[brianch]

The Big Test: 2013/2014 Luxury Sport Sedans - Motor Trend

5th Place: Volvo S60
While safe and competent, the Volvo failed to get anyone's pulse racing. The competition remains extremely strong and a refresh is coming soon.
4th Place: Cadillac ATS
Without question, the best driving car here, but last or near last in every other category. Cadillac has a great starting point, but it needs to finish the job.
3rd Place: Lexus IS 350
A solid value and welcome refresh. We'd love to see an F Sport with AWD, but Lexus doesn't build it. Also, the front of this car is too homely for it to place any higher.
2nd Place: Audi S4
Muscular, brutish, and confidence-inspiring, the S4 is let down by its age and a slightly underwhelming driving experience. Still, what an impressive athlete.
1st Place: BMW 335i xdrive
Featuring the best combination of everything, the latest 3 Series just doesn't have any glaring flaws. It's still the master of the segment it created.


Notable Features
Cadillac ATS
The Cadillac’s aluminum-intensive chassis makes it the lightest car in the test. Lexus IS 350
Because it’s AWD, the IS 350 gets a six-speed automatic instead of an eight-speed. Audi S4
The seven-speed S Tronic transmission is fabulous, and the only dual-clutch here. Volvo S60
The Volvo is the only contender that gets a good rating for the small offset crash test. BMW 335i xDrive
It came optioned with $3040 yellow performance calipers we’re still snickering about.

Lexus IS 350
Because it’s AWD, the IS 350 gets a six-speed automatic instead of an eight-speed. Audi S4
The seven-speed S Tronic transmission is fabulous, and the only dual-clutch here. Volvo S60
The Volvo is the only contender that gets a good rating for the small offset crash test. BMW 335i xDrive
It came optioned with $3040 yellow performance calipers we’re still snickering about.

Audi S4
The seven-speed S Tronic transmission is fabulous, and the only dual-clutch here.

Volvo S60
The Volvo is the only contender that gets a good rating for the small offset crash test.

BMW 335i xDrive
It came optioned with $3040 yellow performance calipers we’re still snickering about.

 

[Q50Aggie]

http://www.infinitiq50.org/forum/infiniti-q50-lounge/3362-motor-trend-sport-sedan-comparison.html

 

[brianch]

It'll get more attention here

Because this is actually an interesting comparison. You can start guessing how the Q50 would compare.

 

[brianch]

Not sure what happened to my posts earlier. Did they get deleted?

performance figures:

Surprised how quick the A4 is in the comparison.

Interesting part

Cost of Ownership

IntelliChoice provides a metric called Total Cost of Ownership, which tallies the total depreciation, routine maintenance, fuel, and other charges anticipated over five years of driving. This bottom line provides a better assessment of value than the purchase price. Note that the second-least-expensive Lexus to buy is most affordable, thanks to its amazingly low depreciation. While the second-priciest Audi ends up costing the most to own, its highest-in-test maintenance, repair, and insurance costs overshadow its second-best depreciation percentage.

The second-least-expensive-to-own Volvo deserves extra credit for its lowest anticipated maintenance, repair, and insurance costs. Cadillac suffers the greatest depreciation as a percentage of the purchase price, which ties into brand perception, meaning Cadillac still has a mountain to climb in that arena.

​

​

 

[brianch]

Conclusion

This was a remarkably difficult decision to make, as all the contenders are good cars. Somehow, and I'm not totally sure how, the Volvo sank like a rock to the bottom. Is it bad? Not at all, but aside from safety it stood out in no single area.

The Cadillac outshone everyone else in one single category: Ride and handling. In terms of smiles produced and fun to drive, no other car was even close. But as right as Cadillac got the ATS' chassis, it dropped the ball elsewhere, especially in CUE.

The Audi, while faster than it needs to be, is starting to feel a bit long in the tooth. We've seen the interior; we're getting bored with the styling; and we're totally indifferent at this point to its numb steering and FWD bias. As Angus MacKenzie often states, RWD is the proper way to build a car.

Despite how bone-deep ugly it is on the outside, the little Lexus surprised us all. From its handsome and comfortable interior to its better-than-expected handling to its value and low cost of ownership, the IS 350 was full of surprises. All that said, bring on the F Sport.

This leaves the BMW and its combination of luxury, comfort, and curb appeal. There's a reason every other car in the segment is measured against the 3 Series. Even with AWD, it remains the benchmark.

​

​

​

​

​

For me it comes down to the Lexus or the BMW.

The Audi though fast is FWD bias (bleck) and it's just really boring inside and out. Crappy steering does not help either.

My feeling is that if the Q50 was in the comparison it would come down to the Q50 vs the IS350 with the BMW still edging the win.

 

[Q50Aggie]

For me it comes down to the Lexus or the BMW.

The Audi though fast is FWD bias (bleck) and it's just really boring inside and out. Crappy steering does not help either.

My feeling is that if the Q50 was in the comparison it would come down to the Q50 vs the IS350 with the BMW still edging the win.

The BMW 335i is amazing to drive. It always get my pulse up immediately. So fast and fun. The inside is just boring to me though, and I want something unique and more technology like the Q50.

 

[maddsiick]

I agree. I test drove the 335xi and it was fun to drive and handled great, yet it lacked that luxury feel inside.

 

[maxtosh]

I would argue the Audi maintenance costs. You can purchase Audicare for around $700-800 dollars and it covers most everything for four years/45k. I hate BMW interiors, though the exterior is one of the best. That said, you see them everywhere. The new IS does nothing for me.

 

[SimpsonTide985]

http://www.infinitiq50.org/forum/infiniti-q50-lounge/3362-motor-trend-sport-sedan-comparison.html

 

[gbert15]

http://www.infinitiq50.org/forum/infiniti-q50-lounge/3362-motor-trend-sport-sedan-comparison.html

Hahaha! I guess his was posted yesterday! Didnt even notice that!

 

[Gandhi]

Surprised how quick the A4 is in the comparison.

That's because it's an S4, not an A4

 

[SimpsonTide985]

That's because it's an S4, not an A4

It better be. The S4/335 are the most expensive out of the bunch by far.

 

[avanti5010]

German cars are overrated because of their "snob" appeal.

 

[NissLover]

Read one of the threads on the MotorTrend forums where one of the editors was answering questions about the test and he stated that they still haven't test driven a Q50 yet... I was hoping they had at least tested it and was editing or something. Looks like an official review is really a ways off...

 

[Q50Aggie]

Read one of the threads on the MotorTrend forums where one of the editors was answering questions about the test and he stated that they still haven't test driven a Q50 yet... I was hoping they had at least tested it and was editing or something. Looks like an official review is really a ways off...

That could be the politically correct answer...he might be under nda...

 

[brianch]

nah. One of my friends is an editor for a magazine and I asked him why Infiniti hasn't given anyone a Q50 yet and he told me they haven't made the effort to contact them and when they asked Infiniti told them not yet.

 

[SimpsonTide985]

German cars are overrated because of their "snob" appeal.

Well, yes and no.

Performance-wise, they remain at the top of the food chain.

However, they've been slipping away in the ride/chassis/handling categories...