New for 2017
The QX30 is an all-new model.
INFINITI breaks the crossover mold
SUVs are evolving, and INFINITI is on the cutting edge. The 2017 INFINITI QX30 blurs the line between a crossover SUV and a regular car, embodying some of the best qualities of both. The QX30 is a good option for buyers who want a luxurious and practical vehicle, but don’t want to deal with the thirst and poor road manners of a traditional SUV.
Performance
The QX30 is a new type of vehicle for INFINITI. It combines the all-wheel drive and tall ride height of an SUV with more car-like handling and styling as well as a more compact footprint. That makes it much nicer to drive than traditional SUVs and much more frugal at the pump.
The sole powertrain option for the 2017 QX30 is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The all-wheel drive system has the ability to split power 50/50 between the front and rear wheels.
EPA-rated fuel economy is 27 mpg combined (24 mpg city, 33 mpg highway) with front-wheel drive, and 25 mpg combined (21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway) with all-wheel drive.* These relatively high numbers show the advantage of a smaller crossover utility vehicle like the QX30 over traditional SUVs when it comes to efficiency.
The QX30 has a more interesting background than most other cars. It’s the product of a partnership between INFINITI parent Nissan and Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler, so its components come from different sources. The basic platform, engine, and transmission are shared with the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, but the all-wheel drive system—and virtually everything else—comes from INFINITI.
Features
The 2017 INFINITI QX30 is a five-door, five-seat luxury crossover. It is available in four trim levels, priced starting from $29,950.00.**
Standard equipment on the base model includes 18-inch alloy wheels; Intelligent Key Entry; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter; power-folding, heated, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, and more. The QX30 Luxury model includes all of those features, plus heated Nappa leather seats with front power adjustment and memory system, and Nappa leather stitched dash insert.
The QX30 Premium builds on the other two models, adding a Bose® 10-speaker premium audio system, rain-sensing wipers, heated windshield-washer nozzles, LED fog lights, chrome trunk finisher, and aluminum kick plates. Finally, the QX30 Sport adds sport suspension and brakes, 19-inch wheels, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and unique exterior and interior styling.
In addition to the standard equipment, some of the optional features on the 2017 INFINITI QX30 include full LED lighting, navigation, a power moonroof, and numerous options for interior trim.
Design
The 2017 INFINITI QX30 features radical styling that makes it look like nothing else on the road. It combines the high ride height of a traditional SUV with a sleek, low roofline to create a sporty look that also blends very nicely with INFINITI’s signature double-arch grille and headlight design.
The body sides are defined by dramatic sculpting that is the antithesis of traditional slab-sided SUV styling. INFINITI’s signature crescent C-pillar, in particular, gives the impression of motion even when the car is standing still. The QX30 Sport model adds unique front and rear lower fasciae, a gloss-black grille, body-color side sill panels, a lower ride height, and 19-inch wheels for a more aggressive look.
The interior is defined by an asymmetrical design that, like the exterior, goes against many styling conventions. The curved surfaces appear to twist and flow, making everything look dynamic and fluid. Available upscale materials like Nappa leather and multiple wood trim options give the QX30 a truly luxurious feel, while the available INFINITI InTouch infotainment system with 7.0-inch touchscreen provides plenty of tech features.
Despite its compact size and low roofline, the QX30 still offers the interior space of a genuine SUV. It boasts 88.9 cubic feet of passenger volume with 38.4 inches of headroom in the front and 37.5 inches in the rear. It also has 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, and 108.1 cubic feet with the seats folded.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2017 INFINITI QX30 includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, a rearview camera, and a full array of airbags. Optional features include Intelligent Park Assist, front and rear parking sensors, Around View Monitor® camera system, blind spot warning, forward emergency braking, and lane departure warning.
Verdict
The 2017 INFINITI QX30 takes Nissan’s luxury brand in a new and interesting direction.
Be sure to contact us online or visit 3Birds Template at 505 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 to schedule a test drive.
*EPA Fuel Economy Estimates. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions – use for comparison only.
**Price is Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). MSRP excluding destination charge, tax, title, license and options. Dealer sets actual price.
Image: INFINITI
