
With a base price of about $75,000 and a top price well over $100,000, the new Audi A8 competes with the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and will have the 2011 Jaguar XJ and Lexus LS also in its sights.
Fresh from a 2010 update, the Benz S-Class spans the range of powertrains from S400 Hybrid to twin-turbo S65 AMG.
It's also the foundation for the Maybach sedans.
The BMW 7-Series was new for 2009, and since then has added six-cylinder models, an ActiveHybrid gas-electric version, and a V-12 edition, all working perfectly with its de-Bangled style and its improved iDrive controller.
The 2011 Jaguar XJ / XJL has been dramatically reworked, with a body more like the smaller XF than the dowdy aluminum panels worn by the previous version.
And finally, the Lexus LS range spans short-wheelbase Sport models to long-wheelbase hybrid LS 600h L versions, and it's an impossibly smooth vehicle to operate—though even with sport add-ons, it's still the least engaging of these sedans to drive.
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Quick Specs | |||
Suave styling, an impeccable cabin, innovative cabin tech, and a lean, athletic driving feel earn the 2011 Audi A8 a spot in the top tier. |
Call us converts: The latest BMW 7-Series turns our eyes more than ever and drives with real big-guy brio. |
The 2011 Jaguar XJ severs ties with its past, and rocks a mod new look that suits its dynamic personality. |
From earth-friendly to exclusive and exotically fast, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class does it all in superb comfort. |
MSRP From | |||
$78,050 | $70,650 | $72,700 | $91,000 |
Gas Mileage | |||
16 MPG City / 27 MPG Hwy | 13 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy | 15 MPG City / 23 MPG Hwy | 12 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy |
Engine | |||
Gas V8 | Turbocharged Gas I6 | Gas V8 | Gas/Electric V6 |
EPA Class | |||
Large | Large | Large Car | Large |
Style Name | |||
4-Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan 740i RWD | 4-Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan S 400 Hybrid RWD |
Drivetrain | |||
All-Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | |||
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | |||
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | |||
4 Door Sedan | 4-Door Sedan | 4 Door Sedan | Sedan |
Transmission | |||
Automatic | Automatic | Automatic w/OD | Automatic |
Detailed Spec Comparison | |||
2011 Audi A8 vs. 2011 BMW 7-Series | 2011 Audi A8 vs. 2011 Jaguar XJ | 2011 Audi A8 vs. 2011 Mercedes-Benz S Class |