Infiniti Q30 v Lexus CT 200h 2016 Comparison

Stepping in to the prestige car market is a daunting move. Choosing that first luxury car is a step that could well set you on track for life, building rapport with a marque that grows with you as your needs dictate.

These days nearly all prestige importers have an entry-size model to choose from, Infiniti and Lexus offering perhaps the most fitting examples that showcase style and technology that is often offered as a cost option at the lower end of the scale.

Bristling with technology and loaded with style, the Infiniti Q30 and Lexus CT 200h are more than just your archetypal Japanese prestige hatchbacks. These are cars that define different, that challenge convention and appeal to those with an eye for road less travelled… if you’ll pardon the pun.

Lexus introduced its CT range in 2011, with the since updated line-up offering a lone petrol-electric hybrid driveline with a choice of three trim grades.

Closely related to sister company Toyota's Corolla, the front-wheel drive CT 200h uses a combination of planetary gears and a continuously variable transmission in a petrol-electric powertrain much the same as that found in the Toyota Prius and Corolla Hybrid.

Infiniti joined the small hatch party much later. Launching its Mercedes-Benz A-Class platform-based Q30 in August 2016, Infiniti offers a far broader choice than Lexus, the three-grade Q30 line-up comprising two turbo-petrol engines and one turbo-diesel, all of which drive the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

So while there are patent differences in what motivate our opponents, it’s the similarities in price and size that make them obvious competitors – not to mention the fact both stem from the luxury arm of their respective manufacturing parents: Infiniti from Nissan and Lexus from Toyota.

Who will they appeal to?
As we alluded to earlier the Q30 and CT 200h are aimed squarely at enticing first-time prestige car buyers to their respective marques. In that vein younger professionals or those aiming to upgrade from mainstream marques are perfect candidates, enticed by drawcards like competitive pricing and longer equipment lists.

They’re models that likewise attract shoppers at the other end of their automotive life: the downsizer. With the kids off your hands it is smaller prestige models that make the most sense, offering the style and substance you’ve come to enjoy without the burden a larger vehicle can often impose.

Infiniti prices its Q30 range similarly, with the GT and its model-specific 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine listed from $38,900. The mid-range Sport and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol mill is next from $44,900 (as tested, add $2000 for the 2.1-litre turbo-diesel), with the range topping out with the Sport Premium from $52,900 (the diesel again adding $2000).

Lexus charges $1000 for metallic paint (Mercury Grey) where Infiniti asks $1200 (Ink Blue). Lexus also offers a pair of bundled options packs, Enhancement Pack 2 including adding Mark Levinson audio, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and a sunroof for $6500 (where fitted). The Q30 on test was optioned with a premium BOSE audio package costing $1000.

Both the Lexus and the Infiniti offer a four-year/100,000km warranty with four years roadside assistance. Likewise, both have service intervals set at 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

At this trim level, it’s the Infiniti that quite obviously wins the price battle. But does it win the war?

The Q30 feels likes a premium car inside. The seats are extraordinarily comfortable and wonderfully supportive; a shame then the driver’s position is too highly set.

The use of quality materials throughout impresses and though we don’t usually speak of design and styling in these pages, we feel mention of the Infiniti’s shapely body is pertinent in this comparison – it’s a very attractive car.

For Lexus it’s the array of technologies that we admire (excluding the optional autonomous emergency braking), with the hybrid engine achieving far better fuel economy than the Infiniti when tested over an identical mix of highway and city driving (6.1L/100km v 8.4).

There are signs, however, that this is a dated car, since some of the dashboard layout and interior packaging is not nearly as clever as that of the Q30.

The Lexus is easier to see out of than the Q30, but the lack of a standard reversing camera on the Infiniti is a big no-no at this price.

To its credit, however, the Q30 is far quieter than the CT 200h, has a more comfortable ride and is a far more capable highway tourer. It also offers better pedal modulation, the feel of the Lexus’ brake pedal varying greatly relative to the hybrid driveline’s mode.

The relevance of technology within the segment and its ease of use are key considerations. We found the multiple menus and awkwardly-placed selector of the Q30’s infotainment system puzzling, perhaps reflective of an attempt to mesh an Infiniti overlay on Mercedes-Benz A-Class based electrical architecture.

The switchgear and dials also lack modernity when viewed against the Lexus, though we’re still not a fan of Lexus’ mouse-style infotainment controller.

There’s also a disconnect in the ergonomic offerings of our duo. The manually-operated seats of the Q30 feel at odds with the suave trim material and front seat heaters; the Lexus’ electrically-operated and heated seats are preferable at this price point.

Strangely, and in spite of modest differences in external size (the Infiniti is slightly larger and heavier), cabin space is quite comparable. Lexus loses the battle of the boot, however, offering 375 litres against the Infiniti’s 430 by virtue of its hybrid system’s battery.

The Q30’s dual-clutch transmission is lumpy in round-town driving, where its steering is dull and heavy, but the CT's CVT auto still makes the petrol-electric powertrain feel and sound like it has a slipping clutch, impacting its luxury pretensions.

We found the Infiniti significantly quicker to 100km/h (7.3sec v 10.3) and brisker when overtaking, and the ride is more comfortable than that of the Lexus. The Lexus also offers a tighter turning circle (10.4m v 11.4) and better rear seat room.

While the Lexus scores points for fuel economy and around-town manoeuvrability, the packaging, luxury, performance and refinement of the Infiniti is more in keeping with the demands of prestige buyers.