C&D Small Sports Sedan Comparo [Renamed]

**sikuya** · September 11th, 2004 12:11 PM

from the CARandDRIVER oct.2004 issue:a comparison among four small sports sedans priced at $30,000.who came out on top among a quartet of quick-reflex 4-doors that score high on the fun-for-gallon curve?

the players
acura TSX
audi A4 1.8T
subaru legacy 2.5GT
volvo S40 T5

look ma,no BMWs!not even a Merc?the reality is BMWs are expensive and so are Mercs.and so the 3-series and the C230 kompressor are out for costing much higher than $30K

fourth place
audi A4 1.8T 1.8L I-4 170hp 166torque $31,220

highs: still a great looker,handsome interior with an unflappable stide over the road
lows: noisy and feeble engine,gritty shifter action,slow-tempo shifts dictate lazy decay of engine revs
verdict: a longtime favorite struggles to make the cut

third place
subaru legacy 2.5GT limited 2.5L flat-4 250hp 250torque $29,070

highs: 3 bags full of squirt,super-readable instrument display,low cowl lets the sunshine in
lows: rather heavy clutch,junky sound when the doors close,lots of obvious plastic around the interior
verdict: a getaway Subie for bank jobs

second place
volvo S40 T52.5L I-5 218hp 236torque $29,395

highs: plenty of horsepressure when the boost finally hits,refined cabin noises,lots of styling subtlety in the dash
lows: big foot needs more space around the pedals,gauge markings are too-grayed out for legibility,grabby clutch
verdict: your basic 85%-scale volvo

first place
acura TSX 2.0L I-4 200hp 166torque $29,035

highs: the quick reflexes of a knife fighter,the big and rev-happy VTEC four,the perfect 6-speed shifter
lows: the M+S tires are disadvantageous for performance comparisons,seat cushion a bit shy of padding,throttle too goosey in traffic
verdict: another jewel from acura's box

**empy** · September 11th, 2004 01:14 PM

the new legacy is VERY intriguing...impreza wrx powerplant in a near-luxury sedan

can you say....MOD POTENTIAL? :D

**ssaloon** · September 11th, 2004 01:41 PM

damn, ganda ng TSX talaga :drool:

**sikuya** · September 11th, 2004 08:33 PM

a typing boo-boo--the TSX has a 2.4L engine, not 2.0.
wonder where the lexus IS300 is?it's priced at $29-31,000

**jeff** · September 11th, 2004 10:01 PM

pogi ng s40 at nung legacy! :drool:

**niky** · September 13th, 2004 02:07 PM

Where's the Mazda6? Where's the Altima? Those are two four doors that kick ass!

**karlbo** · September 13th, 2004 03:59 PM

speechless :speechless:

**mbt** · September 13th, 2004 04:12 PM

the accord, camry, altima, and mazda 6 don't really play in this near-luxury class that's pushing $30,000... although the BMW 3-series does i think (considering that the A4 does)