Taller drivers may have issues with outward visibility
Competitive pricing.
Exterior design limits interior space
Overview
Designed in collaboration with Daimler and built in the UK, the Infiniti QX30 is in many ways, similar to the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250. For 2019, Infiniti is offering the QX30 with the same powertrain but gets some minute changes. The most significant changes include the standardization of forward collision mitigation across the range and a higher accessibility of the Panoramic MoonRoof from the Luxe trim onward.
Speaking of prices, the base Luxe Trim with FWD starts from $30,250 and the top of the line Sport trim goes over $40,200. The AWD version of the Luxe and Essential trim have been priced at $35,100 and $41,500 respectively.
Buying Advice
The Luxe trim does offer plenty of luxurious features for the price it’s being offered at and which is why, it’s the trim to go for.
Infiniti has refreshed the trim names for the 2019 iteration of the QX30, in lieu of adding some freshness to the same. The 4 trims on offer, namely Pure, Luxe, Essential and Sport have been priced from $30,250 to over $40,200. While all these 4 trims come with FWD as standard, the AWD setup is available in just the Luxe and the Essential trim.
Trims
Pure
Luxe
Essential
Sport
MSRP (2WD)
$30,250
$33,100
$39,300
$40,200
MSRP (AWD)
-
$35,100
$41,500
-
Key Features
7" Touchscreen Infotainment System
Adds/Upgrades from "Pure"
Adds/Upgrades from "Luxe"
Adds/Upgrades from "Essential"
Rear View Monitor
Panoramic Moon roof
BOSE 10 Speaker Audio System
19" Gun Metal Aluminum Alloys
Intelligent Key with Push button Start
Memory Seat and Mirrors
LED Headlights
Sport Seats with Integrated Headrests
Forward Emergency Braking
Leatherette and Textile Seating
Nappa Leather Seating
Sport Brakes with Cross-drilled front rotors
7 Speed Dual Clutch Transmission
Heated Front Seats
Blind Spot Warning
Intelligent Park Assist with Front and Rear Parking Sensors
8 Way Power Front Seats
Rain Sensing Windshield Wipers
We Recommend
The Luxe trim does offer plenty of luxurious features for the price it's being offered at and which is why, it's the trim to go for.
Engine and Performance
6.5/10
A sole Mercedes-Benz-sourced 2.0-liter inline-4 rated at 208-horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque powers the Infiniti QX30. The base comes standard with the front-wheel drive while the all-wheel drive is only available with the Luxury and Premium trims. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power either forward or in all four corners of the vehicle.
2019 Infiniti QX30 SUV Engine Bay
The 2019 Infiniti QX30 feels lively while its turbocharged engine is quick to respond when you are moving around town or taking on steep hills. Shifting is smooth on the seven-speed automatic transmission however it may sometime feel unrefined and hunting for the right gear. It also offers best in class fuel efficiency while maintaining its athletic look. The comfort-tuned suspension soaks up most bumps on the streets with ease and the responsive steering wheel makes this SUV feel relaxed.
Models
Infiniti QX30 Pure
Audi Q3 Premium
BMW X1 sdrive28i
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
MSRP
$30,250
$34,700
$34,950
$33,400
Engine
2.0-liter Turbocharged I4 engine
2.0-liter TFSI 4-Cylinder Engine
2.0-liter Twin Power Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine
2.0-Liter I-4 Turbo w/Direct Injection Engine
Transmission
7-speed automatic
6-speed automatic
8-speed automatic
7-speed automatic
Power
208hp
200hp
228hp
208hp
Torque
258 lb-ft
207 lb-ft
258 lb-ft
258 lb-ft
Acceleration
With an impressive 0-60 in 6.3 seconds it is one of the fastest CUV (Compact Utility Vehicle) in the class. It beats the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 by good one seconds and also leads the pack when it comes to covering a quarter-mile. The 208-horsepower setup provides enough rush to merge into the highway traffic easily. Meanwhile, the pedal feels more responsive while driving within the city in Sport and Manual shifting mode. While, in the Economy mode you will feel that the Infiniti QX30 is slow to respond.
Models
Infiniti QX30
Audi Q3 Premium
BMW X1 sdrive 28i
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
0-60 MPH
6.3 sec
8.2 sec
6.6 sec
7.2 sec
Quarter mile
14.9 sec @ 93 mph
16.1 sec @ 89 mph
15.2 sec @ 90.5 mph
15.3 sec @ 90.3 mph
Engine
2.0L
2.0L
2.0L
2.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
6.6
7.7
6.8
6.5
Braking and Handling
Both the all-wheel drive and the front-wheel drive in the 2019 Infiniti QX30 rides the same, although the AWD feels little more alive on winding roads as it allows the driver to accelerate harder. Sports model with their lowered suspension is even more fun to drive although the 19-inch wheel setup does hamper the ride quality a bit. The seven-speed automatic transmission is smooth but feels a little confused at low speed. There is 6.8-inch of ground clearance which means that this compact SUV can do some off-roading.
The QX30 brakes have the best stopping power in the segment. It stops from 60-0 in 106-feet which is a solid result for such a small car with all-season tires. Brake feel strong even after continuous use and provides stability to the vehicle when stopped in a hurry.
Model
Infiniti QX30
Audi Q3 Premium
BMW X1 sdrive 28i
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Brake Front(in)
12.6
12.3
12.9
12.6
Brake Rear(in)
11.6
11.1
12.5
11.6
Curb Weight(lbs)
3280
3483
3543
3296
60-0 MPH (ft.)
106
108
112
120
Towing Capacity
Don't expect to tow more than a small trailer that weighs around 3,500-pound if you own one of these compact SUVs. Although, if your daily need exceeds the towing capacity that the Infiniti QX30 comes with then you would be better with the Audi Q3 which gives you 900-pound extra towing capacity.
Model
Infiniti QX30
Audi Q3 Premium
BMW X1 sdrive 28i
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Drive Train
AWD
AWD
AWD
AWD
Power Train
2.0L
2.0L
2.0L
2.0L
Capacity(lbs)
3500
4400
3500
3428
Fuel Economy
7.7/10
With same engine specification and power, we can say that the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 is the closest rival of the 2019 Infiniti QX30. Both the vehicles are reasonably fuel efficient as they are based on the same platform, although the QX30 requires expensive premium unleaded gasoline. Front-wheel drive in the QX30 has an EPA rating of 24 mpg city/ 33 mpg highway/ 27 mpg combined. The AWD is a bit thirstier with an EPA rating of 21/30/25 mpg.
Model
Infiniti QX30
Audi Q3 Premium
BMW X1 sdrive 28i
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
MPG (city)
24
20
23
24
MPG (highway)
33
28
32
33
MPG (combined)
27
23
26
27
Interior
6.5/10
The Q30 is more sports hatchback than a small SUV and is prone to shake on bumpy roads. There is a good range of seat adjustment in the driver's seat with the manual-tilt and-telescope steering wheel but the taller drivers might brush their head on the headliner.
2019 Infiniti QX30 SUV Rear Seats
Outside visibility is limited due to the rear thick pillar and narrow rear window line.
Model
Infiniti QX30
Audi Q3 Premium
BMW X1 sdrive 28i
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Passenger capacity
5
5
5
5
Passenger Volume (ft cube)
108
106
101.2
104
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
38.4/54.8/52.1
36.9/55.8/40
41.9/55.6/40.4
40/54.8/41.9
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)
37.5/54.8/33.5
37.4/53.6/31.1
39.4/55.2/37
38.2/53.1/27.3
Inside you might get confused whether you are sitting in a QX30 or GLA as both these SUVs were developed side-by-side under a partnership between the German and the Japanese carmaker. However, the Q30 benefits from this joint-venture with a top-notch material quality. All the controls are within reach and it feels cozy inside. Although, you need to be flexible while getting in and out of this small SUV which offers the same space as a hatchback.
The cabin feels small with minimal rear-seat legroom and the headroom is also hindered by the panoramic sunroof.
Interior Features
Nappa Leather Seating
8 Way Power adjust front seats
Heated Front seats
Leather wrapped Steering wheel
60/40 split folding second row seats
Dual Zone Auto Climate Control
Illuminated Power windows button with auto up/down feature
Infotainment
2019 Infiniti QX30 SUV Infotainment System
10 Speaker BOSE Audio
2 USB Ports and Bluetooth connectivity
SiriusXM Radio and Single In-Dash CD Player
Illuminated Steering wheel mounted audio control
Infiniti Controller for Audio, Climate Change, Fuel Economy, Maintenance, Comfort and Convenience features
Auto Dimming IRVM
Around View Monitor
7" Touchscreen infotainment screen with 7" vehicle information display
Cargo Space
The QX30 comes with 19.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which is average for the class. But it only offers a total of 34 cubic feet of cargo space overall which is significantly less considering the rivals like Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Limited in-cabin storage and no power lift gate is also a big letdown.
Model
Infiniti QX30
Audi Q3 Premium
BMW X1 sdrive 28i
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Volume behind 2nd row (cube ft.)
19.2
16.7
27.1
17.2
Exterior
8.1/10
The exterior design of the 2019 Infiniti QX30 reflects a contemporary look with the bold double-arch grille and highly sculpted bodywork. Each model looks different with unique front and rear fascia, ride-height settings and 18- or 19-inch wheel treatment. When it comes to dimensions, the QX30 with 174.2-inches in length and 106.3-inch of wheelbase, measure up against others luxury crossovers in the segment.
2019 Infiniti QX30 SUV Front Angle View
We already know that the Q30 and the GLA have a lot in common but we must credit the Infiniti for keeping the styling distinct than the Mercedes. The Q30 with its swoopy roofline and coupe-like styling makes it look the part. The most notable visual cue is the rearmost roof pillar, which tilts backward and then forward to create the automaker's signature Z-shape flair.
Model
Infiniti QX30
Audi Q3 Premium
BMW X1 sdrive 28i
Mercedes-Benz GLA 250
Curb weight(lbs)
3280
3483
3543
3296
Length(in)
174.2
172.8
175.4
173.9
Width(in)
82.0
72.1
71.7
71.0
Height(in)
58.9
62.5
62.9
60.0
Ground clearance(in)
6.8
6.7
6.9
6.6
Wheelbase(in)
106.3
102.5
105.1
106.3
Track width(in) F/R
61.9/61.9
61.1/61.2
61.5/61.5
61.8/61.4
Safety
7.0/10
Infiniti prioritizes the safety as one of the top criterias while designing a car and the 2019 QX30 is a stark testimony to the same fact. Infiniti has upgraded the safety features in the 2019 QX30 and made improvements in the list of standard safety features on offer.
Based on the same platform with similar specs and power both these vehicles are a good choice to go with. However, the GLA has a slightly more dynamic handling while the Q30 offers a more relaxed ride.
2019 Mercedes-Benz GLA
There is a good number of techs and features in both the car but the rear seats are cramped. Infiniti comes at a lower price than the Mercedes GLA and while providing the same amount of comfort. However, Mercedes driving dynamics may attract your attention.
Infiniti QX30 Vs Audi A3
The Audi A3 has the least amount of rear seat space in the competition, leaving adult passengers with very little room to feel comfortable.
2019 Audi A3
The A3 also has less cargo capacity than the QX30, although Audi impresses with the 4,400-pound towing capacity which is best in class. So, there is little reason to consider the Audi A3 over others if comfort is your primary focus.
Infiniti QX30 Vs BMW X1
Well, if you have the money to spend and want exhilarating road manner, then BMW X1 is a clear winner here. Its starting price is $3,500 more than QX30 but you will love it for its nimbleness and agility.
2019 BMW X1
It also offers more cargo space than the Infiniti QX30 which is also an advantage. It is definitely one of the best option available in the market, however the Infiniti with its lower price tag is worth considering.
Final Verdict
The Infiniti QX30 is Infiniti's attempt to challenge the likes of established Marquee's like Mercedes, Audi and BMW int eh Compact SUV segment. It offers the Luxury of Mercedes, feels sporty to drive like the Bimmer and has features that rivals the Audi. And with a starting price of just $30,000, Infiniti have managed to hit the sweet spot in terms of pricing as well. With Infiniti addressing the reliability niggles with the previous edition of the QX30 and an aggressive pricing, we do feel that the 2019 QX30 is one of the few cars that can successfully challenge the might of the Germans.
What are the Prices of a used Infiniti QX30 based on trim and mileage?