Infiniti Q30 2.2d Sports 2016 Review

Infiniti Q30 2.2d Sports BOSE Sound
Road Test

It seems a bit of stretch to describe the Infiniti Q30 as a crossover – and nor would you consider its Mercedes-Benz equivalent, the GLA – but as a handy five-door hatch, the diesel-engined 2.2d Sports with BOSE Sound does a pretty tidy job via high levels of quality, refined on-road performance, unmistakable looks and a pre on-roads price of $47,900.

When a premium car-maker decides to introduce an important new model that rides on the back of an existing vehicle from a rival manufacturer, it raises the question of exactly what the brand stands for.

That’s what Nissan offshoot Infiniti has done with its new small hatch, the Q30.

If you care to take a good look, its relationship with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is quite clear. For a car that carries expectations that it will significantly lift Infiniti sales both locally and internationally (in 2015, Infiniti sold 574 vehicles in Australia, a mere 133 ahead of its 2014 figure) that relationship seems a little peculiar and may prompt questions about the company’s research and development resources.

True, model sharing is nothing new. Manufacturer relationships are becoming increasingly co-operative as ways are sought of sharing the financial load of developing new models, whether it be driveline components, basic platforms or even complete body structures.

In other words, if you think it strange that the latest Infiniti is a rebadged clone of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (which it isn’t, quite), then prepare for more of the same thing from other seemingly unlikely alliances (BMW and Toyota for example with upcoming new models such as the BMW Z5/Toyota Supra).

So what is this intriguing small front-drive hatch from Infiniti?

Well, one thing is for sure: It’s hardly the crossover the company would like to have us believe. It might be dimensionally closer to the Mercedes-Benz GLA than the regular A-Class, but in the flesh it’s little more than a regular small hatch, leaning more towards an Audi A3 or BMW 1 Series than Q3 or X1 SUVs.

In Sports form as tested here, there’s nothing to suggest even a modicum of off-tarmac ability – although this may come with the just-launched QX30 AWD version.

In fact, if you take what you know about the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and import those recollections to the Q30, you’ll find it’s all quite familiar: Neat, low-slung hatchback proportions, a cosy, classy interior with just enough space for adults in the back seat and, in Sports form, a distinct preference for tight, responsive handling and a firmish ride that is contributed to by an aggressive wheel/tyre combination.

The wheels measure a bold 19 inches and the tyres are low-profile 235/45R19s for maximum bitumen-grabbing (you’re given a repair kit rather than a spare though). A full complement of Brembo brakes peek out from behind the multiple spokes.

Though the Q30’s proportions might look familiar, the actual styling is adventurous, distinct and appealing. There’s plenty of Infiniti design language in there, from the sharply-drawn grille to the knife-edge strakes along the flanks and the saw-cut squiggle in the C-pillar that looks like, but isn’t, an extra window.

The kit is pretty good, too. It’s claimed to give the Q30 an edge over its Mercedes-Benz GLA equivalent which is priced, in comparable 220d form, $3500 higher than the Q30 2.2d Sports.

With this in mind, all Q3 variants offer autonomous emergency braking, seven airbags and sat-nav on a small touch-screen display backed up by an iDrive type controller on the centre that manipulates the navigation, and other functions, without needing to resort to the touch-screen. Sports versions go a little further with adaptive LED headlights incorporating auto high beam, lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition.

But there are a couple of aberrations. For example, there’s no reversing camera and no air-vents to the rear cabin (Benz doesn’t have those either). For a rear-view camera, and front parking sensors, you’ll need to up-spec to the Sports Premium variant where you will also find adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, self-parking and dual-zone climate-control.

Would you expect at least a power driver’s seat in your $46,900 (before ORCs) Infiniti? Sorry, but it’s manual-only in the Q30 2.2d Sports.

The 2143cc turbo-diesel engine links to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and, at 125kW at 4000rpm and 350Nm at 1400rpm, is close in power outputs to the Benz GLA 220d’s 130kW/350Nm.

And, although shaded by the BMW 118d’s 3.8L/100km/99g/km, it is economical and clean enough. Respective economy/emissions figures are 5.2L/100km and 120g/km, although we recorded 6.5L/100km, which is some way away but probably a more realistic expectation.

The engine needs a bit of a prod to get moving but once on boost, it builds speed with a comforting surge. Like most of today’s diesels it’s quiet on the road too, helped to a certain extent by the active noise cancellation that also mellows-out the more irritating aspects of the engine’s soundscape.

The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission works effectively. Changes are smooth and brisk, and there are paddle shifters to help out if you’re not pleased with the gearbox decisions in any of the three shift modes (Standard, Eco and Sport).

As for on-road dynamics, there’s no question the Q30 Sports favours the aggressive side of the spectrum, with firm reactions to bumps and even a little reverberating thumpiness over sharp irregularities. But it’s nicely composed at speed and steers well, with properly-judged weighting, quick reactions and a relatively fast ratio – as you would expect of a basic chassis that underpins all Benz A-Class models right through to the demonic A 45 AMG. But, with its reduced ground clearance and deep front spoiler, you’d not willingly expose it to anything slightly off-road.

The driver, against a backdrop of mixed suede/soft-touch surfaces, is presented with a generally intuitive control layout and most functions are easily related to, including Bluetooth activation and radio/climate controls.

That said, it’s not easy initially to locate some operations, such as equalising the BOSE sound, and the left-side, single-stalk indicator/front-rear windscreen wipers/high-beam operation is not the world’s easiest to use. It’s kinda weird, too, driving a premium small car that lacks push-button start-up and keyless smart entry.

On the other hand, the Benz-inherited cruise control/speed-limiter wand is tactile (no visual checks required) and brilliantly simple. The system also uses the brakes to maintain the set speed on descents. Top marks there.
General cabin accommodation will be familiar to those with some Benz A-Class experience: Front passengers get a good deal of space on comfortable seats (slightly lacking in side support), while in the back it’s not so much the amount of available legroom as the difficulty finding foot space under the seats and at the B-pillar when climbing in or out. Once ensconced, it’s quite acceptable, even if a lanky passenger is travelling up front – although headroom is not great and vision is restricted by smallish windows.

The boot, accessed via a 60/40-split folding rear seat, offers a decent 430 litres, although strangely Infiniti does not quote the total, all-seats-folded capacity. It could be assumed it’s close to the useful 1235 litres of the GLA Benz.

After-sales care? Well, the Q30 is covered by a four-year/100,000km warranty with roadside assist included for the full term, and servicing is scheduled at yearly intervals, or every 25,000km. There’s also the Infiniti Assure fixed-price servicing program which also offers, as an alternative to the regular program, a pre-paid arrangement where servicing costs are factored-in to the initial purchase price.

If you are prepared to put yourself on the line as a rebel premium-class buyer more concerned about the quality of what’s behind the badge rather than the badge itself, the Infiniti Q30 is a totally viable alternative.

2016 Infiniti Q30 2.2d Sports BOSE Sound pricing and specifications:
Price: $47,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 125kW/350Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 120g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Mercedes-Benz GLA 220d (from $50,400)
>> BMW 118d (from $43,300)
>> Audi A3 2.0 TDI (from $43,200)