Personal picks: sports sedans, part 1

This month's selections come from an entertaining group. Sports sedans have been favorites of ours for a long time. Most are fun to drive, deliver decent driver comfort, and just enough luxury touches to remind you that you're in something special. There were miles of smiles during the testing, with all of these cars having fairly distinct personalities.

Which ones rose to the top? Take a look.

Tom Mutchler: This group of sports sedans raises a basic question: Is it more important to look good or to feel good? And is either enough?

Two cars in this group appeal to me: the Cadillac CTS and BMW 328i. The CTS simply looks awesome, inside and out. It blends a uniquely American audacity without going over the top. This great-driving car requires very few excuses, something that couldn't be said for the last CTS (and I was a fan of that one, too).

But, the BMW 328i drives better. There is no getting around that. We drive our one-day trip test convoy over some very enjoyable, twisty roads. When driving the BMW, I wanted to run over the car ahead of me, like the one I was following was holding me back. Cliches fall easily to hand, like "The BMW is a back-road scalpel."

Does that alone make it my pick? After our sports sedan report was published, I read some enthusiast forum comments from BMW owners sniffing about where the 3 Series placed. Sure the car drives great. But in this class that isn't enough. It's small inside; it costs a ton of money for not much power; the standard 16-inch rolling stock looks lame in this class; and even without iDrive, some controls are stupid for stupid's sake.

So, while some online BMW owners deride it as the "blue light special" in this class, my vote winds up with the Infiniti G35. The combination of big power and exuberant handling goads you to have fun with the car. It's attractive inside and out--something I can't say for any current BMW. And unlike the 3 Series, you don't have to pay a big premium for decent tires and big power.

Gabe Shenhar: Out of this group, as well as this whole category, there's no question that I'm going with the BMW 3 Series. It's such a terrific driver's car that's thoroughly enjoyable, yet totally livable. In terms of what makes a sports sedan a sports sedan, in my opinion, no one has yet surpassed it, even though several competitors come close.

What makes the 3 Series special? It's that extra measure of steering feedback and response, tied-down ride control, and good compliance that speak to driving connoisseurs.

Unfortunately, BMW chose to equip the non-sports package cars with underachieving Bridgestone Turanza run-flat tires, which cost the car points in our testing in terms of empirical stopping distance and avoidance maneuver speed. To make this car really spectacular, I'd buy the optional sports package, bringing sharper steering response and more grip, yet a negligible loss of ride comfort. I realize I'd have to switch to winter tires, as the performance tires are not all-season, but I do that anyway.

What I also love about this car is the pull of the straight six-cylinder engine, which sings a perfect soundtrack, be it the 230 hp in the 328i or the 300 hp in the 335i. Thankfully, our 328i also delivers decent fuel economy, so I won't feel guilty. That awesome powertrain (even with the automatic) and sporty handling, augmented by supportive seats and the innate quality of the interior can really start my day on a good note. Yes, the car has a few flaws, such as some unnecessarily complicated controls and a cramped rear seat. But ultimately, when it comes to sports sedans, what matters is which car puts a bigger smile on your face.  And, for me, my smile is never broader than when I'm driving a 3 Series.

For more on this sports sedan group, read the road tests and watch our review videos.

Comments

[Cale Johnson]

What I would give to have your jobs. Not everyday, of course, but on the days that you test sport sedans for example. I'll take your word that the BMW 328i drives and handles sublimely but I wish it was possible to experience the sensation from my laptop. Instead, I have to wonder how a car that can't get through the avoidance maneuver or brake from 60 mph faster than a Hyundai Sonata 4-cyl can garner such praise.

It's not that I don't believe you that there's no comparison with the Sonata, I just wish I could get the tingly feeling you're getting.

[Motoringmalawi]

I think the C Class is the best. The Cadilac is ugly and the BMW is just another sedan, nothing special. The new face on the C Class is just stunning.

[david]

"I'll take your word that the BMW 328i drives and handles sublimely but I wish it was possible to experience the sensation from my laptop. Instead, I have to wonder how a car that can't get through the avoidance maneuver or brake from 60 mph faster than a Hyundai Sonata 4-cyl can garner such praise." Cale Johnson

I know you write these things on your review, but an additional score on the performance may help. How about a "steering feel" score?

References were made to one with sport package. Are those comments made from test drives at the dealerships since CR did not buy one equipped with sport package?

[Tom Mutchler]

David, we've had other occasions - like motor journalist organization "test days" - to drive various 3-series, including those with sports packages. The published routine handling score pretty much covers issues like steering feel and agility.