STACK THE DECK: Rearrange These Luxury Automakers From Top To Bottom And Tell Why

Audi - Desirability & Innovation
BMW - Performance
Mercedes-Benz - Panache & Reputation
Buick - Style & Favorable Brand Direction
Lexus - Reliability
Infiniti - Underdog
Cadillac - Favorable Brand Direction
Acura - Lost In Translation & Negative Brand Direction
Lincoln - Forgettable & Negative Brand Direction

Agent, I actually agree with your ranking order except I might switch Mercedes at #2, and BMW at #3. The reason is Mercedes has launched the new ML and GL SUV's,the new CLA Class will be a hot seller, an all new class leading S Class sedan and coupe on the way. I'm not even mentioning the freshened models. But the significance of the above mentioned models seems to far out way any BMW rival models have. The 1 Series can't compete with the new CLS and the 7 Series as nice as it is, won't be as nice as the new S Class coming out.

Yes, 2 and 3 in my case are almost interchangeable depending on the model.

Audi is clearly number one. No other brand comes close to matching Audi's surging global sales, especially in the critically important U.S. and Chinese markets.

Audi has combined design, technology, luxury, performance and brand image into a hugely desirable package. The company is now clearly reaping the rewards of building its strength on such a holistic set of characteristics.

Couldn't agree more. Would also add superior interior materials and fit-and-finish

Audi/BMW/Mercedes = Has to be a tie, each has own strengths and weaknesses...too many to list. Do you like apples or oranges?

Lexus = Luxury, Reliability,Refinement,Poshness, Technology etc etc. Bang for the buck e.g. ES for luxury obviously not the LF-A. While the IS-F, new GS etc bring good dynamics to the table, still not upto the Germans' level.

Cadillac = Coming up esp. with the new CTS and ATS, improved handling catching up fast to the Euros and great engines like the 420bhp V6 Biturbo and the Supercharged Corvette ZR1 engine in the CTS-V etc etc

Infiniti = Mixed bag, Q50 styling will be polarizing, naming scheme doesn't make sense (Q based on a discontd.forgotten model). No upgraded engines and the same basic VQ architecture carrying on since eons

Acura = Going down real quick, FWD architecture has to go. SH-AWD is a good system and should be ubiquitous to all models like Quattro for Audi. Weak engines, no V8. Almost entire lineup from the TL to the RL to the MDX etc based on the aging V6 Accord engine.

Lincoln = Constantly sliding for a while now and the brand should be put to rest. The classics like the Mustang, GT, Thunderbird etc were all Fords anyways.

Buick = Really isn't in the league of the others here and is a mainstream brand. Cool european Opel/Vauxhall bases which are volume brands themselves, not luxury

..and how can you forget Jaguar 009, ain't you British lol.

I will put JAG somewhere up there around Lexus and Cadillac, it's having a Renaissance with good technology, strong engines, emotional designs and hopefully reliability that is quickly improving just like LR/RR. Now those resale values need to go up quick. Obviously Jaguar has very rich heritage and a strong brand name.

+1 with the Jag, and can we also throw Maserati in there?

+1 Maserati imo was a little higher up than these mainstream luxury brands straddling the gap between luxury and exotic just like Porsche but that is a "was" and both brands are moving down to more mainstream offerings like Ghibli, Levante, Macan, Pajun etc