Infiniti QX30 Premium Tech Review (2016)

[nggallery id=2418 template=customlinks]

We’ve had the 2016 Infiniti QX30 2.2d Premium Tech Auto – Infiniti’s jacked-up, 4WD Q30 – in for review. Does it make more sense than the Q30?

Earlier on this year we had the Infiniti Q30 1.6t Premium in for review to see just what Infiniti’s first ‘compact’ model had to offer, and now we get a week to play with the Q30’s crossover sibling with this, the 2016 Infiniti QX30 Premium Tech.

Essentially the Q30, inside and out, but with its own raised suspension setup and four-wheel drive, so if we’re considering the Q30 to be Infiniti’s take on the Mercedes A Class, then the QX30 is a close cousin of the Mercedes GLA.

Infiniti has made it pretty easy to decide which QX30 you buy, with 4wd, auto ‘box and the 2.2 litre diesel engine the only option, and just two trim levels, the QX30 Premium and this, the QX30 Premium Tech, you won’t spend all day trying to whittle it down to what suits you best.

We thought the Q30 was good enough to add to your ‘must look at’ list if you were in the market for a premium compact hatch, and the QX30 ought to be on the zeitgeist as a crossover take on the Q30.

So, the the Infiniti QX30 worth a look if you’re after a premium compact crossover?

QX30 Inside and Out

How the QX30 looks – inside and out – is a bit of a Marmite opinion, although it’s always, in our opinion, better to be contentious than boring.

And actually, the QX30 carries off its challenging styling rather well, perhaps helped by the added bits of butchness – like the skid plates – adorning its angular body, and by the extra bit of height it carries over the Q30.

Surprisingly, that extra ride height doesn’t make you feel like you’re driving an SUV of any sort, and in fact – with a relatively low seat and relatively high door line – the QX30 feels somewhere between a Crossover and a Hatchback. Which, really, it is, although that’s what the Q30 is supposed to be.

And just like the Q30, the QX30 – although nicely finished inside and comfortable – is a bit short on headroom in the back and is very familiar if you’ve spent any time in a Mercedes of late.

But despite all that we warmed to the QX30, and in this Premium Tech trim it comes with nice touches like Nappa leather, heated electric front seats, clever LED lights, 18″ alloys and safety stuff like Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Hill Start and Adaptive Brake Assist.

Throw in Bluetooth, Voice Recognition, Keyless, Drive Modes, InTouch Sat Nav, 7″ Touchscreen, decent audio, decent connectivity and even Active Noise Cancellation, and there’s not much you want for. 

QX30 Performance on the Road

Unlike the Q30 we had in last year, the mechanical spec of the QX30 is pretty much Hobson’s choice.

There’s a 2.1 litre four cylinder diesel engine delivering 168bhp through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox (straight from the three-pointed star), four-wheel drive, its own suspension setup and a 30mm rise in ride height compared to the Q30.

What that translates in to is a Crossover that handles much like a competent hatchback, with perhaps a bit more roll than you’d expect but with plenty of grip, decent performance to 62mph of 8.5 seconds – about ballpark for the competition – and steering that’s accurate enough if not exactly abundant in feel.

But the QX30 doesn’t make you want to throw it around like a hot hatch, and is much better at playing the urban cruiser, with the long Mercedes-like pedal travel encouraging a relatively sedate driving style, rather than flipping it in to Sport – which just makes everything a bit frenetic but without much real action – and chucking it around.

Do that, and the QX30 is a nice place to be and easy to drive. Which rather suits its character.

QX30 Verdict

 Just as we said when had the Q30 in, the QX30 is entering a massively competitive market, even more so with the QX30 if you consider it’s an alternative to premium SUVs. But it does have a lot going for it.

If nothing else, the QX30 deserves praise for being that bit different, certainly in terms of its exterior style, and that counts for a lot in a world where cars are starting to blend in to one. 

What also is to be praised is the level of standard equipment, especially on this Premium Tech QX30, although at a list price of £33,370, and a price as tested of £37,020, it’s at the thick end of the price range for anything comparable.

Yes, the QX30 could do with a bit more headroom in the back – but if you really need to be transporting full sized adults around in the back seats on a regular basis you should be looking for something in a different sector – the infotainment isn’t the best there is and the (Mercedes) engine isn’t appealing when revved.

But all in, the Infiniti QX30 is an appealing car and is greater than the sum of its parts, although it’s perhaps not as appealing to most buyers as its Mercedes GLA cousin or the Volvo V40 Cross Country.

But then if you’re not most buyers, the Infiniti QX30 could be right up your street. And it certainly wouldn’t be bad buy, even if you’ll still be spending endless hours explaining to your carphobic friends exactly what an Infiniti is.

Infiniti QX30 2.2d Premium Tech Review Photos

[nggallery id=2418 template=customlinks]

Infiniti QX30 2.2d Premium Tech Specs

• Engine: 2143cc, 168bhp
• Performance: 0-62mph 8.5 seconds / Top Speed 134mph
• Economy:  57.6mpg  – Official / 38.1mpg  – Test
• Emissions: 128g/km
• Price: £33,370 / Price as tested £37,020
• Test car supplied by Infiniti UK

Infiniti QX30 2.2d Premium Tech Review Options

• Graphite Shadow metallic paint £670
• Glass Roof with electric sunshade £500
• Privacy Glass £300
• Safety Pack £1,800*
• Cafe Teak Leather £380*

(* Safety Pack option includes Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Park Assistance with Around View Monitor, Moving Object Direction and Intelligent Cruise Control. Cafe Teak Leather option includes satin silver door mirrors with LED turning signal, aluminium kick plates, chocolate Nappa leather seats with graphite inserts and black stitching).