Luxury Sport Sedan Comparison Verdict & Ratings

Which brings us--surprise, surprise--to the BMW. The slowest in a straight line? Check. The least powerful? Check. The winner? Oh, yeah. First, the 330's acceleration times aren't that much slower than the others'--c'mon, it hits 60 in under six seconds--and, while not the most potent, it still produces 255 silky-smooth horses. Second, it has the best transmission of the group, more fluid and precise than the Benz's and, well, more involving and satisfying than the Lexus's paddles. Third, the chassis is to twisty roads as Angelina Jolie is to 1000-thread-count sheets--perfect! In addition to delivering an ideal 50/50 front/rear weight distribution, the 3 boasts near-telepathic steering, the best brake feel (and subsequently the shortest 60-to-0 stopping distance), and a suspension that soaks bumps like benzoyl peroxide, serves up 0.89 g on the skidpad, and treats understeer like a stranger.

As Mortara noted, "An amazing driving machine. You really do become one with the car when cruising through the canyons." Walton added, "Not much changed from the previous 3, but when it's this good, why change?" Not only can you put a price on sport-sedan perfection--$42,390, in this case--but you can put a prize on it. First place. Again.

Come on, BMW, light my fire.

1st Place 2006 BMW 330i
Benchmark, standard, yardstick, epitome, quintessence--yeah, all of that.

2nd Place 2006 Lexus IS 350
Look in your rearview mirror, BMW, Lexus is coming fast - very fast.

3rd Place Mercedes-Benz C350 Sport
Fast but not so furious--the perfect Benz for the furtive drag racer.