Car and Driver latest midsize luxury sport sedan comparison and BMW didn't win, OMG - Page 3

FinalBurst · 07-30-09, 07:45 AM

I'm impressed by Infiniti, I never imagined it would place so highly. Good job by Audi though.

Allen K · 07-30-09, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The G Man

Please talk me out of it

I cant be seen driving a Hyundai

Put the KDM Genesis badges on and 85% of people won't know it's a Hyundai

MPLexus301 · 07-30-09, 07:55 AM

Nice pickup for the A6

Can't believe I am the first person to bring this up on a Lexus forum, but I wonder why the GS wasn't included? If the M was, I would imagine that the GS should have been as well, not to mention that a fully loaded GS 460 costs less than their 535i and a GS 350 would have been around $10K less. They could have added the Genesis too.

I'm surprised to see the E in last place, to be honest. The car has gotten so much positive press and the E550 was just ranked above the 550i and XF a few weeks ago. While 268 hp is at the back of it's class, it's also hardly lacking or desperate. Maybe in comparison to the FI 6 cylinders in the Audi and BMW, but still not a bad engine.

I really never cared much for the interior of the XF so I will be interested to see what kind of problems they had with the shifter. I would have expected it to do better than a 4th place rating, but the car sorely needs to drop one or two of it's lower V8s and replace them with a strong V6. That V8 is one of the oldest basic engine designs in the luxury realm.

Nice finish for the M45 over the Mercedes and Jaguar- I have always loved the M. While BMW's can get astronomically expensive, I would like to see what options they tacked on to the 535i to get the price THAT high.

Like I said above, nice win for the A6. I have seen a few of them around and the new changes are nice, though I really dislike their black/saddle two tone leather design theme. It looks like a hack job done by some tuner as a show car, not a proper luxury car interior designed from Audi. The rest of it is nice, and considering the shortcomings of the E and the Jag, the age of the M, and the price of the BMW, I am not surprised that it won.

dunnojack · 07-30-09, 08:03 AM

the first thought I had when reading this was.......

wow, C&D is full of shiz.

3 writers/editors compromised and came out with a ranking of 5 cars.

Big whoop. They're just 3 people

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPLexus301

Nice pickup for the A6

Can't believe I am the first person to bring this up on a Lexus forum, but I wonder why the GS wasn't included? If the M was, I would imagine that the GS should have been as well, not to mention that a fully loaded GS 460 costs less than their 535i and a GS 350 would have been around $10K less. They could have added the Genesis too.

The GS would've surely gotten last place.

it has the oldest tech, the boat-iest ride. so it doesn't qualify to be a "sport sedan" by C&D standards.

MPLexus301 · 07-30-09, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnojack

The GS would've surely gotten last place.

it has the oldest tech, the boat-iest ride. so it doesn't qualify to be a "sport sedan" by C&D standards.

Judging by how they rated the other cars, my guess is that the GS would have actually finished third or fourth. It's got one of the strongest engines, nicest interiors, best gas mileage, and good technology. I would fully expect it to place behind the BMW and Audi based on it's lack of sportiness, but the features and luxury may or may not have placed it above the M.

It would have just been nice to see their comments on the car.

The G Man · 07-30-09, 10:15 AM

I havent read the article yet, but here is their rating on the cars and pros and cons:

5th place: E350 (187 points)
Highs: Strong long-distance cruiser, muscular styling, vault-solid platform.
Lows: Wants 32 more horsepower, too easily upset on turn-in, overeager stability control.
Verdict: The car most likely to impress your neighbors. As always.

4th place: XF (193 points)
Highs: Heavenly ride, a cabin fit for Prince Charles, the face of an angel.
Lows: Cramped back seat, body roll, hockey-puck shifter from hell.
Verdict: An elegant sedan most at home on interstates and Rodeo Drive.

3rd place: M45 (199 points)
Highs: 325 horses, powerful brakes, take-no-prisoners manumatic.
Lows: Funereal cockpit, nonlinear steering, flinty ride.
Verdict: More sporty than luxurious, a sedan in need of a freshening.

2nd place: 535i (214 points)
Highs: Smoothest driveline in the business, a chassis balanced to perfection.
Lows: Small trunk, pricey options, styling that could benefit from an update.
Verdict: A balanced sports sedan that makes its driver look like a hero.

1st place: A6 3.0T (217 points)
Highs: It's a rocket by 2500 rpm, steering that speaks, brakes that listen.
Lows: Tire boom, unexpected ergonomic glitches within.
Verdict: The Jag's luxury, the Infiniti's strength, the BMW's balance.

1SICKLEX · 07-30-09, 10:17 AM

From the totals it really was a two car comparo.

The G Man · 07-30-09, 02:04 PM

The Audi TT RS is one nice coupe, 0-60 in 4.5 second.

felixsc300 · 07-30-09, 09:46 PM

Well to be fair the E60 has been out since 2004 with minimal to modest updates.

MelF1fan · 07-30-09, 10:00 PM

Interesting that CarandDriver picks an Audi over BMW and likes it's steering better? I'll have to check one out, cuz the A4/A5 did nothing for me as far as steering but that's compared to the 3 series. Actually i liked the (2008/9) IS350's better than the Audi. I've driven a GS @ tastoflexus but cannot recall it's steering.

The 3.0T V6 is supposed to be a great new motor and the A6 is a nice looker especially in black but for me out of the current group, it is the XF i'd have to have.

Wasn't the XF preferred over the 5 series in some other of the mags?

Looking forward to the release of the new Gen 5 series next year's time or sooner or later.

dunnojack · 07-30-09, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelF1fan

Wasn't the XF preferred over the 5 series in some other of the mags?

Looking forward to the release of the new Gen 5 series next year's time or sooner or later.

how's the saying go...?

magazine biases are like bungholes... everyone has one.

CDNROCKIES · 07-30-09, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The G Man

Lol, I wish I can. I am actually considering a Genesis for my next car

Quote:

Originally Posted by dunnojack

oh you're going to hell now..

When I was looking for a new company car, I looked at a few of the cheaper Hyundai's. I was completely stunned at how good the Genesis looked. I'm not sure I could justify full price for the V8 however, as there are several competitors that I would rather be in for that kind of coin.

The G Man · 07-31-09, 07:41 AM

excuse my ignorance, but what you mean by the interior's a bit meh?

MPLexus301 · 07-31-09, 07:44 AM

Probably that despite being beautifully built and executed, the overall design is a bit cold and stark.

Not to mention that the car is a few years old now, and the interior is definitely showing it's age.

The G Man · 07-31-09, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPLexus301

Probably that despite being beautifully built and executed, the overall design is a bit cold and stark.

Not to mention that the car is a few years old now, and the interior is definitely showing it's age.

Well the alumimium trims do make interior seem a bit cold, the wood trim is a bit warmer.