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Small Executive

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

The best buys and the ones to avoid for the small executive car market in 2006....

The Best

OUR PICK

BMW 3-Series
The 3-Series range expands for 2006 with a new entry-level, 129 bhp, 2.0-litre, 318i model.

The basics like a CD player, leather steering wheel, trip computer, air conditioning, four electric windows and a ‘smart key’ entry system are standard at €38,500.

Options are expensive, though, so expect to pay €860 for 16-inch alloys, €130 for a rear armrest, €115 for ISOFIX child seat mounts and €360 for cruise control.

The 122 bhp, 2.0-litre, 318D is the entry-level turbo-diesel model.

It requires only 5.4 litres/100 km and comes in at €41,400.

Five hundred euro less gets you the 320i, which isn’t as economical at 7.4 litres/100 km but gets you 150 bhp and a six-speed manual.

The 320i SE gives you everything you could want for €44,050.

The 325i SE gets a new 218 bhp six-cylinder engine, giving more performance than the 2005 325i with climate control and 17-inch alloys for €50,850.

The 258 bhp 330i isn’t really worth the ten grand extra any more, while the €57,550 330d is a superb car but rather defeats the purpose of owning a diesel.

Audi A4
Though the recently face-lifted A4 bucks the trend for rear wheel drive, it manages to hold its own in the small executive class by maintaining excellent quality, dashing good looks and a vast array of performance-orientated all-wheel-drive models.

The handling is safe and predictable, the engines are, by and large, pleasant and reliable and the even though the interior is sober it oozes class and simplicity.

Entry level 102 bhp 1.6-litre is cheap and has a ten-speaker stereo, 16-inch alloys and climate control, but it’s underpowered.

The 163 bhp 1.8T is much better and great value at €41,510 and if you add Quattro AWD for a shade more than three grand you’ll be giving all but the fastest 3-Series’ a hard time on a twisty road.

The 200 bhp, 2.0-litre FSI feels suitably quick and offers a lot of pace for €48,300.

A 2.0T Quattro is the pick of the range at €51,540.

The 140 bhp 2.0-litre TDi is the best of the diesel cars available and weighs in at €42,820.

Be aware, too, that cruise control is a stupid €427 option on almost all models.

Lexus IS
The Lexus IS is all-new for 2006 with fresh styling and completely revised mechanical components.

It’s not as much fun to drive as the BMW, but it is nicely equipped, extremely well made and will be utterly painless to own.

The entry-level model is a 177 bhp, 2.2-litre turbo diesel costing €43,750 complete with 16-inch alloys, climate control, a six-speed manual, leather steering wheel, 13-speaker 6-CD changer and cruise control.

The executive model adds leather and 17-inch wheels for €48,630.

The 204 bhp, 2.5-litre V6 carries the same levels of equipment as the diesel and costs €44,950.

The six-speed automatic comes with steering wheel paddles and is a preferable transmission to the balky manual, though it’s not cheap at around €2,400.

There is no engine smaller than the 2.2-litre diesel engine so the IS will remain a relatively exclusive car on Irish roads.

There are no plans to bring the 300 bhp, 3.0-litre V6, IS 350 to Europe for a while, either.

Subaru Legacy
The Legacy remains one of the most underrated cars on the market.

It’s actually much nicer to drive than everything else in the class with the exception of the BMW with its sharp steering and fine brakes.

4WD grip gives it serious pace on greasy Irish back roads but the model range is limited.

Avoid the cheap but slow 2.0-litre and either plum for the 165 bhp 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with standard automatic for €39,500 or go all out and opt for the 330i chasing 3.0R Spec B model complete with a 265 bhp 3.0-litre flat-six, six-speed manual, sport suspension, 18-inch alloys, leather trim and 4WD for €52,595.

It’s not going to hold its value like the BMW but it is a unique and highly entertaining alternative to joining the droves of people handing BMW cheques.

Alfa Romeo 159
Giugiaro-designed Alfa 159 is an even better drive than the 156 while also offering better quality and prettier styling.

The suspension is double-wishbone at the front and multi-link at the rear, with the sharpest steering in the segment.

Residual values won’t be as strong as the German rivals, but you’re not paying as much to begin with and you don’t have to blow money on options either.

The least powerful petrol engine is a 160 bhp, 1.9-litre, four-cylinder for a very tempting €36,550 in Turismo specification.

Stability control, automatic hill hold, seven airbags, air-conditioning and 16” alloy wheels are all standard in the basic Turismo model.

A 185 bhp, 2.2-litre Sportivo costs five grand more and isn’t really worth the extra, despite the dual-zone climate control, rain and light sensors, cruise control, alarm and 17” alloys the Turismo version adds.

The 260 bhp, 3.2 V6 4x4 isn’t actually bad value at €49,300 but residuals will be horrible.

The diesel range kicks off with a 120 bhp, 1.9-litre Turismo turbo-diesel that costs the same €36,550 as the entry-level petrol model.

A 150 bhp 1.9-litre 16v Turismo is also great value at €38,300.

A 200 bhp, 2.4-litre 5-cylinder Sportivo costs €44,800 and while it might be an enthusiast’s dream, it’s likely to be a resale nightmare.

The Rest

Cadillac CTS – It may or may not go on sale in Ireland but if it does then check it out. It’s much better than an American car has a right to be.

Honda Accord – Honda continues to market the over-priced Accord as a compact exec where it simply isn’t as good as rivals.

Volvo S60/V70 – Pleasant, safe and reasonably amusing to drive, the S60/V70 duo fail to ignite the segment. Even rapid R model feels safe. Sigh.

Saab 9-3 – A reasonable drive with a well-designed interior, but limited range and large-capacity engines limit appeal in Ireland.

Avoid

Mercedes C-Class: The C-Class is lacking in too many areas these days. A new model isn’t far away now so avoid it until then.

Jaguar X-Type – It drives just like the Mondeo on which it is based though the Ford has a nicer interior and looks better. It’s overpriced, too.

Opel Signum – Opel’s stab at the big-car segment misses its target and falls flat. With a Vectra front and cabin it never stood a chance.

Skoda Superb – Outdated LWB Passat clone offers nothing unique except massive rear space and a hidden umbrella. ‘Superb’? Hardly.

Toyota Camry – All-new model coming in ’06 is better than the old one but still not competitive. A domestic appliance with wheels.

Cadillac CLS – Another clone from the Vectra platform wrapped in pseudo-American glitz and sold for premium money. An ill-conceived disaster.