The 2018 Infiniti QX30 stands apart from the crowd based on its styling, but it’s also worth considering for its zippy handling.
Pros Stand-out style Comfortable, refined interior Handles well Lots of trim levels
Cons Tight inside Twitchy throttle feel Styling overwrought to some Expensive with options
The 2018 Infiniti QX30 ranked #4 in Luxury Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Infiniti QX30 has a score of 7.8 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 14 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Handsome cabin with high-grade materials Lots of features for a low price Longer warranty than rivals
Cons Small cargo area Poor rearward visibility
If you've landed on the Infiniti QX30 as your next vehicle, we recommend the Premium AWD trim. It not only comes with a number of great features, but it also offers the Technology package that helps to alleviate the QX30's blind spots.
PROS Strong acceleration and sharp handling High-quality interior materials Powerful and confident brakes Interior controls are easy to locate and use
CONS Less usable cargo space than its competitors Interior quarters are cramped, especially for rear passengers Drive modes are either laggy or frenetic Ride comfort is compromised by the sporty suspension
Named after a famous winding pass in the Italian Alps, the Stelvio is perfect for carving up canyons. A turbo 2.0-liter four makes 280 hp and pairs with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. For more power, the Quadrifoglio flaunts a 505-hp 2.9-liter turbo V-6; an adaptive suspension is standard. Alfa claims a zero-to-60 time of 3.9 seconds. Inside, the Stelvio offers an optional 900-watt Harman/Kardon audio system, but we’re pretty sure that sweet engine is all you’ll want to hear. Assembled at Alfa’s Cassino plant in Frosinone, Italy, the Stelvio is built on the same platform as the Giulia and will be offered in three trim levels: Stelvio, Stelvio Ti, and the high-performance Stelvio Quadrifoglio, which has enough distinct features and tuning to be considered a separate model. While the Stelvio and Stelvio Ti both rely on a 280-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four for motivation, the high-performance Quadrifoglio utilizes the 505-hp 2.9-liter turbocharged V-6 from the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. Aluminum is used extensively in the construction of every Stelvio, including the front and rear subframes, the suspension components (control arms in front, multilink in the rear), the doors, and the fenders; the rear crossmember is partly made of composite plastics to pare more weight.
If you want a crossover that sacrifices as little of the conventional-car driving experience as possible, then the Alfa Romeo Stelvio should be given serious consideration. It’s a great car in its own right, but given it is Alfa’s first SUV, it’s borderline brilliant on first acquaintance. All Stelvios ride on double wishbones at the front and multi-link at the rear (Alfa says it’s ‘four-and-a-half-link’), as well as what Alfa says is the most direct steering set-up in the segment. Q4 four-wheel-drive is standard, albeit with a rear-bias to the power distribution: 100% in normal driving conditions and up to 50% pushed to the front when circumstances demand it. You can also option in a mechanical LSD at the rear if you’re planning on hot laps (as if!).
Alfa Romeo has high hopes for the Stelvio Quadrifoglio; the model will even offer carbon fiber shell racing-style seats made by Sparco as well as carbon ceramic Brembo brakes. To save fuel, the Quadrifoglio's V-6 employs cylinder deactivation that allows it to run on just three cylinders during low load situations.
Pros Italian style Promise of serious performance Gorgeous interior Base model offers solid specs
Cons No RWD may be a lose in smile states Big gap between 4-cylinder and twin-turbo V-6 Too little, too late?
