Overall:4.2/5
Performance: 5/5
Economy: 3.5/5
Appearance: 4/5
Interior: 4/5
Sexability: 4.5/5
Performance: This is my favorite part of this car. The 3.0L Duatec V6 engine is no slouch. Redline is nearing 7k, and makes 201HP @ 5900RPM and 220 ft/lbs torque at 4400 RPM. The AX4N transmission is pretty sporty feeling, even though it's an automatic. The gear ratios are fairly close, first is taller than some autos, but that just means it's easier to spin the tires.
The suspension is firm, yet ass-friendly; not overly stiff. Even in hard cornering the body stays fairly flat (not as flat as a Lotus, but hey, it's better than most).
Economy: I don't know whether it's because this thing has a semi-performance engine, or because it's nearing 90k miles, but it gets about 19MPG city/highway combined.
Appearance: I don't like the fish mouth grille in the least. I much prefer general looks of the 4th generation overall. But it's also disguised as a family station wagon/sedan. That Volvo never saw it coming.
Interior: For a pretty sporty car, this has fairly soft seats. The front buckets are rather soft (I dunno whether that's how they were designed, or from being sat on for 13 years), and the rear bench seat is fairly hard. The front seats feel like they were sculpted with aggressive driving in mind, they have side bolsters on the seat and back that keep you pretty well straight on hard(er) cornering, and velour insets on leather seats that hold you in like velcro.
Sexability: Okay, this is a station wagon. The rear bench seat folds down in a 60/40 configuration as usual, so that leaves lots of room to do the dirty deed in the back.
Only problem is that the windows have no tint on them, so better bring some blankets to hang over the windows. The rear cargo area is fairly hard as well, so you may want to bring some pillows or an air mattress to get down on.
