Infiniti Q30 2017 Review | Driver's Seat

Описание: Nissan’s premium brand is aiming to muscle in on the compact premium sector. We take the keys for a week to see if the Q30 can

What do we have here?

Infiniti as a brand is working to establish itself in the UK. It is to Nissan what Lexus is to Toyota, an aspirational upmarket offshoot.

The brand remains in its infancy in the UK with the first Infiniti showroom only opening its doors in 2009.

To read the full road test, click here: https://goo.gl/ai05NC

It’s fair to say that until now, it has failed to capture the imagination of the UK motoring public. Infiniti is hoping that’s about to change with a swathe of new and updated models.

Most important is a new entry-level premium compact family car to take on the likes the of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Called the Q30, it’s a five-door hatchback and is available with a choice of four engines, either front wheel or all-wheel drive, and seven trim levels; SE, Premium, Premium InTouch, Premium Tech, Premium Tech InTouch, Sport, Sport Intouch.

There are few better recipes, on paper, than what Infiniti has done with the Q30. Firstly, they’ve based it on one of its rival’s cars, the third-generation Mercedes A-Class. Then they’ve wrapped in a sumptuous and visually enticing body, before giving it the famed UK build quality by screwing it all together at Nissan’s Sunderland factory.

Its kerb side appeal is bountiful. With slicked back headlights, a huge supermini swallowing grille, profiled bonnet, flowing side lines and an attractive rear end. The Q30’s got more curves than a five years old’s drawing of a plate of spaghetti.

There are two petrol engines available, a 1.6-litre turbo with 120bhp and a 2.0-litre turbo with 207bhp. The entry-level gets a six-speed manual gearbox and an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, while the 2.0-litre gets the auto as standard and optional AWD.

In the diesel corner, you can pick from an entry-level 1.5-litre diesel which develops 108bhp linked to a six-speed manual, again with the option of the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The range topping 2.2-litre with its 168bhp gets the auto as standard and AWD as an option.

All models get 18in alloys, LED daytime running lights, 7.0in infotainment touchscreen, Bluetooth, air conditioning auto headlights, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, hill start assist, with prices starting from £20,850.

We’re testing the 2.2-litre diesel automatic with the AWD system in Premium Tech trim, which adds lane departure warning, auto wipers, cruise control, LED headlights, keyless entry, rearview camera and front parking sensors and dual-zone automatic air con and costs £31,585.

To read the full road test, click here: https://goo.gl/ai05NC