The I30s interior compartment is well executed and roomy for both front and rear
seat passengers alike. Up front there is an open and airy feeling, with exceptional
all-around visibility. In the back, there is room for three across seating when
needed. Here the I30 exceeds others in its class - like the ES300 and 328i - and
rivals some bigger cars too. (Infiniti likes to boasts the I30 has more interior room
than a Rolls Royce Silver Spur III.)
Ergonomically, there are no qualms to be had with the I30. It benefits from
typical Japanese execution. All controls are logically arranged and easy to reach,
with switches and buttons positioned and marked in such a manner that there is no
confusion over function. To top it off, the wood trim and leather upholstery helps
convey a warm and luxurious feel.
The only reservation about the interior execution of the I30 is the optional front
seat heaters. They were somewhat anemic in operation, even when on the highest
setting.
The Bose audio system, standard on all I30s, is simple to operate and a pleasure
to listen to. Two hundred watts, four amplifiers and six speakers release sound into
an well-engineered interior cabin, resulting in clear, full sound. A CD player and
cassette deck are standard, and conveniently placed within easy reach of the driver or
passenger. For those of you with big CD collections, there's an available multi-disc
trunk-mounted auto changer as an option.
A unique feature on the I30t and the Leather Appointed Model is the Integrated
Homelink Transmitter. Each vehicle's Homelink system can be programmed to replace
radio controlled devices such as garage doors or front gates. Even your home alarm or
lighting systems can easily be manipulated by using the handy controls mounted in the
driver's sunshade. It's a thoughtful safety feature that also reduces clutter in the
car.
An I30 will make your daily commutes less of a chore and give weekend jaunts added
pleasure. This is because the I30's athletic 3.0 liter V6 engine has been engineered
to deliver its 190 hp very willingly. The torque curve is relatively flat, so power
is available when it's most often needed or desired. This means no matter what the
driving situation, the I30 will respond. Judging by my stopwatch, the I30 should get
you to 60mph in the low sevens. It's unmistakably brisk.
Another bonus with the I30 is the availability of a five-speed manual
transmission, an ever-decreasing phenomenon in this segment. The smooth-shifting
five-speed certainly helped bring out some character and personality in our I30t test
car - and I suspect quicker 0-60 times, as well. Whether you equip the I30 with a
manual or the 4-speed automatic, the I30 is one of the stronger performers in its
class.
Isolation from road sounds and irregularities is also excellent, but the sense of
the road is not lost in the I30t. Occupants, regardless of whether they are seated in
front or back, experience a quiet, comfortable and stable ride bordering on the
sporty. Infiniti engineers created a suspension called the rear Multi-Link Beam,
which combines elements of multi-link and torsion beam suspensions. The result helps
keep the tires of this front-drive sedan in optimum contact with the road in addition
to effectively buffering the passenger compartment from noise and road irregularities.
This suspension is also more compact than other set-ups, contributing to increased
rear seat and trunk space.