Infiniti EX30d

It’s always been Infiniti’s plan to remain a small and exclusive brand in the UK, but nevertheless Nissan’s luxury arm is broadening its reach. The oil-burning EX is a fine all-rounder and the marque is certain to find a few more customers. Bosses predict that eight out of 10 EXs sold will be fitted with the diesel – and with plenty of bonuses and very few sacrifices over the 3.7-litre petrol V6, it’s easy to see why.

WHEN it comes to SUV sales success, diesels are crucial. Has Nissan luxury brand Infiniti scored a hit by offering a new 3.0-litre V6 oil-burner in its compact crossover EX?

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The new EX30d boasts combined economy of 33.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 224g/km. That by no means makes it green, but it is a definite improvement over the 3.7-litre petrol V6 model, which claims 25mpg and 265g/km.

With only a slight thrum on start-up, the EX30d’s refinement is impressive. Once underway, the diesel is smooth, quiet and, thanks to 550Nm of torque, capable of producing an impressive turn of pace.

The sprint from 0-62mph takes 7.9 seconds and the car boasts a 137mph top speed. Its performance credentials are boosted by four-wheel drive, which has a rear bias unless the front tyres start to lose traction. Through bends the steering is responsive and well weighted, and there’s plenty of grip. While there’s very little feedback through the wheel, the firm says this is a customer preference rather than a dynamic downfall.

A seven-speed auto gearbox, which swaps ratios quickly and seamlessly, is standard fit. In Sport mode the shifts are even quicker, and the EX will happily rev all the way to the red line.

The model we drove was in range-topping GT Premium spec, meaning it is packed to the rafters with kit. This includes leather trim, touchscreen sat-nav, bird’s-eye-view parking camera and a lane departure warning system which brakes the inside wheels to gently guide the car back into line. The car’s £41,220 price tag seems steep, though – a similarly equipped BMW X3 will set you back around £36,000, although that’s with a smaller 2.0-litre diesel unit.

The interior isn’t as attractive as that of its German rival, either. There are a few nice touches, including a curved dashboard and plenty of high-quality leather, but the use of some components from mainstream Nissans lessens the upmarket feel.

Overall, though, the new diesel engine makes the EX more appealing. While there are cheaper alternatives on sale, the exclusivity Infitini guarantees, along with the firm’s impressive one-to-one customer service, might be enough to tempt some buyers away from big-name rivals.

Rival: BMW X3 xDrive 20d
Freshly updated, the X3 has a new look and an efficient 2.0-litre diesel. It’s 0.6 seconds slower from 0-62mph but boasts 50.4mpg and impressively low CO2 emissions of 147g/km