Alot Auto > Buyer's Guide
Mercedes and BMW are often the first brands that come to mind when people think of luxury cars. But they aren"t the only players in the mid-size luxury car market. Upstarts like Genesis are giving the European makers a run for their money. And, in recent years, the offerings from Audi are fighting for the top spot. Plus, as the tech world continues to slowly invade the automotive industry, more and more luxury cars are coming packed to the brim with advanced voice activation, driving autonomy, and screens galore!
We rank 11 mid-size luxury cars from best to worst depending on their driving performance, standard features, design, and value.
Jaguar successfully paired roominess with sporty handling. But when it comes to standard features, many other rivals offer a packed spec sheet for around the same price. The Jaguar XF just isn"t a good deal.
Unfortunately for Cadillac, the 2021 CT5 has poor reliability ratings. Add in low fuel economy numbers and below-average seating space, and the CTS lands in the bottom half of our mid-size luxury sedan ranking.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class features a stylish design (though rear visibility is somewhat limited thanks to the raking roofline) and an upscale interior with plenty of tech features. But it just doesn"t crack into the top half of our ranking.
When it comes to dimensions, the Acura TLX is a little smaller than its mid-size competitors. Having said that, it does come packed with a large array of standard features, and it features great gas mileage.
This stately sedan has one of our favorite interiors in the entire class. The Volvo S90 also has impressively comfortable seats and powerful engine options, especially the plug-in hybrid version.
The G80 is a good effort from Genesis (only in its 4th year as a standalone company). For the price, it comes with quite an array of standard features. It"s a comfortable car, sure, but a little middle-of-the-road. Many competitors are simply more exciting.
A distracting infotainment layout (again, a common Lexus complaint) didn"t hold the ES back too far. It retains its value through the years while offering drivers a comfortable ride with upscale cabin finishes and comfy seats.
While it is the most expensive in the class, buyers do get a lot for the price. And that includes a spacious trunk, BMW"s agile handling, peppy engines, and a full suite of standard features.
The 2021 Audi A6 has a clean and intuitive infotainment layout. It"s modern without being otherworldly. A capable engine powers the vehicle as it floats along the road on top of a cushy suspension.
What the A6 did well, the A7 does superbly. The clean and modern interior is only bettered by a little more breathing room and a chasm of cargo space. A long list of high-tech standard features sweetens the deal.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the cream-of-the-crop. It has a powerful yet quiet engine. The ride is smooth and stately. The interior is upscale and features an array of well-appointed standard offerings. And, it holds its resale value well.