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MODEL: QX30
ENGINE: 208 hp Turbo 4-cylinder
STARTS AT: $31,000
FULLY LOADED: $43,500
TRIM LEVELS: Base
Luxury
Luxury AWD
Premium
Premium AWD
Sport
I LIKE: Looks; Handling; Feels Sporty
NOT SO MUCH: Visibility; Seats; Dash Layout
ON THE ROAD: Here is yet another entry into the hugely popular premium small car segment. This time we're having our champagne on a beer budget taste buds fed by luxury brand Infiniti as they introduce their new Premium Active Crossover (just call it a hatchback for god's sake!) the 2017 QX30.
First off, I'm damn sick & tired of the way vehicles in general are being marketed to the public. Call me old fashioned but what was wrong with the term "wagon", "hatchback", or even "liftback"? Seriously did soccer moms suddenly think they looked hideous driving their Country Squire wagons down Rodeo Drive? Ok, I digress a little here but my point is this; the term Coupe is, was, and always will be a two-door only body style and a 4 (or) 5-door hatchback should be called just that or a wagon!
The QX30 chassis, suspension, and turbo 4-banger are all built by and shared with what we know here as the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. A few minor parts found inside are also MBZ supplied, while the exterior design, seats, and interior trim are all Infiniti based. That being said, I will admit that prior to driving it, my first thought was 208 horsepower...that's it? But I can admit when I'm wrong & that was me admitting so. The handling is superb. So superb that I've actually used the term superb 3 times now! I also really like the way this car looks. Especially when parked next to its adopted cousin the GLA.
Now to the things I don't like about the QX30. The driver seat needs a lot more thigh support. The driving position, seat adjustments & overall seat comfort are pretty good but for me personally there is not enough support for my thighs. In general, I feel like I'm driving a bathtub. By that I mean the sills are too high with not enough glass area to speak of which makes for a very claustrophobic feeling behind the wheel. It's a good thing it comes with rear or around view monitor choices because you can't see shit outta this car! Lastly, the interior ergonomics are really bad overall. Controls and buttons are placed haphazardly taking the driver's attention away from the road a lot more than in other cars.
In conclusion, if I were rating this car on a 1-10 basis (10 being best) I'd probably give it a 5 because it has both good & not so good virtues.
