Are you the kind of person who shops at Nieman Marcus or Loehmanns? Sears or
Montgomery Ward? When you buy frozen veggies in the supermarket, does the store brand
suffice, or will only the gourmet brand do? The answer to these questions will go a
long way in determining whether Infiniti's new I30 is the car for you.
Infiniti is Nissan Motor Corporation's luxury division, and they have been selling
automobiles Stateside since 1990 when they introduced their flagship, the Q45. The
I30 is Infiniti's latest offering. It is a mid-level, front-drive luxury sedan slotted
between the V8-powered Q45, the rear-drive J30, and Infiniti's entry-level, 4-cyl.
G20.
In the crowded entry-luxury segment, the I30 competes against some real standouts
like the all new BMW 328i, the Mazda Millenia S, the Lexus ES300 and even Nissan's Maxima.
Luckily for Infiniti, the I30 is blessed with solid performance and luxury car
credentials that deliver on its promises. But, is it worth the premium? That all
depends.
If you are an attentive car follower you have probably noticed many similarities
between the I30 and the Nissan Maxima. This is no coincidence. The I30 is built from
the same platform as the Nissan Maxima and shares some of its electricals, mechanicals
and a fair share of its sheetmetal. This is not a negative because the Maxima is a
wonderful vehicle in its own right. However, the Maxima, option for option, will leave
a similar taste in your mouth for less money than the I30.
That aside, the I30 is an excellent vehicle with thoughtful luxury touches that
set it apart from its more pedestrian cousin. For example, its security system, which
comes standard, responds quietly and with a welcoming glow of interior cabin lights to
signal unlocking, or the polite flash of headlamps to confirm it has locked itself.No
honking horns for this car. If that's not enough, all the I30's security functions
are directed by the keyfob, which also has a built-in panic mode should you wish to
draw attention to yourself in a potentially troublesome situation. And on those
really hot days, you can even lower the front windows with the fob, permitting hot air
to escape from your vehicle. A nice touch.
The I30 comes in three trim levels: The Standard, the Leather Appointed and the
Touring, which we had the pleasure of sampling. If the base I30 is well appointed -
which it is - then the I30t is downright loaded. The I30t includes leather interior,
HomeLink, power everything and a CD player, and adds a Traction Enhancement System,
handsome 15" crosslace alloy wheels, meatier tires and a sleek spoiler. The I30t also
rewards the driver with upgrades underneath the car. The suspension has tuned a bit
firmer in order to respond to the demands of the more aggressive driver.
Safety equipment for the I30, no matter what trim level, is on par with the
segment and include crumple zones, side door beams, dual airbags and antilock brakes.
All I30s come standard with attractive, but rather bland exterior styling. The
Japanese have mastered the art of creating soothing and clean automobile lines without
offending anyone. The problem is they do not excite anyone either. While it may not
excite, the I30 does have classy, understated looks which come off elegant without
being ostentatious. The front end grillework echoes the Q45's, contributing to a
family resemblance while adding some luxury cachet.
A big part of the Infiniti mystique is the relationship they have their potential
and current customers. This approach to sales and service is embodied in a program
called The Total Ownership Experience. The showroom and service staffs act like hosts
and hostesses sporting gracious, low-key manners. Once you become an Infiniti owner,
the experience extends to 24-hour roadside assistance, which is free for 48 months,
even if your warranty has reached its mileage limitation.
When your car needs to be serviced or repaired, a loaner car will be made
available to you with little fuss. When your car is done, whether it be an oil change
or tune-up, it will be washed and vacuumed. A look at recent JD Power customer
satisfaction ratings will show that Infiniti's Total Ownership Program is producing
enviable results. If being treated like a king or queen is important to you, look no
further.
