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).]