Infiniti QX30 vs Lexus UX

What's the difference?

Even though it’s almost identical to the Q30, the QX30 manages to feel sufficiently different in suspension tune and cabin ambiance to be considered different.

It’s a disappointing oversight, though, by Infiniti to deny the base GT such basic safety fundamentals as a rear view camera (which Infiniti assures us is being worked on).

The updated Lexus UX300h Luxury is a solid entry in the premium compact SUV segment. It doesn’t break new ground, and there are areas that could be improved, but it handles well, offers a thoughtful selection of amenities for a base-grade luxury model, and its compact size makes it easy to park almost anywhere. For buyers seeking a stylish, efficient, and practical hybrid with a luxury badge, it’s a dependable choice.

The QX30 is one of the first projects to result from a technology partnership formed between the parent company of Mercedes-Benz and the Nissan-Renault Alliance.

In a sign of how worldly the car industry is becoming, the QX30 is built in Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK, using the German Mercedes-Benz A-Class platform and powertrains, all under Sino-French ownership via the Nissan-Renault Alliance.

On the outside, the design that first aired on the Q30 is pretty unique. It’s not a subtle car, with deep crease lines along its sides that, according to Infiniti, is an industry first in terms of manufacturing complexity.

When it comes to differences between the two vehicles, it’s minimal at best. There is a 35mm increase in height (30mm from taller springs and 5mm from roof rails), an extra 10mm in width, and extra trims affixed to the front and rear bumpers. Aside from the all-wheel-drive underpinnings, that is pretty much it for the exterior.

The same black plastic overfenders that are fitted to the Q30 are present on the QX30, with 18-inch rims on both the base model GT and the other variant, the Premium.

The dimensions of the QX30 are also an exact match for those on the Mercedes-Benz GLA, with the long front overhang acting as the main visual connection between the two cars.

The updated Lexus UX is technically a compact SUV, but it feels more like a hatchback that's taken a small dose of steroids. The facelift brings a sharper look with a stylised 3D spindle grille, new air intake vents, fresh 17-inch alloy wheels, updated daytime running lights and a full-width rear light bar. The sculpted bodywork still showcases Lexus’ signature origami-like panelling and, overall, it’s a handsome little thing. That said, the heavy use of black plastic moulding around the lower edges detracts from its premium appeal.

Inside, the cabin takes a more understated approach. Up front it feels premium-enough, with synthetic leather trims, soft-touchpoints and those high-tech dual 12.3-inch displays headlining the dash. Your eye moves smoothly across the layout without lingering too long on any single element, which adds to the sense of elegance.

Not everything feels top-tier, though. Hard plastics are still scattered throughout the cabin, and they’re especially noticeable in the back seat where the doors have very little in the way of a soft surface. Yes, this is the base grade, but in a car wearing a luxury badge, it’s something you notice more than you should.

The QX30 is obviously very similar to the Q30 in many respects, but the interior is slightly different, with larger, less cosseting seats up front and slightly higher seats in the rear.

The cabin is also lighter in overall appearance, thanks to a paler colour palette.

There are plenty of neat inclusions, including a pair of USB ports, plenty of door storage, a space for six bottles and a sizable glove box.

A pair of cupholders resides up front, along with a pair in the fold-down armrest in the rear.

There is no particularly logical location for the storage of smartphones, though, and the lack of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is down to Infiniti opting for its own phone connectivity suite.

A decent 430 litres of luggage space behind the rear seats is contrasted by a cramped rear area for all but the smallest of passengers, while sharply shaped rear door apertures making getting in and out a bit of an ask.

There are two ISOFIX baby seat points and a 12-volt socket in the rear, as well.

The UX is a compact SUV, so it's best not to expect a sprawling interior. The front row offers the best space and comfort, with wide door openings and a ground clearance that makes it easy to hop in without any grunts. The seats are comfortable enough on long drives, although some fatigue creeps in on the passenger side due to the lack of lumbar support. Both front seats are power-adjustable and heated, and with the steering wheel also adjusting electrically, it’s easy to dial in a good driving position.

Move to the rear seats, and space becomes noticeably tighter for adults. At 168cm, my knees press against the seat in front, and even my eight-year-old asked me to slide the passenger seat forward this week. That said, he’s been mostly comfortable thanks to the wide door openings, lightweight doors and well-padded seats.

My son did point out that the tall window sills make it hard to see out, which could be a deal breaker for younger passengers. There are three top tether anchor points, but fitting three child seats across is unrealistic.

Storage is on the slim side, but the dual-opening centre console is clever, and there are two cupholders and drink bottle holders up front. The rear row only gets a single map pocket and two cupholders. A few more cubbies for things like sunglasses or keys would be welcome, as the cabin can quickly feel cluttered if you’re not careful.

Technology is neatly integrated. The dual 12.3-inch displays look sharp with clear graphics, and the touchscreen is responsive. The updated operating system isn’t a big leap forward, but it’s easy to use and the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work seamlessly. There’s also sat nav, a wireless charging pad, four USB-C ports, a single USB-A port and a 12-volt socket for charging.

The boot looks modest at first glance, especially with the floor set in its highest position, but it still swallowed a big grocery shop with no fuss. Officially, capacity is 364 litres, which makes it the smallest compared to its nearest rivals, although the adjustable floor helps with taller items or creates a handy nook for smaller ones.

A bigger drawback is the lack of a spare tyre as you only get a repair kit. For city drivers that might be fine, but for those of us who live regionally or do longer trips, a spare tyre is a must-have. On the plus side, the powered tailgate with kick function is standard here, whereas rivals make you pay extra for it.

The new Lexus UX300h is offered in three grades, and the grade tested here is the entry-level Luxury, priced from $55,370 before on-road costs. That positions it right in the middle of its rivals, with the Audi Q2 35TFSI S starting at $49,400 and the Volvo XC40 kicking off from $56,990.

The Luxury grade brings a solid list of standard equipment. While it won’t blow your socks off, it does offer good value-for-money compared to its premium competitors where a lot of features have to be added for additional cost. Highlights include powered front seats with heat function, synthetic ‘NuLux’ leather upholstery and trims, dual 12.3-inch displays and a upgraded OS for the multimedia system. You’ll also find a 10-speaker sound system and seamless wireless phone mirroring for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Technology extends further with built-in satellite navigation, Bluetooth, digital radio, reversing camera, two USB-C ports in each row, plus a USB-A port, 12-volt socket and wireless charging pad up front.

Practical features like keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, dusk-sensing headlights, updated daytime running lights, rain-sensing wipers, electrically adjustable steering wheel and a powered tailgate with kick function.

A three-year complimentary membership to the Lexus Encore program rounds out the package. Members gain access to the Lexus Connected Services phone app where you can customise your driver profile and have access to a digital key but there are a range of benefits from supporting partners like Westfield and Ampol to enjoy as well.

Just the one engine is used across both cars; the 155kW/350Nm single-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine from the Q30 and A-Class.

It’s backed by a seven-speed transmission and wired into an all-wheel-drive system that is biased towards a front-drive configuration.

Sourced from Mercedes-Benz, up to 50 per cent of drive can be sent to the rear wheels, according to Infiniti.

The UX300h Luxury runs a hybrid setup that pairs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two small electric motors. Combined, the system produces 146kW of power, and it drives through an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT). This powertrain sees it outmuscle the old UX250h by 15kW.

On paper, those new outputs sit neatly in the middle of this segment. Out on the road, though, the hybrid assistance helps the UX feel a little more sprightly than the numbers suggest. The electric motors give it an eager step-off from traffic lights and smooth power delivery around town, while the petrol engine takes over when more effort is needed.

It's a good combination for a little car.

Infiniti claims a combined fuel economy figure of 8.9L/100km for the 1576kg QX30 across both the variants; this is 0.5L thirstier than the Q30 version.

Our brief test yielded a dash figure of 11.2L/100km over 150km.

Fuel efficiency is a real strength. Lexus claims 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle, which is impressive against petrol-only competitors. With a 43L tank, you’re looking at a theoretical driving range of over 1000km between fills.

In my week of mixed open-road and urban driving, I saw a real-world figure of 5.0L/100km, and that’s without holding back on using the available power, which makes the claim feel very achievable.

Again, it would be easy to think that the QX30 would feel almost identical to its lower-riding sibling – but that would be incorrect. We criticised the Q30 for being a bit too buttoned down and unresponsive, but the QX30 feels more lively and involving, thanks to its unique spring and damper set-up.

Even though it’s 30mm higher than the Q, the QX doesn’t feel it at all, with a benign, pleasant ride with good body roll control and competent steering.

Our front-seat passenger complained of feeling a little ‘hemmed in’, which is a valid point. The sides of the car are very high, and the roofline is quite low, exacerbated by the steeply raked windscreen.

The 2.0-litre four-potter is smooth and punchy, and the gearbox well suited to it, but it’s lacking in aural character. Luckily the QX30 does a terrific job of suppressing noise before it gets into the cabin, then…

The UX300h Luxury proves itself to be a versatile little SUV. It offers ample power with prompt acceleration, making it easy to confidently take a gap in traffic or keep pace on the open road. It feels like a solid all-rounder that balances everyday usability with just enough grunt when you need it.

There are three selectable drive modes, though in practice they don’t feel dramatically different. The hybrid system can sometimes sound a little flustered at times as it switches between the two components, but it doesn’t translate into anything unsettling from behind the wheel. The actual driving experience remains smooth and predictable.

Ride comfort is another strength. The suspension does a good job of soaking up small bumps, and unless you’re on the highway in torrential rain, the cabin stays impressively quiet.

Visibility is mostly good, although the A- and B-pillars can occasionally intrude from the driver’s seat. It’s never enough to be a deal breaker, but worth noting. Where the UX really shines is in tight spaces because its 10.4m turning circle and compact dimensions makes it stupidly easy to park. The reversing camera is clear, though for a car wearing a luxury badge, it feels like a missed opportunity not to include a 360-degree camera as standard.

The UX300h Luxury comes equipped with Lexus Safety System+, covering the essentials and more. Standard features include lane keeping aid, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, front collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear seat alert, safe exit assist, ISOFIX child seat mounts, three top tether anchor points and tyre pressure monitoring.

Dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and the restyled LED daytime running lights further improve visibility and overall safety.

The UX has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing conducted in 2019, scoring highly across all individual assessments. While the updated model hasn’t yet been re-tested under the latest criteria, its suite of standard safety technologies and solid crash history should offer some reassurance.

The UX has autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection and is operational from 10 - 180km/h but it is normal to see this begin from 5.0km/h on competitors.

The Q30 is offered with a four-year, 100,000km warranty, and servicing is suggested every 12 months or 25,000km.

Infiniti offers a fixed three-year service schedule, with the GT and the Premium both costing an average of $541 over the three services provided.

The UX300h Luxury comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is comparable to its nearest rivals, although we’re seeing increasingly generous terms from mainstream brands.

Servicing is straightforward thanks to a five-year capped-price program, with each service costing $595. The intervals are well spaced at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

This grade also includes a three-year complimentary membership to the Lexus Encore program. Membership brings access to the Lexus Connected Services phone app, allowing you to customise your driver profile and even use a digital key. Beyond that, Encore members enjoy perks with supporting partners, including Westfield and Ampol.

There's around 40 official Lexus service centres located around Australia but you can make use of its sister brand's (Toyota) service centres if you're in a pinch.