First Drive: 2017 Infiniti QX30

2016 Infiniti QX30

One of the more intriguing vehicles at RMDE 2016 was the Infiniti QX30 compact SUV, which I spent roughly 30 minutes driving on the first day of the event. The QX30 is the offspring of an unusual corporate partnership between Renault-Nissan and Mercedes-Benz, as the QX30 shares many mechanical bits with the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250.

The QX30 has a surprising amount of interior room, and I found the cabin well-appointed and luxurious. Soft-touch materials are used throughout the cabin, and the driver’s seat was supportive and comfortable. A highlight of the QX30 for me was the exterior styling: It’s a very sleek, handsome vehicle, which makes it stand out from the compact SUV crowd.

The engine in this QX30 is Mercedes-supplied 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine, which puts out 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and is teamed with a smooth-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. While not exceptionally powerful or responsive, the combination moves the QX30 with purpose, and acquits itself well when compared to most compact luxury SUVs in this price range.

All in all I found the QX30 to be an enjoyable surprise. If you’re in the market for a compact luxury SUV, I’d strongly suggest you take the QX30 out for a spin.

Infiniti QX30 interior

Infiniti QX30 exterior