Sedans with sports appeal.(Sports Sedans - test)(Sports Sedans)(Evaluation)(Buyers Guide)

At one time, the concept of a sports sedan seemed like an oxymoron. Traditionally, if you wanted a comfortable car that could carry five people, you bought a four-door sedan. If you wanted good performance and crisp handling, you bought a sports car and sacrificed comfort and practicality. But sophisticated suspension design and tuning, more-rigid bodies, and a better understanding of vehicle dynamics have produced the true sports sedan--a four-door, five-passenger car that blends comfort and convenience with sports-car-like performance.

BMW created the sports-sedan concept more than 30 years ago and is still widely considered the one to beat. In the last decade, the number of competitors has grown dramatically, including models from Acura, Audi, Cadillac, Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Saab, and Volvo. Some fill the role better than others.

The best sports sedans offer a luxurious driving environment, advanced safety features, and a high level of overall refinement. In addition, today's sports sedans not only are more fun to drive than conventional sedans, they also have a safety advantage: Their more responsive handling and steering, and excellent brakes, usually mean better emergency-response capabilities.

We tested four popular sports sedans that have been newly released, redesigned, or upgraded within the last year: BMW 330i, Lexus IS300, Mercedes-Benz C320, and Volvo S60. All except the S60 use a six-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive--the front-drive Volvo has a turbocharged five cylinder--and all were tested with a five-speed automatic transmission.

The BMW 3-Series was first introduced in 1975, and it last received a major redesign for 1999. For 2001, the line received new model designations that reflect its two upgraded and more powerful inline six-cylinder engines. The 325i has a 2.5-liter engine that delivers 184 hp. We tested a 330i, which has a 3.0-liter engine rated at 225 hp. The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $33,990. With automatic transmission, heated seats, CD player, and the Premium package (leather upholstery, sunroof, and wood trim), the car rang in at $40,860, including destination. The Consumer Reports Wholesale Price--which factors in any buyer rebates and what the dealer paid after incentives--is $36,805. (All CR Wholesale Prices in this report were effective as of early March.)

The Lexus IS300, introduced last summer, takes dead aim at the BMW 3-Series. It's a compact, rear-wheel-drive sedan that's tuned more for handling than comfort. Power comes from a 3.0-liter, 215-hp inline Six mated with a five-speed automatic transmission. (A manual transmission and a five-door hatchback version are due this summer.) The price starts at $30,805. With optional leather trim, sunroof, and heated seats, the sticker price came to $34,600, including destination. The CR Wholesale Price is $29,620.

Mercedes-Benz's "entry-level" sedan originated as the 1983 190E. In 1994, it was redesigned and gained the C-Class designation. For 2001, the C-Class has received its first major redesign. With sportier suspension tuning and more power, it now competes more directly with the BMW 3-Series. The current line includes the C240, with a 168-hp, 2.6-liter V6, and the C320, with a 215-hp, 3.2-liter V6. Wagon and three-door hatchback versions will arrive this fall. We tested the up-level C320, which starts at $36,950. Leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, and a sunroof brought the price to $40,695 with destination. The CR Wholesale Price is $37,006.