We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time
The start point for the best source of fleet information |
If you'd never heard of Infiniti before, you certainly wouldn't be alone. The premium arm of Nissan has, in previous years, sold very few cars here in the UK.
That looks set to change though with the launch of this, the Q30 hatchback, which places the Infiniti in direct competition with fleet favourites like the Audi A3 Sportback and BMW 1-series.
From the outside, the Q30 certainly stands out from the crowd; it sits a little higher than most hatchbacks in this segment, giving it a more muscular and chunky profile.
Under the bonnet of our test car is 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel, previously seen in the Mercedes-Benz A-class, offering 167hp and 350Nm of torque. Getting from 0-62mph takes 8.5 seconds and mated to the engine is a responsive seven-speed automatic gearbox, again borrowed from the Mercedes hatch.
It's a little rough around the edges and noisy to accelerate at times, even with the standard Active Noise Cancellation system fitted, but once up to speed, the engine proves refined and smooth, especially on the motorway.
It's not as exciting to drive as the BMW or Audi, that said, the steering is well-weighted and can be adapted via the Drive Mode Selector which when selected in Sport mode, adds noticeably more weight. The suspension is soft enough to soak up the majority of potholes and bumps on the road too, and overall the car rides very well, one of its key strengths.
Our test car is also fitted with the firms all-wheel drive system which provides plenty of grip for tackling corners at speed and will bring extra peace of mind when the worst of the UK weather arrives. Although the extra grip means a sportier drive, be prepared to be penalised on running costs for picking four-wheel drive.
One of the Q30's standout qualities is the amount of kit you get as standard, there's lots of tech on offer in our Sport trim car tested here. The highlights include; dual-zone climate control, automatic high beam, a reversing camera, keyless entry, sat-nav, a six-speaker sound system, lane departure warning, rear parking sensors and cruise control.
Interior quality is another high point, although not quite as luxurious as it's Audi rival, the fabrics and various controls feel durable and refined, plus the Alcantara on the dashboard adds extra pizzazz. We particularly like the sports seats on this model and the rotary dial makes navigating around the infotainment system easy.
When it comes to practicality, the Q30 is a little behind the competition. The cars sloping roofline means a restriction on headroom, especially for those in the rear while legroom is also a little cramped for those in the back.
There's plenty of boot space on offer, though, with 430 litres available, easily enough room for the weekly shop or a couple of suitcases. Storage options around the cabin are plentiful too, plus there are two USB ports, ideal for charging numerous devices on the move.
The Q30 is positioned as a premium alternative to the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series and P11D prices reflect this. It lags behind its rivals when it comes to residuals though, our test car has an RV of 30.61% based on three years and 60,000 miles, the comparable four-wheel drive BMW and A3 both have residuals closer to 40 percent, recorded at 36.30% and 37.19% respectfully.
The cost-per-mile again sees the Infiniti lose out significantly with our model costing 68.85p, while the BMW achieves 59.81p and the A3 is at 60.57p.
As we've previously mentioned, the Q30 uses an older engine borrowed from Mercedes-Benz, as a result CO2 emissions are pretty high at 129g/km while official combined fuel economy is 57.6mpg, not even close to the 1 Series which achieves 119g/km of CO2 and an official combined consumption figure of 62.8mpg.
The key stats at a glance |
| P11D price: £30,875 |
| Engine: 2.1-litre diesel |
| Residual value: 30.61% |
| Cost per mile: 68.85p |
| Combined fuel economy: 57.6mpg |
| CO2 emissions (BIK band): 129g/km (25%) |
| BIK 20/40%: £128/£257 |
| Power/torque: 187hp/350Nm |
| 0-62mph: 8.5 seconds |
VerdictThere's a lot to like about this Infiniti Q30. Eye-catching looks, generous equipment levels and good road manners are just a few of its standout attributes. With a P11D price just over £30,000 and high wholelife costs, it may be a compromise too far for those looking for something a bit different, though. |
|||
BusinessCar magazine ©2019
Business Car Magazine © 2020 | Business Car is part of NS Media Group.
