Motortrend - Sports luxury sedan comparison.

Sunny · Mar 9, 2012

Sporty Luxury Sedan Comparison - Mercedes-Benz C250, Volvo S60 T5, Infiniti G25, Lexus IS 250, Buick Regal GS, Acura TSX, BMW 328i, Audi A4 - Motor Trend

1ST PLACE: BMW 328i Sport Line
2ND PLACE: Volvo S60 T5
3RD PLACE: Mercedes-Benz C250
4TH PLACE : 2012 Audi A4 Quattro
5TH PLACE: 2011 Lexus IS 250 F-Sport
6TH PLACE: 2012 Acura TSX V-6
7TH PLACE: 2012 Infiniti G25
8TH PLACE : Buick Regal GS

The BMW was the fastest car here (0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and through the quarter in 14.2 at 97.8 mph), beating even the AWD Audi. The 328i rode the best, had the best steering and transmission, is the only car here with start/stop technology, gets a class-leading 36 mpg highway, has the best-laid-out interior, is the most comfortable, has an unbelievable nav screen, and, to top it all off, has the biggest back seat. Ultimately -- and this cuts right through the heart of the sport sedan segment -- the BMW was without question the most fun to drive.

A sampling from our notebooks. Kiino: "Does everything well. The epitome of a luxury sport sedan." Evans: "What a car. There really isn't anything this car does wrong." Jurnecka: "Last week I was telling a buddy that there isn't a single new BMW I'd even consider buying. I was wrong. I'd buy this car." Martinez: "Seriously, where's the M badge?" Nishimoto: "BMW does what it does best with this new 328, and thus the bar is raised yet again." And from me, "They picked the appellation F30 for a reason. Like the E30, the new 328i is the ideal blend of engine, transmission, and chassis." Folks, I'm awed.

In full, glaring, retina-searing contrast, this BMW wins this competition because it does everything better than the rest. For now, all the competition can do is head back to their drawing boards.

Let the trolling commence...

tikipukapuko · Mar 9, 2012

back to the drawing board !! now that's big.:t-rot:

Merc1 · Mar 9, 2012

I saw this one earlier.....surprised the C250 did as good as it did.

M

Ultimate Car Guy · Mar 9, 2012

"This is not just a win for the 328i; it's a massacre. A slaughter. Doomsday. Armageddon. I say this with a straight face: There is no competition. Not only was the BMW's first-place finish never in question, but I can't remember a comparison test with such lopsided results. Honestly, we had a hard time finding bad things to say."

Read more: Sporty Luxury Sedan Comparison - Mercedes-Benz C250, Volvo S60 T5, Infiniti G25, Lexus IS 250, Buick Regal GS, Acura TSX, BMW 328i, Audi A4 - Motor Trend

martinbo · Mar 9, 2012

As mentioned, we sat around screaming at each other for over an hour trying to determine if the Buick was in fact a lamer duck than the Infiniti. We spent all of three minutes declaring the BMW best in test and best in class. This is not just a win for the 328i; it's a massacre. A slaughter. Doomsday. Armageddon. I say this with a straight face: There is no competition. Not only was the BMW's first-place finish never in question, but I can't remember a comparison test with such lopsided results. Honestly, we had a hard time finding bad things to say. Aside from the as-tested price (see above!), the worst anyone could come up with is that the new 2.0-liter twin-scroll I-4 sounds like a diesel. But, as Evans logs, "That's hardly a complaint," and you only hear the clatter-clatter-clatter at idle. Let's call it the sound of efficiency. As for the good stuff, well, our notebooks were boiling over.

Here's a sampling. Kiino: "Does everything well. The epitome of a luxury sport sedan." Evans: "What a car. There really isn't anything this car does wrong." Jurnecka: "Last week I was telling a buddy (and huge BMW fan) that there isn't a single new BMW I'd even consider buying these days. I was wrong. I'd buy this car." Febbo: "Maybe the most impressive thing about the BMW is that there is no superfluous stuff. They just built a really solid car." Martinez: "Seriously, where's the M badge?" Kong: "BMW wants to make my life difficult with a shocking product that is as good as it's been hyped." Nishimoto: "BMW does what it does best with this new 328, and thus the bar is raised yet again." And from me, "They picked the appellation F30 for a reason. Like the E30, the new 328i is the ideal blend of engine, transmission, and chassis." Seriously, folks, I'm awed.

You want specifics? The BMW was the fastest car here (0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and through the quarter in 14.2 at 97.8 mph), beating even the AWD Audi. The 328i rode the best, had the best steering and transmission, is the only car here with start/stop technology, gets a class-leading 36 mpg highway, has thebest laid-out interior, is the most comfortable, has an unbelievable nav screen, and, to top it all off, has the biggest back seat.

Want more? Of course you do. Moving from Comfort mode into Sport produced real, actual changes in the vehicle's behavior, transforming it from a very relaxed cruiser to a sharp-edged canyon carver. And because of the $900 Adaptive M Suspension option (part of the $2500 Sport Line package) there's still Sport+ to further stiffen the suspension, increase throttle response, and get the eight-speed auto to bang home shifts like a dual-clutch. There's also an Eco Pro mode that turns down the climate control and throttle response to achieve more efficiency. It even logs and shows you how many extra miles you're eking out. Long story short, the 328i is four cars in one. Let's make that four excellent cars in one. Ultimately -- and this cuts right through the heart of the sport sedan segment -- the BMW was without question the most fun to drive.

Wow, what a rave review. I must say, I'm also very impressed with the S60 T5's showing. Loving the new Vollivos of late.

Human · Mar 9, 2012

^
With the F30, there's nothing I can add to boost it more. I am still not your typical Volvo fan but just from a Value for Money point of view the S60 is definitely and by far the best value for money They are actually very, very well priced.

Tumbo · Mar 9, 2012

Good score for the Bimmer. Why didnt they test the new A4?
Volvo 2nd? Meh...

Wow, the A4 is really underpowered against the 328. 211hp vs 240hp.
And the weight is 3480 lb for the BMW and 3710 lb(!) for the Audi.

Anybody know the numbers for the facelift A4?

Levi68 · Mar 9, 2012

Hahaha! Nice massacre. A pity this cannot happen with the 1 Series due to its looks or the 5 Series due to its weight. I can't imagine what a car the M3 and M4 will be. Also pity the the 3 Series has no full-LEDs and E-brake, It would have been 90% perfect.

ACE · Mar 9, 2012

Sunny said: ↑

Sporty Luxury Sedan Comparison - Mercedes-Benz C250, Volvo S60 T5, Infiniti G25, Lexus IS 250, Buick Regal GS, Acura TSX, BMW 328i, Audi A4 - Motor Trend

1ST PLACE: BMW 328i Sport Line
2ND PLACE: Volvo S60 T5
3RD PLACE: Mercedes-Benz C250
4TH PLACE : 2012 Audi A4 Quattro
5TH PLACE: 2011 Lexus IS 250 F-Sport
6TH PLACE: 2012 Acura TSX V-6
7TH PLACE: 2012 Infiniti G25
8TH PLACE : Buick Regal GS

Let the trolling commence...

The BMW 328i is clearly the best car in that list by quite some margin (imo). It's hard to argue with that.

PS. Isn't the comment "Let the trolling commence..." trolling?

K-A · Mar 9, 2012

ACE said: ↑

PS. Isn't the comment "Let the trolling commence..." trolling?

Hahaha. Bravo.

BVC500 · Mar 9, 2012

i was left unconvinced about their analysis of the buick, but i've never trusted MT anyway.

Deckhook · Mar 9, 2012

Again another test where a 3 series is being tested with adaptive suspension............ is BMW trying to tell us something?

Out of curiousity was either Merc or Audi equipped similarly in this test?

mini_cooper4 · Mar 9, 2012

Massacre! That's how it should be... poor journalists were too scared to say what they actually think so kudos to Motortrend !!!!

Just_me · Mar 9, 2012

No surprises about F30 but seeing Volvo on second place is shocking. Even Audi and Mercedes were beaten. WOW!

Deckhook · Mar 9, 2012

Just_me said: ↑

No surprises about F30 but seeing Volvo on second place is shocking. Even Audi and Mercedes were beaten. WOW!

Don't dismiss Volvo cause they make bloody good motors and their latest line up is superb, plus their seats are mega comfy.

Cashmere · Mar 9, 2012

wow, dont think I have ever seen so much praise for a 3er compared to it's rivals. Cant wait for the M3.

Log in or Sign up

Motortrend - Sports luxury sedan comparison.

Sunny Well-Known Member

tikipukapuko Member

Merc1 Premium Member

Ultimate Car Guy Well-Known Member

martinbo Global Moderator / Editor

Human BMW's my Brand

Tumbo Audi/MB/VW/Lambo fan

Levi68 Well-Known Member

ACE Active Member

K-A Banned

BVC500 Member

Deckhook Well-Known Member

mini_cooper4 Well-Known Member

Just_me Well-Known Member

Deckhook Well-Known Member

Cashmere Well-Known Member

Share This Page