When Canadians buy luxury cars, most of them opt for something less than $50,000. That's why this is such a tough category. The three new models all have something to offer, but the Infiniti is the sportiest of the bunch and that's why it is my winner.
Infiniti G35X The G35 sedan has a grille with twisted horizontal blades patterned after a traditional Japanese sword. And the aluminum interior trim is inspired by the Japanese paper art washi. So the Japanese flavour is here, it works, and it sets the car apart from German competitors such as the Audi A4 and the BMW 3-Series.
This, the all-wheel-drive G35 (rear-drive is also sold), has a revised aluminum 3.5-litre V-6 that makes 306 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. It's a sweet engine, designed to rev higher, make a lot of grunt and use less fuel.
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Oddly, Infiniti did not upgrade to a more modern six-speed automatic transmission, instead staying with a five-speed with manual mode. Shifts are fast and tidy, however.
This G sets a line and holds it as well or better than any car in this class, at this price. There is no wiggle or waggle as you round a corner at high speeds. On the straights, the G feels solid and planted.
Still, all the mechanical bits make for a heavy car, therefore nimble is not a word that first comes to mind. Responsive? Yes. Secure, absolutely. And a fabulous value. My choice in this category.
Lexus ES 350
The ES 350 hits a very nice sweet spot in the Lexus lineup. The brand's entry-level, four-door sedan is quiet, sophisticated and powerful — an elegant, thoughtful near-luxury sedan.
In regular driving, the ride is quiet and well-behaved. And all the controls are simple to operate, despite layers of advanced technology.
The engine, a 3.5-litre V-6, is a honey — smooth, but with a gentle growl when pushed. The ES looks sophisticated, but will roar from 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. The six-speed automatic transmission snicks off up-shifts beautifully.
Meanwhile, the cabin is gorgeous and thoughtful, just the right blend of wealth without being gauche. And there are no tiny buttons one can't push, no navigation-system-embedded layers of electronic silliness to confuse basic matters such as setting a radio pre-set.
Then there is the design. It is expressive, right to the swoop of the C-pillar and the shine of the chrome door handles. There are no odd humps or creases to be found.
The ES is not a sporty sedan, but rather a long-range cruiser with class. I like it a lot. But the G35 is simply more fun.
Lincoln MKZ
The Lincoln MKX started life last year as the Lincoln Zephyr. It is now a better car, though the name change is a mistake.
The MKZ has a high-quality interior with rich materials and soft leather seats. The engine puts out 263 horsepower, a 42-hp bump over last year's V-6, but less than the others here.
So the MKZ is the slowest of the three contenders in its class. But its braking is completely competitive in terms of raw numbers, though the Infiniti has better pedal feel.
Perhaps the MKZ's strongest point is the look. The basic shape is handsome without being loud. Only the tail lamps look out of place.
The MKZ is the most sedate of the three in this class, but not by much. In truth, in driving, the difference between it and the Lexus is a flip of a coin. In mild twisty bits, the Lincoln's steering is good and the body is nicely controlled.
On the track, the MKZ lacks feel and it will plow in hard cornering. It is by no means as entertaining as the G35. The limitations of its front-drive chassis are there and cannot be entirely overcome. That's why it can't win this class.
