2018 INFINITI QX30 Review

Name: 2018 INFINITI QX30 Review
Brand: INFINITI
Price: 14999 USD

2018 INFINITI QX30 Premium 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

2018 INFINITI QX30 Sport 4dr SUV Exterior

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INFINITI QX30 model years

2019
2018
2017

INFINITI QX30 for Sale

2019
2018
2017

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byJonathan Elfalan^{Director, Vehicle Testing
Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at Edmunds, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.}

Pros

Strong acceleration and sharp handling
High-quality interior materials
Powerful and confident brakes
Interior controls are easy to locate and use

Cons

Ride comfort is compromised by the sporty suspension
Drive modes are either laggy or frenetic
Interior quarters are cramped, especially for rear passengers
Less usable cargo space than its competitors

What’s new

The 2018 Infiniti QX30's trim level names have been renamed halfway through the year and some features have been shuffled, too.

Vehicle overview

The 2018 Infiniti QX30 is an interesting amalgamation of coupe, hatchback and crossover, and the way it straddles these body types results in advantages and drawbacks. Those who like a sporty drive experience will appreciate the QX30's athleticism over a more traditional SUV. Its rear hatchback design increases the cargo capacity over a comparably sized sedan, while the option of all-wheel drive and a raised suspension make it better suited to handle foul weather conditions or light off-highway exploration.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 INFINITI QX30 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 5/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$192/mo

$179/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

So what are the trade-offs? The QX30's aggressive coupelike styling helps it look the part, but it also doesn't make for the roomiest or ergonomically optimized cabin. Its sporty suspension doesn't exactly excel in the ride comfort department either, and rear visibility can be an issue if you don't have the electronic aid of the optional Technology package.

With a base price of just over $30,000, the QX30 is the lowest point of entry into the Infiniti line and is slightly more affordable than most other subcompact luxury SUVs, including the Mercedes-Benz GLA, from which it borrows heavily.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds' editorial team acquired and lived with a Infiniti QX30 Premium for a full year, logging 18,000 miles. We found the QX30 to be quick and entertaining to drive, but it came up short on comfort. Check out our QX30 long-term test to get the whole story. Note that while we tested a 2017 model, the 2018 QX30 is the same and all of our observations still apply.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

6.9 / 10

Is it an SUV or a sport luxury hatchback? The Infiniti QX30 blurs the lines with strong handling, swift acceleration, and the option of a raised suspension with all-wheel drive. It's an interesting vehicle, but other subcompact SUVs are more functional and have friendlier ergonomics.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Infiniti QX30 Premium AWD (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | AWD).

Scorecard

Overall	6.9 / 10
Driving	8.0
Comfort	6.5
Interior	6.5
Utility	6.5
Technology	7.0

Driving

8.0

The Infiniti QX30 blends a small SUV footprint, sharp handling and swift straight-line performance into a package you could also take on light trails. A slow-shifting, lazy transmission hinders speed and acceleration, but there are ways to quicken its response times.

Acceleration

8.0

The QX30 has quick pedal response in S or M shifting modes but feels high-strung for city driving. In E mode, response is slow, laggy and virtually intolerable unless you work the manual-shift paddles. When fully committed, it'll dash from zero to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, about average for the class.

Braking

8.5

In testing, the QX needed 109 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is a solid result for a small car with all-season tires. It delivers consistent braking power and drama-free stability when you're needing to stop in a hurry, and it is smooth and easy when you're just easing to a stop.

Steering

8.5

Precise responses inspire confidence that the car is headed where it's pointed, even if there isn't as much road feel as with Infiniti's coupes or sedans. The effort is just right, too; it's neither heavy nor feather light.

Handling

8.0

The QX30 is playful when pushed, and if approaching its limitations the electronics will step in before things really get out of shape. Body roll is well managed, and AWD affords great drive out of corners. It's definitely capable, if not entertaining.

Drivability

6.0

The default E mode makes for frustrating low-speed driving and acceleration response due to the power lag and slow-to-engage transmission. Selecting S or manual mode each time is a work-around, but these two modes are a bit rev-happy, which can be annoying when you just want to cruise.

Off-road

8.0

There's 8 inches of ground clearance, which is more than what most small SUVs or hatchbacks have and enough to explore some off-highway trails. Along with AWD that can send up to 50 percent of torque to rear wheels and hill descent control, the QX30 has some active lifestyle cred.

Comfort

6.5

Despite the entry-level luxury positioning, the QX30 is still prone to shakes, jitters and transmitting patchy road surfaces into the cabin. It's more sport hatchback than small luxury SUV. Might be fine for some, but we think buyers shopping this segment expect better.

Seat comfort

7.0

The seats may feel a little too firm at first, but we grew accustomed to them. The side bolsters provide good support but aren't so big that they impede ingress/egress. Power-adjustable controls are separated between the doors and the seat, which is a little odd. Rear seats are comfy, if a bit flat.

Ride comfort

6.0

The ride isn't unreasonable but is firmer than you'd expect of a small luxury SUV. It chatters on washboardlike asphalt and is slightly jittery most other times. It's more comfortable that its close cousin, the Mercedes-Benz GLA, but many competitors are better in this regard.

Noise & vibration

7.0

There's plenty of wind noise rushing over the mirrors and pillars, but road and tire hum is pleasantly suppressed. Overall, the cabin is nicely hushed and quiet inside at highway speeds.

Climate control

7.0

The climate system cools the small cabin quickly, and the seat heaters reach toasting temperature before shivering sets in. There are a few too many between dual-zone temp dials and two switches for fan speed. It makes for misdirected poking while in motion.

Interior

6.5

Getting around the QX30's cabin controls (stalks, climate, tech) is easy; there just isn't much room to do it. It's cozy inside; getting in and out requires a limber body; and outward visibility is scarce. The QX30 offers about the same space as a compact hatchback but at a small luxury SUV price.

Ease of use

8.0

The controls are familiar and dead simple to find and use. The 7-inch infotainment system has a rotary dial and button interface, which is less distracting to use than a touchscreen. Of note, the gear selector shape doesn't lend to resting your hand on it.

Getting in/getting out

6.0

Step-in height is lower than that of a traditional SUV, although AWD models are 1.2 inches higher than front-drive QX30s. The low roof makes it a duck-in/out proposition, even for shorter passengers. Brief bending and contorting are required to get in the back.

Driving position

7.0

There's a good range of seat adjustment from sports-car low to SUV high. A manual tilt-and-telescope steering wheel helps dial in comfort, but the car's price warrants a power-adjusting wheel. Taller drivers might brush their heads on the roof or sunroof cutout.

Roominess

5.5

The cabin is small and confining, although the driver and front passenger get the best end of the legroom deal. Rear-seat legroom is minimal, headroom is hindered by the panoramic sunroof, and the door panel armrests infringe on what's left of the precious cabin space.

Visibility

5.5

Thick rear pillars, a narrow rear window and tall window line combine for limited outward visibility. Even the door pillars make lane changes a more deliberate effort. A surround-view camera is optional with the Technology package but should come standard given the difficulty seeing out of this car.

Quality

8.0

Infiniti pulls off a premium interior, though most pieces you touch (stalks, switches, steering wheel) come from the high-quality Mercedes parts bin. The rest are Infiniti-issue and arguably just as nice. Quality is excellent and assembly is tight. Appears built to last.

Utility

6.5

Although the QX30 offers all-wheel drive with 8 inches of ground clearance, you'd be hard-pressed to call it a utility vehicle. The cabin is too small for most outdoor equipment, especially if four passengers are riding along. Fine if you pack light, but most compact hatchbacks offer more room.

Small-item storage

7.0

There's pretty good storage for small, loose items. A typical 1-liter bottle can fit in the front doors, but there isn't much storage beyond that in the side pockets.

Cargo space

6.5

The QX30 offers a claimed 19.2 cubic feet of trunk space. That's above average for the segment but just average for a compact hatchback. It also seems like a generous measurement. While there's some room back there, vertical space is compromised by the sharply raked roof.

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

Isofix anchors sit right at the rear-seat surface and are easy to access. The QX30's lower height also means loading in the kids is similar to loading in a car, not an SUV.

Technology

7.0

Controls from Mercedes-Benz combined with Infiniti software and displays make for a fairly robust package of convenience and safety technology. Even base models offer a good tech bundle (rearview camera, Bluetooth, 7-inch touchscreen). Technology and Navigation packages add safety and connectivity.

Audio & navigation

7.5

A 10-speaker Bose sound system comes standard on Premium models. It's a good system, even if it doesn't offer much adjustment. The navigation is quick and offers multiple map views, but the graphics and menus outside the navigation menu look slightly dated.

Smartphone integration

6.5

With no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration, Bluetooth is the go-to connection here. We experienced limited success when connecting an iPhone via USB cable. The system occasionally recognized it as a media device, but most often did not.

Driver aids

7.0

The optional Tech package combines the main features (blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warnings, etc). Lane departure warning sends a vibration alert to the steering wheel. Parking sensors sometimes lag and often don't respond until you're already well aware of an obstacle.

Voice control

7.5

The voice controls work well for initiating a navigation search while driving. Issuing commands to search nearby points of interest by name or category, for example, leads to more specific menus that you can then search by dial controller and button array. Good stuff.

2018 INFINITI QX30 models

In the beginning of the 2018 model year, the Infiniti QX30 subcompact luxury crossover was available in four trim levels: base, Luxury, Premium and Sport. Later, those first three trims were renamed Pure, Luxe and Essential. Some option packages were also renamed. All QX30s are propelled by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four (208 hp, 258 lb-ft) that sends power to either the front or all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is only available on the Luxury/Luxe and Premium/Essential trims.

Standard features on the base/Pure QX30 include 18-inch alloy wheels, all-season run-flat tires, LED running lights, auto-dimming driver-side and rearview mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, eight-way manual front seats with four-way power lumbar, dual-zone climate control, 60/40-split fold rear seatbacks and simulated leather upholstery. Some of the standard technology features include a rearview camera, a 7-inch Infiniti InTouch infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, voice controls, and a six-speaker sound system with HD and satellite radio, two USB ports and an auxiliary audio jack.

The Luxury/Luxe trim comes with everything from the base trim and adds leather upholstery, eight-way power front seats, heated front seats, a rear-seat armrest, a rear-seat pass-through, driver-seat memory settings and a stitched-leather dash insert. Aside from all-wheel drive, there are no options available on Luxury or base trims.

One step up from Luxury is the Premium/Essential trim, which adds LED foglights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, roof rails, a panoramic sunroof and a premium 10-speaker Bose audio system. If you opt for an all-wheel-drive Luxury or Premium QX30, these models come with a ride height raised 1.2 inches versus that of the front-wheel-drive models.

A number of packages are available at the Premium trim level. The Navigation package includes navigation, Infiniti InTouch services and apps, front and rear parking sensors, satellite traffic and weather, and a color center display in the gauge cluster. The LED package includes adaptive LED headlights and interior LED ambient lighting.

The Technology/ProAssist package is one we recommend due to the QX30's natural blind spots. It comes with a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams and park assist. The Gallery White Theme package features a white premium leather interior with red accents and contrast stitching, a synthetic suede headliner and unique 18-inch wheels. The Dark Wood package adds real wood trim and a suede headliner. A 19-inch wheel option is also offered that includes run-flat summer tires (from the Sport model).

The top-of-the-line Sport trim models are front-wheel-drive only and come with a sport-tuned suspension that rides 0.6 inch lower than all of the other front-drive models. It has 19-inch alloy wheels with run-flat summer tires, front and rear parking sensors, black exterior mirror housings, specific front and rear lower fascias, body-color side sill panels, a black-colored grille, front sport seats with synthetic suede and faux leather upholstery, a 360-degree camera system, an automated parking system and a flat-bottom steering wheel.

Options for the Sport trim include a no-cost Navigation package; the Technology package, which adds in the other driver aids that don't come standard; a Sport Leather package that adds premium leather, heated front seats, footwell lights and a synthetic suede headliner; and the LED package previously mentioned.

Some features have been shuffled between new and old package names. Most notably, the 360-degree camera has been moved to the Navigation package, the blind-spot monitor is now standard on the Essential trim and above, and the automatic emergency braking is standard throughout the lineup.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#2 out of 18 among Luxury Compact SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the INFINITI QX30 from 2008-2022.}

$504/yr

vs. $559/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.38x/yr

vs. 1.23x/yr
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

vs. 8.6%
for Average Luxury Compact SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2018 INFINITI QX30.

5 (41%)

4 (22%)

3 (13%)

2 (19%)

1 (5%)

3.7

37 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now

Svnisus, 08/31/2018

2018 INFINITI QX30 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 5/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Please, please, please I BEG you before you purchase an Infiniti QX30 open the rear hatch and look to see if the left wiring harness is crushed. If so, please walk away. My brand new 2018 with only 70 miles was purchased on 6/16/18. Because the start/stop feature battery was dead I didn't actually take possession of the car until 6/26/18. During the first month of ownership I began … having problems with the backup camera going black, navigation system flashing weird messages and the lights and radio not turning off after the car was turned off and the driver door was opened. When I took it in for service the dealership said these problems were because software needed to be updated, which they did. There was also a window gasket that needed to be replaced. That part was ordered and an appointment made two weeks out. This car came complete with a rear cargo cover which we didn't disconnect to vacuum the top of until approximately 5 weeks after purchasing it. After dropping it down we saw the left wiring harness was damaged. The next day I drove it to the dealership and was told they would order a new cover and replace it at my next already scheduled appointment. Upon returning for that appointment I was told they couldn't order just the harness cover, all the wires which control the whole car run through the harness and it was one complete part which would have to replaced. They quoted me a price of $11,000 and due to the cost they were going to have get approval from Infiniti beforehand since it would be covered under warranty. The dealership had given me another QX30 loaner to drive. I checked and that harness was completely intact. I then checked several others on the lot and found 4 out of 6 were compromised, one to the point the VIN number tag located above the left harness had been pushed up and out of place. Infiniti refused to replace the wiring harness. I then contacted Infiniti Consumer Affairs, they opened a case and said a regional manager would contact me. After speaking to the regional manager, again my request to have the problem corrected was denied. I was told it was a design defect and yes, the wires were being pinched but there wasn't any sense in replacing it since I hadn't really hadn't had any major problems because the next one installed would just do the same thing. I explained I was concerned about both electrical failure and since I keep cars for a very long time, what would happen if these electrical problems didn't occur until after the warranty expired. I was told there was nothing they could do. I then asked to speak to someone over the regional manager and was told there wasn't anyone else that dealt with the public. I then called Consumer Affairs back, explained I wasn't happy with the situation, asked again to speak to someone else and was again told there wasn't anyone else to talk to. This morning the car was in reverse and once again the backup camera went to black. I emailed the service adviser to schedule yet another appointment to have the car looked at. I firmly believe it is all tied to the design defect causing the wiring inside the harness to be compromised and Infiniti refuses to take responsibility for the problem.

I great smooth and fast SUV

Augustus, 10/18/2017

2017 INFINITI QX30 Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 11/16 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

The car has performed above and beyond my expectations thus far. Super smooth ride with the premium version AWD SUV. When car is in standard mode it really accelerates. It's a weird feeling walking up to this car because of it's low profile however, when you are driving it you still feel like you are driving an SUV. At first I wanted the dark grey car but saw the majestic white with …

Thought it was a 6 cly

Hokie, 12/14/2018

2017 INFINITI QX30 Premium 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 11/16 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

So I purchased slightly used. Drove a QX30 rental on a trip up north..great ride and fell in love with it. My wife thought it was a 6 cyl because the 4 cly with turbo had so much kick to it. It goes! Just got back from a 1,700 mile trip to DC and it caused me no fatigue at all. My QX30 is fully loaded except 4 wheel drive. I get about 25-27 in town and mid 30s on the highway. …

What a great car!

Mike Chaudron, 02/25/2017

2017 INFINITI QX30 Premium 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 11/16 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Purchased my QX30 due to a job change and needing a different vehicle. I needed a good road car with a hatch for occasional supplies. It'll be just me 90% of the time and will seldom use the backseat, as we are empty nesters and my wife has a larger SUV. After a lot of research I found the QX30. Previously I owned a G37 and liked the car, but had a terrible dealer experience (in another …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2018 INFINITI QX30, so we've included reviews for other years of the QX30 since its last redesign.

See all 37 reviews of the INFINITI QX30

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2018 QX30 Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$29,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	27 MPG
Cost to Drive	$192/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	19.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the QX30 models:

Around View Monitor: Displays a virtual 360-degree view of your surroundings, and will detect moving objects and alert you of their location in the screen image.
Intelligent Cruise Control: Adjusts your cruise speed automatically in slowing traffic and will bring you back up to your preset speed limit and distance.
Forward Emergency Braking: Alerts the driver and applies partial to full braking to assist in slowing the vehicle down, mitigating damage or avoiding a collision.

2018 INFINITI QX30 Review

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What’s new

Vehicle overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 INFINITI QX30 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 5/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Off-road

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Climate control

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Child safety seat accommodation

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Driver aids

Voice control

Which QX30 does Edmunds recommend?

2018 INFINITI QX30 models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now

I great smooth and fast SUV

Thought it was a 6 cly

What a great car!

2018 QX30 Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2018 INFINITI QX30 4dr SUV w/Prod. End 5/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}