Car and Driver's 2001 sports sedan comparison test showcases six premium compact sport sedans that defined the segment two decades ago. The lineup includes the Saab 9-3 SE, Mercedes-Benz C240, Volvo S60 T5, Lexus IS300, Audi A4 2.8 Quattro, and BMW 325i, offering a snapshot of how manufacturers approached the entry-luxury market at the turn of the millennium.
This era represented peak competition in the compact sport sedan category before crossovers began fragmenting buyer preferences. Each manufacturer brought distinct philosophies. The BMW 325i delivered iconic styling and pure driving dynamics. The Lexus IS300 emphasized reliability and refinement, targeting buyers skeptical of German engineering's service costs. Audi's A4 2.8 Quattro pioneered all-wheel-drive adoption in the class, while the Volvo S60 T5 positioned safety and Swedish restraint against German aggression.
Mercedes' C240 represented Stuttgart's attempt to democratize the three-pointed star, though purists questioned whether the V6-powered sedan delivered enough Mercedes character. Saab's 9-3 SE offered Swedish quirkiness and turbo performance that appealed to individualists rejecting mainstream choices.
The comparison reveals how the industry prioritized different attributes. Germans emphasized performance and handling. Japanese manufacturers focused on longevity and value retention. Volvo doubled down on safety credentials, a positioning that resonated in Scandinavia but struggled convincing American drivers to abandon sport sedan expectations.
Today, most of these models remain recognizable to enthusiasts but feel aged compared to contemporary compact sedans. The IS300 spawned a recent revival, proving its design retained appeal. BMW's 325i blueprint evolved into today's 330i. The others largely f