Summary
The Infiniti Q30 was a medium-sized five-door hatchback. It was based on the previous Mercedes-Benz A-Class platform, although it was built at the Nissan plant in Sunderland in the UK.
The Q30 had a high-riding sister called the QX30, which is not covered on this page. Now that the model is no longer in production, we are unlikely to build a page of reviews for that vehicle.
The Infiniti Q30 received mixed scores from the UK motoring media, ranging from poor to good. It was praised for being an improvement on the Mercedes model on which it’s based, especially in terms of ride comfort and reduced noise levels. However, it was criticised for being outdated and poor value compared to newer rivals in its class.
Infiniti announced that it would be withdrawing from all Western Europe car markets by 2020. As a result, production of the Q30 ended in Summer 2019. Servicing and maintenance for Q30 customers will be handled by Nissan dealers.
Key specifications
Body style: Five-door hatchback
Engines: petrol, diesel
Price when new: From £21,315 on-road
Launched: Spring 2015
Last updated: Summer 2018
Replacement due: N/A – model discontinued
Image gallery
Media reviews
Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.
The Car Expert
Model reviewed: Q30 Sport Tech AWD
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The Infiniti Q30 is a smooth, comfortable hatch that comes with a decent level of kit. Plus it looks like nothing else in its segment, which is a bonus.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol Business Edition
Score: 7.4 / 10
“The Q30 ticks many boxes and while it won’t have the cachet of an Audi or a BMW, it offers a viable alternative to the norm.”
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Auto Express
Score: 6 / 10
“The Infiniti Q30 is an intriguing alternative to the premium German hatchback norm. It won’t be to all tastes, but the curvy exterior and plush cabin offer showroom appeal to rival some of the strongest cars in this class.”
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Autocar
Score: 7 / 10
“While hardly outstanding, the Q30 is credible. Its performance and refinement are respectable and its ride and handling are rounded, so it has substance to back up the style. Interior space and running costs are disappointing, but perhaps not punitively so for every owner.”
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Car
Model reviewed: 1.5-litre diesel Premium
Score: 6 / 10
“The Infiniti Q30 is a competent car that has its charms. Provided you don’t get put off by the ‘is it a cheap Mercedes or posh Nissan?’ train of thought, then it’s worth further investigation.”
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Model reviewed: 2.2-litre diesel Premium
Score: 8 / 10
“The Q30 is less innovative and the cabin quality less premium than Infiniti would have you believe. But it is the most appealing Infiniti yet, at least to British eyes, significantly better to drive than the Merc it’s based on, it’s built right here in the UK at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, and does look absolutely stunning in the metal.”
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Carbuyer
Score: 7.2 / 10
“The Infiniti Q30 has its own unique style, offers plenty of comfort and kit, but is too expensive.”
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Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 5 / 10
“The Infiniti Q30 is a premium hatchback that has crossover-style looks and a very comfortable ride. It’s aimed at up-market rivals such as the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and is based on the [2012] Mercedes A-Class.”
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Evo
Score: 6 / 10
“Not a car to make you grin on a twisty road, but ride and refinement are both Q30 trump cards.”
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Honest John
Score: 6 / 10
“A half-decent first go at a premium family hatchback for Infiniti then, but there’s very little here to sway a buyer away from any number of well established – and better value – alternatives.”
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Parkers
Model reviewed: Range review
Score: 7 / 10
“The Infiniti Q30 is definitely worthy of consideration at the very least. It’s something a little different without sacrificing anything vital. A difficult trick to pull off.”
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Top Gear
Score: 5 / 10
“Suffers from exactly the same flaw as every other Infiniti – the only reason you’d buy one is because it’s rare-groove different. Not necessarily better.”
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What Car?
Score: 4 / 10
“The Infiniti Q30’s an interesting alternative, but it’s ultimately hard to recommend against its stronger rivals.”
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Which?
“Likeable alternative to the usual German suspects.” Rated a BEST BUY.
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Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: December 2015
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 84%
Child protection: 86%
Vulnerable road users: 91%
Safety assist: 81%
Eco rating
Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP
No eco rating
The Infiniti Q30 was not lab tested by Green NCAP during its production life.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
As of November 2022, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Infiniti Q30 to generate a reliability rating.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Q30, we’ll publish the score here.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Infiniti Q30, you might also be interested in these alternatives
Alfa Romeo Giulietta | Audi A3 | BMW 1 Series | Lexus CT | Mercedes-Benz A-Class | Volkswagen Golf | Volvo V40
