Infiniti QX30

Infiniti's first-ever compact, the QX30, comes in two different forms; a hatchback look for those who are a bit of a city folk and a crossover look for those who got their hands busy on all kinds of stuff. Whichever the QX30 will lead to, how it behaves as a compact is a very different experience compared to any other Infinitis in the range so what is it about the QX30?

2017 Infiniti QX30

2017 Infiniti QX30

In its basic form, the QX30 is basically front-wheel drive and styling wise, a normal QX30 looks very conservative to look at but when you give it four-wheel drive, the QX30 looks as rugged as compact crossovers you are familiar with. Although unconventional, the way the QX30 behaves isn't somewhat remind you any Infiniti you know. In fact, spoiler alert, it's basically a Mercedes-Benz underneath because it was utilized on the same platform used on the current-generation A-Class as well as the GLA-Class compact crossover so in theory, it behaves like a front-wheel drive Mercedes. There's no telling the difference between this and the A-Class it was based upon.

2017 Infiniti QX30

Because the new Infiniti QX30 is based on the same platform used on the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, you might going to expect that this car behaves like a European luxury hatchback and it does...slightly. It maybe subtle, it maybe refined, and it may somewhat be comfortable but in terms of being a fun-to-drive car on a day-to-day basis, the QX30 doesn't feel like any other Infinitis of today, giving you a stark reminder of rethinking of what Infiniti should be as a luxury car brand that lives up to its "empowering the drive" catchphrase. Still, with all that Mercedes magic, it could use a little German lessons on how to act like a German car even though this is basically based on a German car.

As a front-wheel drive car, the QX30 feels very shallow for an Infiniti to be more engaging as any other luxury hatchback but as a four-wheel drive crossover, the QX30 feels like tomorrow's another day. No matter the weather, the QX30 feels like it leaves drivers a slight smile on their face, no matter the odds. Either side, the QX30 is just an Infiniti made for the commoners in the same way their first front-wheel drive car, the Primera-based G20 does.

What's under the hood, the QX30 comes with the same two-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine as expected on the Mercedes A-Class. It produces around 208HP of power and it's mated to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox., which isn't half bad for an Infiniti but it can be a lot jerky on your personal taste. At first, it may sound peppy when you put your foot down but as the drive gets longer, the more you'll starting to realize that it can get dreary for too long unless you want to keep this hatch to the groove.

2017 Infiniti QX30 interior

So far as hatchbacks come and go, the new QX30 range is stylish, technological, and as luxurious as it should be for a Mercedes A-Class in Infiniti's clothing and with the starting price of 29,950 US Dollars, it's the most affordable Infiniti you can buy. Sounds like a bargain for a luxury hatchback but with all that generous pricing comes with average dynamics that is considered to be a commoner rather than viewing it as an car that is very exciting to drive as any other luxury hatchback. Although the QX30 is classified as a crossover in Infiniti's sales manuals, it's basically a hatchback in two different levels to choose from and whichever QX30 you went to, you get the feeling that it drives like a Mercedes rather than an Infiniti.

Photo: Infiniti