Volvo S60 vs BMW 3-Series vs Mercedes C-Class

Which sedan would you choose?

Volvo S60

What you'll like:

• Astonishingly handsome styling! The Volvo S60 looks absolutely fabulous

• Solid build quality is very satisfying

• Sweet-looking cabin that’s loaded to the gills with features. Has sufficient room too

• Spectacular Harman Kardon sound system. Easily the best ICE in the segment

• Smooth & peppy 2.0L turbo-petrol engine mated to a competent 8-speed AT

• Sorted ride & handling. The S60's high speed stability is excellent too

• Euro NCAP's 5-star safety rating & loads of tech like adaptive cruise control, pilot assist, lane-keeping aid, collision mitigation support (front) etc.

• Depth of engineering that is as good as the best from Germany

What you won't:

• A FWD car in a segment where RWD is the norm

• Power & torque figures are lower than the competition

• No diesel engine on offer with the Volvo S60. Those with high running will look elsewhere

• The rear seat is placed too low, under-thigh support is poor and the floor hump is too big

• The S60 is missing some features like paddle shifters, 360-degree camera, cooled seats...

• Volvo's thin dealer network in India

• To many people, the Volvo brand doesn't have the badge cachet of the German marques

• Not as exhilarating to drive as the BMW 330i which is the segment benchmark

Link to Official Review

BMW 3 Series

What you'll like:

• Just the right size for a luxury sedan for India

• Punchy rev-happy engine & well-tuned gearbox deliver superb performance

• Great combination of ride and handling; just how a 3-Series should be

• Big step up in interior quality & design (from the F30)

• Loaded with tech, new style speedometer & more. iDrive 7 is nice to use

What you won't:

• Sad boot space with the spare wheel underneath

• Features like keyless entry, HUD, Adaptive LEDs are expected at this price

• 330i's 42 - 49 lakh price is stiff, although fat dealer discounts are available

• Fake engine noise piped in; tad too fake for my tastes

Link to Official Review

Mercedes C-Class

What you'll like:

• Admit it, the lure of the 3-pointed star is something else

• Stylish design (baby S looks) that you can stare at & admire all day

• Solid build quality & 5-star safety rating

• Classy cabin with top quality materials

• Fantastic range of diesel & petrol engines. Fast, with good driveability

• Smooth, competent & quick AT gearboxes (9G-Tronic is fabulous)

• C300d's 0-100 km/h time is 5.9 seconds, that's 530d territory

• Enjoyable RWD road manners, very stable at high speeds & nice steering. Strong brakes too

• Loads of technology & features (including a panoramic sunroof, auto-parking...)

• A model that's currently on sale. We also feel this generation will age very well

What you won't:

• Limited rear seat space. Outdone by cars costing 1/3rd the money

• Boot space is small, especially with that spare wheel on the floor!

• Firm ride quality. Bad roads will bother you

• Long-term reliability is patchy (although no longer a deal breaker)

• Some later models are powered by a small 1.5L petrol with hybrid tech

• You need a good independent mechanic to maintain one (authorised workshops are too pricey)

• Expensive spare parts, as is the case with all luxury cars

• Pricey! Some examples hold their value well

Link to Ownership Reviews (1, 2)

Audi A4

Link to Launch Thread

Jaguar XE

What you'll like:

• Sporty styling & sharp looks

• Excellent suspension setup. Easily the best in the segment

• Updated driver cockpit area

• Loads of new tech

What you won't:

• More cramped interiors than its rivals

• Gearbox tuning is pretty sad

• Boot is the smallest in the segment @ 410 liters

• Jaguar's after-sales service quality is a hit or miss

Link to Official Review

Skoda Superb

What you'll like:

• Well-priced for all it offers

• Timeless, elegant styling. Fit, finish & build quality are top notch

• Amazing rear seat comfort. Beats luxury cars costing twice as much

• Classy cabin is practical & user-friendly. Cavernous 625 liter boot!

• Terrific petrol engine mated to a fast gearbox

• Loaded with features & technology. Equipment list runs pages long

• 5 star safety rating & kit - 8 airbags, ESP, TC, ABS + EBD, EDL and lots more

What you won't:

• Diesel is gone! No clue when VW-Skoda will bring their BS6 diesels here

• DSG is known for breakdowns. Old Superb's long-term reliability was overall poor

• Skoda's scary after-sales service. Dealer network doesn't understand customer service

• Starting to show its age now. Feels bland compared to newer competition

Link to Facelift Thread & Official Review

Toyota Camry Hybrid

What you'll like:

• An extremely well-rounded luxury sedan. Lots of road presence due to its sheer size too

• Spacious, comfortable & well-equipped cabin. Ideal for self-driven or chauffeured owners alike

• High-tech and environment-friendly hybrid powertrain mated to a butter-smooth CVT automatic

• Terrific fuel efficiency! 15 km/l or more in the city

• Compliant ride quality with sorted road manners

• Loaded with kit (amazing sound system, ventilated front seats, reclinable rear seats, head-up display)

• Top-notch safety ratings. Equipment includes 9 airbags, ESP & more

• Toyota’s bullet-proof reliability and superb after-sales service. Camrys age very well

What you won't:

• Weird front styling isn't to everyone's taste. You'll either love it or hate it

• Expensive! The VW Passat & Skoda Superb are both priced noticeably lower

• Not as much fun to drive as its German competitors (although it's no longer boring either)

• A couple of missing essentials (rpm counter, folding rear seat...)

• Back seat is better suited to 2 adults, rather than 3

• Just a single trim. No choice of variants at all

Link to Official Review

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