2011 Audi A8 vs. Its Competition

Bengt Halvorson Senior Editor

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.