The highly powerful 3.3t probably masks the non-sportiness I found in the $47K 2.0t Elite. Unlike the reviewer, I found it had to be pushed to go hard around corners, it was not eager. It would do it but it did not invite driving hard. The wind noise is indeed well-controlled, which made the ridiculous tire noise stand out in relief. That noise was my biggest annoyance - I could drive around the other shortcomings I found. The transmission was weird after a power run when you lifted the accelerator - a whoomp followed by a slight slowdown before the thing upshifted to coast. Tried it 4 times under different circumstances, 4 times it got it wrong. Decent tires might help with the noise/roar, but who wants to lease, buy new tires and then find out, nope, that ain't the problem, body insulation is,
The back seat is well-trimmed indeed. Now try getting out of it - it's minute and I got my foot stuck between B-pillar and driver's seat and gave it a nasty wrench. OK I'm old and not that agile, but still.
There seems to be a need for something well made to take on the Germans. That's why I went for a test drive. That's why the brochure still sits here on my table - I had hoped for some liveliness and it didn't deliver at first blush.
And here all I read is 7 pages of drivel on manual transmissions. Too bad. Has anyone else driven the 2.0t? I'd like to hear your impressions in case I decide I need to try again, putting away my negative impressions for a fresh start. There's no competition at the price and I wish the car had made a better impression on me, so I'm willing to give it another try.