Infiniti QX30 (2016 – 2020) Review

Infiniti QX30 (2016 – 2020) Verdict

Plenty of standard equipment, good build quality, relative rarity, excellent dealer service (if there’s one close)

Only one engine and gearbox, cramped rear seats, very obviously based on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, high cost and depreciation

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Infiniti QX30 (2016 – 2020) handling and engines

• Engines range from 2.0t DCT AWD to 2.2d DCT AWD
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 40–51 mpg

What’s most striking about the QX30 is that it’s surprisingly lacking in the qualities that make the Nissan Qashqai so good – the car it’s built alongside at Nissan's famous Sunderland plant. The well-damped ride quality and general sense of calm in the Qashqai’s cabin isn’t present here.

It may be a little unfair to compare the QX30 to the Qashqai – they’re broadly similar sized but are made from different parts and aimed at different customers, really. The thing is though, the QX30 is less comfortable than the Qashqai, when as a ‘luxury crossover’ (and a significantly more expensive one) it really should be more so.

Instead, Infiniti has aimed at the ‘sporty’ market, whatever that is - what that means in actuality is juddery suspension and steering that feels artificially firm at town and parking speeds. And while the ergonomics are generally ok, the steering wheel does seem set a little low and the seat high.

So, while the firmer-than-average suspension means the QX30 resists lolloping body roll and there’s a sense of sharpness when turning the wheel – plus plenty of grip - this is no sporty hatchback.

It also suffers from a horribly unresponsive throttle, whose first third or so of travel seems to do very little. It’s slightly better in Sport mode (one of three selectable driver settings), but then you’re left with even firmer steering, and an automatic gearbox programmed to hold onto gear for longer than comfortable…

…which exacerbates the QX30’s other refinement issue: the engine. The 2.2-litre Mercedes-Benz sourced unit is noisy throughout the rev range, and although it has plenty of torque (350Nm at 1400rpm) it never feels especially punchy; the QX30 is a relatively heavy crossover, and feels it.

Add to that the tyre noise that you'll suffer with the inevitable set of 18/19-inch alloy wheels and you have a crossover that just isn't as calm and composed as it should be. 

Infiniti QX30 (2016 – 2020) interior

If you’re unfamiliar with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (something Infiniti is banking on) then the QX30 cabin won’t offend you. It won’t offend you either way really, but stepping from an A-Class into this evokes true déjà vu. Much of the switchgear is lifted without change (as are the speedometer display graphics), and the basic architecture isn’t very well disguised either.

But there are some interesting flourishes, like the purple LED highlighting, and it feels very well built. It does have a handful too many buttons scattered about, but that’s generally the Japanese way and it helps make the QX30 cabin seem high-end, if not necessarily luxurious. Stitched leather and wood trim in the dashboard and door cards lift things too.

And while there isn’t much wrong with the InTouch infotainment system, the sub-menus can be slightly confusing. The good thing is, there’s both a rotary dial to control things and it’s a touchscreen – indecision on Infiniti’s part, or every base covered? You decide.

On the less subjective issue of space, the QX30 is lacking in key areas – mainly the rear. There’s precious little headroom back there and even less knee space. Added to that, rear access is hindered by an unusually small opening, and if you specify a glass roof it eats into head room even more. 

The rear bench has a ski hatch and a 60/40 split as standard, but the floor doesn’t lift flush to the boot lip and capacity is on the low side of average at 430 litres – an Audi Q3 has 420 litres, but a BMW X1 has 505 and, somewhat strangely, the Mercedes-Benz GLA that it shares a platform with (it being based on the A-Class too) has 481 litres. The Nissan Qashqai, incidentally, has 430 litres too.

Elsewhere in the cabin the QX30 isn’t exactly awash with oddment space. The glovebox is small, as are the door pockets and the oddment bin in the centre console; the QX30 is a car that doesn’t conceal the day’s junk very well.

A tyre repair kit is standard too, meaning you’ll pay extra for a spare wheel.

Equipment:

Premium includes 18-inch alloy wheels, Infiniti Drive Mode selector, automatic dual-zone climate control, cruise control with speed limiter, lane departure warning, heated front seats, InTouch navigation system, active noise cancellation, LED front fog lamps and seven airbags.

Premium Tech adds LED auto levelling headlights, nappa leather seat facings, dark headlining, wood inserts in door panels and headlining, power front seats with memory adjustment, rear view camera with front and rear parking sensors.

Infiniti QX30 (2016 – 2020) models and specs