Sport Sedan Shootout

By Matt Brogan | November 11th, 2008

2008 Sport Sedan Shootout

BMW 135i vs. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution TC-SST vs. Subaru Impreza WRX-STi spec R vs. Volkswagen Golf R32 4MOTION

Models Tested:

BMW E87 135i coupe 3.0-litre, manual – $72,230
Mitsubishi CJ Lancer Evolution sedan 2.0-litre, dual-clutch sequential manual – $64,490
Subaru Impreza WRX STi-R hatch 2.5-litre, manual – $64,990
Volkswagen Golf R32 4MOTION hatch 3.2-litre, manual – $54,990

- words by Matt Brogan, Rose Harris, Paul Maric & David Twomey

- pics by Paul Maric

You might notice that at the close of each review we offer a suggestion to “Road Test the Rivals”. So we thought, why not do just that and test four of the closest competing sports sedan rivals out there, the BMW 135i, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Volkswagen Golf R32.

Our rationale was simple enough, to see which of the four sports sedans in the sub-$80K category represented not only the best performance and handling dollar-for-dollar, but to also to take in to consideration those factors not often represented by mere facts and figures.

This test aims to combine the performance credentials of each car then to offset them against forgotten factors such as comfort, liveability and practicality. Then we were to translate the findings of our little experiment in to a simple, fun-filled review and accompany it with a video. Sounds like a breeze right?

The simple fact of the matter is, that like each of the cars tested, each of us have our own purpose and personality, and as a consequence we expect different things from our cars. So it goes without saying that things got a little tense around the CarAdvice office last week, and the final result was not without much contretemps. First of all, the cars in full.

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2008 BMW 135i Coupe

CarAdvice Rating: (4.25/5.00)

During the photography for this test, one of the stops happened to be right next to a group from a Victorian BMW club. A couple of Alpina BMWs and an AC Schnitzer formed the group. The guys walked right past the black 135i Coupe and waltzed on over to the Evolution and R32 which were sitting next to the Impreza WRX STI.

We watched inquisitively as they questioned David about the STI and grinned when the R32′s exhaust received a parcel of 3000rpm. They didn’t take much notice of the 135i Coupe and this seemed to be a reoccurring trend during the road test.

So it was obvious the styling wasn’t doing much to attract attention, but luckily the rest of the package well and truly made up for it.

As drivers, we spend almost all our time behind the steering wheel, so it needs to be a comfortable place to be. Needless to say, the BMW fit the bill. The steering wheel has considerable girth and is a pleasure to hold on to. The small diameter of the wheel also makes it a pleasure to use on tight mountain runs.

One point of irritation which can’t be ignored is the amount of effort required to put on your seatbelt. Nearly dislocating your shoulder isn’t uncommon when trying to get a grip of the seat belt. The 3-series Coupe features an electronic extender that passes the seatbelt to the front passenger and driver, but the 1-series misses out on this privilege.

It’s strictly a four seat affair – and that’s a fair stretch. Trying to fit any moderately sized adult in the rear is a far-fetched leisure, it can be done, but certainly is not recommended for long trips!

i-Drive this, i-Drive that, it’s all you ever hear from motoring journalists. We refuse to believe they can all be as daft as each other and are of the firm belief that i-Drive is one of the most intuitive car computer systems on the market. It’s an easy flowing process and each button works logically. The satellite navigation could do with a bit of work though, it’s a bit 1990′s and needs a bit of Volkswagen styling 3D zazzed into it.

We were collectively in two minds about the build materials though. There are some fairly nasty plastics used throughout the cabin and they certainly don’t correlate to the $70,000+ price tag.

Let’s forget about plastic, seat belts and i-Drive for a moment and consider the way the 135i drives. Had it not been for this aspect, the BMW would have been given the boot from the list based on its price and relative lack of style.

The test vehicle was a six-speed manual, which really allowed us to interact with the car and get a better feel for its abilities and the way it shimmies.

Kick the clutch and stab the starter button, that’s all it takes to turn over one of the smoothest engines on the market. Under the bonnet lives a twin turbocharged, 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder engine. With the 135i Coupe weighing just 1485kg, you can bet your bottom dollar that this thing will haul arse – no matter what gear you’re in.

The numbers you need to know are 225kW of power and 400Nm of torque. Although BMW claims a 0-100km/h time of 5.3-seconds, the several runs we performed returned 5.0-seconds each – Maric would like to think that’s the result of his quick shifting.

The gearbox is as smooth as it gets in this segment. Unlike the Subaru’s arm snapping gearshift, the BMW’s transition through the cogs allows for easy driving when tootling around town, while also catering for quick shifts when stretching its legs.

It’s hard to pick that you’re working with a turbocharged engine here. The rev band is so linear that you don’t feel the turbochargers starting or even transitioning. Nail the throttle in any gear and the revs climb with ease and with little fuss.

The noise from 2500rpm onward is enough to give any car nut a hard-on. The induction noise, along with the exhaust note just beg the driver to push harder. It’s hard to describe, but second to only the R32, it’s one of the best sounds in this group.

Line up a twisty mountain climb and the 135i never ceases to amaze. Acceleration up to a corner doesn’t falter the chassis, there is no fidgeting felt through the steering wheel and it generally just feels composed. Tilt the 135i Coupe into the corner and it sits flat with next to no body roll.

Communication through the wheel is bang on, bumps in the road are felt and the somewhat heavy steering feel makes it feel like you are really controlling the car, there is nothing artificial about the process.

Engine response is perfection. Slight jabs of the throttle are felt immediately and can be modulated to further enhance the experience. Set the stability control to the limited mode and the rear end is happy to wiggle with healthy throttle applications.

One of the disadvantages the 135i Coupe has over its three competitors in this test is rear-wheel drive. Give the Beemer heaps out of a corner and it naturally wants to push the back end out. The combination of rear-wheel drive and an impressive power to weight ratio mean that the limit of grip is reached well in advance of the R32, STI and Evolution.

At 52:48 front to rear weight distribution, hard braking and weight transfer in corners is kept civil. The seating position is reminiscent of a go-kart and it feels just like one to drive.

A decent job of keeping things on track is done by the 18-inch wheels all round and 245-wide rubber at the rear.

The 1-series range has a set of performance options that can be fitted by dealers – and are covered by warranty. Things like an aerodynamics kit, carbon strut brace, light weight alloy wheels, six-piston brakes and sports seats can be purchased to go with the ball-tearing 1-series.

So let’s talk money. $72,230 is the RRP for the six-speed manual 135i Coupe, while the six-speed automatic can be had for $75,195. It’s a lot of coin and admittedly, there’s not a whole heap of car to show for it.

It is equipped with a decent wallop of features, but it is still considerably dearer than any of the competition we have it lined it up against in this group.

What’s the final verdict then? Well, this is the easiest of the mob to live with day in, day out. It has the cachet of the BMW brand and best of all, it really is ‘shit hot’ to drive.

However, it’s the price that is its limiting factor. Even considering the current state of the Australian dollar, the 135i Coupe retails for around $US35,600. So it beggars belief how BMW can get away with charging in excess of $A70,000 for the privilege.

Had it not been for the price, the BMW may well have taken top honours, but in this scenario it has panned out slightly differently – all because of the price point.

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2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution TC-SST

CarAdvice Rating: (4.5/5.0)

When we first drove the all-new Evo back in August (for full review click here), we were thrilled at just how chuckable the car was. Now we all know that’s not a real word, but if the Evolution is to be described in one word only, then that has to be it. Well, throw in a side serving of sting.

Our test vehicle varied slightly from the original plan, we had three standard manual gearbox competitors and Mitsubishi’s incredible new dual-clutch sequential manual, or TC-SST, which caught us off guard – but fear not, we made do.

Now die-hard sports sedan enthusiasts will tell you that if it doesn’t have three pedals then it isn’t a sports sedan, and to an extent we all agree, but this ‘box is without doubt the next best thing to driving a manual, and in some respects, even better.

For starters, response is lightning quick. Cog swaps are almost instantaneous and as if that’s not good enough, the centre differential settings are variable, with three traction setting (tarmac, gravel, snow) offering supreme grip, even in wet conditions as faced on our test day.

This makes an already brilliant package even better, and the ability to switch off the brain and just trundle around town in automatic mode was a big plus for all four of us. In keeping with our original plan the Evo presented a few slight flaws that lost it valuable points in the eyes of the decision makers.

The ride for one was harsh, and while this sure did make for physics defying handling, our test was also to focus on the car’s overall appeal and not just outright performance, so for this reason we looked more favourably elsewhere.

Also, the interior was a little under dressed for the occasion and although the Evo comes packed with some pretty nice gadgets, layout, decor and overall finish were not quite where they could be, considering the price.

“So what!” we hear you shout, “the Evo is king” – and to at least one of our number that sentiment is very true indeed, but after some serious debate and deliberation, it’s a very close second place for a highly evolved and rightfully revered sports sedan.

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2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STi spec R

CarAdvice Rating: (4.00/5.00)

The Subaru WRX STi Spec R, with a name like that they don’t come much more iconic, yet the glow has dimmed a little in recent times and the latest iteration of the ‘Suby’ has come in for a far amount of criticism.

So what’s gone wrong, well for a start until right about now the ‘Rex” as it is affectionately know has only been available as a five-door hatch and that’s a big change for this car, which has always been a very popular sedan and had limited popularity as a hatch. The STi we should point out is still only available as a five-door hatchback.

There are reasons for this, of course, the US only buys sedans so all the initial production went there plus Subaru rightly divined that the hatch made a much better rally car so it wanted to concentrate on that version for its WRC campaign.

But none of this explains the general criticisms, the car is too plastic on the inside and too mainstream on the outside, and lacks some of the distinctive boxer-engine get-up-and-go.

Much of this of course is all part of Subaru’s plans to move the Impreza and its sporting sibling the WRX further into the mainstream market, for the very good reason of wanting to sell more cars.

Trouble is, with a car like the WRX that means softening it off, making it more acceptably comfortable and generally removing the hard edge that enthusiasts so loved.

So the STI carried the hopes of putting some of that old magic back into the WRX icon, and to a point it has, but on other scores it too has gone mainstream.

While the WRX looks were amorphous and apologetic, the STI looks chiselled and confident, it has pumped guards, purposeful looking vents in the front splitter -although on the road car they are essentially fake – and at the back four neat exhaust pipes poking out through a purposeful looking diffuser.

Under the bonnet things have also changed the 2.5-litre, turbocharged engine offers up a potent 221kW at 6000rpm and substantial torque of 407Nm at a reasonably tractable 4000rpm.

Just what you do with this extra performance and how you use it is down to a small round metal dial labelled “SI-DRIVE” just behind the six-speed gearshift.

You have three engine map settings to play with, Intelligent (I) for smooth and economical driving, Sport (S) for all round performance and Sport Sharp (S#) which the Subaru press kit says offers; “Truly dynamic engine performance”.

It’s all a very mundane way of saying you can sharpen the throttle response to racetrack precision should you want, and we can attest that it certainly makes a difference to how the car responds.

Thing is it’s very much a ‘wring the neck’ sort of performance, around town the STi almost feels sluggish and it’s only when you really put the boot into it that you really appreciate the performance that is on hand, which means that most of the time it all feels a bit muted.

Behind the “SI-DRIVE”, there’s another very interesting bit of technology, which is labelled “C-DIFF”. Subaru’s acronym for this is the DCCD (Driver’s Control Centre Differential). By moving the lever up or down, you can control the torque distribution between front and rear axles.

This means the drivetrain, too, is seriously trick, as the STi does not have the WRX’s viscous coupling in the centre differential. Instead it has a far faster-acting planetary differential with an electro-magnetically controlled clutch pack. What’s more, you can select the torque split manually, or leave it in auto and let an ECU do all the juggling based on inputs from yaw, pitch, steering angle and throttle position sensors.

If you were using the car on a track or trying your hand at some rally driving then there would be value in spending time learning to use this, for most people, and we did the same, the best bet is to just leave it in Auto and let the computer do the work.

As well there’s a six-speed gearbox, in place of the WRX’s five-speed unit, it works well and the ratio seem well-matched to the performance.

Suspension is basically the same as the WRX, but with uprated bushes and retuned dampers; the standard wheels are 17-inches in diameter, however on our Spec R car they are 18-inch BBS, but they’re an inch wider and shod with 235/Dunlop SP Sport.

The steering is still a speed-sensitive system but the STi has what Subaru calls a ‘fast rack’ and it certainly seems to feed the steering inputs in more quickly when you really start to hustle the car along.

The steering still isn’t big on communication, but does feel more direct and slightly weightier, which inspires more confidence when you’re attacking an unfamiliar road.

The ride has certainly lost most of its soft edges, so you feel the bigger tyres thumping over sharp undulations and breaks in the road surface, but the upside is a tauter ride, sharper turn-in, less pitch and roll, and reduced understeer.

If you are on the throttle, and coming into a corner, there’s some slight body roll. Keep yur nerve, turn in hard like you’re committed and the STi will hold the line perfectly and sort it all out for you.

Trouble is, like a lot about the STi it is only really effective when the car is being driven at 10-tenths and the trouble with that is that you cannot drive that way anywhere but on a racetrack.

Then you come to the interior and while there’s generous accommodation for four, and five at a pinch, with easy access through four doors it’s nothing special.

The rear seats are a bit flat and hard, the front seats were very nice leather and Alcantara faux race-seats produced by Recaro, the first such seats to incorporate side airbags, and they provided a good level of grip, although under extremes we found ourselves sliding around a bit too much in them.

The dash and centre console of the STI certainly looks better than the somewhat ‘low-rent’ affair in the standard WRX, having a nice touch-screen sat/nav unit and stereo head-unit, plus all the extra switches that go with the Si-Drive and the C-Diff to give it a more purposeful appearance, but there’s no getting away from the plastic look of most of it, not what you expect in a $60,000+ car!

In every race there are winners and losers and to fail in a four-horse race of champions is more about not producing the ‘little bit extra’ rather than being deficient in anything that really matters. We know full well that the Subaru WRX STi has its devotees, just as do the other competitors, but to us the ‘Suby’ just failed to chin the bar on the last attempt. That’s the way it is in this sort of company.

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2008 Volkswagen Golf R32 4MOTION

CarAdvice Rating: (4.75/5.00)

There is a lot to like about the Volkswagen Golf R32 and we all know it’s been around for a while (click here to read full review). It is the sort of car that pumps out enough grunt to keep the rev head in you happy while still being humble enough in the looks department to use as an everyday car. There is no mistaking the Golf is on the approach when you hear that intoxicating exhaust note.

For a sports sedan, we found the Golf to be very manageable, but not in a bad way – after all, you still know the power is there – and there certainly is enough of it. The 3.2-litre, V6 loves to rev and never feels as though it’s about to catch you by surprise. Driving along what must be some of Australia’s curviest roads, the Golf remained completely predictable with that brilliant 184kW always ready to go.

The R32 sticks to the road like the proverbial to a blanket and corners like it’s on rails. Gearshifts in the six-speed manual gearbox were easy to make and the clutch was user friendly. Torque, although only 320Nm, seems to come on as soon as you put your foot down; there is no waiting for a response which injects lots of fun into driving what is already a barrel of laughs.

The steering is tight, involved and accurate with near-perfect feedback and the compact design makes it an ease to park as well. Volkswagen’s 4MOTION full-time four-wheel drive system also comes standard in the R32, further assisting the impressive grip levels.

The Golf looks great, it isn’t making an obvious statement about its race-like power, which really appeals as you could easily see it being quite at home in the family garage, then taking people by surprise at the lights. We’d also have to say that a winning factor for the Golf is the usability as a day-to-day car. It’s just as happy doing the grocery shopping as it is on a twisty country road – though we all know where the fun is to be had.

Further adding to its family appeal is the supreme safety levels R32 offers. Kudos to Volkswagen for its five-star EuroNCAP rating on the Golf. The R32′s safety features include four-wheel ABS, plenty of airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and front and rear crumple zones.

Active safety is where the Golf excels with anti-slip regulation to prevent wheel spin, electronic stabilisation program, brake assist and electronic brake force distribution all included standard.

Inside, there is no forgetting you are in a car that is built to go. The steering wheel is easy to hold with its moulded grips and flat bottom adding to that sporty feel. Instrumentation is simple but informative with an easy to use menu system, while the interior’s luxurious feel makes driving the Golf a pleasure. The leather racing seats too are comfortable – and ultra supportive – but in all honesty are a little bit of hindrance to get in and out of.

The R32′s visibility is crystal clear with no obvious obstructions. The hatchback’s boot space practical and the rear seats fold down to expand the 275 litre boot to a cavernous 1230 litres if required. The three-door version of the R32 that we tested is less than generous in the rear legroom department, so if it was to be a family car (or carrying back seat passengers regularly) best opt for the five-door variant.

By sports sedan standards, the R32 is at the lower end of the price scale, bringing the value for money card into the Golf’s deck as well, and combined with liveability and strong performance, it’s a winner – by a nose – in our books.

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She Says

Let’s face it, when you’re doing the shopping or running the kids to school it doesn’t really matter how many turbos or extra letters your car has to its name, unless you need to get your groceries home in a hurry, but by the same token there is no saying the fairer sex can’t appreciate a bit of grunt, and there was certainly enough of that on offer in this four car comparison.

First up is Subaru’s mighty Impreza WRX STi spec R. It looks great and has a race-like meanness about it while still maintaining a slick persona, quite a looming sight in the rear vision mirror. The large hatch opens wide to offer a plentiful cargo area and I really liked the bigger side mirrors, which provide great visibility.

Although the four door layout is a family advantage and the cabin space certainly ample, the drive just wasn’t as smooth as the three rivals and required a little bit too much effort to manage smoothly. As much as the looks and practicality may be there the Rex just didn’t do it for me. Fourth place.

Moving on to BMW’s lovely 135i Coupe. If a fast luxurious ride is what you are after, then the BMW is it. A myriad of electronic gadgets and the smooth leather interior reminds you of the illustrious badge you are carrying at every glance. Comfort is at an optimum but the power is simply too overwhelming for me, especially with all that torque kicking in just over idle.

There is no doubt you can feel what the car is itching to offer as soon as you push the start button, but I found myself gripping to the leather steering wheel for fear of the rear end stepping out at any moment. Simply put I didn’t feel as in control as I did in the Golf or Evo. Despite great boot space the 135i is very tight in the back seat, and is best thought of as a two seater, which presents a challenge for even small families, and with that the Beemer takes out bronze.

I found a lot to like about the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, but not quite enough to push it to the top of my list. It has the obvious advantage of being a sedan which brings with it added space a hatch or coupe just cannot offer, but the big spoiler for me was literally that, the spoiler. The rear wing cut right across my line of sight in the rear view mirror which made reversing a challenge.

The boot space too is hampered by the water tank, battery and massive sub-woofer, which though I’m sure would sound great belting out The Wiggles, means losing valuable pram and grocery space. The racing seats are an effort to get in and out of but I did like the paddle shifts finding that the quick, responsive changes made the Evo a lot of fun. Behind the wheel I felt in control and felt Lancer gave me a more confidence inspiring drive, a very worthy runner-up.

Coming out on top for me is the Volkswagen Golf R32. I love the look. It is humble about what it carries under the bonnet and doesn’t have the out-and-out statement of a sports sedan. The rear seat access in the three-door version we tested is poor, so if kids are involved forget it, I’d definitely go for the five-door variety. Again the racing seats make an appearance, but that is a small compromise given the overall feel of this car.

Smooth gear shifts and fantastic braking make driving a pleasure and it sticks to the road, taking corners with ease. Even for the uninitiated it is easy to get a good note out of the car which you can’t help but appreciate, no matter what your ranking in the rev head stakes may be.

I could easily see myself driving this car day-to-day to do the usual mundane trips as well as enjoying a long drive out of the city listening to that oh-so-sweet note. Very hard to hand back. First prize!

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Conclusion

The fact of the matter remains that despite our conclusion, everyone is going to want something different from their cars, and thankfully we all enjoy that privilege, but when you put these four head-to-head and adopt the assumption that you not only need to enjoy a fast and good handling car but also carry passengers, cargo and endure the rigours of peak hour traffic daily, the answer soon becomes evident.

The Subaru, as good as it is when driven at ten-tenths is one of those cars that must be driven in that manner to be enjoyed, but sadly not many roads allow this type of enjoyment. Around town it borders on being sluggish, feels heavy to drive and is somewhat plastic and uneventful from the both the driver’s and passenger’s viewpoint.

Our little BMW is absolutely blisteringly fast and should you be able to maintain throttle balance – and avoid wet weather – it’s a hoot to drive. Trouble is that if you’re a little to brisk in applying the throttle, especially when damp, it won’t matter if the ESP is on, in between or off you will soon end up facing where you’ve just come from – if you’re lucky.

The cult king – and rightfully so from a performance standpoint – Evo is a god among cars, and if it wasn’t for the bone jarring ride and ES grade cockpit, then it would have pegged a slightly higher score, and possibly over thrown the winner. As it is, the Evolution lost ground by a hair’s breadth on our winner, and caused a rukus amongst the road test crew at the same time, but in the battle of Japan versus Germany there could be only one winner.

As an all round performance vehicle, with the added bonus of unbeatable day-to-day practicality, you simply cannot go past the Golf R32. It’s significantly cheaper, has adequate clearance for suburban conditions, maintains poise wet or dry and has an exhaust note usually reserved for six-figure sports cars – and you’ve got to love that.

Inside and out the Golf is well finished, is manageable even in novice hands yet has a hard edge up top even the bravest drivers will seldom find. Grin inspiring grip, punchy where it needs to be and brilliantly balanced the R32 deserves a very closely fought first place.

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Specifications

BMW 135i:

Engine: 2979cc in-line six-cylinder
Power: 225kW @ 5800rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 1300rpm
Induction: Direct Injection Twin Turbo
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Driven Wheels: Rear
Brakes: Discs with ABS, CBC, EBA & EBD
Top Speed: 250km/h
0-100km/h: 5.3 seconds
CO2 Emissions: 229g/km
Fuel Consumption: 9.6 litres/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity: 53 litre
Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
EuroNCAP Rating: Five star
Airbags: Front, Side & Curtain
Safety: ESP with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: N/A
Turning Circle: 10.7 metres
Warranty: 3 year/Unlimited Kilometre
Weight: 1485kg (Tare)
Wheels: 18 x 7.5-inch (F) 18 x 8.5-inch (R)

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution TC-SST:

Engine: 1998cc in-line four-cylinder
Power: 217kW @ 6500rpm
Torque: 366Nm @ 3500rpm
Induction: Multi Point Turbo
Transmission: Six-speed dual-clutch manual
Differential: Front, centre & rear with LSD
Driven Wheels: All
Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
Top Speed: 242km/h
0-100km/h: 5.9 seconds
CO2 Emissions: 252g /km
Fuel Consumption: 10.5 litres/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
ANCAP Rating: Five star
Airbags: Front, side, knee & curtain
Safety: ESP with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: Space Saver
Turning Circle: 11.8 metres
Warranty: 5 year/130,000km
Weight: 1,565kg (Tare)
Wheels: 18 x 8.5-inch Alloy

Subaru Impreza WRX STi spec R:

Engine: 2457cc horizontally-opposed four-cylinder
Power: 221kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 407Nm @ 4000rpm
Induction: Mulit Point Turbo
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Driven Wheels: All
Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
Top Speed: 250km/h
0-100km/h: 5.2 seconds
CO2 Emissions: 243g/km
Fuel Consumption: 10.3 litres/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
ANCAP Rating: Five star
Airbags: Front, side & curtain
Safety: ESP with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: Space Saver
Turning Circle: N/A
Warranty: 3 year / Unlimited Kilometre
Weight: 1505kg (Tare)
Wheels: Alloy 18-inch

Volkswagen Golf R32 4MOTION:

Engine: 3189cc vee-configuration six-cylinder
Power: 184kW @ 6300rpm
Torque: 320Nm @ 2500rpm
Induction: Direct Injection
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Driven Wheels: All
Brakes: Discs with ABS, EBA & EBD
Top Speed: 250km/h
0-100km/h: 6.5 seconds
CO2 Emissions: 269g/km
Fuel Consumption: 10.8 litres/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
ANCAP Rating: Five star
Airbags: Front, side & curtain
Safety: ESP with Traction Control
Spare Wheel: Space Saver
Turning Circle: 10.9 metres
Warranty: 3 year/100,000km
Weight: 1,548kg (Tare)
Wheels:Alloy 18 x 7.5-inch

smokin’R32

Glad someone set the record straight about iDrive, its become fashionable to bag it out, I never believed after so many revisions it could still be that difficult to use. Great review guys, id take any of these awesome cars
Skitza

Excellent review. Is there an NDA in regards to the Evo’s 0-100 time ? Would of been nice to see that for all even though it’s trivial.
http://deleted Alex

How is it a sport sedan shootout if ones a hatch and another’s a coupe? Well done Golf. I would get the five door but it is a very deserved win. In the Subaru, you’d look like a wanker and in the EVO, you’d look uncool (unless you’re a girl). The BMW is the one I’d get out of all of these because it’s still fantastic and it’s very understated and classy. I just can’t get past that poor Subaru’s looks. Such a shame. The EVO looks fantastic but I’d prefer the MR version you reviewed a few days ago. I think it would be really cool if VW put the Passat’s R36 engine in the next Golf and made a racing version.
http://deleted Alex

Sorry, I just noticed that only one of them was a sedan. I thought the Subaru was a Sedan – I think you need to rethink your title CA.
Devil666

Alex, from what I’ve read they are using the R36 in the new model! Happy days await!
LH

Awesome review, but alas I may have to ‘settle’ for the new model GTi next year.

My only ‘gripe’ would be that I would have been interested to see how the Mazda 3 MPS stacked up against this competition – any reason why it wasn’t included? I thought it had a similar power output to the R32?
barneyridge

Interesting result …… based on other reviews (magazines and websites), the result would nearly be a complete opposite if the review was based on purely the race track performance. Thanks CA for doing a review with the day to day practicality taken into account. I tend to spend most of my driving doing this day to day stuff rather than on the race track.

You should have also put a sound track of the R32 up for us to listen to.
Reckless1

Sensible review – great to see the “cheapie” win

There won’t be a MkVI Golf R32 or R36, the engine is too “dirty” for the next generation.

The replacement will be the GTI-R with AWD and rumoured 2.5l turbo (perhaps this should read “wished for pleeeeez” ) or more likely the 2.0l turbo with higher output of around 235kw

If you want to buy a Golf R32 (or GTI for that matter) you need to move fast.
VW Freak

Of course the R32 was going to win this.

So true R1, I think VW have pretty much finished MKV production. Snap ‘em up quick ppl!
http://www.littlepixiegifts.com.au Gift-Ed

Great article. I thought the R32 would win. It would be certainly be my choice too.
Tim

A very good review, but personally I would go for the WRX STi. People have different tastes, and i absolutely love the way the STi looks – espcially in a silver colour. I like the interior too, especially the front seats and you can’t beat that boxer burble. Tie that together with AWD and a reputation for quality and performance, and it’s my car. Although a new transmission…say a DSG out of the VW will be really good!

The BMW like you mentioned, has little grip. It’t not attractive, looks girly – and weighs too much (I have driven one).

The Evo, don’t like its styling, looks too similar too a VRX with different wheels and looks too boy racer – will see way too much of these on the road soon.

Finally, the R32. It is a great car, and sounds so good. Though the interior is so BORING. Just black, looks like a $23 grand entry model with a different steering wheel. Goes well though, but that exterior looks too plain. I think this car is for the 40+ aged. Doesn’t look too appealing.

Ofcourse, I would take any of them – and its a great review by CA!! But if i was getting one, I would get the STi.
Kepell

Well done VW, they seem to be kicking plenty of goals at the moment. The 3.2 V6 is a very sweet engine, I have it in my current Passat 4 motion wagon, great car for the price and compared with other Euros on the market.
absi

3 out of the 4 cars are not even sedans…. perhaps a different title would be more appropriate!
LH

Geez, get over the title of the review. Focus on the content which is very good.
Matty B

Quote by Tim
“The BMW like you mentioned, has little grip. It’t not attractive, looks girly – and weighs too much (I have driven one).”

Curious how you’d say it has little grip, AWD will make an ordinary driver look good, and a good driver look better. Cause around town, (read: easy driving) you’d never tell the difference.

And considering the BMW is the lightest car in the test, with the most power. Don’t really see how you could say it’s too heavy.
Kris

I would have liked to see how the Audi S3 stacked up to the competition in this one, given it’s price tag fits in between the BMW and Subaru. I can see how the R32 would be the easier one to live with, although personally I’d take the STi.
Mitch

BMW for me.
zahmad

“Sports sedan”?..more like comparo….sports sedans arwe m3, rs4 etc…
…Golf wind again
happaulo

The R32 is a fantastic all round car. Practical & full of thrills anytime I need it. Comfortable to drive for 6 hours & get out feeling great.
I had the Milteck 4″ sports exhaust fitted with flaps that open on heavy throttle openings (as in RS4)
Sounds so much better again. Up there with an Aston Vantage and the RS4 of course!
There are also rumours that the next version could get the supercharged 3.0l v6 out of the S4. Although probably detuned a little to save Audi the Top Spec.
JasonP

I’ve driven an R32 Golf, & it hangs on like an Ex-Wife.

Bit disappointed about the straight-line performance compared to my SS, but to be fair, the R32 only had approx 3000kms on the clock.

I’d certainly take the R32, & ten the Beemer, in that order.

Hard to justify the prices of the 2 Jap offerings, considering how long they’ve been around to amortise their development costs.

And th Subie is as ugly as a hatfull.
Jimbo

Great article CA. Brilliant cars all, but congratulations to VW for the R32 standing the test of time.

An awesome car and one of the top of my lotto win car list.
WVB

^JasonP, you can’t honestly think the 1 series is better looking than the wrx.
Those poxy headlights and the arkward slab, ½ an M3 styling for $70K+, come on.
The front ¾ view has to be one of the worst looking bmws for years.
Granted, the R32 would be the pick of the litter though……………..
Jimbo

^WVB,
At first I thought the new WRX/Impreza was not that bad looking (I even advocated the look on this very site). However as time goes by and I see it in more and more in pics with Evo’s, Beamers , VW’s etc as above; I have realised it was a poor choice of design.

In fact when that monkey wants his bum back Subaru will be in alot of trouble with no exterior design for their car.

In this company it is a shocker!!! That said I drive a Peugeot 207 and I love the look, so each to their own.
greenroom

Thanks CA. That’s a good article and offers plenty of insight. I’m pleased the R32 has tickled your fancy too.

I’d be really interested to hear whether you get feedback from the car makers… particularly Subaru, to hear whether they acknowledge / appreciate the feedback. I sure hope Subaru learn stuff from these forums or if they even care? Cheers.
WVB

^jimbo, lol, peugeot’s current styling? nuff said.
tell me you like the look of the 1 series tho.
we better not escalate this debate too much as we’ll likely get moderated!
JasonP

WVB (if that really is your name! ),

Hand on heart, yes the BMW 1 Series looks better than the WRX.
Each WRX looks worse than the last model, & there seems no prospect of Subie ever building a good looking one.

If they would just build one that doesn’t look too offensive, you’d be hard pressed not to buy one. How many would/could they sell if it looked good?

What’s even more puzzling, are those who buy the Impreza, but not the WRX model.

I guess you get 2 cars in one:- Ugly & Slow.

For now though, the WRX isn’t even a possibility, let alone on the short list.

Why would you pass over the R32 in this company?
WVB

…………looks aside i reckon the STi carried itself pretty well in front of the cameras on ep7 of TGA with the tiger chopper.
steve’s comments were pretty palatable and if the only gripe he had was understeer, that’s fixed with a rear torsion bar change, an anti-lift kit and a proper read of the i-drive settings instead of figuring it on the fly like everyone does.
Jimbo

^WVB….lol….chalk and cheese we must be as I really like the 1 series sorry. Oh well this site would be boring if we all agreed all the time.
WVB

^jason, i didnt pass on the R32.
i said it was the pick.
tho u may have guessed i am partial to the odd fuji ind product as a current owner.
JasonP

WVB,
Yeah each to his or her own.
I still love a good V8, so I’m a tragic.

Just can’t see the money in the Beemer.

If I had to go Nippon,I’d take the current Evo.
Name (required)

wow the evo’s a lil over priced for wat u get dont u thnk? come on 70k for that
that costs more than an f6 wow i thought it was gonna b like 50k but 70k wow
Ivan

1. 135i
2. STI
3. EVO
4. R32

That’s my choice. I’ve owned a few rex before, but I think i’m over with awd. I wanna have a little action and go for FR (135i).
Tom

Wow, this is so opposite to what i would choose. But than again, i can lose a bit of daily usage for some real world performance.

The R32 is slow by modern standards, it is hardly even in the same class as these cars.
http://deleted Alex

The 1 Series is without a doubt better looking than the Subaru. The 1 Series is not one of the best looking BMWs ever, but it really is so much better looking in the metal. The Subaru is worse looking in the metal. It’s just so ugly and already looks outdated. The Mitsubishi is very well price. You can get a car that has the performance of a super car for more than $200,000 less than a lot of exotics! (provided you pick the right engine)
Jimbo

^Tom…..0.6s behind the Evo in a straight line. Put them around a track and I’m guessing (Keeping the 5th Gear GTI/WRX comparison on youtube in mind) that +0.6s will not count for much. That is without the DSG that will shave some more time off the 0-100. More to the point we are talking real world driving!!!!!!

“Hardly even in the same class”……Clown!
Sam

Yes, I too wanted to bitch about the usage of the word sedan in this article. However, after a little research, it turns out the word sedan describes ‘a car that is closed and that has front and rear seats and two or four doors’. According to Dictionary.com. Therefore, it would appear CA’s usage is appropriate. Same deal with Citroen calling the C4 a Saloon. There is no rule against it. Indeed, ‘saloon’ and ‘sedan’ can be used interchangeably.
Sorry if that was a bit wowserish. Just wanted to set the issue straight.
Fasthonda

Jimbo
You can’t really compare track times between the EVO X and the R32-I would be confident that the EVO X would thrash the R32 around a track -especially a tight/twisty one.
I have said previously that Golfs GTIs /R32s are great all rounders but they are found a little wanting in the performance area-That’s why so many of them are “chipped” especially the GTIs.
Andrew

Not sure about the other cars but I’ve heard a R32 in traffic at full noise, and gee it sounds good. I like cars that beg you to down shift for no other reason than to hear the engine note. The world needs more cars like this that don’t cost over $100K.
http://caradvice.com.au OSU811

all great cars and a good review, but if imo if i wanted a real sports car i would but the STI, because of the boxer burble the excellant 10/10ths handling, the top end power rush and a proper 6 speed manual sports gbox. If i wanted something more sedate to drive every day , i would save over $20k and order the new my09 wrx sedan, get 195kw still, but more bottom end torque and more comfy ride,but still fun to drive with anough power for day to day and still have awd grip and a proper manual gbox..
Neo Utopia

Being a fellow Golf Punker myself I think the Golf 5 R32 is ONE OF the best all round sports car for the price, the fact that it is almost $8,000 cheaper than the Golf 4 R32 is bloody brilliant.

That is my point of view though and many people don’t care as much about all round qualities and prefer pure driver involvement and experience, and so they should opt for the 日本のロケット, particularly I think the modern day Zero fighter!
ryan

evolution 0-100 in 5.9secs? Can someone please double check?
Themarvel

Great review, shame I’ll never afford any of these… maybe a Ralliart Lancer one day…

Anyway – I would have been interested to know – how does the Audi S3 stack up agains these? It is the 1/2 brother of the R32, but with a gruntier Turbo 2Ltr engine, better interior (so I believe) and is priced about the same as the Evo/STI reviewed (or at least less than the BMW?).

Any reasons it was not also chosen in the review??
mwt

Good article, shame it was lacking the s3… it would have been interesting to see where its placed as its pretty much aimed at the r32

has anyone heard or read anywhere that BMW may be putting their turbo 6 in the next z4?
http://www.fmgjbv.au rich boy

I wanted the sti to win then 135i next evo x then r32.
Ben

“[…]Models Tested:

BMW E87 135i coupe 3.0-litre, manual – $72,230 […]”

This is not correctly. This is not the BMW E87 Model, it is the BMW E82 Model! And where are the breaking specifications? I think this would be an important & interesting aspect…
Paul Maric

Themarvel:

Audi were contacted for an S3 but one wasn’t available, according to them.

Having driven the S3, I believe it would be well and truly given some of the cars in this lineup a run for their money.
Pete

Well if we take the strictest sense of the word, these could be sedans, but really, one oen is. Anyhow, no big deal. I think this is a good comparo, but perhaps this could be re-done again, only with an S3 4 door hatch 9sorry ‘sedan) and the new 09 wrx.
Hugo

One point that surprised me in this comparison was the comment that the Golf R32 employs Volkswagen’s “4MOTION full-time four-wheel drive system”.

Er… does it?

Last time I checked, this car had a reactive Haldex clutch based 4WD system, much like the previous Mark IV Golf R32, and the previous shape Bora V6 4MOTION, and the Audi S3 etc.. such that it’s front wheel drive until the front wheels slip.

By all means, correct me if I’m wrong. I would like to think the R32 DID operate a proper full time four wheel drive system. It would certainly be very good value for comfortably under $60,000 in this context.
G

WTF Only the Evo is a sedan, the Beemer is a coupe, and the Golf and Subie are hatches.

Good review though.
Paul Maric

For anyone interested, you can check out a video clip on the R32 accelerating on our Facebook page, just click this link:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=49493679752
GGGGlen

Good review. Whilst not the fastest, R32 is a great all-arounder. Would have been good to perhaps include teh passat R36 sedan also.
Zed

I think the 135i and R32 look classy in the metal. The fact that the 3 x turbomills in this comparison can be upped in power with a freer flowing exhaust will further the difference in performance they offer.

The 135i is the true street machine here, whilst the Evo & Sti are track & wet/offroad weapons. I could imagine myself smoking the rears of the 135i with the kids in the back…
FrugalOne

doof
DCEPTIVDUB

As an owner of a recently purchased 2007 R32 5 door with a DSG gearbox, your report is spot on! A beautifully built and superbly optioned car that is a great day to day drive and simply exhilarating when you give a bit of stick! Just one tip when driving it hard…windows down and radio off!!!… that exhaust note is simply insane!!!
Duck

I’m confused CarAdvice!!!! You call this the “Sport Sedan Shootout” When there is only one sedan in the WHOLE bloody test!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.caradvice.com.au/18543/sport-sedan-shootout/7/ Hans

Duck says:
“I’m confused CarAdvice!!!! You call this the “Sport Sedan Shootout” When there is only one sedan in the WHOLE bloody test!!!!!!!!!!!! ”

My sentiments exactly! The STi and R32 are hatchbacks, the 135 is a coupe leaving the EVO as the only sedan… meaning it should win by default no? lol

Call me a traditionalist but isn’t someone who buys a sportscar after something sporty? Comfort and practicality would be a distant second and third for a purist.

A better title for this review would have been Germany v Japan under $75k!
Duck

Totally agree Hans!
Shak

Did anyone realise that the title says Super Sedan Shootout and two competitors are Hatches!!!