Battle of the All-Wheel Drive Luxury Sports Sedans: 2010 BMW 328xi Vs. 2010 Infiniti G37x

Whether or not you live in Minnesota, Michigan or Northern California you always have to question the logic of buying a rear drive luxury car. While they are a hoot and a half in summer time when they have full traction, in inclement weather they can be a serious handful. Rear drive cars are known for their handling prowess in dry weather. But they are also known for spinning 8 times on the freeway at the slightest hint of moisture, ice or snow on the pavement.

For these very reasons that is why many luxury auto manufacturers have made all-wheel drive optional on their vehicles. Audi may have brought the idea of all-wheel drive to the masses with Quattro but in regular form models like the A4 are front wheel drive. Front drive cars get better traction in bad weather than rear drive cars to begin with so to compare the A4 with the BMW 3 and Infiniti G would be like comparing apples to oranges.

While the 335xi with its 300 horsepower turbocharged engine would be a more direct competitor to the Infiniti G37x, unfortunately that model starts at $42,000 and that is before you hit BMW's notoriously expensive options list. The Infiniti G37, which starts out pretty well loaded at $35,750, even has the BMW 335xi trumped for performance with 328 horsepower.

But does this tell the whole story? The motor in the G37x may be powerful but it is nowhere near as smooth as the straight six in either BMW 3-series all-wheel drive model. The 328xi starts at around $34,000 and can be ordered with a manual transmission that is one of the best in the world. As a bonus, the shift lever in the BMW doesn't vibrate in your palm like a hand massager like the one in the Infiniti G37x manual. (Note: for some reason the automatic G37 shift lever does not vibrate and has much smoother shifts and definitely makes the Infiniti feel more luxurious.)

While the engines and transmissions in these two cars have distinct feels there is an eerie similarity to the way in which their all-wheel drive systems operate. Both apportion most of the power and torque to the rear wheels until the fronts need more traction. It all works seamlessly without the driver ever being made aware of what the car is doing. Do be aware that there is a slightly elevated ride height with all-wheel drive 3-series and some have said that it affects the much vaunted BMW 3-series handling. To be honest it is highly doubtful that the average driver would never notice it.

Infiniti has made huge strides of late with the quality and believability of its leather and wood trim in its interiors. To be honest, the organic surfaces inside the G37x make the inside of the BMW look really cold and austere. That BMW simplicity had an appeal for a while but let's hope the next generation 3-series has a more imaginatively styled interior. However, all current BMW 3-series interiors are built with very sturdy materials and look made to last.

Really what it comes down to here is which transmission you are going to choose. If you want a manual transmission the 328xi will make an effortlessly faithful companion that will keep you smiling come winter, spring, summer or fall. But if you don't want to pay BMW prices (or shift for yourself) and like having horsepower bragging rights, then perhaps it's time to pay your Infiniti dealer a visit.