JohnV
Senior Member
- First Name
- John
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2022
- Threads
- 4
- Messages
- 115
- Reaction score
- 101
- Location
- St. Louis MO
- Car(s)
- '13 Ford C-Max Energi '19 Acura RDX
- Thread starter
- #1
Acura and the media talk about comparisons to Mercedes CLA, Audi A3, and BMW 2. I'm gonna challenge that.
I feel that dimension has been overlooked when determining the competition. Exterior size and interior space is what I use to group vehicles together. I'm not saying that drive wheels, horsepower and tech shouldn't be compared, just that those aren't as critical for usability, and go more to character. And character will always be subjective.
So for your consideration, in addition to the obvious Civic Si (which, being from the same parent automaker, is more about price point and preferences);
Audi A5 Sportback. This is a 4 door liftback like the Integra, and comes with two powertrains. The lower level is priced about $10K more than our Acura. It does offer standard AWD not available on an Integra. I find this more comparabe than the A3.
Kia Stinger. Also a 4-door liftback. The base GT-Line has about 100 more horsepower and is RWD. It's priced comparably, but not as luxurious. Dimensionally, it's a bit bigger on the outside and smaller on the inside. That's a downside for me.
Full transparency, I've never driven either of these cars. Both of them weigh more and have more power. I'd compare the base trim on the Audi and Kia against the top trim on the Acura.
What do you guys think about this comparison?
Has anyone cross-shopped them? What about the BMW 4 series?
I feel that dimension has been overlooked when determining the competition. Exterior size and interior space is what I use to group vehicles together. I'm not saying that drive wheels, horsepower and tech shouldn't be compared, just that those aren't as critical for usability, and go more to character. And character will always be subjective.
So for your consideration, in addition to the obvious Civic Si (which, being from the same parent automaker, is more about price point and preferences);
Audi A5 Sportback. This is a 4 door liftback like the Integra, and comes with two powertrains. The lower level is priced about $10K more than our Acura. It does offer standard AWD not available on an Integra. I find this more comparabe than the A3.
Kia Stinger. Also a 4-door liftback. The base GT-Line has about 100 more horsepower and is RWD. It's priced comparably, but not as luxurious. Dimensionally, it's a bit bigger on the outside and smaller on the inside. That's a downside for me.
Full transparency, I've never driven either of these cars. Both of them weigh more and have more power. I'd compare the base trim on the Audi and Kia against the top trim on the Acura.
What do you guys think about this comparison?
Has anyone cross-shopped them? What about the BMW 4 series?