Petrina Gentile
From Thursday's Globe and Mail Published on Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009 6:04PM EST Last updated on Friday, Nov. 06, 2009 2:52AM EST
LUXURY CAR OVER $50,000: BMW 335d BASE PRICE $49,900 AS-TESTED PRICE $53,350
When it comes to luxury cars, the competition is stiff and growing. But it was no surprise to most journalists that the all-new BMW 335d sedan beat out its competitors, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon. In fact, diesels pretty well stole the show – they were the main theme at this year's TestFest – often beating traditional gas-powered cars and gas-electric hybrid alternatives in many categories.
The BMW 335d is BMW's first diesel in North America in more than two decades. It's slightly more expensive than a base 335i sedan. Under the hood is a twin-turbo, 3.0-litre, inline-six-cylinder diesel engine that delivers 265 hp and an impressive 425 lb-ft of torque.
The diesel engine is incredible. From a standstill, the sedan is quick and nimble; there's no turbo lag, either. In fact, you'd never know you were driving a diesel. Unlike the diesels of old, the 335d isn't underpowered, noisy or stinky. There's no annoying rattle or black smoke coming from the tailpipe. The 335d is quiet, powerful and refined.
It feels like a regular Bimmer – the steering is tight and responsive; the ride firm and stable. And the fuel economy is another bonus – it averages 7.4 L/100 km in combined city-highway driving. If you log a lot of highway miles, the savings will really add up fast since it returns a frugal 5.4 L/100 km on the highway.
From the exterior, the only hint that it's a diesel and different from its 3-Series siblings is the tiny “d” decal at the end of the 335 on the rear bumper.
The other contenders
MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS
BASE PRICE: $62,900
AS-TESTED PRICE: $70,825
While the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is an elegant sedan, it has two strikes against it – it costs more than the 335d and it's not as fuel-efficient (10.7 L/100 km combined). Under the hood is a 3.5-litre V-6 engine that produces 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The engine is quiet and the cabin well-insulated from wind and road noise. It's also comfortable – 14-way, power-adjustable, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel – and has a plethora of airbags, including a driver's knee air bag.
CADILLAC CTS SPORT WAGON
BASE PRICE: $50,755
AS-TESTED PRICE: $60,870
Normally, I'm not a big fan of station wagons, but the CTS Sport Wagon scores high marks in my books for its cool, funky exterior design. It's stylish and retains Cadillac's classic bold look. The inside is spacious, especially in the cargo area – there's 736 litres of room. If you need more space, fold down the rear seats to expose a whopping 1,640 litres. Combined fuel economy is 9.9 L/100 km.
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