THERE'S an old saying that if you can't beat 'em, then join 'em.

Infiniti, the posh sub-brand of Nissan, might have had that saying in mind when it came to creating its premium compact hatchback with a twist.

The Q30 is not only based on the Mercedes GLA, but through an alliance with the German brand also shares a platform, and from the outside looks not dissimilar to the A-Class.

It doesn't end there, either. The luxurious cabin, a mixture of leathers and soft plastics, has an ambience straight out of Stuttgart. Comfortable and refined, it can match - and beat - anything in the premium brand market.

Even Infiniti’s trademark infotainment system, first introduced on the pioneering Q50 saloon, has been evolved and upgraded for the Q30, delivering an intuitive, tablet-like experience from the driver’s seat via a touchscreen and dial.

Other techno highlights include automatic park assistance with around view monitor and moving object detection, making the Q30 easy to park. Forward collision warning with forward emergency braking, reduces the stress of driving in heavy traffic or in the city, while intelligent cruise control maintains a safe distance from the car in front.

Infiniti's biggest challenge is to woo customers away from the German marques, and slowly but surely it is gaining momentum in the UK.

Built in Sunderland, the attractively sculpted Q30 is now spearheading the sales push, with strong, muscular lines and heavy haunches that differentiate it from the ubiquitous ‘soft roader’ shape. It presents a more sculpted and arguably understated alternative to established players.

The Q30 range offers a huge choice in power, transmission and specification. There are no fewer than ten trim levels, with the SE manual petrol version costing a very reasonable £20,550. At the top end of the scale comes the Sport City Black with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, all-wheel drive and seven-speed dual clutch transmission. It costs £34,890 and lacks for nothing in terms of kit and luxury.

The tested 1.5-litre diesel with manual transmission and in Sport City Black trim has a price tag of £29,140.

That engine produces a mere 108bhp, yet it settles down nicely after a vocal start-up. The 1.6i is slightly more powerful, and like the 1.5 only comes in front-wheel-drive. The largest 2.2 diesel will certainly be the better choice if performance is your priority.

There's a sense of serenity in the cabin, and my mood was further improved by the fuel consumption. The claimed average economy figure of 67.3mpg is no idle boast. I achieved 66mpg with no effort to squeeze every last drop out of the tank.

Treading on the toes of the established premium players, the Q30 is quite possibly the best looking car in its class and the best offering so far from Infiniti.

Designed for a new generation of buyers, it challenges convention with its bold character and exemplifies Infiniti’s design-led approach. The coupé-like silhouette is emphasised by a shallow side glass area, yet the design belies the interior space on offer. Cabin room is plentiful, while the boot capacity of 368 litres ranks among the best in the segment.

If the priority for Infiniti engineers was to strike an ideal balance between ride and handling, then they accomplished the mission. The car stays firm on the road, thanks to specially tuned shock absorbers, and body stiffness has been enhanced. The suspension was designed to be both forgiving and comfortable, without sacrificing agility.

The Q30 Sport, with 15mm lower ground clearance than the SE and Premium versions, gives a firmer ride, facilitating tighter body control and reduced roll, without compromising comfort.