How much luxury does one person need? What about five people? The midsize sedan is the perfect compromise. It allows five to ride in relative comfort but is not quite the plush executive experience found in 200-plus-inch luxo barges. Often, midsize sedans offer a fair bit of performance for a price. The segment appeals to a wide audience, and automakers cater to everyone from successful middle managers to power-hungry executives.
Here are 10 of the best midsize luxury cars.
BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series in all of its many variations has long been a go-to choice in the midsize luxury segment. Used examples with proper maintenance history are great ways to get into one of the best driving luxury sedans on the market. New models have all of the latest from BMW, such as efficient engines (the most efficient is the 535d at 26/38 mpg city/highway), adaptive cruise control, and driving dynamics control (aka drive modes).
Fun Fact: There are 243 different ways to configure the M5 with three modes for the transmission, steering, throttle, suspension, and traction control.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is right up there with the BMW 5 Series in popularity. It’s like Camaros and Mustangs: Where you find one, you’re bound to find the other somewhere close by. The Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC is their most efficient model. It handily beats the crosstown 535d rival with an EPA-estimated 28/42 mpg.
Fun Fact: Available as a sedan, coupe, and convertible and with a smattering of turbocharged engines, the E-Class can appeal to accountants (E250 BlueTEC) and rich lunatics (E63 AMG S 4Matic Wagon).
The 2016 Jaguar XF is the follow-up to the brand’s best-selling sedan. We praised the XF’s chassis when we said it “might be the nicest AWD sedan chassis in the business.” This year Jaguar also adds a responsive, intuitive, and crisp infotainment system. How times have changed. All that and there’s more room inside, too.
Fun Fact: In the twisties, the car is best when left in S because the shifts get a bit harsh when the shift paddles are used.
Lexus GS
The Lexus GS expands to offer even more powertrain options this year—a new GS 200t makes its debut as a fuel-efficient entry-level option, and the 467-hp GS F shows up as the sporty trim. The idea behind the high-performance F edition is accessible performance, and it delivers.
Fun Fact: In the GS F, turn that drive knob to Sport S or Sport S+ to activate active sound control. Who cares if it’s synthesized? It sounds great!
Infiniti Q50
Infiniti’s Q50 is a rolling tech showcase with a full complement of active driver assistance systems, and it looks good, too. Styling edges toward more aggressive, though it looks attractive to our eyes. A hybrid is also available, and although it’s more efficient, it’s better thought of as the performance step-up first and a hybrid second.
Fun Fact: Get the Infiniti Sport Exhaust if you’re springing for the S model. It sounds great and makes the car more fun to drive.
Although the Audi A6 looks like the large in a closet of identical shirts from S to XL (Audi A4 to A8), its biggest strength lies within. Spending plenty of time getting the interior just right seems to have paid off for Audi with the A6. Fine woods and comfortable leather seats define the experience, alongside some impeccably crafted buttons. Audi gets the little details right.
Fun Fact: The S6 is mechanically identical to the S7 but is $12,000 cheaper.
Lincoln MKZ
The current Lincoln MKZ is right on by nailing the experience part of luxury, but it lags behind when the drive begins. It’s no BMW 5 Series, but for those who don’t care for a large helping of sport with their luxury midsizer, the Lincoln won’t disappoint. Summer 2016 will bring the restyled MKZ, which will sport a new Continental Concept-like face. That’s a step up in our book, not to mention the addition of a Lincoln-exclusive twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V-6 that’s said to make up to 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
Fun Fact: Even with the 2017 MKZ (pictured), the retractable panoramic glass roof will remain.
Cadillac CTS
With BMW chasing technical prowess, they’ve gone and left their “engaging to drive” reputation behind, and Cadillac has gone and scooped it up. From a base four banger to a supercharged, 640-hp V-8, the Cadillac midsizer has an engine for each level from need to want, and each is tossed in a capable chassis. Be forewarned, though. The CUE infotainment system will take some getting used to.
Fun Fact: With 640 hp, the supercharged CTS-V is the most powerful four-door to make this list.
Buick Regal
The Buick Regal features a ride that’s not embarrassing on back roads, sports communicative steering, and has a throttle that’s easy to adjust to. It’s also a Buick, so it’s quiet and comfortable on the highway. Before you think sporty, remember that it is a Buick, so despite the capable handling, it does lean a bit. You’ll get used to it like we did.
Fun Fact: Even though the Regal is closer to the BMW 3 Series in price, it’s closer to the 5 Series in size.
Acura TLX
Acura’s TLX was the car that came out after the company took the TSX and TL and blended them on mix for a few seconds. Splitting the difference, the TLX combined the footprint of the TSX with the bigger and nicer interior of the TL. That and a brilliant pair of transmissions make the TLX an engaging driver that’s pleasant to spend time in.
Fun Fact: Acura’s Precision All-Wheel Steering (P-AWS) can pivot the rear wheels up to 1.8 degrees in the same direction as the front wheels when changing lanes, making quick lane changes at highway speeds smooth and stable.
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