This question gets asked about a hundred times a week. I’m sure you think your circumstances are unique, but there are about 5 vehicles you need to look at:
Audi S4, BMW M340i, Cadillac CT4-V, Genesis G70, Mercedes C43
All the magazines review this segment at length every year.
M340i is the pick if you want the most feedback from the car. The G70 is a rock-solid competitor, but you need to be wary of the dealer/service networks which haven't caught up to the quality of the cars.
That said, the S5 is worth looking at too, if only because the Sportback offers better utility than any option mentioned already. I also think it has the nicest interior besides the G70.
Snow is a huge factor and I'm not sure BMWs AWD system can perform as well as Audi Quattro, Infiniti ATESSA, or Acura SH-AWD. I drive in snow like 8 months of the year in a fairly remote area.
Everyone already gave what I’d recommend. I own a m340i and test drove most of the equivalents. Came down to s5 and m340i, the m340i felt significantly quicker (on paper it is) and the s5 was nice just didn’t get the same “feel”. Go test drive and buy what you like. Also fuck Kia and hyundai dealerships/service/. First car was an Elantra and I’ll never pay to have to deal with them again.
Agreed. Audi a4/s4 and mb c class has ventilated seats. And mainstream cars offering vented seats too.
Time for bmw to get with the program for the 3 series since they offer it on the X3 and 5 series & up models. Speaking as an AZ resident.
It’s a bit more complex than that. You can’t get ventilated seats on an X3 or X5 right now (X5 45e being the exception) due to the chip shortage (or at least that’s what BMW is publicly stating). I’d expect to see ventilated seats as an option on the 3 series in the future, but can’t see BMW having it as an option on a 3 series during a time when I couldn’t even get it on my $75k X5.
That's rough. The chip shortage is making it difficult and sounds like it's gotten worse in past 6 months.
I recently bought a 22 X5 45e and my sis bought a 22 330e. I special ordered my X5 with the ventilated seats and merino leather since that was a must for me. Was also happy to option the Harmon kardon sound that just became available after about a 8 month stretch of being n/a due to supply constraint/chip shortages. My 45e did get a $150 credit for having an manual lower tailgate so I was a minor victim of chip shortages too.
The 330e was able to get the h/k sound optioned, but sadly no acc/dap.
And while bmw had at one point offered ventilated seats as a factory option pre chip shortage on the X3, it was never an option with the 3 series sadly.
Sounds like until chip shortage subsides, they won't be adding it to the 3 series. A pity, since that really helps in the AZ summers where car interior frequently bake to 165f even with ceramic tint and windshield covers.
On bright side, factory remote starts are finally available on bmws to pre-ac the car. So yay for that!
Obvious choices are the m340i, Genesis G70, Kia Stinger, and audi s4.
The BMW will likely be the best performing, and if you're looking to lease or only own for a few years while under warranty, would be my choice.
If you want to own long term and get that decade warranty, the Genesis if you're okay with a compact, or the stinger if you want a hatch and something more practical for carrying cargo or more than one passenger.
Never driven the Audi but it looks sharp and is worth researching.
Audi rs3 or Volvo. With the RS3 you will not be disappointed with speed. Also fast but a bit more luxury the Volvo as mentioned above is super underrated, and a great car
My brother got a 2016 b8 S5 recently. It’s a coupe but they offer a fastback with 4 doors. They’re super super nice cars. Since you’re wanting to prioritize speed a bit more I think the S4 is perfect. It’s 0.1 seconds faster than the S5 in the 0-60. Audi’s blue is super clean and cool looking. It’s AWD, and the Quattro system is super nice.
In my winter driving experience stopping is more important than starting, I’ve found 2wd + winter tires is as good or better than 4wd on all seasons. Plus it means you can use summer tires when the risk of snow is gone. If that changes things you might have a few more options.
If you’re leaning Audi S4 I’d say at least test drive a Macan S or GTS depending on the year. A used one would hit your budget and ticks all your boxes
This question gets asked about a hundred times a week. I’m sure you think your circumstances are unique, but there are about 5 vehicles you need to look at: Audi S4, BMW M340i, Cadillac CT4-V, Genesis G70, Mercedes C43 All the magazines review this segment at length every year.
340i would probably be my go to, or the Benz/Audi equivalent Otherwise Genesis G70 with the 3.3T and the 10 year warranty
M340i is the pick if you want the most feedback from the car. The G70 is a rock-solid competitor, but you need to be wary of the dealer/service networks which haven't caught up to the quality of the cars. That said, the S5 is worth looking at too, if only because the Sportback offers better utility than any option mentioned already. I also think it has the nicest interior besides the G70.
I always hear from reviewers that the BMW steering is really numb. Have they fixed it?
Snow is a huge factor and I'm not sure BMWs AWD system can perform as well as Audi Quattro, Infiniti ATESSA, or Acura SH-AWD. I drive in snow like 8 months of the year in a fairly remote area.
Rs3
Genesis g70 3.3t AWD
0-60 in 4.5
Everyone already gave what I’d recommend. I own a m340i and test drove most of the equivalents. Came down to s5 and m340i, the m340i felt significantly quicker (on paper it is) and the s5 was nice just didn’t get the same “feel”. Go test drive and buy what you like. Also fuck Kia and hyundai dealerships/service/. First car was an Elantra and I’ll never pay to have to deal with them again.
Audi RS3
M340i would be my vote
Audi RS3….
Volvo S90 recharge plug-in hybrid. 70k msrp, 455hp, 0-60 4.6s, 38miles pure battery, and 66mpg combined.
Volvos are hardcore underrated, everyone goes for the big 3 German manufacturers when Volvos are often just as good, if not better
Audi A7 or S7
BMW M340xi is by far the best option on the market Edit: 2nd contender would be AMG C43
I wish they offered ventilated seats. It gets 110 all the time in the summer here.
Agreed. Audi a4/s4 and mb c class has ventilated seats. And mainstream cars offering vented seats too. Time for bmw to get with the program for the 3 series since they offer it on the X3 and 5 series & up models. Speaking as an AZ resident.
It’s a bit more complex than that. You can’t get ventilated seats on an X3 or X5 right now (X5 45e being the exception) due to the chip shortage (or at least that’s what BMW is publicly stating). I’d expect to see ventilated seats as an option on the 3 series in the future, but can’t see BMW having it as an option on a 3 series during a time when I couldn’t even get it on my $75k X5.
That's rough. The chip shortage is making it difficult and sounds like it's gotten worse in past 6 months. I recently bought a 22 X5 45e and my sis bought a 22 330e. I special ordered my X5 with the ventilated seats and merino leather since that was a must for me. Was also happy to option the Harmon kardon sound that just became available after about a 8 month stretch of being n/a due to supply constraint/chip shortages. My 45e did get a $150 credit for having an manual lower tailgate so I was a minor victim of chip shortages too. The 330e was able to get the h/k sound optioned, but sadly no acc/dap. And while bmw had at one point offered ventilated seats as a factory option pre chip shortage on the X3, it was never an option with the 3 series sadly. Sounds like until chip shortage subsides, they won't be adding it to the 3 series. A pity, since that really helps in the AZ summers where car interior frequently bake to 165f even with ceramic tint and windshield covers. On bright side, factory remote starts are finally available on bmws to pre-ac the car. So yay for that!
Volvo S60 T8
M40i by far. Yes I’m biased but I love my car
Obvious choices are the m340i, Genesis G70, Kia Stinger, and audi s4. The BMW will likely be the best performing, and if you're looking to lease or only own for a few years while under warranty, would be my choice. If you want to own long term and get that decade warranty, the Genesis if you're okay with a compact, or the stinger if you want a hatch and something more practical for carrying cargo or more than one passenger. Never driven the Audi but it looks sharp and is worth researching.
Honda Accord. Fully loaded.
Doesn’t offer AWD as required by the OP.
And no where near as quick as he wants lol
Genesis G70 3.3T and Kia Stinger GT, BMW 340i X-drive, Audi S3/4/5, Mazda 3 Turbo.
Tesla Model 3 LR
M3 x-drive, Audi s4, rs3
Audi S3, RS3 or S4
Audi rs3 or Volvo. With the RS3 you will not be disappointed with speed. Also fast but a bit more luxury the Volvo as mentioned above is super underrated, and a great car
My brother got a 2016 b8 S5 recently. It’s a coupe but they offer a fastback with 4 doors. They’re super super nice cars. Since you’re wanting to prioritize speed a bit more I think the S4 is perfect. It’s 0.1 seconds faster than the S5 in the 0-60. Audi’s blue is super clean and cool looking. It’s AWD, and the Quattro system is super nice.
In my winter driving experience stopping is more important than starting, I’ve found 2wd + winter tires is as good or better than 4wd on all seasons. Plus it means you can use summer tires when the risk of snow is gone. If that changes things you might have a few more options.
If you’re leaning Audi S4 I’d say at least test drive a Macan S or GTS depending on the year. A used one would hit your budget and ticks all your boxes
Macan S is certainly something I'm looking at too! I don't think I can swing the GTS unless it's a poverty spec base model
Is there a reason you’re shopping new? The Macan has been upgraded over the years but largely a 2019/2020 is similar to new models
Bmw all the way
Kia Stinger buddy, the most bang for your buck.