Infiniti has entered the realm of compact crossovers with the all-new 2017 QX30. It’s an interesting combination of SUV and hatchback. For those not wanting to fully commit to a crossover, it’s certainly attractive. The QX30’s roots stem from the Mercedes-Benz GLA-class. It shares the same body structure and powertrain, but Infiniti has developed their own suspension and tuning. So are there advantages to this small SUV?

That’s a loaded question. First of all, it looks great – Infiniti has been on point this past year when it comes to styling. Its high beltline and sweeping roofline make for an attractive exterior. The Sport also comes with a spoiler, 19″ wheels, a black grille, black mirror accents, and different front and rear lower fascias. Although those great looks doesn’t translate well when inside the vehicle; it feels a bit claustrophobic.

The QX30 not only looks the part, it’s fun to drive. Its spunky turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 208 hp and 258 lb-ft torque paired with a stiffer sport suspension is a winning combination. The little SUV thrived when driven in manual mode. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission did better than an automatic, but sometimes felt like the shifts could stand to be faster. One letdown is the fact that the Sport trim is available in FWD only. Given our weather in the great Northeast, the option of AWD would be welcomed and left us testing the Premium AWD trim. Fuel economy was on par with other small SUVs for this segment, 24 city and 33 highway. We averaged about 27 during our time with the QX30.

The interior will certainly remind you of a Mercedes – not like that’s a bad thing! The key fob, flat bottom steering wheel, seat controls on the door, and information cluster between the two gauges are all from zee Germans. Material quality is quite good with a clean design. As a small person, I did not have any trouble getting comfortable in the QX30. However, the cabin feels quite small and any tall person will have some trouble finding a suitable seating position. The back seat especially lacks room; installing any type of car seat is a challenge. Despite small cabin feel, the QX30 is equipped with an easier-to-use infotainment system with a console-mounted controller and 7 inch display.

The QX30 offers more style and luxury than most small SUVs nowadays. The collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti has certainly paid off as the QX30 will be a great fit for those who want an something more diverse than a sedan that isn’t a bear to park on the street.

–Danielle Assenheimer

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