Audi A4 TFSI quattro v Lexus IS200t F Sport v Jaguar XE R-Sport 25t v Infiniti Q50 S 2016 Comparison

Audi A4 2.0TFSI quattro v Lexus IS 200t F Sport v Jaguar XE R-Sport 25t v Infiniti Q50 S Hybrid
Comparison Test

The four cars on this comparison offer similar mid-size dimensions, but that's about where the similarities end.

On paper, Infiniti's gutsy V6 hybrid pulls rank over three four-cylinder models, while Audi's quattro all-wheel drive would presumably have the upper-hand against its three rear-wheel drive combatants.

But that's just one part of this story. These cars need to be capable of hauling five occupants and their gear in the most ergonomical, economical and technologically intuitive scenario possible. Buyers want it all, and it's no easy task to meet their demands.

There was never any question the quattro A4 was going to be hard to beat in terms of its on-road ability.

With the most powerful and torquey of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines assembled here – and virtually the same kerb weight as the Lexus – the 185kW/370Nm Audi is well positioned in terms of its power-to-weight ratio, just a smidge behind the Jaguar.

Audi also makes the claim for this A4 to be the second-fastest overall in the 0-100km/h sprint, at a swift 5.8sec.

The engine is well insulated from the interior in terms of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), yet conveys enough audible information to let the driver know how much it enjoys a rev. The direct-injection turbo mill starts delivering its considerable torque at a diesel-like 1600rpm, which translates into a satisfying flexibility.

Knowing that all four wheels are working on gripping across all sorts of road surfaces not only benefits sheer acceleration, but also helps directional stability in slick, rain-soaked or gravelly conditions.

The three-differential system, in normal operation, sends 60 per cent of engine torque to the rear axle but, depending on circumstances, can deliver as much as 85 per cent rearwards, or 70 per cent to the front.

Interestingly, with an as-tested fuel figure of 11.7L/100km, the all-wheel drive Audi used less fuel than the Lexus and the Jaguar, and was pipped by just the petrol-electric Infiniti Hybrid. The figure posted was well short of the official combined-cycle test consumption of 6.3L/100km. We'd put a lot of that down to the hard-working nature of our test loop.

Fitted with the $1100 option of lower-riding adaptive sport suspension, the test car – like all the others bar the Infiniti – was not exactly standard in terms of specification. The option handed the A4 a moderate edge in terms of handling and road grip, even if it got off to a pretty good start with the standard 19-inch wheels and 245/35-series Hankook Ventus tyres.

So it was no surprise that the A4 always felt planted, composed and secure, delivering plenty of feedback via the quick, well-weighted steering and erring on the sporty side in terms of ride comfort.

Of the four cars on test, the Audi's ride quality was easily the firmest, but that was offset by the tidy handling and responsive turn-in, matched (and exceeded) by the Jaguar alone – and not by that much.

The Audi also played second fiddle to the Jaguar for ride comfort, where the gap between the two was wider. For driving satisfaction, we rate the Audi ahead of all bar the Jaguar, and it's a close-run contest there.

Some of us have difficulty getting our heads around the concept of combining a relatively large 3.5-litre V6 engine with an electric motor to produce a combined output of 268kW. Surely the very idea of being a hybrid is that you maximise fuel economy, not on-road performance...

Yet, in a manner similar to the full-size Lexus LS 600h hybrid V8 sedan, the Infiniti Q50 S Hybrid does just that – and the results are rather varied.

There is no way you'd call it an economical car, yet at the same time it delivers pretty low fuel consumption for a medium prestige sedan capable of reaching 100km/h from zero in just 5.1sec.

In this context the official ADR combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 6.8L/100km is pretty impressive. And the hybrid Q50's claims were more or less confirmed with the lowest fuel consumption on test. 11.5L might not be planet-saving, but that would undoubtedly improve with a more conservative driving style.

Apart from being the only car in this group to be completely option free, the Q50 also blew everyone away with the surging power of its hybrid powertrain.

The experience was unlike any of the others in that the power delivery was instant, and almost seamless. There was, however, an occasional light 'thump' when switching between petrol and electric operation.

The Infiniti is matched to a conventional seven-speed automatic transmission, and boasts a regular instrument display – complete with tachometer – and shift paddles to flick between ratios.

All of those things considered, the Infiniti is let down by its heavy kerb weight (1775kg), reduced cargo capacity and on-road capabilities that are less resolved than its sportily-inclined competition.

So while it has the lunging acceleration to deal with the straights between corners, the Infiniti is noticeably heavier and slower to react to the steering than the other cars tested here.

The Infiniti did ride better than the other three vehicles on test, and that may be the point that seals the deal for many prospective buyers in this market niche.

But the feeling among the four reviewers was that the steering response and handling concessions demanded by the Q50 could not be overlooked, when both the Jaguar and the Lexus were in the same ballpark for ride comfort, but delivered a more athletic performance in corners.

Jaguar XE R-Sport 25t
Jaguar designed the XE to trump its competition by laying down an unbeatable balance of ride comfort, handling and road grip.

So, once again, we found ourselves impressed by this mid-size Brit, even though the test car was presented in standard trim with 18-inch alloys and relatively conservative 225/45-series Pirelli Cinturato tyres.

Maybe surprisingly, this gave the XE R-Sport 25t something of an advantage over the car we used in the previous medium prestige sedan comparison because it took the hard edge off the ride without any significant deterioration in steering response and road grip.

Simply, with its light-ish but delicately balanced steering, unerring grip and great suspension control, the XE R-Sport 25t was a delight in both tight switchbacks and sweeping bends.

The four-wheel disc brakes also hauled the XE down from speed with solid reassurance. Combining this with the XE's nicely controlled ride, our testers were unanimous in finding the Jaguar offered the best ride-handling compromise.

The 177kW/340Nm 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine had the advantage of only needing to deal with just 1530kg of kerb weight – the lightest on test. There was always plenty of acceleration available, even if the four-cylinder's note was at times a bit at odds with what you might expect of a luxurious British sedan.

The XE's engine is matched to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission which intuits what the driver wants, downshifting quickly, smoothly and appropriately.

Fuel consumption was competitive, if not outstanding. Against the officially claimed average of 7.5L/100km we recorded 12.0L, behind both the heavier Infiniti and the Audi.

The important question is whether or not the agile, composed and beautifully balanced Jaguar is a better driver's car than the Audi. With its serene cabin environment, finely tuned steering, resolute road grip and unruffled ride quality, it's certainly more enjoyable. And the Jaguar gives nothing away to the Audi in roadholding in the dry. In the wet the tables would likely turn, and for some buyers that's reason right there to by-pass the Jaguar on the way to the Audi dealership.

Lexus IS 200t F Sport
With a hefty kerb weight of 1680kg, the Lexus IS 200t F Sport's 180kW/350Nm turbo-petrol four combines with a sometimes too-relaxed eight-speed automatic that frustrates when you really want to push on.

Slipping into Sport mode – or Sport+ – provides a little more cooperation, but there's still a moment's consideration on kick-down, which must be anticipated for successful overtaking.

Once the power kicks in though, the Lexus is anything but tardy. Combine this with adroit handling and strong grip and it's easy to see why it won the last round.

That said the steering and braking feel less connected than the Audi's and Jaguar's – the IS 200t is a car you must be familiar with before exploring its limits. Once again, however, it's a balancing act with the Lexus. The clincher is in the ride comfort, which is marginally better than the Jaguar's and superior to the Audi's. Yet we also rate the IS200t ahead of the Infiniti Q50 for driving dynamics.

As in our previous comparison test, the quiet cabin environment in the Lexus again scored points over its competitors. Our testers were also universally enthused by the IS200t's low levels of NVH and its excellent front seats, but not so much by the presentation of the cabin per se, and certainly not by the accommodation in the rear.

The IS 200t might not be the lightest on test, but it is the smallest car here dimensionally; a point that pays off in the tightest turning circle (10.4m).

Unfortunately the Lexus' physical size did not lend it an advantage in the fuel economy stakes, the IS 200t scoring the worst on-test average of 12.9L/100km, well above the ADR Combined cycle claim of 7.5L.

>> Medium Prestige Comparison II: Price & Packaging
>> Medium Prestige Comparison II: Safety & Technology
>> Medium Prestige Comparison II: The Verdict

2016 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI quattro pricing and specifications:
Price: $69,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 185kW/370Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 6.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 144g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2016 Infiniti Q50 S Hybrid pricing and specifications:
Price: $67,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.5-litre six-cylinder petrol and electric motor
Output: 225kW/350Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 159g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2016 Jaguar XE R-Sport 25t pricing and specifications:
Price: $68,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 177kW/340Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 179g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2016 Lexus IS 200t F Sport pricing and specifications:
Price: $65,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 180kW/350Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 175g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP