This is a tough category. All of these contenders had first-place finishes in several of the areas I scored and only when the scores were tallied, was there a winner to my mind. And the margin was so slight that personal preferences and driving style would alter the outcome.
It would also be a good idea to look at prices as there is quite a spread here, and if your budget is a big factor you could easily rearrange the order. My scores are out of a possible 170.
Saturn Aura This is a wonderful motor car with gutsy performance, great handling and style and presence. Based on the German Opel, it might just be the best sedan GM has brought to market in some time — and certainly the best Saturn.
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I gave it top marks for engine and driveline. The engine is the new 3.6-litre global V-6 found in the Cadillac CTS and the six-speed automatic snapped off shifts seamlessly and seemed to sense when you wanted a lower gear.
The Aura pulls from rest with gusto and a satisfying engine note, recording middle-of-the-pack numbers, but giving the impression of being much quicker than the others. The suspension is tight and very European in feel and behaviour. Steering response and brake feel were both best of class on my scorecard.
The interior is upscale and the fit, finish and quality of materials more than competitive with the others here, if not a bit subdued. A most pleasant surprise at a very competitive price. Score: 126.6.
Nissan Maxima
The Maxima practically invented the affordable sports sedan class. It has always had a great engine in a good chassis and allowed enthusiasts to enjoy a family car.
This latest example continues that trend with the best engine of the bunch, unfortunately coupled with a continuously variable transmission. As much as I am not a fan of the CVT, this is the best we've come across yet with simulated shifts and, if driving in a sedate and normal manner, you would not know it was anything different.
The Maxima's award-winning VQ-series V-6 allowed it to top the charts in acceleration from rest, but it dropped to third when it came to passing performance as the CVT gobbled up time changing ratios. The Maxima was also pretty sharp on the handling course without giving up much in ride quality.
I gave it top marks for interior and for ease of entry and exit, but it was also the most expensive car in the class. Score: 125.7.
Kia Amanti
This car was almost as much of a surprise as the Aura. If ratings were restricted to value, the Amanti is the winner. One look at the standard equipment list and price tells you this is a raging bargain.
It is also hotly competitive in terms of fit, finish and quality of materials. The interior is roomy and the rear seat is the best of the bunch.
It is easy to think of a Kia as being a value story, but the Amanti also brings serious hardware and performance to the table.
The stout 3.8-litre V-6 engine, combined with a slick-shifting five-speed, allowed it to finish second to only the hot-rod Maxima, despite lugging around an extra 215 kg. It also recorded the best braking performance of the class as proof Kia engineers are paying attention and making huge progress.
The big downfall, to me, is the handling. The Amanti is heavy, slow to respond to steering inputs and too soft when the going gets twisty. But if you like your roads straight and take turns slowly, this is a whole lot of automobile for a surprisingly small amount of money. Score: 125.4.
VW Passat Wagon
To these eyes, the most stylish vehicle in the pack, inside and out, the Passat finished this far down only because of ride quality and because we noticed a few rattles, reminding us VW has had some quality issues in recent years — nothing major, just little details like trim pieces.
While it coped well with the high speeds on the test track and when pressed through the turns on the evaluation route, the ride was harsh compared to others in the class.
The wagon stood out in this pack with its cavernous cargo capacity.
It also scored highly for its solid structure and fuel mileage.
The combination of a turbocharger and four cylinders brings power and economy. But not the silky smoothness of a six. The six-speed automatic also came in for praise. Score: 125.3.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Here we have a case of good and bad. The good is exceptional fuel economy and environmentally friendly operation. The bad is performance and dynamics.
Just as the Camry Hybrid was far ahead in fuel mileage, it lagged seriously behind in acceleration. It also was a softy on the track and in the corners, wallowing around like it was never meant to achieve any semblance of speed.
But — and this is significant — if fuel mileage and environmental responsibility are higher on your list than driving pleasure or dynamics, the Camry Hybrid goes to the head of the pack. Score: 123.3.
