Sports Sedans: Reviews

Updated July 2008

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Best sports sedan

2008 BMW 3 Series (328i, 335i, and M3)

*Est. $32,700 to $53,800 Compare Prices

In reviews, the BMW 3-Series (which includes the 328i, turbocharged 335i and supercar M3) blows every other sports sedan out of the water. With superb handling and a classy interior, the 3-Series has a competitive base… price, so reviews say it's also a good value in its class. Every critic comments on the responsive handling, strong performance and compliant ride quality. Although it sounds a little esoteric, the driver's relationship with the car is what's most notable in a sports sedan -- the balance between driver action and the vehicle's feedback and response. In this respect, reviews say the BMW 3-Series gets it just right. Safety features and long-term reliability are excellent, and even gas mileage is above average in this class.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Car and Driver: The four sports sedans in this comparison test -- the 2008 Infiniti G35, the 2008 Cadillac CTS, the 2008 Mercedes C300 and the ...

Edmunds.com: This test compares five six-cylinder sports sedans: the 2008 Cadillac CTS, the 2008 Lexus IS 350, the 2008 Mercedes C350, the ...

Edmunds.com: This thorough road test gives an excellent description of the base BMW 328i sedan, the lowest-priced 3 Series model. Reviewer ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of Consumer Reports base the review of the BMW 3 Series on a mix of sedan, coupe and convertible test vehicles. Data on ...

Road & Track: Four high-performance sports sedans go head-to-head in this Road & Track comparison test: the Lexus IS F, the Audi RS4, the BMW ...

Motor Trend: Three compact, high-performance V-8 rear-drive sedans go head-to-head in this Motor Trend comparison test. Each car is priced ...

Automobile Magazine: Automobile Magazine compares three AWD performance four-doors: the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI ...

The Truth About Cars: TheTruthAboutCars.com is a provocative car enthusiasts' website that offers strongly opinionated and insightful reviews. After ...

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Best-value sports sedan

2008 Infiniti G35

(*est. $32,250 to $34,750) Compare Prices

In sports sedan reviews, the BMW 3-Series and Infiniti G35 are almost always compared -- and in nearly every case, the BMW squeaks past the Infiniti. Reviews say the 3-Series has a driving dynamic that's unmatched in its… class. Even so, experts say the gap between the two cars is a narrow one, and the 2008 Infiniti G35 is praised for its performance, comfort and refinement at a lower price than a comparably equipped 3-Series. The Infiniti's biggest advantage is value, as even the base model includes a number of standard luxury extras, such as leather seats and automatic transmission.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Edmunds.com: This test compares five competing six-cylinder sports sedans: the 2008 Cadillac CTS, the 2008 Lexus IS 350, the 2008 Mercedes ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of Consumer Reports rank the Infiniti G35 as their top pick in the "upscale sedan" category on a publicly available list ...

Car and Driver: Four sports sedans all priced around $38,000 are tested and compared here. Contenders are the 2008 Infiniti G35, the Cadillac ...

Road & Track: This head-to-head comparison takes the 2008 Cadillac CTS and 2007 Infiniti G35 on twisting public roads as well as a closed ...

Motor Trend: Motor Trend tested the G35 following its latest redesign, and this article delivers comprehensive coverage of the changes to the ...

ConsumerGuide.com: ConsumerGuide.com gives the Infiniti G its "Best Buy" rating for 2008. The report briefly rates each detail of the G35 sedan and ...

CNet.com: CNet.com's Wayne Cunningham gives his impressions of the Infiniti G35, with emphasis on its numerous technology features. He ...

Power Steering: Five writers offer insightful reviews based on test-drives of the Infinite G35 in this blog by J.D. Power and Associates. ...

AOL Autos: Editors at AOL Autos look for styling, value, performance and reliability when compiling their annual list of top picks. In the ...

Automobile.com: Based on testing by editors, Automobile magazine names a Car of the Year along with "All Star" picks that just miss that coveted ...

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Best American sports sedan

2008 Cadillac CTS

*Est. $33,675 to $35,975 Compare Prices

Completely redesigned for 2008, the new Cadillac CTS is now a world-class competitor with rival sports sedans, reviewers say. The CTS does an outstanding job of combining strong performance with a high level of comfort.… Design is one of the most acclaimed attributes, as the CTS' distinctive new exterior styling and refined, high-quality interior appeal to almost all. Critics especially like the direct-injected 304-hp V-6 for responsive power and smooth drivability with rear-wheel drive. The base 258-hp V-6 engine can also be ordered with all-wheel drive.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Car and Driver: Four sports sedans costing around $38,000 are evaluated here. The Cadillac finishes behind the BMW 328i and the Infiniti G35, ...

Edmunds.com: This test compares five competing six-cylinder sports sedans. Editors use a 31-point evaluation, plus scoring weighted for price, ...

Motor Trend: Every year, Motor Trend evaluates all the new or "significantly upgraded" vehicles on the market and selects a car of the year. ...

Road & Track: Editor Andrew Bornhop attends the introduction of the Cadillac CTS in Germany, and explains that GM conducted extensive testing ...

Edmunds.com: Edmunds.com offers a full road test review, which it completed shortly after the introduction of the new Cadillac CTS. Chief road ...

Motor Week: The PBS television series "MotorWeek" annually chooses what it believes to be the best of the best in a number of categories ...

Automobile.com: Automobile.com features detailed road tests of both the rear-drive and AWD versions of the Cadillac CTS in separate articles. The ...

CNet.com: CNet.com chooses the Cadillac CTS as one of its Editors' Choice vehicles for 2008, based heavily on its technological features. ...

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Race-tuned sports sedan

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

*Est. $32,990 to $38,290 Compare Prices

While most sports sedans fall into the "near-luxury" category, the rally-bred Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution places its emphasis squarely on performance. Now in its 10th generation, the all-wheel-drive, turbocharged Evo X… takes to the track like it's engineered for racing. Which it is. Its most direct competitor is the more powerful and more expensive Subaru WRX STI. But the Evo is unanimously named the superior performance car, according to multiple comparison tests. For the money, few cars can match the Evo's race-ready prowess, although owners must sacrifice some amenities and ride comfort.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Road & Track: Road & Track's comparison between the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo and the Subaru Impreza WRX STI is heavy on technical details. The Evo ...

Edmunds.com: Edmunds.com includes both the "base model" Evo GSR and the loaded Evo MR with automated manual transmission in its comparison ...

Car and Driver: The Subaru Impreza WRX STI, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, and the VW R32 are high-performance versions of otherwise ordinary economy ...

Motor Trend: With turbo four-cylinder engines, AWD rally heritage and mid-$30,000 base pricing, these two Japanese compacts seem evenly ...

Edmunds.com: This full road test provides a good description of the Evo's technical details and driving impressions. Though the 2008 Evo is ...

Automobile Magazine: Automobile Magazine editors compare the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR, the 2008 Subaru WRX STI and the 2008 BMW 335xi. The ...

PopularMechanics.com: Each year, the editors of Popular Mechanics choose the "most significant, compelling cars and technologies of the year" in 13 ...

The Truth About Cars: TheTruthAboutCars.com tries to be more provocative than other automotive websites, and their frequently exaggerated comments can ...

Cars.com: Cars.com provides a description of the Evolution with good technical details, but no driving impressions. Highlighted features ...

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