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Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat

90 messages,  Last post on Sep 03, 2010 at 2:09 AM

You are in the Volvo S60 Forum.

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

Messages Page 2 of 10

#5 of 90 Those Passat TDI's are very nice... by byronwalter

Aug 04, 2005 (11:03 am)

...a friend recently bought one and he's getting mid to upper thirties at 75 mph with AC on.
 
As for the others, I've driven the Acura TL and the A4. The B7 platform A4 has essentially the same interior as the B6 (my current ride) and the interior is excellent and is usually considered a "best in class". As for the engine being rough at idle, that's true but the engine is great when cruising at 80 mph (and very good mpg as well). And it's reasonably quick to boot. I can also verify that the steering, brakes and handling are all improved on the new A4.
 
I drove a manually equipped TL on some damp roads and pushed the car in the curves. The TL had what I felt to be excessive oversteer and even exhibited some wheel hop (I've read that the auto-equipped TLs are better in this respect). The A4 "feels" much more stable in similar situations. For me the difference in handling pretty much sealed the deal and I ordered another A4 (my third). But my priorities may very well be different from yours (I live in NE Ohio and appreciate AWD).
 
Another point for me is that I don't keep cars beyond the warranty period. While my present '02 A4 Avant has been virtually perfect and a model of stellar behavior I might have second thoughts if I was going to have and extended automotive relationship.
 
In any case, the TL is an excellent vehicle and would hardly qualify as a bad choice for most of us.
 
Byron

#6 of 90 Re: Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat [tomatopie] by strato435

Aug 04, 2005 (2:15 pm)

Replying to: tomatopie (Aug 04, 2005 8:24 am)
I'd certainly be inclined towards the TDI Passat -- if it were available! I'm told that VW doesn't plan to import diesel Passats in 2006, but will likely do so in 2007. In fact, VW makes my patronage even more difficult since the only Passat with the nav system in 2006 will be the 6 cylinder -- and as I've said, fuel economy does matter to me.
 
BTW, I just returned from a vacation in Germany where I rented a diesel Mercedes Vaneo, a mid-sized minivan. It drove quite nicely! Pick-up was so-so, and that was a frustration for me, but once you get up to 150 kpm on the autobahn, you're really having fun!

#7 of 90 Re: Those Passat TDI's are very nice... [byronwalter] by bodble2

Aug 06, 2005 (9:51 am)

Replying to: byronwalter (Aug 04, 2005 11:03 am)
"The TL had what I felt to be excessive oversteer..."
 
You mean understeer?

#8 of 90 Re: Audi A4 vs Acura TL vs Volvo S60 vs VW Passat [dulnev] by bodble2

Aug 06, 2005 (9:54 am)

Replying to: dulnev (Aug 04, 2005 5:59 am)
Your impression of the Audi's 2.0 turbo motor is surprising since most car mags have lauded the engine for its power and smoothness. Maybe their point of reference was the old 1.8T, which was a rather loud and rough motor.

#9 of 90 Re: Those Passat TDI's are very nice... [bodble2] by byronwalter

Aug 06, 2005 (12:55 pm)

Replying to: bodble2 (Aug 06, 2005 9:51 am)
...oops!... So sorry... thanks for the correction

#10 of 90 I think I will test drive an A6 by frisconick

Aug 06, 2005 (2:21 pm)

I never liked the exterion look of the A6, but I think I will test drive on next weekend, it seems it has a lot of fans.

#12 of 90 sapparo by pat

Aug 06, 2005 (4:48 pm)

You need to email me as soon as possible - pat AT edmunds.com. Thanks.

#13 of 90 Re: I think I will test drive an A6 [frisconick] by pat

Aug 06, 2005 (4:49 pm)

Replying to: frisconick (Aug 06, 2005 2:21 pm)
Hope you'll give us a full report ... in an A6-related discussion, of course.

#14 of 90 Re: I think I will test drive an A6 [pat] by frisconick

Aug 07, 2005 (12:18 am)

Replying to: pat (Aug 06, 2005 4:49 pm)
Sorry Pat, I forgot that this was an A4 comparo, sorry.

Messages Page 2 of 10

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