Infiniti QX30 lands in Oz

The $40k-plus SUV segment now has two Infiniti models on its list with the introduction this week of the Infiniti QX30.

It's an odd naming distinction between effectively two identical SUVs; the QX30 shares everything with the Q30 SUV released last month except for AWD, a 35mm taller silhouette (due to taller springs and the addition of roof rails), a 10mm fatter body (because of more prominent wheel arch surrounds) and minor cosmetic and specification differences.

Visually, the QX30 stands apart from Q30 with more prominent plastic wheel arch surrounds, black mould-in colour side sills, unique 18in alloy wheels, roof rails and front and rear lower fascias.

The interior is the same as the Q30 GT.

That 35mm ride height advantage over Q30 GT (and 55mm over Q30 Sports) is down to the 'Comfort springs' 30mm longer and the roof rails that add the remaining 5mm – although the rails look like they alone contribute 20-30mm.

Only one powertrain is offered: a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that develops 155kW at 5000rpm and 350Nm between 1200 and 4400rpm. The engine is linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission offering economy, sport and manual modes.

Infiniti says that the QX30 consumes fuel at an average rate of 6.9L/100km and pumps out 159g/km CO2 from its tailpipe in the same combined-cycle test.

The on-demand AWD system drives the front wheels until slip is detected, when up to 50 per cent of drive is apportioned to the rear wheels.

Like the Infiniti Q30, the QX30 is based on the Mercedes-Benz GLA architecture and powertrains, and is built in Nissan's Sunderland, UK plant.

The QX is 4425mm long, 1815mm wide, 1530mm high and has a 2700mm wheelbase. Two models are on the QX30 menu — the $48,900 GT and the $56,900 Premium. The only option is metallic paint at $1200. The GT sends the weighbridge readout to 1546kg; the Premium adds 20kg.

Headline features for the QX30 GT include auto-on LED headlights with high-beam assist and cornering lights, LED DRLs and fog lights, leather steering wheel and gear shifter, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles, seven-inch centre touch screen, ten-speaker Bose audio with sub-woofer and CD/MP3/WMA compatibility and 18-inch alloys shod with 235/50R18 tyres.

The Premium's specs are pumped up with a leather interior, dash and door wood inlays, power front seats with power lumbar adjustment, heating and three memory positions, rear centre armrest with ski port, dual-zone climate control, rear air vents, panoramic glass roof and exterior mirrors with three memory positions.

The GT's list of safety gear runs to seven airbags (driver, front passenger, seat-mounted side impact airbags, curtain airbags and driver's knee airbag), forward collision warning autonomous emergency braking, tyre pressure monitoring and traction/stability control.

The Premium adds around view monitor, blind spot warning, active cruise control, intelligent brake assist with distance control in metres, parking assist, lane departure warning, cross-traffic alert and traffic sign recognition.

Neither model has keyless (push-button) starting and the GT lacks a rear-view camera — the latter being something that Infiniti spokesman Peter Fadeyev said "we're looking to correct in the future".

Odd too that you have to pay extra for the Premium to get air vents for rear passengers and a ski port. Presumably GT buyers are deemed less likely to be able to afford to go skiing and tend to have rear-seat passengers who prefer to have their ventilation fresh from a lowered window.

The 2.1-litre turbo-diesel engine offered in other markets (and locally in the Q30) won't be coming here, according to Infiniti Cars Australia product planning manager Bernard Michel.

He said that with recent data Infiniti is "seeing a move away from diesel in that segment. The petrol engine is also improving [in efficiency and outputs]".

Michel also said that the 1.6-litre 115kW/250Nm turbo-petrol engine (available here in the Q30) could join the range at a later date, although it's not available globally in QX30 — yet. When it does become available, Infiniti in Australia would "definitely look at it", he said.

Infiniti tellingly bands the Q30 and QX30 together when Michel said the company expects that 30 percent of buyers will take a QX30, with the balance plumping for the Q30.

Between QX30 GT and Premium, Michel said that the Premium is forecast to take the larger slice of the pie, at 60 per cent.

Infiniti says that the annual/25,000km servicing costs are capped at an average of $542 over three years, and warranty is four years/100,000km.

Colours available include Black Obsidian, Blade Silver, Liquid Copper, Magnetic Red, Moonlight White and — unique to the QX30 — Chestnut Bronze.

2016 Infiniti QX30 pricing (plus ORC):
QX30 GT $48,900
QX30 Premium $56,900