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Quick Spin: 2017 Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD

2017 Infiniti QX30
2017 Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD in Graphite Shadow

2017 Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD 

Class: Premium Compact Crossover

Miles Driven: 258

Fuel Used: 10.1 gallons

Real-world fuel economy: 25.5 mpg

Driving mix: 40% city, 60% highway

CG Report Card
Room and ComfortC
Power and PerformanceB
Fit and FinishB+
Fuel EconomyC
ValueC+
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.
Big & Tall Comfort
Big GuyN/A
Tall GuyC
Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 21/30/25 (city/highway/combined)

Base price: $37,700 (not including $995 destination charge)

Options on test car: Technology Package ($2200), Cafe Teak Theme Package ($1750), LED Package ($1000), Navigation Package ($1850), illuminated kick plates ($540)

Price as tested: $46,035

 

Quick Hits

The great: Sporty driving feel

The good: Nicely finished interior

The not so good: Visibility, transmission performance, interior storage, entry/exit

More Infiniti QX30 price and availability information

 

CG Says:

While we don’t know how the unlikely partnership between luxury rivals Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz came to be, we do know that what it spawned was the Infiniti QX30.

As opposed to the lower-riding front-drive QX30 Sport tested previously, the QX30 Premium AWD came with a “proper” compact-crossover raised ride height and all-wheel drive.

As it seems there can’t be too many compact crossovers on the market today — and that goes for rather expensive ones as well — it’s certainly understandable that any company worth its salt wants to have at least one entry in that class, and more wouldn’t hurt. So to that end, Mercedes introduced the GLA a couple of years back to join its existing GLC, also considered a compact (though a larger and more expensive one), and Infiniti likewise began a search for a smaller linemate to its existing QX50.

Test Drive: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC300

Unlike the GLC — which is based on a rear-drive platform (that offers all-wheel drive as well) hosting either turbo four or turbo V6 engines, the GLA rides a front-drive platform (also offering all-wheel drive) with only a 4-cylinder turbo for power. And that’s the crossover tapped to share its gene pool with the QX30.

Test Drive: 2016 Lexus NX 200t F Sport

Although they share the same platform and powertrain, the Infiniti QX30 (top photos) differs significantly — both inside and out — from the Mercedes-Benz GLA. Also unique to the GLA is a “hopped-up” AMG45 version that ups the horsepower ante from 208 to a whopping 355 — from the same two liters of engine displacement!

We previously tested a 2017 QX30 Sport and found it to be a bit underwhelming. But part of its lack of allure stemmed from the fact that it was a front-drive model riding a lowered suspension, which made it more of a traditional compact hatchback than a true compact crossover. Neither of those negatives were suffered by the QX30 Premium AWD recently tested, as it not only sported all-wheel drive, but also rode on a more crossover-like raised suspension.

Test Drive: 2016 BMW X1

In terms of the ride/handling balance offered by that suspension, the QX30 favors the latter. As a result, it suffers a somewhat stiff ride over broken pavement (in part attributable to its run-flat tires), but fares well in corners with little body lean and good steering response. In other ways, this QX30 Premium mimics the QX30 Sport, so please click on the link for more details.

The virtually unchanged 2018 versions of the QX30 just went on sale as this is being written, though there has been some juggling of prices and trim offerings. And although the QX30 Premium AWD reviewed here better represents the “compact crossover” category than the Sport version tested previously, it still doesn’t strike us as the best of that breed.

The QX30 leans toward the “sport” side of the premium-compact-crossover class, and it looks the part.

Test Drive: 2015 Audi Q3 2.0T

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