To infinity and back? With Infiniti, a premium subsidiary of Nissan, conceivable, but with a few small drawbacks. Based on the Mercedes GLA, the luxury brand of the Japanese manufacturer Ende 2015 started in England with the production of the compact Q30 and the QX30. That many Mercedes genes hide under the Infiniti QX30, however, really recognize only the connoisseurs. These are particularly based on the technology and on some buttons and controls. From the outside, the graceful Japanese hand can be seen. The distinctive Infiniti line is clearly perceptible. From the front, an aggressive grill with a bad look and the not so well-known in Germany Infiniti logo: a road that goes to infinity. Sharp edges frame the large bonnet, continue over the sides and end in narrow tail lights. A back that knows how to delight, as with the GLA, which I also already test could.
Too much security?
On the almost five-hour drive to Hesse, I took a closer look at the Japanese luxury body. Equipped with sufficient driving safety assistants, you had the feeling that you didn't have to do anything. Just lean back, relax and steer every now and then. If it just could be that easy. Some of the security systems, however, were a little too busy. It beeped and blinked before there was any real danger. That keeps you awake in the early morning hour when I was out, of course, but it also frightens you from time to time and leads to uncertainty. The blind spot warning system, which is located on the inside of the vehicle, is nice and snuggled up to the small Bose box, from which the excellent sound comes out. Usually this display is always on the outside mirror. Anyone who likes such high-tech assistants should be happy about the 360 ° reversing camera, which also shows the car from a bird's eye view and starts immediately when objects move. When you're standing, of course. In addition to the lane departure warning system, what keeps the driver happy on longer journeys are the seats. The driver's seat is very hard in the long run, but much more comfortable in the front passenger seat. Whether this is a wanted “function” or whether my bottom meter is simply no longer used to long journeys in otherwise very cuddly nappa leather seats, we will probably not find out anytime soon.
In spite of this, the interior shows everything you would expect in the premium segment of a car brand. The materials used are visually and felt very appealing. Two-tone leather and contrasting decorative seams and enough space ensure a premium feeling of living. Everything included in the style package, of course. If so, then already. The steering wheel feels good and lies perfectly in the (woman's) hand. Only the blinker is too short. But best of all: wood applications create a further feel-good atmosphere. The cockpit is already familiar from the GLA and is clearly structured. The graphics of the navigation device take a bit of getting used to and the operation is not entirely intuitive. Unfortunately, it doesn't find the destination address either, so I have to switch to the good old Google Maps on my smartphone. Screen sharing is also not available. Too bad. The DAB radio makes up for it and luckily there is a USB port in almost every vehicle, so that the smartphone quickly goes back to 100%.
Sporty outside, relaxed on the inside
The journey with the Infiniti QX30 is very relaxed. The sport mode gives a brief feeling of “wow”, but that's not enough to inspire the senses. The SUV just feels too clumsy for that. With a weight of 1.651 kilograms, it shouldn't really be the case. The engine's response behavior is quite slow in Eco mode, which is compounded by the slow response of the start-stop system. In S mode, thanks to its 170 PS (125 kW), it reacts more easily, but it is simply not enough if you want to drive a little more economically. He manages 8,5 km / h in 100 seconds and top speed is reached at 215 km / h. According to Infiniti, the consumption should amount to an average of 5,4 liters of diesel (combined, urban). For me, the Infiniti QX30 leveled off at 6,4 liters.
The Japanese can be bought from 44.360 euros. The top equipment “Premium Tech” is only available in conjunction with the diesel engine and then costs around 47.308 euros. In return, it has everything in terms of security and comfort that is desired in the premium league. Of course, enjoying that is not difficult. The trunk volume of 430 liters also makes a longer trip more pleasant.
And finally ... The Infiniti QX30 is an SUV for individualists who drive a characteristic vehicle, but do not want to forego large-scale technology and the “Mercedes feeling” without also having to pay Mercedes prices. You are absolutely well advised with the Infiniti QX30, but if you also expect the driving pleasure of a Mercedes, you have to lower your expectations a little. The Japanese may have the genes, but not the athleticism. Still an elegant, solid car in the premium segment with that certain something.
Driving report & photos: Simone Amores