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Test Drive: 2008 Audi TT Coupe 3.2 Quattro - Function

With its hatchback body style, the 2008 Audi TT Coupe 3.2 Quattro provides an impressive amount of room for stuff. The trunk swallows two standard-size roller suitcases or a golf bag placed diagonally (with the driver pulled), while folding the 50/50-split backseat flat allows you to hold all of the above, plus a few additional items. Given its smallish backseat, we wouldn't suggest putting a child seat in the TT due to both safety concerns and space.

Typical to Audi, all secondary controls are exactly where you'd expect them to be. The climate controls could be a little more detailed, though, and our test car's optional navigation system and MMI electronics interface produced a love-it-or-hate-it response for its stereo control.


BMW 550i

Well, it depends on how you look at it. A similarly equipped 750i costs almost $10,000 more than its supposed "lesser" cousin, but the 550i is the all-around better car, giving up little in the way of luxury and interior space while trouncing the 750i in the fun-to-drive department. On the other hand, the twin-turbo 535i offers nearly the same performance as the V8-powered 550i and, when equally equipped, costs about $7,000 less. Hmm, maybe that's a more perfect car.

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Saab 9-3 Turbo X Sport Combi: Performance

But as is so indicative of this car, a high point is immediately followed by a low point. The EPA estimates fuel economy for the 2008 Saab 9-3 Aero and 9-3 Turbo X to be 15 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined: numbers we managed to duplicate. By comparison, the BMW 328xi is about as quick as the Turbo X and gets 2 mpg better, while the much quicker Infiniti EX35 rates about 1 mpg better. In other words, not exactly awful, but still disappointing given the Sport Combi's compact size and so-so acceleration.

Audi A5
Performance

Alas, the A5's overall dynamic competence makes its wonky speed-sensitive power steering system stick out like a sore thumb. Effort levels range from "Uncle Karl's Cadillac" at low speeds to "Farm Tractor" on the highway, which means that the required steering effort can vary greatly from one corner to the next depending on how fast you're going. We also noticed that our A5's steering had a disconcerting tendency to weight up unpredictably — for instance, we'd sometimes get "Farm Tractor" during 10-15-mph turns at intersections. Satisfying steering systems never feel out of step with the driver's expectations; the A5's overly complicated setup is not among them.

Jaguar XF Supercharge: Performance

Despite Jaguar's reputation for producing stately luxury cruisers, the XF is quite adept at taking corners. It features a very competent chassis, with loads of grip and surprisingly high limits. The steering is a little on the light side, though, and could use a tad more feel, which means that realizing the XF's impressive capabilities requires a bit of tiptoeing to achieve a good comfort level. Still, even if it isn't quite up to BMW's back road capabilities, this Jag is a heap more fun than most other competitors. And should you need to stop quickly, the XF's 108-foot braking distance from 60 mph is better than them all.

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Who Should Buy This Vehicle?

Those who don't mind paying through the nose in order to transport up to seven passengers in extraordinary comfort — and like the idea of using less of a finite resource than the gas-powered version.

Mazda MAZDA6
By now, most non-cave-dwellers are aware that Mazda is the self-proclaimed performance brand from Japan. Generally speaking, Mazda's got a point, as most of its cars are indeed sportier than rival models. However, the 2009 Mazda Mazda6 s doesn't quite fit the mold. Make no mistake — this 6 is one of the best midsize sedans on the market, thanks to significant bumps in size and power relative to its predecessor. It's just no longer the sports car in sedan clothing that Mazda's marketing mavens make it out to be.

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