2017 Infiniti QX30:  Premium CUV has great pedigree.

By Autoreviewman

The New Infiniti QX30 is a new compact luxury CUV from Nissans premium offshoot brand and has been causing quite a stir lately.   With the trademark sleek, slippery exterior Infiniti styling, this is by definition a good-looking Crossover with its double arch grille, sculpted side character lines and arcing C-pillar. With a firm planted stance, the QX30 looks ready to do battle in what is a very heavily contested niche market.   The QX30 is powered by a Mercedes derived 2.0-litre twin turbo inline four-cylinder, producing 208 HP and 258 lb/ft of torque.  The seven-speed dual clutch transmission is also of Mercedes origin, although Infiniti does the transmission tuning.

There are three QX30 models on offer, each tuned a little differently and with either front wheel or All Wheel Drive and varying ride heights depending on model. The entry QX30 sits at 6.7 inches. The QX30 Sport sit 0.6 inches lower, gets seven per cent stiffer springs and the electric power steering is tuned more to sports orientated driving.   Meanwhile, the AWD version has stiffer springs and a stiffer roll bar for better performance on rough roads. The QX30 AWD is raised 1.2 inches and has the ability to send up to 50 per cent of grip to the rear axle when needed. All QX30’s are incredibly well equipped with all the creature comforts you can imagine.  Interior cabin, fit and finish is obviously top class.   The QX30 has a cargo capacity of 19.2 cu ft in the rear.

We tested the top of the line AWD model equipped with premium and technology packages that offered such goodies as: Bose premium audio, front and rear parking sensors and a slew of high tech safety systems such as Blind Spot warning and the fabulous around-view monitor.

On the road, the QX30 proved to be a very impressive with its smooth four-cylinder engine proving decent power. The Infiniti engineers tuned the throttle a tad more aggressively, but fuel economy is still good at   10.6/8.0/9.4L/100 km city/highway/combined. The seven-speed gearbox can also be used with the standard paddle shifters for more versatility.  I do miss the more aggressive 3.5 liter engine and transmission combo, but the smoother Mercedes powertrain derived CUV will do very nicely for now!

2017 Infiniti QX30 AWD:  Total MRSP including optional equipment- $46,640 plus freight and PDE