Buying Guide Index

Cars.comparison: Luxury Sport Sedans

By Mike Hanley and Joe Wiesenfelder, Cars.com

The BMW 3 Series is one of the premier luxury sport sedans, but it faces fresh challengers in the redesigned Infiniti G35 and a freshened Acura TL Type-S. The German automaker has responded with a 300-horsepower twin-turbo 335i, but is that enough to keep the competition at bay?

 = Category winner
The Contenders
2007 Acura TL Type-S2007 BMW 335i2007 Infiniti G35 Sport
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Base price
$38,125$38,700$32,250
Acceleration
It moves out under the 3.5-liter's power, but sometimes it moves sideways, too. If you're going to send a lot of torque to only two wheels, it had better be the rear ones. Sorry, but the category includes the word "Sport." Aside from being the quickest of the three, the smoothness and lack of turbo lag are to die for.The G35's continuously building power and high revs are impressive, but the 335i's muscular launch is addictive.
Six-speed manual transmission
It's as hard to complain about any aspect of the TL's transmission as it is to enthuse over it.BMW nailed the gear ratios and the clutch action in this unit, but the shifter should feel more connected, less rubbery and not so freakin' tall. BMW could learn something from the G35 shifter's precision, height and throws. It never lets you forget you're part of the machine.
Roadholding
Cat on linoleum. Cat on a rug.Declawed cat on a rug.
Ride and handling
Though competent for its kind, the TL's nose-heaviness and front-wheel drive make it no match for a rear-drive car — especially these two. The ride also seems needlessly taut.
Communicative steering and balanced dynamics combine with a supple suspension to put the 335i in front.
Infiniti has improved upon the G35's steering feel and done a fine job imitating BMW's renowned dynamics, but it doesn't quite match the real thing.
Gas mileage (city/highway, mpg)
20/2919/2919/27
Valet appeal
Front lot: Not as prestigious as the BMW, but the TL's angular good looks are respected and distinguish the model in a sea of sameness. Curbside reserved: Modern, instantly recognizable and not as mucked up as other recent BMW designs, the 335i's understated luxury is a universal symbol of the good life.Back lot: Inspiring love or hate, the G35 is like politics at a dinner party — best examined in private, not put on display.
Comfort/roominess
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Despite being the largest, the interior dimensions aren't consistently greater than the G35's. The front seats are very good, and though the floor hump is high for a front-drive car, the TL's backseat is still the best for three passengers.
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The 335i's cabin feels the tightest of the three, and the relationship between the driver's seat and accelerator pedal can strain the driver's right foot. Though excellent, the Euro-firm seats no longer run away with the contest.
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The supportive front seats are nicely bolstered for sporty driving, and there's decent room in back for two passengers. If any sportiness is lost in the G35's greater size, the payoff is in more space than the 335i.
Cargo room/utility
The TL's cargo-carrying utility is hampered by a rear seat that only has a pass-thru to the 12.5-cubic-foot trunk. The 335i's 12.0-cubic-foot trunk is the smallest of the three, but the car gets high marks for utility by being the only one here to offer an optional split-folding rear bench seat. At 13.5 cubic feet, the G35 has the biggest trunk here, but there's only a trunk pass-thru in the rear seat backrest.
Luxury amenities
Perhaps the richest interior. High-quality materials like real metal trim and pedals give the interior a modern, sporty look. The great touch-screen navigation system and rearview camera are a boon as standard equipment.The interior is comparatively austere, and — though genuine — the wood trim is a dated design element. Standard vinyl seats? High-tech options include active steering and active cruise control. Sensible color palates and new materials and design provide modern yet warm luxury. A decent navigation system interface and rearview camera are worth the extra money. Intelligent cruise is optional, but four-wheel steering is offered only with the automatic transmission.
Four-season rating
Fat tires and high engine power aren't the best choices for snow, but front-wheel drive beats rear-wheel, hands-down.An all-wheel-drive xi version would beat the Acura, but you can only get it in the less-powerful 328xi model.Like the BMW, all-wheel drive would flip the coin, and the AWD G35x has the same engine as the G35. It doesn't, however, have a manual transmission.
Overall value
The TL has the most standard features — navigation system, heated leather seats, rearview camera — but it comes at a high initial price. Excellent reliability should mitigate long-term ownership costs.It costs thousands more to add a navigation system and real leather seats to the 335i's already-highest list price. You still pay a premium for BMW cachet, and though reliability should be good, the other two have proven better. The G35's low base price includes leather seats and a six-CD changer; buyers can load up on high-end luxury features and still have a car that's less expensive than the 335i. Above-average reliability is icing on the cake.
 
Editors' choice
A good car in many ways, the TL is a different animal than the other two. The category is Luxury Sport, and this Acura falls short on the Sport. A superb engine and class-leading handling keep the BMW out front, but the gap has narrowed. Still, if cost is no object, this is the one.More powerful and luxurious than before, the G35 does almost everything right, just not as well as the 335i.
Posted on 12/15/06
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