Comparo:AWD sport sedans

[mikeyb]

Straight from Road and Track. The order in which the cars are listed is the order from 7th to 1st

7th. Volvo S40 T5 AWD
Engine: 2.5 I-5 Turbo
218 hp
236 lb-ft

6th. Infiniti G35x
Engine: 3.5 V6
280 hp
270 lb-ft

5th. Mazdaspeed 6
Engine: 2.3 I-4 Turbo
274 hp
280 lb-ft

4th. Lexus IS250 AWD
Engine: 2.5 V6
204 hp
185 lb-ft

3rd. BMW 325xi
Engine: 3.0 I-6
215 hp
185 lb-ft

2nd. Subaru Legacy 2.5GT
Engine: 2.5 Flat 4
250 hp
250 lb-ft

1st. Audi A4 2.0T Quattro
Engine: 2.0 I-4 Turbo
200 hp
207 lb-ft

 

[jsahyoun]

I vote inginiti g35x

 

[NVP5White]

IS250 AWD - I really like the new style. The engine leaves a little to be desired. I would hope to get some support for a supercharger through TRD like they have with V6's in the past. That might produce 260hp+ in a much better chassis and body design than the G35/A4/325 IMO.

 

[spike blue]

vote for the audi. I have the new A4 2.0t fwd Sline package and its really awesome, I just love it! Its like an special edition I've seen only two Slines.

 

[vindication]

damn so hard to choose. I cant decide between the bmw, lexus, or subaru...

 

[MikeAwesome42]

the lexus, its a sweet looking car

 

[Jeph]

I voted lexus, but the i remembered you can't get awd, and the 6speed.

 

[the vw guy]

gots to stay true to my german brethren...audi.

 

[mikeyb]

I voted for the BMW 325xi.

 

[vindication]

same as I.

 

[altspace]

I would go with Lexus in this category. The reliability factor alone is of my concern, though obviously as a new car that could be taken care of.

 

[mikeyb]

Comparison Test between 7 Luxury AWD Sport sedans.


price as tested:
Lexus IS250 AWD Auto -----------$42,343
Audi A4 2.0 Quattro Manual ------$40,785
BMW 325Xi 6speed Manual ------$40,665
Infiniti G35x Auto ------------------$37,250
Subaru Legacy Spec-B Manual ---$34,620
Volvo S40 AWD Manual -----------$33,720
Mazada 6 Speed AWD Manual - $33,425

PLACE..................................................
7th Place Volvo S40 AWD Manual
6th Place Mazada 6 Speed AWD Manual
5th Place Infiniti G35x Auto
4th Place Lexus IS250 AWD Auto
3rd Place BMW 325Xi 6speed Manual
2nd Place Subaru Legacy Spec-B Manual
1st Place Audi A4 2.0 Quattro Manual

WEIGHT:
Legacy GT.....3390
Volvo S40......3480
Mazda6.........3590
BMW 325xi....3600
Audi A4.........3690
Lexus IS250...3700
G35X.............3710

HP.........................TQ
G 35X.............280/270
Mazda6.........274/280
Legacy GT.....250/250
Volvo S40......218/236
BMW 325xi....215/185
Lexus IS250..204/185
Audi A4..........200/207

Test conditions:
85 degrees
humidity 32%
elevation 350 FT:

0-30----------------
Legacy GT.....1.5
Mazda6.........1.5
BMW 325xi....1.9
Volvo S40......1.9
G35X.............2.1
Audi A4..........2.1
Lexus IS250...2.4

0-60----------------
Legacy GT.....5.1
Mazda6.........5.9
G35X.............5.9
BMW 325xi....6.5
Volvo S40......6.5
Audi A4..........6.5
Lexus IS250..7.4

0-100----------------
Legacy GT.....14.0
G35X.............15.9
Volvo S40......17.7
BMW 325xi....18.0
Audi A4.........18.0
Lexus IS250..19.6
Mazda6.........24.6


1/4 mile, sec @ mph:
Legacy GT.....13.7@99.2
G35X............14.4@96.5
Mazda6.........14.8@86.4
Vo lvo S40......14.9@93.6
Audi A4..........15.0@93.3
BMW 325xi....15.0@91.4
Lexus IS250..15.5@89.2

Braking,60-0 mph, ft

Mazda6.........121
Audi A4..........122
BMW 325xi....123
Lexus IS250..125
Legacy GT......126
G35X.............127
Volvo S40......130

Handling G:
BMW 325xi....0.87
Mazda6.........0.86
Audi A4..........0.86
Lexus IS250..0.84
Legacy GT......0.84
G35X..............0.84
Volvo S40.......0.82

Slalom Speed MPH:
Audi A4..........69.2
Legacy GT......67.2
Mazda6..........64.9
Lexus IS250...64.5
G35X..............64.3
BMW 325xi.....63.1
Volvo S40.......62.0

The Mazdaspeed 6 ran like ****, it does not like California 91 octane and the I/C suffered heat soak in 85 degree temps!!

 

[Jeph]

I want to change my vote, I chose the slowest, heaviest, most expensive, least powerful car of the group...

 

[Antoine]

MS6 hands down for overall value and performance...But I like the Audi as well

 

[SciFiMan]

I said the Legacy over the Speed6, just because I suspect more aftermarket support for it. I'd take either one though since I haven't test driven them.