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You've probably noticed that the roads are clogged with compact SUVs, many of them from premium brands. That's because the compact (or "B-segment," in auto marketing terms) premium crossover vehicle class has been very hot, with more and more manufacturers jumping into the frying pan all the time. The 2017 Infiniti QX30 represents one of the latest entries, and it's the smallest, most affordable Infiniti crossover yet.
The QX30 rides on an all-new platform for Infiniti, one that was jointly developed between parent company Renault-Nissan and Daimler AG - Mercedes-Benz's parent company, under a partnership that was announced a few years ago. The same platform also forms the basis for Mercedes-Benz's GLA-class crossover. The basic body structure and dimensions, along with the same powertrain and transmission and a few shared technologies and parts, are held in common between the two vehicles. Infiniti's designers sculpted the exterior for the QX30, while Mercedes-Benz's design team handled the GLA, and they don't share body parts. Some of the interior components are shared, like switchgear and other interface points, but the surfaces, colors and design elements are unique in each brand's vehicle. Infiniti insists that its transmission, throttle, steering and suspension tuning are the product of Infiniti engineering, and Mercedes-Benz claims the same for the GLA.
Infiniti hopes that QX30 will do triple-duty for the brand. With a starting price of $29,950, it can serve as an entry point for new luxury buyers - the ever-elusive Millennials, upwardly mobile young professionals and newly successful families. They'll buy QX30, become attached to Infiniti, and grow with the brand. On the other hand, QX30 can also serve as an introduction to SUVs and crossovers for current Infiniti sedan owners seeking greater utility, but still wanting a sporty, high-tech version of luxury. On the third hand, empty-nesters and older buyers who are looking to downsize from a full-size SUV or sedan may find a home in QX30. This three-handed appeal goes a long way toward explaining the proliferation of B-segment premium crossovers.
QX30's exterior design will certainly attract attention from a wide variety of shoppers. It fits in with the Infiniti design language, with the signature "double-arch" grille, "human eye" headlights, the crescent cut C-pillar, assertive stance and sculpted muscularity. It bulges where you want bulges - the hood, wheel arches and tailgate all look like they're stretched over developed muscles. A sweeping roofline helps give a sense of motion while standing still. All in all, it's a very attractive package, enhanced with Infiniti's great attention to detail, fit and finish.
I've always been a fan of Infiniti's interiors, and QX30 lives up to my expectations with great material selection and execution. Where there's wood trim, it's real wood; where there's metal trim, it's real metal. The Mercedes-Benz/Infiniti collaboration could have been a nightmare maze of buttons, but the resulting 7-inch color touchscreen is supported with a clear, simple array of controls in the center stack. The central control knob in the center console has a few too many buttons around it, but during my week behind the wheel I found the arrangement became easy to use. Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel and redundant controls on the front helped me keep my hands on the wheel, even while fiddling with the telematics.
Comfort starts with the derriere, as Aristotle once said. Okay, maybe it was Mae West or Sir Mix-a-Lot. Infiniti gets it, and their "Spinal Support Seats" are designed to reduce fatigue and pressure points. Two versions are available in QX30: A standard seat with separate headrest; and a sport seat with integrated headrest. As is often the case, the cool sport seat sacrifices a little bit of comfort for style, but it does look great. Second row accommodations fall victim to the compact class curse of limited legroom, but are roomy enough for kids and for adults on short rides. 19.2 cubic feet of storage lurks behind the seats. Additional cargo space can be opened up by folding the second row flat, and there's a pass-through available on some trim levels.
A 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine "sourced from Daimler" is mounted under the hood, complete with "Mercedes-Benz" printed on some parts. Front-wheel drive is standard on the base model and Sport, with all-wheel drive available on most trims. The all-wheel drive system is biased toward the front wheels, but can send up to 50 percent of the torque rearward when necessary. The transmission is a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters. I tend to set the transmission in Drive or Sport and let the computers do the shifting most of the time, where it bangs off shifts quickly and smoothly on its own. It is fun to toy with the paddle shifters on occasion, and manual shifting can be useful to help control downhill speed without taxing the brakes, but the transmission is very capable without intervention.
QX30's electronic power steering works very well, delivering good (virtual) road feel and sharp response. MacPherson struts in the front and a multi-link rear with stabilizer bars both front and rear control body roll nicely. Ground clearance ranges from 6.1 inches (Sport) to 6.8 inches (FWD) to 8.0 inches (AWD). I had fun driving around in the QX30, especially when the roads got twisty and I could enjoy the crisp handling.
The QX30 lineup is relatively simple and easy to grasp. Three basic variants, FWD, Sport and AWD mix with trim levels and a few bundles of options. The base FWD starts at $29,950. FWD Luxury starts at $32,600, and FWD Premium starts at $35,300 and sneaks up to $42,100 as you add options packages. Sport starts at $38,500, including the moonroof and Navigation packages, and peaks at $42,200 with the leather, LED and Tech packages. AWD Luxury starts at $34,400, and AWD Premium starts at $37,700 going up to $44,500 when you choose all of the options.
Several options packages are available for QX30, along with a good list of standard features. The base FWD comes with cloth seats, while every other variant comes with leather or leather and Dynamica (a synthetic suede product) surfaces. LED headlights and ambient interior lights can be ordered on Sport and Premium trim levels, and Navigation gets bundled into the Premium models (standard on Sport).
The Technology package is available on all trims except FWD Base and Luxury, and includes blind spot warning, lane departure warning, forward emergency braking, intelligent cruise control, auto high/low beam headlights, intelligent park assist and Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection.
The growing B-segment premium crossover class includes the BMW X1, Audi Q3, Lexus NX and, of course, Mercedes-Benz GLA, with rumored entries from Acura and others on the way soon.
The 2017 Infiniti QX30 is a very attractive, reasonably priced new premium crossover vehicle, and merits consideration from Millennials, Empty Nesters, Downsizers and any other drivers who can appreciate a worthy collaboration between two automotive giants.
Read more on Forbes.com