[S.R.]

Motor Trend just did a comparison test of the new Infiniti I35, Jaguar X-Type, Lexus ES300, Mercedes C320, and Volvo S60 2.4T. In the end, all 4 testers picked the S60 2.4T as the winner.<P> <IMG SRC="http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/roadtests/comparison/2001/luxury_sedan/s60/01.volvo.s60.f3-4.500.jpg"> <P>Here is some of what they said about all the cars:<P><B>Infiniti I35:</B> <B>Good</B> - Excellent corporate 3.5 liter V6, large rear cabin, great oveall powertrain. <B>Bad</B> - Out of hand torque steer, harsh kidney stone eliminating suspension, twitchy handful at limit, generic Asian un-original styling, as vanilla as it gets, plasticky waterfall dash.<P><B>Jaguar X-Type:</B> <B>Good</B> - Pleasant even ride, excellent fit and finish, top-notch paint, classy styling, beautiful interior and exterior. <B>Bad</B> - Unwillingness to rev, parasitic AWD feel, corner cutting interior materials, not so good brakes, too much plastic.<P><B>Mercedes C320:</B> <B>Good</B> - Excellent chassis under all conditions, felt planted, secure, and communicative, timeless styling, comfortable seating positions. <B>Bad</B> - Looks like it was shot with a can of spray paint with terrible orange peel, frustrating switchgear, un-intuative controls, dumb no standard CD player on a $41k car, hollow-sounding doors, rattling engine. <P><B>Lexus ES300:</B> <B>Good</B> - Nice adjustable suspension, just about perfect fit and finish, beautiful interior and materials. <B>Bad</B> - Needs power boost, last in all acceleration tests, smiling grille, Pokemon cartoon character styling, artsy interior.<P><B>Volvo S60 2.4T:</B> <B>Good</B> - Confidence inspiring, springs and shocks matched beautifully compliant, high fit and finish levels, seat comfort and support is Scandanavian perfect, avaiation levels of control function and ergonomics, audiophile quality mid-level stereo, purpose built. <B>Bad</B> - Spartan looking interior, staid monochromatic interior design. <P>In the end, all 4 of the testers picked the Volvo S60 2.4T as the winner. Call it the sedate luxury vehicle, it doesn't try to impress you with lots of trinkets, splashy chrome, or over-engineered cupholders. Its brillance shines when it's on the road, through crisp handling, compliant ride, willing power, and poetic design. And while it may not have immediate curb appeal, the $36,260 as-tested price is a ticket to the good life that lots of folks can afford.<P>-Drew<p>[This message has been edited by InDy (edited 10-08-2001).]

 

[Phil Pugliese]

I just got my copy too. I am real excited about it. I hope Volvo gets a reprint suppliment. <P>

 

[emac2001]

Drew,<P>Which issue of Motor Trend? I'd like to pick up a copy!<BR>eric<BR>

 

[S.R.]

Eric,<P>It is in the new November issue of Motor Trend. Subscribers just got the issue, so it should be on newstands now.<P>-Drew

 

[kelly54]

I knew I bought the right car...now everyone else does too...

 

[Evolvo]

I haven't seen the Infiniti or the Lexus up close yet, but to me, the real players in this segment to beat were not in the test...<P>BMW 3-series<BR>Audi A4<P>These are the only two others that I would even look at in comparison with the S60.

 

[scott m]

I am just wondering if anyone else noticed that out of this group of cars the s60's turning radius was very competetive (for those who were complaining about it). It was better than (at least) the Mercedes (which being a RWD car should be able to have a much better turning radius that a FWD car (at least that has been my experience). Interesting in my opionion. Anyway just a thought.<BR>

 

[S.R.]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scott m:<BR><B>I am just wondering if anyone else noticed that out of this group of cars the s60's turning radius was very competetive (for those who were complaining about it). Interesting in my opionion. Anyway just a thought.</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I noticed the exact same thing as well. I am not sure why a few people are complaining about it, since it does better than some of the RWD competition and doesn't seem out of place at all as far as the numbers go.<P>-Drew<P>