Sport Sedan Shootout: Two Wannabes, One Winner

So you've got about $40 grand to play with, and...wait a minute. Actually, these days you probably don't. For that matter, neither do I or my cohorts in this comparative venture, Automotive Editor John DiPietro and Associate Editor Mark Takahashi. Nonetheless, what would you do if a 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD, a 2009 Infiniti G37 Journey and a 2009 Volkswagen CC VR6 4Motion magically appeared in your garage?

You'd grab the keys and head for the hills, that's what. And that's exactly what the three of us did. We mapped out a 22-mile driving loop through the Santa Monica mountains and hot-lapped it three times, switching cars after each circuit. Then we sat down with our ratings sheets, ordered up some bloody burgers and debated the virtues and vices of each ride.

Truth be told, there wasn't much disagreement. In fact, the final rankings were unanimous. Read on to find out how these midsize sport sedans stack up.

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dlin - 11/27/2008 12:19:13 AM

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I truly hope HONDA can come up w/ some real RWD or AWD platform. They nailed the S2000 right, isn't it?

truckman - 11/27/2008 4:57:08 AM

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There review was aimed at dumb people, almost no performance numbers! And I must agree that the Acura's nose is ugly but that doesn't make it a bad car! How about adding lap times,braking performance numbers 60-0, acceleration 0-60, slalom speed...All they can tell us is that it is pretty ...

F1_Driver - 11/27/2008 9:56:03 AM

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Can you read? Edmunds said 5.4 seconds going 0-60 mph for the G37, .9 seconds longer for the VW, and 1.3 seconds longer for the Acura vs. the G37.

truckman - 11/27/2008 5:54:09 PM

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Yes,I read that, but that is as technical as the article got, the rest is all bias.

BlakuraTLS - 11/27/2008 9:22:05 AM

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This does appear to be biased. It seems like they based their decision on looks and other personal biases, then let that influence their whole test. Such a closed-minded reviews, aren't these things supposed to be objective?

0to60 - 11/27/2008 10:08:59 AM

+2 Boost

I would put the CC up against the Maxima. Not the G.

zorbeeze - 11/27/2008 1:55:12 PM

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It's called fuel economy.
Why waste money on gas with your big V8.
And why is it that the V8 performs just as well as the V6?

cdndriver - 11/27/2008 4:27:09 PM

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You may be right about initial cost, how about depreciation, especially when GM is forced in to chapter 11. It will cost you more to own the Pontiac for 3 years than any of the cars in this comparo and you still have to drive a pontiac.

bmwdrvr - 11/27/2008 9:10:42 PM

-2 Boost

i personally think it would be an interesting match though, the G8 GT gets good gas mileage for a high powered large V8, and gets great reviews. and for 31 grand fully loaded, its the size of a maxima or charger, and for thosethat arent pretentious....(those driving an Acura, or Infiniti...uhm i imagine shouldnt/wouldnt be) it would seem like a great option. Besides at least the Pontiac can figure out how much it costs and deliver an outstanding car for the money. while the TL, and G seem to still not have figured out their price point or intended competition because their interiors are far from being on par with their price points, and "intended" classes. performance goes but so far in the "luxury" performance class

bmwdrvr - 11/27/2008 9:12:05 PM

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which i find funny that the "VW" was the only car in this supposed "premium" crowd that offers a premium interior...how ironic

zorbeeze - 11/28/2008 1:17:34 PM

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bmwdrvr, as a BMW owner, i`m assuming, you should not comment on high end interiors.

BMWSLSMN - 11/28/2008 12:02:40 AM

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First and foremost I can't believe ANYONE threw/throws an american car into the mix. I think we all agree that the american cars like a G8 have no place when it comes to sports sedans.

After driving the new TL, I got to say if this was based on driveability it would win HANDS DOWN!!! I have to say outside of the Bimmer's I drive on a daily basis, this car handles, corners, and accelerates with great ease. Asides from the looks (BARF) I think Acura could have a winner on their hands.

The G37, again another good car. The downfall here is the size of their interior. Anybody 5'10" or taller, or someone that weighs more than 200LB's would feel claustrophobic in that car.

Anyway I think there are two great cars here that deserve credit.

bmwdrvr - 11/28/2008 12:16:36 PM

-1 Boost

americn cars shouldnt be thrown into the sport sedan mix. The CTS, CTSV,and G8 all three are great sport sedans, in fact the CTS at least gets teh interior part right as it actully looks and feels like a luxury car, while the TL, and G35 couldbarely pass as mainstream sedans. Wow what a bias, the G8 GT, is great reviews, as does the CTS, and is a better all rounder than what the G is any day, in fact if mags didnt put 0-60 times, so high on the list, it would clearly beat out the G.

zorbeeze - 11/28/2008 1:22:59 PM

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"people still have the same amount of money they did 6 months ago"
So what your saying is that despite having a V8 it still can't beat the G in performance?

BMWSLSMN, are you actually comparing the handling of the TL to the G????
The TL can't even outhandle the A4, please seriously, the TL is far from a great handling sports sedan.

cdndriver - 11/28/2008 1:29:21 PM

+4 Boost

even if the american cars were as good, which is questionable, there is still the matter of depreciation. The Pontiac or CTS would end up costing you significantly more. They have consistantly depreciated faster than imported cars. When GM is forced into chapter 11 this problem will become significantly worse.

zorbeeze - 11/28/2008 1:45:21 PM

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My previous comment was for bmw's post
" fact if mags didnt put 0-60 times, so high on the list, it would clearly beat out the G."

Agent63 - 11/28/2008 12:40:50 PM

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I find the CC the most handsome out of the three.

ktu01 - 11/28/2008 10:27:51 PM

+2 Boost

The CC looks the most unique of the three (though still not sure about the rear view), but isn't it more of a luxury sedan than a sports sedan?

My personal pick is the G37 - the most plain looking of the bunch, but probably the best overall balance between performance, style, comfort, and luxury. Plus, there's a 6 speed version and a coupe version :)

AudiNewEngland - 11/29/2008 2:07:51 AM

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Sport Sedan: G37
"Luxury" Sedan: CC


And the Acura blows