AWD Sedan

[major]

The lease on my current ride, a Chrysler 300 Ltd AWD, will be ending in a couple of months.  I like having an AWD vehicle as my travels do occassionally take me onto back roads that are not always plowed.  I prefer a sedan vs. CUV/SUV.  Neither Chrysler nor GM are currently offering competitive leases, so I'll be looking for suggestions for an alternative.  I would prefer a full size sedan in the $35-$40K range.

My current list of potential AWD sedans:

Ford Taurus SEL AWD (very nice changes to the 2010 but Ford is not currently offering leases on this model).
Ford Fusion AWD (not really very interested in this model)
Buick LaCrosse (see GM lease comments above)
Infinity G37x (might be a tad expensive on a 36 month lease)
Audi, BMW, Acura (not the least bit interested in any of these)

Would appreciate any opinions on these or other vehicle options.

[Honda Owner]

I would go for the Infinity in a heartbeat. It is quite a ride for the money and not too large.

[2hondas]

^^ He wants a full size sedan. I wouldn't even classify the G37 as a midsize..

Since you have the G37 and Fusion in there, the new 2010 Subaru Legacy has standard AWD, and has been enlarged for 2010.

At that price range, you get get the 3.6L version.

[airbalancer]

vw cc 4 motion http://www.vw.ca/vwcms/master_public/virtualmaster/en_ca/models/passat/Passat_CC.html

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Infiniti G37x is pretty roomy IMO.

Can I ask why not an Acura TL SH-AWD?

Subaru Legacy is roomier now, and if you want AWD safety I'd be looking there first.

The Lincoln MKS AWD is more expensive, but did you check into whether it's being leased competitively?

If you don't feel clausterphobic in it, ditto the VW Passat CC 3.6L 4MOTION.

Suzuki Kizashi will offer AWD whenever it shows up, but it's far smaller and less powerful.

[major]

Infiniti G37x is pretty roomy IMO. I'll be looking seriously at this model.  Trunk is a bit smaller than I need.

Can I ask why not an Acura TL SH-AWD? Way too much empahasis on a sporty ride...too expensive.

Subaru Legacy is roomier now, and if you want AWD safety I'd be looking there first. Hadn't considered this...will have to research.

The Lincoln MKS AWD is more expensive, but did you check into whether it's being leased competitively? This car is essentially a high end Taurus which I am also looking into.  Way too expensive for what you get.

If you don't feel clausterphobic in it, ditto the VW Passat CC 3.6L 4MOTION. Seems pricey $45K for a VW??...but I'll have to research

Suzuki Kizashi will offer AWD whenever it shows up, but it's far smaller and less powerful.

[johngenx]

Another vote for a look at the Legacy.  It's larger for 2010, but the styling is a little polarizing compared to the previous model.  However, reliability is tops and the AWD system is the best of the best.

The G37X and the Subaru would be my own short list.

[Shnak]

I'm kind of surprised to see that many people recommending the new Legacy without hesitation. I mean, it has a new unproven CVT transmission that isn't reviewed that highly, and who knows how reliable it'll be... That alone would make me think twice before buying a new Legacy or Outback in its first year of production...

[2hondas]

I'm kind of surprised to see that many people recommending the new Legacy without hesitation. I mean, it has a new unproven CVT transmission that isn't reviewed that highly, and who knows how reliable it'll be... That alone would make me think twice before buying a new Legacy or Outback in its first year of production...

The 6 cylinder model has a 5 speed automatic.

[02MP5MT]

volvo s60/s80?

[02MP5MT]

I'm kind of surprised to see that many people recommending the new Legacy without hesitation. I mean, it has a new unproven CVT transmission that isn't reviewed that highly, and who knows how reliable it'll be... That alone would make me think twice before buying a new Legacy or Outback in its first year of production...

does not seem like a huge risk on a leased vehicle.

[Altima1]

I'm kind of surprised to see that many people recommending the new Legacy without hesitation. I mean, it has a new unproven CVT transmission that isn't reviewed that highly, and who knows how reliable it'll be... That alone would make me think twice before buying a new Legacy or Outback in its first year of production...

I'm confident that like Nissan, Subaru has done their homework.  As for reviews, who really rates a CVT highly?  Very few.  I watched Graeme Fletcher once review the Rogue, he basically described the CVT as something where you mash the throttle, rev 6000 and wait for the car to catch up, ludicrous.  If I drove like that I'd be on my 5th set of tires!!  Don't expect an auto journalist to say good things about a CVT, oh...maybe Wing

[Shnak]

I'm kind of surprised to see that many people recommending the new Legacy without hesitation. I mean, it has a new unproven CVT transmission that isn't reviewed that highly, and who knows how reliable it'll be... That alone would make me think twice before buying a new Legacy or Outback in its first year of production...

The 6 cylinder model has a 5 speed automatic.

Ok, didn't realize we were talking about the 3.6L Legacy, and actually had forgot that it came with a 5 speed auto and not a CVT. Good point.

does not seem like a huge risk on a leased vehicle.

And here's an even better point... Damn, I should have just kept my mouth (keyboard) shut! 

I'm confident that like Nissan, Subaru has done their homework.  As for reviews, who really rates a CVT highly?  Very few.  I watched Graeme Fletcher once review the Rogue, he basically described the CVT as something where you mash the throttle, rev 6000 and wait for the car to catch up, ludicrous.  If I drove like that I'd be on my 5th set of tires!!  Don't expect an auto journalist to say good things about a CVT, oh...maybe Wing

I seem to recall a few reviews saying that the Subaru CVT was worse than many other CVTs out there... but maybe I'm remembering wrong.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Lincoln MKZ AWD currently has a lease rate of 2.99%, base price is $43k, don't know what other incentives might be available. Nice comfy car IMHO.

I got a drive home from the dealer in a new Outback with the CVT. I couldn't live with the droning noise and typical CVT rubber band effect. Automatic deal breaker for me.

[02MP5MT]

I prefer a sedan vs. CUV/SUV. 

i would test drive a v6 awd venza before dismissing the entire class.

http://www.motoringtv.com/singleviewclip.php?section=test_drive&vName=seg_TD09Ep15.flv&yr=2009

happy shopping!

[johngenx]

The obvious choice for driveline in the Legacy is the 3.6L with the five speed AT.  Forget the stupid CVT.  I'd either buy a base Legacy 2.5L with a stick, or make the jump right to the six with the AT.

Subaru has a history with CVTs going way, way back to the Justy.  Hope they learned something since that clusterf$ck.

That said, the Subaru six cylinder engines have proven uber-reliable, have timing chains if you're interested in that sort of thing, and have engine bays that are NOT DIY friendly, but not many care about that anymore.  The 5-AT has been around for a while now, no issues, and handles power well.  Subaru is good at picking ratios to suit the power characteristics of their engines.

Of course, the real benefit of any Scoob is the full time AWD.  Having driven "slip and grip" Honda and Toyota systems, the difference is immediate and considerable.

That said, the RWD bias of the G37X is sweet, and the 3.7L driveline is wicked.  The car is a great value in its segment and a very worthy alternative to the C-Class, 3-series and other AWD "entry level luxury" sedans.

[major]

Thanks to everyone so far for the comments (Keep them coming).  A few observations:

Volvo S60/S80 - Out of my target price range.  Besides, much of the S80 mechanics are included in the Ford Taurus for fraction of the price.

Lincoln MKZ AWD - This is essentially a "tarted up" Ford Fusion for an $8-12K premium.

CVT's - I had a CVT in my 2006 Ford fivehundred AWD and liked it.  The mileage was fantastic for the size/type of car.  I wouldn't hesitate to go with CVT again in the right car package.

Legacy - Is this essentially a brand new for 2009/2010 car?  Or it a refresh of the older model.  I'll have to do some more research, so forgive the ignorance.

Toyota Venza - No question that this is a tempting package (essentially a Camry wagon).   Unfortunately a trunk is an absolute must for me.

[safristi]

..Infiniti M35X...........maybe slightly "ab USED"............ ..thinking OUTSIDE the BOX- TER engine..and roomy too...................

[Altima1]

Here is what insideline says of the Outback with CVT:

On the other hand, Subaru's better-than-most execution of its Lineartronic CVT is as good as that of Nissan, which, until now, seems to be the only company to figure out the proper calibration of infinitely variable transmission ratios and throttle response. For a CVT, Subaru's is one of the best there is.

http://www.insideline.com/subaru/outback/2010/2010-subaru-outback-first-drive.html

[airbalancer]

Unfortunately a trunk is an absolute must for me.


Easier to hide people in tunk then a hatch