Last week Paul Elliot posted about the Motor Trend 5 Euro Sedan
Comparo. I thought I'd summarize the similar Car and Driver July 98
issue test of 7 near luxury cars. The test was for cars in the $38K
range. They included the Volvo S70 GLT and Catera after noting that
the two cars, when fully optioned, fit into the category (although
they are still less expensive then the others.

Here is the final rankings. The number to the right is a subjective
score from 0-100 and far right is the base/as tested price (#1 is
best):

rank name score price (in $1000s)

1 Lexus GS300 94 37.3/37.9
2 Audi A6 (FWD) 93 34.2/39.3
3 Volvo S70 GLT 89 33.0/35.5
4 Saab 9-5 SE 88 37.4/38.9
5 Mercedes C280 84 35.9/38.9
6 Cadillac Catera 83 30.6/36.6
7 Mazda Millenia S 82 37.1/37.9

No BMW 3 series was available for testing (which I expect would have
done well probably only limited by its trunk and passenger size when
compared to the larger cars). I suppose a T5 was also not available
which is why they tested a GLT.

The test was aimed at concluding what the up and coming middle-manager
type buyer would want (as opposed to a focus on overall performance).

All the other cars had V6 engines of around 2.8 liters except the
Mazda 2.3 liter V6 miller-cycle engine and the 2.8 in-line 6 in the
Lexus. They all made more horsepower then the Volvo; Torque figures
went from 192 (Catera) to 229 for the Saab. The Volvo was the
fastest in all acceleration tests (0-60, 0-100, 0-120, 1/4 mile.
5-60, 30-50, 50-70 and top speed). (The Volvo had the lowest torque
curve peak at 1800 RPM).

The Volvo was the least expensive.

The Volvo had the narrowest tires (195/60VR-15 Michelin MXV4s) and
tied the Mercedes for best skidpad numbers (.79g). The Audi did .75g
and the Lexus .76. In the emergency lane change the Volvo was best
at 61.0 MPH. Next was the Mercedes at 58.2. The Audi did 58.7 MPH
and the Lexus had a poor showing at 53.6 MPH (but overall they said
the Lexus handled very well).

The Volvo was nearly the lightest (3300 lbs vs lightest Mercedes at
3240 lbs). The Volvo had the longest 70-0 brake times of 187 feet.
The Lexus stopped in 174 feet; Audi in 178 feet. They did give the
Volvo a score of 9 (out of 10) for overall braking performance.

The Volvo was praised for acceleration, superb handling, comfortable
ride and spacious interior. They called it the top grin generator on
their road course test ring in Ohio. It was panned for coarse,
gravelly engine, poor body rigidity and outdated styling.