a bit confused while selecting the best trim that gets you best value for money along with all the features. All the 2018 Infiniti QX30 are very well equipped and you get a load of standard features in the base model itself. But it if you want more elegance, we would recommend the QX30 Luxury. This trim is better equipped than the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 and costs $800 less. It gets you all the features of the base along with heated front seats with eight-way power adjustments and Nappa leather upholstery.

“For the average CUV buyer, driving dynamics may not be the most valuable asset a car can possess. Be that as it may, Infiniti’s offerings have always tended to be a little firmer and more capable than some other luxury automobiles. That’s true here, too.” Left Lane News

Engine and Transmission

A sole Mercedes-Benz-sourced 2.0-liter inline-4 rated at 208-horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque powers the Infiniti QX30. The base comes standard with the front-wheel drive while the all-wheel drive is only available with the Luxury and Premium trims. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power either forward or in all four corners of the vehicle.

Models	Infiniti QX30	Audi Q3 Premium	BMW X1 sdrive 28i	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
MSRP	$29,950	$32,900	$33,900	$33,400
Engine	2.0-liter Turbocharged I4 engine	2.0-liter TFSI 4-Cylinder	2.0-liter Twin Power Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine	2.0-Liter I-4 Turbo w/Direct Injection
Transmission	7-speed automatic	6-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	7-speed automatic
Power	208hp	200hp	228hp	208hp
Torque	258 lb-ft	207 lb-ft	258 lb-ft	258 lb-ft

Acceleration

With an impressive 0-60 in 6.3 seconds it is one of the fastest CUV (Compact Utility Vehicle) in the class. It beats the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 by good one seconds and also leads the pack when it comes to covering a quarter-mile. The 208-horsepower setup provides enough rush to merge into the highway traffic easily.  Meanwhile, the pedal feels more responsive while driving within the city in Sport and Manual shifting mode. While in the Economy mode you will feel that the Infiniti QX30 is slow to respond.

Models	Infiniti QX30	Audi Q3 Premium	BMW X1 sdrive 28i	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
0-60 MPH	6.3 sec	8.2 sec	6.6 sec	7.2 sec
Quarter mile	14.9 sec @ 93 mph	16.1 sec @ 89 mph	15.2 sec @ 90.5 mph	15.3 sec @ 90.3 mph
Engine	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Emission Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year	6.6	7.7	6.8	6.5

Braking and Handling

Both the all-wheel drive and the front-wheel drive in the 2018 Infiniti QX30 rides the same, although the AWD feels little more alive on winding roads as it allows the driver to accelerate harder. Sports model with their lowered suspension is even more fun to drive although the 19-inch wheel setup does hamper the ride quality a bit. The seven-speed automatic transmission is smooth but feels a little confused at low speed. There is 6.8-inch of ground clearance which means that this compact SUV can do some off-roading.

Model	Infiniti QX30	Audi Q3 Premium	BMW X1 sdrive 28i	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Brake Front(in)	12.6	12.3	12.9	12.6
Brake Rear(in)	11.6	11.1	12.5	11.6
Curb Weight(lbs)	3280	3483	3543	3296
60-0 MPH (ft.)	106	108	112	120

The QX30 brakes have the best stopping power in the segment. It stops from 60-0 in 106-feet which is a solid result for such a small car with all-season tires. Brake feel strong even after continuous use and provides stability to the vehicle when stopped in a hurry.

With same engine specification and power, we can say that the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 is the closest rival of the 2018 Infiniti QX30. Both the vehicles are reasonably fuel-efficient as they are based on the same platform, although the QX30 requires expensive premium unleaded gasoline. Front-wheel drive in the QX30 has an EPA rating of 24 mpg city/ 33 mpg highway/ 27 mpg combined. The AWD is a bit thirstier with an EPA rating of 21/30/25 mpg.

Model	Infiniti QX30	Audi Q3 Premium	BMW X1 sdrive 28i	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
MPG (city)	24	20	23	24
MPG (highway)	33	28	32	33
MPG (combined)	27	23	26	27

Inside you might get confused whether you are sitting in a QX30 or GLA as both these SUVs were developed side-by-side under a partnership between the German and the Japanese carmaker. However, the Q30 benefits from this joint-venture with a top-notch material quality. All the controls are within reach and it feels cozy inside. Although, you need to be flexible while getting in and out of this small SUV which offers the same space as a hatchback.

Seating and Comfort

The Q30 is more sports hatchback than a small SUV and is prone to shake on bumpy roads. There is a good range of seat adjustment in the driver’s seat with the manual-tilt and-telescope steering wheel but the taller drivers might brush their head on the headliner. Outside visibility is limited due to the rear thick pillar and narrow rear window line.

The cabin feels small with minimal rear-seat legroom and the headroom is also hindered by the panoramic sunroof. Meanwhile, the Q30 has seating capacity for five people and comes standard with cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats and a 60-40-split-folding rear seat. Each model except the base comes with an eight-way-power-adjustable front seat. Optional seating upgrade includes:

• Synthetic leather upholstery (In Sport trim)
• Nappa leather upholstery (In Luxury and Premium trim)
• Heated front seats

Model	Infiniti QX30	Audi Q3 Premium	BMW X1 sdrive 28i	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Passenger Volume (ft cube)	108	106	101.2	104
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.)	38.4/54.8/52.1	36.9/55.8/40	41.9/55.6/40.4	40/54.8/41.9
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg)(In.)	37.5/54.8/33.5	37.4/53.6/31.1	39.4/55.2/37	38.2/53.1/27.3

Infotainment

The QX30 comes with a responsive and user-friendly infotainment system, although it lacks some of the high-tech interface available in the market. A big drawback with the Infiniti is that smartphone integration is limed to Bluetooth only as there is no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, even the graphics appear outdated. There are lots of buttons and knobs which are within reach for those who prefer physical control.

Cargo Space

The QX30 comes with 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which is average for the class. But it only offers a total of 34 cubic feet of cargo space overall which is significantly less considering the rivals like Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Limited in-cabin storage and no power liftgate is also a big letdown.

Model	Infiniti QX30	Audi Q3 Premium	BMW X1 sdrive 28i	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Volume inside trunk(cube ft.)	19.2	16.7	27.1	17.2
Volume with 2nd row folded (cube ft.)	34	48.2	58.7	43.6

We already know that the Q30 and the GLA have a lot in common but we must credit the Infiniti for keeping the styling distinct than the Mercedes. The Q30 with its swoopy roofline and coupe-like styling makes it look the part. The most notable visual cue is the rearmost roof pillar, which tilts backward and then forward to create the automaker’s signature Z-shape flair.

Design and Styling

The exterior design of the 2018 Infiniti QX30 reflects a contemporary look with the bold double-arch grille and highly sculpted bodywork. Each model looks different with unique front and rear fascia, ride-height settings and 18- or 19-inch wheel treatment. When it comes to dimensions, the QX30 with 174.2-inches in length and 106.3-inch of wheelbase, measure up against others luxury crossovers in the segment.

Model	Infiniti QX30	Audi Q3 Premium	BMW X1 sdrive 28i	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Curb weight(lbs)	3280	3483	3543	3296
Length(in)	174.2	172.8	175.4	173.9
Width(in)	82.0	72.1	71.7	71.0
Height(in)	58.9	62.5	62.9	60.0
Ground clearance(in)	6.8	6.7	6.9	6.6
Wheelbase(in)	106.3	102.5	105.1	106.3
Track width(in) F/R	61.9/61.9	61.1/61.2	61.5/61.5	61.8/61.4

Wheels

The 2018 Infiniti QX30 Luxury and Premium rides on 18-inch alloy wheels which provides a smooth ride as compared to the 19-inch alloy wheel with run-flat summer tires in the Sports trim. With 6.8-inch of ground clearance, you can definitely explore some rough terrains in this small SUV but it is not suitable for trails with large rocks.

Model	Infiniti QX30	Audi Q3 Premium	BMW X1 sdrive 28i	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Size F/R (in.)	18*7/18*7	18*7/18*7	18*7.5/18*7.5	18*7.5/18*7.5
Quality	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum	Aluminum
Wheel type	Alloy	Alloy	Alloy	Alloy

Towing Capacity

Don’t expect to tow more than a small trailer that weighs around 3,500-pound if you own one of these compact SUVs. Although, if your daily need exceeds the towing capacity, the Infiniti QX30 comes with, then you would be better with the Audi Q3 which gives you 900-pound extra towing capacity.

Model	Infiniti QX30	Audi Q3	BMW X1 sdrive 28i	Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Drive Train	AWD	AWD	AWD	AWD
Powertrain	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L	2.0L
Capacity(lbs)	3500	4400	3500	3428

We already know that the Q30 and the GLA have a lot in common but we must credit the Infiniti for keeping the styling distinct than the Mercedes. The Q30 with its swoopy roofline and coupe-like styling makes it look the part. The most notable visual cue is the rearmost roof pillar, which tilts backward and then forward to create the automaker’s signature Z-shape flair.

Both the NHSTA and the IIHS have not crash-tested the 2018 Infiniti QX30 so we will update the content once the scores arrive. When it comes to reliability the QX30 comes with a 4-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Safety features

As we wait for the scores to arrive let’s discuss the safety feature that the car boasts as there is plenty to talk about. All the QX30s come with seven airbags as standard including a driver’s side knee airbag. Optional advanced safety tech package ($2,200) gets you a surround view camera system, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking.

The safety package is not available on the base and Luxury trim levels which comes as a surprise as the parent organization Nissan has made many of these features standard on less expensive sedans and crossovers.

• INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System (AABS)
• Glove Box Door Integrated Knee Airbag
• Driver’s knee airbag.
• Belt-Minder front safety belt reminder
• Dual front airbags
• Front-seat side-impact airbags
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether Anchors for Children)
• Personal Safety System for driver and front passenger
• Rear view camera
• Safety Canopy side-curtain airbags
• SOS Post-Crash Alert System
• Illuminated entry.
• SecuriLock Passive Anti-Theft System
• Remote keyless entry system.

Infiniti QX30 Vs Mercedes-Benz GLA

Based on the same platform with similar specs and power both these vehicles are a good choice to go with. However, the GLA has a slightly more dynamic handling while the Q30 offers a more relaxed ride. There is a good number of techs and features in both the car but the rear seats are cramped. Infiniti comes at a lower price than the Mercedes GLA and while providing the same amount of comfort. However, Mercedes driving dynamics may attract your attention.

Infiniti QX30 Vs Audi A3

The Audi A3 has the least amount of rear seat space in the competition, leaving adult passengers with very little room to feel comfortable. The A3 also has less cargo capacity than the QX30, although Audi impresses with the 4,400-pound towing capacity which is best in class. So, there is little reason to consider the Audi A3 over others if comfort is your primary focus.

Infiniti QX30 Vs BMW X1

Well, if you have the money to spend and want exhilarating road manner, then BMW X1 is a clear winner here. Its starting price is $3,500 more than QX30 but you will love it for its nimbleness and agility. It also offers more cargo space than the Infiniti QX30 which is also an advantage. It is definitely one of the best option available in the market, however, the Infiniti with its lower price tag is worth considering.

The 2018 Infiniti QX30 is a good pick if you are searching for small size luxury SUV that makes your daily commute comfortable and is good enough for light off-roading. It is a vehicle that makes your money worth with its long list of standard features, active engine, and excellent mileage. Comfortable seats along with premium cabin material also makes it your go-to vehicle as you get all these for a price that won’t break the bank. There are some drawbacks like the cramped rear seat and low cargo space but it makes up for that with its sporty looks and sleek design.