2017 Infiniti QX30 Luxury AWD Ride Report
May 10, 2017, 8:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
2017 Infiniti QX30 Luxury AWD Ride Report
I found a 2017 Infiniti QX30 on the Executive Aisle a couple months ago. I forget the designation.
EPA: 21/30 for AWD
The exterior looks very good- it's what caught my eye in the first place. I think it looks better than the Mercedes GLA. Not sure why Infiniti still needs the QX50?
QX30 has a far better interior than the GLA, although the QX30 retains the seat controls of the GLA. Everything else is done in the usual Infiniti style. The display is a touchscreen. The shifter is tiny, but quite functional.
GOOD:
- Nicely weighted steering
- Great fuel economy
- Hatchback storage space
- Suspension seemed less harsh than the GLA's
BAD:
- Tight interior, not much headroom
- Visibility
- Noisy engine
- No HIDs on Luxury trim
EPA: 21/30 for AWD
The exterior looks very good- it's what caught my eye in the first place. I think it looks better than the Mercedes GLA. Not sure why Infiniti still needs the QX50?
QX30 has a far better interior than the GLA, although the QX30 retains the seat controls of the GLA. Everything else is done in the usual Infiniti style. The display is a touchscreen. The shifter is tiny, but quite functional.
GOOD:
- Nicely weighted steering
- Great fuel economy
- Hatchback storage space
- Suspension seemed less harsh than the GLA's
BAD:
- Tight interior, not much headroom
- Visibility
- Noisy engine
- No HIDs on Luxury trim
Last edited by iluvdoco; May 11, 2017 at 2:22 pm
May 10, 2017, 10:03 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: SNA
Programs: WoH Globalist, Wait I have an Ambassador?, National Exe. Elite, AA Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 41
Man you beat me to it, and with way better photos to boot.
After driving a Q3 for almost a month, the QX30 was a god send for me.
Better in almost every way except the visibility department. Hope to snag another one at RDU next week!
After driving a Q3 for almost a month, the QX30 was a god send for me.
Better in almost every way except the visibility department. Hope to snag another one at RDU next week!
May 11, 2017, 12:43 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
May 11, 2017, 8:56 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA Plat, National Exec Elite
Posts: 662
Had one a few weeks ago, it was classified RFAR (standard elite suv)
Should really be classified as a compact, it's pretty snug inside. It's not really a suv as the seating position is not really upright. I think it's basically a nicer version of a lifted hatchback like the crosstrek.
Should really be classified as a compact, it's pretty snug inside. It's not really a suv as the seating position is not really upright. I think it's basically a nicer version of a lifted hatchback like the crosstrek.
May 11, 2017, 12:25 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 880
Had one a few weeks ago, it was classified RFAR (standard elite suv)
Should really be classified as a compact, it's pretty snug inside. It's not really a suv as the seating position is not really upright. I think it's basically a nicer version of a lifted hatchback like the crosstrek.
Should really be classified as a compact, it's pretty snug inside. It's not really a suv as the seating position is not really upright. I think it's basically a nicer version of a lifted hatchback like the crosstrek.
I agree but it's being sold as a crossover
May 12, 2017, 12:12 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
Had one a few weeks ago, it was classified RFAR (standard elite suv)
Should really be classified as a compact, it's pretty snug inside. It's not really a suv as the seating position is not really upright. I think it's basically a nicer version of a lifted hatchback like the crosstrek.
Should really be classified as a compact, it's pretty snug inside. It's not really a suv as the seating position is not really upright. I think it's basically a nicer version of a lifted hatchback like the crosstrek.
Jun 19, 2017, 5:44 pm
#9
Moderator: National Car
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SE MI
Programs: Delta PM, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton DM
Posts: 2,168
I just returned one of these from a weekend rental.
Mine was a Luxury AWD example finished in Graphite Shadow over Graphite Nappa Leather. National did not tick any option boxes, for an as-tested price of $35,395.
If you're looking for a more involved driving experience, the Infiniti does offer one, especially compared with its less sporting sibling, the Mercedes GLA 250. Even with 6,000 hard rental miles, the car was rattle free and tracked straight. I was impressed by the four cylinder 2.0 liter powerplant which, much to my surprise, did not feel pokey or underpowered. Other posters complain about engine noise, but I’m not offended by a little bit of turbo “whoosh.” It also delivered a respectable 27 mpg overall, which for a heavy, AWD, and turbocharged car, is not bad (70/30 City/Highway, including bumper-to-bumper with A/C blasting). Braking was solid and handling on par with similar offerings from BMW and Audi. Suspension was on the firmer side but on base wheels with high profile tires, inoffensive on potholed roads (I did notice quite a bit of road noise from the Continental ProContact tires). Of course, styling is probably irrelevant to most renters but I find the Infiniti to be a very sharp crossover and stands out nicely. I did miss the Xenon headlights found on most other Infinitis in the fleet (Luxury trim has halogens only). Other standard features of note include power folding and auto-dimming outside mirrors, keyless entry, XM radio (not activated unless you pay for it), and a backup camera.
The interior was well appointed if unremarkable, and the material quality was excellent. The seats were very comfortable, including power driver lumbar (thanks Mercedes) and the leather felt to be of a good quality throughout, especially on the steering wheel (also a Mercedes part). Controls were solid and thoughtfully laid out (again, thanks Mercedes). I wasn’t particularly fond of the Infiniti InTouch user interface in this application; without navigation, the large (if sharp) screen had acres of unused and wasted space, but I have the same complaint about its use in the dual-screen setup as seen on the Q50 without navigation. Bluetooth pairing is still clunky and requires too many steps (I consider Chrysler UConnect and GM’s MyLink to be gold standards on this).
Rear passengers were cozy but not cramped. I wouldn’t suggest putting three full sized adults back there, but we had no passenger complaints.
Luggage space was perfectly fine for two adults, and the trunk easily swallowed two 22” upright rollerboards, two briefcases, two jackets, and a garment bag. The luggage cover fit in place even with the trunk fully packed.
Overall I'd recommend this as a rental.
Mine was a Luxury AWD example finished in Graphite Shadow over Graphite Nappa Leather. National did not tick any option boxes, for an as-tested price of $35,395.
If you're looking for a more involved driving experience, the Infiniti does offer one, especially compared with its less sporting sibling, the Mercedes GLA 250. Even with 6,000 hard rental miles, the car was rattle free and tracked straight. I was impressed by the four cylinder 2.0 liter powerplant which, much to my surprise, did not feel pokey or underpowered. Other posters complain about engine noise, but I’m not offended by a little bit of turbo “whoosh.” It also delivered a respectable 27 mpg overall, which for a heavy, AWD, and turbocharged car, is not bad (70/30 City/Highway, including bumper-to-bumper with A/C blasting). Braking was solid and handling on par with similar offerings from BMW and Audi. Suspension was on the firmer side but on base wheels with high profile tires, inoffensive on potholed roads (I did notice quite a bit of road noise from the Continental ProContact tires). Of course, styling is probably irrelevant to most renters but I find the Infiniti to be a very sharp crossover and stands out nicely. I did miss the Xenon headlights found on most other Infinitis in the fleet (Luxury trim has halogens only). Other standard features of note include power folding and auto-dimming outside mirrors, keyless entry, XM radio (not activated unless you pay for it), and a backup camera.
The interior was well appointed if unremarkable, and the material quality was excellent. The seats were very comfortable, including power driver lumbar (thanks Mercedes) and the leather felt to be of a good quality throughout, especially on the steering wheel (also a Mercedes part). Controls were solid and thoughtfully laid out (again, thanks Mercedes). I wasn’t particularly fond of the Infiniti InTouch user interface in this application; without navigation, the large (if sharp) screen had acres of unused and wasted space, but I have the same complaint about its use in the dual-screen setup as seen on the Q50 without navigation. Bluetooth pairing is still clunky and requires too many steps (I consider Chrysler UConnect and GM’s MyLink to be gold standards on this).
Rear passengers were cozy but not cramped. I wouldn’t suggest putting three full sized adults back there, but we had no passenger complaints.
Luggage space was perfectly fine for two adults, and the trunk easily swallowed two 22” upright rollerboards, two briefcases, two jackets, and a garment bag. The luggage cover fit in place even with the trunk fully packed.
Overall I'd recommend this as a rental.