
Among $50,000 luxury sedans, we’re most impressed by the 2011 Infiniti M37 and M56.
Formerly anonymous, the M&Ms have ripened into major sex objects this year; the cabin’s subtly gorgeous and the V-8 has thundering power.
So is the V-6, but it's noisier and harsher than you’d expect.
The Jaguar XF is utterly captivating, inside and out, but the backseat is the smallest of all these cars, and early reliability hasn’t been stellar.
Both the E-Class and the 5-Series are reinvented this year; the E-Class’ shape is controversial, but handling’s improved and so are fit and finish.
Meanwhile, the 5-Series gets a much cleaner set of lines and better interior space as BMW junks most of the excesses of the Bangle era of design.
The 5-Series GT is specifically aimed at the Audi A6 Avant; its flexible cargo space borders on brilliance, though there’s a visual penalty to be paid in the form of a tall, heavy rear end.
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Quick Specs | |||
The 2011 Audi A6 is elegant and agile, although its cabin design is looking somewhat dated. |
The new 2011 BMW 5-Series might be a conservative evolution in terms of styling and design, but it’s a quite radical one with regard to how BMW’s most important model drives. |
The 2011 Jaguar XF offers a compelling combination of fast, nimble performance and a classy, refined, and seductive interior; the only thing lacking is backseat space. |
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan swings to the masculine side of the pendulum and sharpens its driving appeal in the process. |
MSRP From | |||
$45,200 | $45,050 | $52,500 | $48,850 |
Gas Mileage | |||
14 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 13 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||
Gas V6 | Gas I6 | Gas V8 | Gas V6 |
EPA Class | |||
Midsize | Mid-Size | Midsize Car | Subcompact Cars |
Style Name | |||
4-Door Sedan FrontTrak 3.2L Premium | 4-Door Sedan 528i RWD | 4-Door Sedan | 2-Door Coupe E 350 RWD |
Drivetrain | |||
Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||
5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Passenger Doors | |||
N/A | 4 | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||
4 Door Sedan | 4dr Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | 2 Door Coupe |
Transmission | |||
Continuously Variable Ratio | Automatic w/manual shift | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||
2011 Audi A6 vs. 2011 BMW 5-Series | 2011 Audi A6 vs. 2011 Jaguar XF | 2011 Audi A6 vs. 2011 Mercedes-Benz E Class |