The Car Guide was able to check out (not drive
) the new Infiniti Q30 before anyone else at the Frankfurt Motor Show. As they point out at the end of their review, the QX30 "will resemble [the Q30] in just about every respect, except that it will be higher off ground." So I figured that this review of the Q30 should also serve as a pretty good review of the QX30.First off, the look of the Q30 is given a thumbs up. While design is naturally subjective, the hatchback style, compact dimensions and boomerang-shaped D pillar all contribute to a very dynamic and engaging look.
The Q30 sport model sits a bit lower to the ground and has larger tires (19 inches instead of 18). It will be pricier and it has a more aggressive design. I'm not sure if the QX30 will also get a sport model or not.
The interior is very representative of the Infiniti brand. It is stylish (though not as flashy as the exterior). The base model has an all-black interior, and one of the models at the show used a new imitation suede with white top-stitching and leather.
The dashboard has nicely laid out and usable controls. Gauges are simple, clean and well laid out. One thing in particular to point out is the gearshift that comes directly from Mercedes. Does this mean drivers will get AMG-level performance? Only time will tell.
A few last observations to round things out. There are a number of parts that come directly from Mercedes, like the gear shift and the drive mode button. Perhaps changing some of these details would have been a good idea since comparisons between the Q30 and GLA will abound. Front seats were comfortable, rear legroom acceptable, and there is a 60/40 split to the rear seats.The trunk sil is described as a little bit high, and there is no spare tire, but there is a compressor instead to repair minor punctures.
So, most, if not all, of these observation should carry over to the QX30. Anything that you are expecting to be different when comparing the Q30 to the QX30?
