CR ranks Acura TL the best sedan

[JetBlack330i]

CR's latest ratings of midsized sporty sedans (around $30K):
1. Acura TL
2. BMW 330i
3. VW Passat GLX (V6)
4. Lexus IS300
5. Honda Accord EX (V6)
6. MB C320
7. Lincoln LS Premium (V6)
8. Acura TSX
9. Audi A4 1.8T (CVT)
10. Subaru Legacy GT Limited

Out of those, the Accord is the cheapest at $27K (the BMW is $10K more)
Honda makes good products. :)

[Desertnate]

I'm surprised to see the Subaru and not the Mazda6. I was also surprised by the Mercedes scoring so low. I drove several C's this summer and really liked them with the sport package. Even without the sport suspension they seemed a really nice car...floaty...but a nice car.

[JetBlack330i]

If the MB sport was floaty, they probably tested the non-sport. :rofl:
Mazda6 is #18

[Desertnate]

If the MB sport was floaty, they probably tested the non-sport. :rofl:
Mazda6 is #18

I haven't read the story...just going by my own driving experience. I talked about this right after the drive, but there was noticable difference between the sport and non-sport cars. Even though I could never determine why, I felt the C230 Kompressor with SP was even more firm than the C320. Supposedly they run the same suspension and are near the same weight, but my butt-meter liked the 230 better. :dunno:

[Artslinger]

With a MSRP Base Price around 35 grand the BMW 330i is not around 30k. The 325i would be more like it for pricing.

[bbkat]

1. Acura TL

I guess looks weren't a factor...

[JetBlack330i]

I guess looks weren't a factor...
Looks are never a factor in CR ratings.
But I happen to like the new TL. :dunno:

[LeucX3]

Theres' no way BMW would win any award/rating on CR. They're too price consious.

[alpinewhite325i]

Theres' no way BMW would win any award/rating on CR. They're too price consious.

The 530i won a comparo a couple years ago. In fact, it was the highest rated car they ever tested. AFAIK, it still holds that title.

[JetBlack330i]

The 530i won a comparo a couple years ago. In fact, it was the highest rated car they ever tested. AFAIK, it still holds that title.
The redesigned 5-er does not hold that title. Like the rest of the car media, CR also hated the i-Drive.
I'm not positive, but I think the Lexus 430 holds that title now.

[JetBlack330i]

Theres' no way BMW would win any award/rating on CR. They're too price consious.
So is 95% of the population. :p

[RSPDiver]

I guess looks weren't a factor...
...or cornering ability...

[Josh (PA)]

Having driven a number of cars on the list, I can agree with CR's assesment, especially for their reading audience. The TL is a huge improvement over the previous generation. It's provides decent driver feedback, is a good value, and is reliable as a hammer. Can't ask for much more from a car. I'd prefer and pay for the 330i, but I'm willing to sacrifice a number of things for a fun driving experience.



CR's latest ratings of midsized sporty sedans (around $30K):
1. Acura TL
2. BMW 330i
3. VW Passat GLX (V6)
4. Lexus IS300
5. Honda Accord EX (V6)
6. MB C320
7. Lincoln LS Premium (V6)
8. Acura TSX
9. Audi A4 1.8T (CVT)
10. Subaru Legacy GT Limited

Out of those, the Accord is the cheapest at $27K (the BMW is $10K more)
Honda makes good products. :)

[postoak]

So, counting only RWD cars, it's:

1) BMW 330i

2) Lexus IS300

3) MB C320

[Artslinger]

So, counting only RWD cars, it's:

1) BMW 330i

2) Lexus IS300

3) MB C320


For me the number one consideration when buying a 4 seater performance oriented car, with a manual transmission a close second. :thumbup:

[postoak]

Absolutely. My wife's Accord V6 has lots of pickup but it isn't fun to use it all because of the torque-steer. :thumbdwn:

[adrian's bmw]

Theres' no way BMW would win any award/rating on CR. They're too price consious.


They don't know about the trunk money! :rofl:

Guys, BMW coming in 2nd place to the TL is a hidden compliment when you consider that the E46 came out in 1999 and the TL just came out! The TL is still a front wheel drive car. : puke:

[ed325i]

Theres' no way BMW would win any award/rating on CR. They're too price consious.

I was at an Acura dealership a couple of weeks ago. A TL with 6 speed manual, 18 inch wheels and tires, sports suspension, and aero kit, costs the SAME as a "bare bones" 330i ZHP.

Ed

[LeucX3]

I was at an Acura dealership a couple of weeks ago. A TL with 6 speed manual, 18 inch wheels and tires, sports suspension, and aero kit, costs the SAME as a "bare bones" 330i ZHP.

Ed
Well, a ZHP equipped 330i is hardly 'bare bones'. I would much rather have that over an Acura.

[ed325i]

Well, a ZHP equipped 330i is hardly 'bare bones'. I would much rather have that over an Acura.

Yes, but ZHP = TL Dynamic Package with Sports suspension, body kit and 18” wheels. And yes, I agree. :)

Ed

[BlackChrome]

So, counting only RWD cars, it's:

1) BMW 330i

2) Lexus IS300

3) MB C320
You forgot this one...
7. Lincoln LS Premium (V6)

[BlackChrome]

I was at an Acura dealership a couple of weeks ago. A TL with 6 speed manual, 18 inch wheels and tires, sports suspension, and aero kit, costs the SAME as a "bare bones" 330i ZHP.

Ed
Yup, but that same 330 probably doesn't have Xenon, a moonroof, 6-disc changer, XM radio, heated seats, leather seats, and most importantly, a LSD...

Now, I bet people will say 'I'd take a RWD without LSD over a FWD with LSD..." ;)

[ed325i]

Yup, but that same 330 probably doesn't have Xenon, a moonroof, 6-disc changer, XM radio, heated seats, leather seats, and most importantly, a LSD...

Now, I bet people will say 'I'd take a RWD without LSD over a FWD with LSD..." ;)

The same (Canadian) ZHP will have manual sports seats, Xenon, moonroof, but no XM radio (no XM radio for ANYONE in Canada) and leatherette seats. No LSD, but the LSD in the TL is there to somewhat offset the disadvantages of FWD in a vehicle with lots of torque.

Look the TL is a NICE car. However, it's lost the price advantage vs BMW. LSD is great as a line item, but a TL with LSD still does not handle as well as a 330i ZHP (or even a regular 330i) without LSD. Don't forget, the BMW comes with 4 years of maintenance, and the TL does not.

Ed