Although we may fantasy about driving a Porsche or Ferrari on a daily basis, the reality is that most of us have families and responsibilities that require cars that are practical. Car makers know this and go out of their way to accommodate the car fan by trying to spice up entire model ranges with “sport” options including items like bigger rims, tacked on spoilers and other aerodynamic aids. Of course few of us have ever commented on the “sportiness” of a minivan and as such when family duties collide with automotive needs the sports sedan is the car of choice.
There really are two schools of thoughts in this category, one that includes front and all wheel drive options and the other that offers rear and all wheel drive options. Although the rear wheels are the preferred wheels to move a vehicle, the truth is even with the best electronic traction aids; a front wheel drive car still handles inclement weather better than a rear wheel drive car.
Two new cars are set to go on sale for our consumption that fill the sports sedan description – the Acura TL and the Volkswagen Passat CC. Before you comment on how I must be smoking something in comparing the TL with the CC, lets take a look at the spec sheets to realize the fact that these two cars are closer to each other, than they are other cars in this segment.
Both are offered in either front or all wheel drive variations. To get the most powerful motor in either car, you need to go with all wheel drive. With 305 horsepower from a 3.7-liter V6, the TL competes closely with the 3.6-liter V6 putting out 300 horsepower in the CC. If current pricing holds true for both cars, expect prices in the high thirties for both cars.
I know what you are thinking, what about BMW? Trust me when I say this, BMW is not sweating the new TL from Acura. Acura’s are distinctively different cars from BMW’s.
I think the true competition for the TL is from another German power house, Volkswagen. The Passat CC and the forthcoming Audi A4 line up better against the newest TL than any BMW, and with the CC closest in price, I think the competition is clear for Acura.
So if the TL or CC where your only two options in the sport sedan category, which car would you choose. Looking past the “beak” of the TL will get you a car loaded with technology that is sure to be a decent, if not great car to drive, or will the svelte lines and German engineering of the CC compel you to make your driveway its home?
We want to know what you think…