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Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat

88 messages,  Last post on Aug 09, 2009 at 2:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Acura TL, Volvo S60, Volkswagen Passat, Sedan

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#85 of 88 Acura TL & Passat V6 compared by rahmibub Dec 17, 2007 (3:14 pm)
Like many of you, I too arrived at the two models for the final run-off for my next car. I had a chance to drive the two cars this week, and here are my notes:   Acceleration - Passat v6 The TL accelerated well, but there were times when the car really felt like it was struggling to accelerate - and this was the S-Type I was test driving. The Passat V6 does not struggle as much - especially at take-off speeds.   Driveability - Passat v6 This is highly subjective (to my wife and myself), but the Passat felt like a fun car which handles the corners with ease and aplomb. This is not to say that the Acura TL drove terribly, it drives real well, but just not as well. The other big ding against the TL was the shameful turning radius - among the worst in its class.   Ergonomics - Passat v6 Those aspiring to join the NASA Space Shuttle Program will feel comfortable in the Acura - that car has buttons, rows of buttons, and columns of buttons. For guys, a good thing. For Women, an unmitigated disaster. Much can be said for less is more, and in this case, the Passat wins this one hands down.   Interior Design - Acura TL If there is one item of lamentation from many VW owners, is that VW did go cheap on the interior This generation of VWs is certainly INFERIOR to the fit and finish quality of the previous generation. The Acura easily won this criteria.   Visibility - Passat The other nagging issue I had with the TL was the visibility. The front frame beams are wide, and will obstruct your vision during a turn. Rear vision (Blind-Spot) is also limited. No such issues with the Passat   Reliability - Predicted - Acura TL We've owned a VW Passat v6, and know that it is indeed average in reliability. A good, dependable car. But let's not kid ourselves, Acura has far less issues than the Passats, and always will due to their zealous devotion to ironing out the bugs   Curb Factor - Acura Again, this is VERY subjective. I personally think that the perfect Passat is the 2002.5 model with today's V6 engine and a NAV. Today's Passat body style has a bit too much chrome in the front for my taste. The Acura looks, well, almost indistinguishable from a new Accord IMHO. So why did Acura win? Because Volkswagon decided that the only "Appealing" colors that should be available to VW owners are the lame Black / White / Gray / Silver (are they trying to say that the purchasing demographics are old retirees here?) / CrayonRed / CrayonBlue colors. So, to enjoy your Passat, you would either need to be color blind (to opt for the lame Red / Blue colors) or, show people just how plain, boring, and OLD you are with the lame Silver and Gray colors. Great job VW! You've managed to neuter a perfectly fun and driveable car with a pathetic color swatch!   Value - Tie Fully loaded, both will take you to the cleaners. A slight edge might go to the Passat for many standard safety features.   Safety - Tie Yes the Acura has better crash ratings, but the Passat has a lot of other intrinsic safety feautures such as Adaptive headlamps that actually helps avoid them in the first place.   Resale - Probably Acura Let's face it, Acura's have a good resale value because they are treated as a luxury brand. VW is NOT a luxury brand - despite the luxurious trappings. Ergo, Acura will have a higher resale value.   Most unlikely to be stolen for a Joy-Ride - Passat Thanks to the uninspired colors available for sale (Black? White? Gray? Silver? - Are they trying to tell us that the buyer demographics are old people?), it would be hard to pick out a Passat for a Joyride in a sea of Gray and Silver cars in a mall parking lot. Insurance companies should offer special discounts for those who opt for the horrid Red or Cobalt Blue colors - since car thieves usually have more pride than to steal something so badly colored.   Winner - ?!?!? Go for the Passat v6 if: * You're in it for the driving experience * Crave performance * Love the safety features * You don't mind people asking how old you are when you choose Black / White / Silver / Gray * You don't mind people LAUGHING at you when you choose the Red / Cobalt Blue color   Go for the Acura if: * You like the resale value * Define luxury as a soft leather seat with a TON of buttons * Like a reliable car with decent handling and driving characteristics * Want to choose a color that doesn't make you any younger / older than you really are.
#86 of 88 Re: Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat [strato435] by bennyg111 Dec 18, 2007 (8:56 pm)
Replying to: strato435 (Aug 01, 2005 12:28 pm) Not sure if you are still shopping or not after looking at the dates. This last 2 weeks I was in the same boat. I had a Ford F150 LAriat I bought new in 2005 with 21 miles and had decided it was time to trade in for something with better gas millage. My wife drives a Volvo V70 Wagon so I went and checked out the S60. For the money I didnt feel I was getting as much as I would get form Audi A4. I ended up going with Audi becuase They gave me 23000 for my truck which is a great deal and then sold me a 2007 A4 demo that was loaded and low miles for only 23000 so for the bang per buck that was a steal. My fule economy has more than doubled and the A4 is one of the funnest cars I have driven in this class in years. I guess in the end its all preferance shoot I had a chance to get an 2005 merceded E-320 and turned it down I enjoyed the A4 so much
#87 of 88 Re: Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat [mauraw] by blurglide Aug 09, 2009 (2:31 pm)
Replying to: mauraw (Jun 12, 2007 8:57 am) I know your comment is a couple years old, but it needs to be addressed. Volvo USED to be safer than everything else. They're still safe, but many others have caught up and even exceeded them. In fact, in Europe Audi is the one with the rep for safety. If you go to informedforlife.org, you can see that Audi and Acura have the top safety marks. I'd say Acura is currently ahead of Volvo as a brand, and has had the safest car around, the RL for many years now.

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