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 -- and don't be afraid to tell us what you think.



3rd Place: 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD ($43,995)

We tried to like the TL SH-AWD. We really did. We were pleasantly surprised by its neutral cornering attitude -- despite the TL's nose-heavy front-wheel-drive platform (a derivative of the Accord's), the "Super Handling" all-wheel-drive system effectively eliminates understeer by sending course-correcting power to the rear wheels -- and our jaws dropped at the tenacious midcorner grip from the optional Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer tires. Honda's trademark road noise was blissfully absent during highway cruising, and the TL's five-speed automatic was the most refined and quickest-shifting of the three, although its 3.7-liter V6 felt markedly softer than the others. What's more, the TL SH-AWD's responsive electric power steering system is one of the best of its breed. So why did all three of us relegate this well-mannered Acura to last place?

Uhhh...have you seen this thing? "The overriding sensation I get from the TL," Takahashi confessed, "is ewwww!" Mused DiPietro: "Was an elephant seal the inspiration for that nose or what?" At least our test car was silver, which minimized the fugliness of the TL's metallic snout. But that failed to spare it our collective aesthetic scorn. The Acura's ho-hum dash layout didn't help its cause either -- too many of the center-stack controls were lifted straight out of the Accord, and we gave the dot-matrix silver plastic trim a sound round of booing. It's a rare car indeed (Pontiac Aztek? AMC Pacer?) that effectively disqualifies itself on stylistic grounds, but the new TL may be about to join this ignominious club.

The Verdict: Judged on talent alone, the TL SH-AWD runs neck-and-neck with the thoroughbred Infiniti. But it's got a face that only a Transformer could love -- and looks are vital in this image-conscious segment.

2nd Place: 2009 Volkswagen CC VR6 4Motion ($42,630)

Think of the Passat-based CC as the anti-TL. This four-seater is as handsome as the Acura is homely, with a sleek, low-slung shape that evokes that other "four-door coupe," the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. Same goes for the interior. We all judged the CC's cabin Best in Show -- this people's car has an upscale look and feel inside that puts the two premium marques to shame. The accolades kept coming when we compared stereos, as the CC's Dynaudio setup blew the others out of the water with its superior warmth and clarity; the TL's ballyhooed ELS system, for the record, brought up the rear on every ballot. We only wish that the sublimely-shaped rear seats weren't so short on headroom.

Unfortunately, the anti-TL thing also applies to the CC's handling. Steering and braking performance ranked a distant third, and there was more body roll in the compliant CC than in either of the firm-riding Japanese saloons. "It's more luxury sedan than sport sedan," DiPietro observed, speaking for us all. Yet the all-wheel-drive CC is still wholly competent when the going gets twisty. As Takahashi put it, "its ability to take curves at speed defies logic." The VR6 powerplant, too, is a sporty surprise, with ample low-end thrust and serious passing power on the highway. This dual personality makes the Vee-Dub a sophisticated alternative for those who don't require a full-on four-door sports car. Those who do are advised to consult "1st Place," below.

The Verdict: The CC VR6 4Motion is the gentleperson's midsize sport sedan. Takahashi said it best: "If I were older, or not into sports cars, perhaps I'd opt for this over the Infiniti."

1st Place: 2009 Infiniti G37 Journey ($41,265)


The rear-wheel-drive G37 is the hooligan's choice. Apparently we're a bunch of hooligans, because it was resoundingly our choice, too. This car has such an exuberant nature that it might as well come with a "Drive Me Hard" sticker on the steering wheel. The G's newly pumped-up 3.7-liter, 328-horsepower V6 dispenses with the 0-60 mph sprint in 5.4 honest seconds -- no rollout here, folks -- which is 0.9 seconds better than the CC and a whopping 1.3 seconds quicker than the Acura. It feels fast, too: Drop your right foot on the highway and you can't help but marvel at how traffic suddenly seems to be standing still. Much like the big VQ-series V6 under the hood, the G's new seven-speed automatic transmission is a touch unrefined but eager to please, matching revs on downshifts even in "D." The other two powertrains in this
test are competent, smooth, unobtrusive; this one, by
contrast, feels positively alive.


Our test car was equipped with the Sport Package, which adds go-fast goodies like column-mounted paddle shifters, tighter suspension tuning, performance tires and a quicker steering ratio. Thusly equipped, the G was a hoot to drive through the canyons, hanging its tail out in tight corners and delivering some of the best Nissan steering this side of the GT-R supercar. There are tradeoffs, though: The G had the noisiest and least-forgiving ride, which prevented us from fully enjoying the excellent Bose audio system. And the Infiniti is notably less luxurious inside than the CC, though its materials quality is more or less on par with the Acura's.

The Last Word: The G37 wins because we couldn't resist its rambunctious character. However, we have no problem recommending the more civilized Volkswagen to those who find the Infiniti's enthusiasm a bit over the top. As for the TL SH-AWD, it's a thoroughly capable sport sedan that Acura's stylists inexplicably smacked with the ol' ugly stick. Give it a facelift and an interior that doesn't look like a stylized Accord's, and then we'll talk.