2017 Infiniti QX30 AWD car review

Infiniti has mitigated its capital risk in developing an entry to a trendy segment by borrowing much of the all-new QX30 from Mercedes-Benz, which offered up the platform and powertrain it uses for its own GLA-class crossover. The QX30, tested here in its top Premium AWD trim level, borrows from the Benz its chassis architecture, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, along with smaller pieces such as the door-mounted seat controls and the key fob.

Most of us drive most of our miles alone, so the comfort of the folks in the back seat is usually secondary to a car’s prowess on the road. There, the QX30 delivers a solid but uninspiring performance. The 208-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 258 lb-ft of torque feels strong enough and doesn’t run and hide during full-throttle acceleration, but turbo lag is evident, and the QX30 lacked the midrange grunt that one usually finds with turbocharged engines. A zero-to-60-mph time of 6.6 seconds is respectable but somewhat perplexing when compared with the 6.1-second sprint we recorded in a Mercedes-Benz GLA250 with a similar curb weight and equipped with an identical powertrain. It may be that Infiniti applied its own distinct tuning to the throttle and transmission programming; the Infiniti just doesn’t launch with the same verve as the Mercedes does.

Infiniti also put its own spin on the suspension and steering tuning, but its handling doesn’t stand out, either. The steering feels direct and accurate, but it’s too light for our tastes, and some editors noted torque steer despite our model’s all-wheel-drive setup. Moderate understeer and lots of body roll when maneuvering make this tall hatch feel like a much bigger crossover in the worst way, and its harsh ride is an unwelcome trait in a luxury-brand vehicle. With 0.83 g of lateral grip, the QX30 is in the same neighborhood as its competitive set—but on the wrong side of the tracks. The GLA250 was at 0.84 g, the X1 grips the road to the tune of 0.87 g, and the Audi Q3 recorded 0.88 g.