CAR WARS! Midsize Luxury Sedan Showdown! Audi A6, Lexus GS, Mercedes E, Volvo S90 Head-To-Head

If you're in the market for a midsize luxury sedan, boy, you've got your work cut out for you. That's because there's so many good choices.

Honestly, there really isn't a glaringly bad choice to be had in this market; however, if you're looking for the best it will be a bit difficult. That's because there's a lot of subjective factors that will come into play.

In this head-to-head showdown, we've got four interesting picks. That would be the Audi A6, Lexus GS, all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the all-new Volvo S90. Each bring something different to the table and each has their respective pros and cons.

But, which one deserves the "W?"

In terms of the BEST all-around, midsize luxury sedan, this is Autocar has to say about its experience:

...But our number one motorway car, winning by a remarkable margin, is the E220d. It’s simply untouchable by its rivals in so many ways (on cabin ambience and apparent technological sophistication, rolling comfort and overall refinement) and within touching distance of the cutting edge on cruising economy and outright performance, too. It’s a long-distance machine of genuinely rare abilities. It even has lane-keeping and active cruise control systems that work better than the rest.

It’s official: buy an E220d and you’ll be ready for anything the UK motorway network may throw at you. Just don’t forget to complain about the state of the M6, or the traffic on the M25, if you do. After all, we’ve got some standards to maintain...

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cidflekken - 8/15/2016 1:39:26 AM

+3 Boost

Here we are again. Mercedes playing to its biggest strength, a strength which does not betray its heritage: luxury first, sport second.

xjug1987a - 8/15/2016 8:27:25 AM

+4 Boost

This past weekend I went and sat in the new E and quite frankly was not impressed and as we only get the buzzy 4 cyl count me out. For $65K which is what the E will cost equipped with what one really wants in a luxury car, it'll still have a buzzy turbo 4 with only 240bhp. I found the interior nice but I think it felt cramped. I checked the specs and the new one appears to be bigger in every spec, but it just felt cramped. The 2016 seemed more airy and open for some reason, I really like the previous model. Anyhow its amazing the A6 is soooo old but is still so capable and the Lexus is where I'd expect it. The new Volvo is so nice looking but the power train is a big question mark for me. So now where? For less or the same money possibly the CTS V-Sport or CT-6... will be interested to see how many thumbs down that attracts...?

TomM - 8/15/2016 9:58:18 AM

+5 Boost

If you are actually looking for a Luxury Sedan in that range - I would suggest you try the CT-6 6cyl. (I have one). The interior is huge in comparison to any of the above. It does have one caveat for that - the center place in the rear seat is only good for kids - but otherwise - it has 4x4, enough power and no turbo, and more bells and whistles that you will ever use. IT is NOT a sports sedan though - the V-6 turbo might be a better choice for that. If you find the E-class cramped - then the CTS will be laughably small - I still cannot figure why DeNysschen specified SMALLER and NIMBLER for Americans - who are for the most part - larger people.

xjug1987a - 8/15/2016 1:31:35 PM

+3 Boost

I'm with you Tom, I love the CT-6, to me it’s a Cadillac. It could be more beautiful, but I really really like it. It has presence and looks distinctive on the road. The CTS is a better size for me so perhaps I wait 2 yrs or so for the CT-(whatever they call the CTS replacement). But I like the looks, interior, and the technology that is going into the build of the CT-6 including the normally aspirated engines. For the money... it’s a great buy with room, content, powertrain and as its new and Caddy’s not lighting the world on fire at the moment, exclusivity.

quizz - 8/15/2016 1:32:48 PM

0 Boost

Wait, you weren't too impressed by the new E interior so you're considering the Caddy as an alternative? Clearly, all you care about is the engine/drive-train, because I am not impressed by Caddy's near-luxury interior at all. Price aside, I've also checked out the new E interior, and the attention to interior details are way way better, from materials to ergonomics. I agree with you about the drivetrain, but this E class is targeting the badge consumer who wants to feel and touch the luxury they paid for - a perfectly sensible trade off. Caddy has allocated its budget to a higher performing engine, while MB prioritizes the interior - for its target audience (rich housewives and real estate agents), MB has it right.

xjug1987a - 8/15/2016 3:47:20 PM

+3 Boost

quizz - I don't think the E's interior is "THAT" much better than the either the CTS or the CT-6, its just not. All things being equal is the interior worth the extra money you'd need to spend to get it? A CTS can be bought right now for probably $50K w/the 3.6 ltr 330bhp engine, w/CUE and leather. The E will run $65K and it still won't have leather but it will have the crappy 4. I'm just past the "prestige" of spending more for less and that's how I see it w/MB. AND, I've had 6 Mercedes in my life. They're just not the "cost is no object engineered cars" that their reputation was build on, anymore. And the rave reviews coming in for the E is really for the advanced driving systems that are optional. I don't buy the car for the gizmos but is the actual car itself the best and I just don't see it, for the money. Not to mention again, they all look alike...

iamdabest1 - 8/15/2016 9:14:47 AM

+2 Boost

from these 4 i think the volvo looks the best. the E class while very nice, is just a longer C class.

Gambit - 8/15/2016 1:34:55 PM

+3 Boost

No 5-series?

cidflekken - 8/15/2016 3:53:04 PM

+4 Boost

I really like the Volvo's front-end. It has a certain aggressive elegance about it that's perfect for this segment. However, the rear end (from the C-pillar back) is really atrocious.

Agent00R - 8/15/2016 6:08:02 PM

+3 Boost

The C-Pillar is a bit brutal. But, I am digging everything else...