If it's a car that's somehow on your list, why would you possibly not take the time to test drive one?
It won't tell you what you'd think/feel about the car after a year of ownership. It won't tell you about reliability. It may tell you for sure that you'd hate it so much you move on. It may tell you that you'll love driving it and if you can drive the deal you want, you'll drive ti home. Maybe it will drive ok and you'll be impressed, but not blown away or in love and go home to think about it more.
Where's the downside?