2013 Audi A8 vs. Its Competition

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

Large luxury sedans are the envy of the auto universe, and the Audi A8 has been making progress in the space for the past two decades.

The undisputed champion of the class is still the Mercedes S-Class, in its final model year for 2013 before a reworked version arrives in 2014.

There's an S-Class for virtually any taste, from the S350 BlueTEC turbodiesel to the S400 Hybrid to the maniacally powerful S65 AMG--but the future holds S-Class coupes and Rolls Ghost rivals.

The S-Class' closest sales rival is the BMW 7-Series, which comes in almost as many flavors, including the ActiveHybrid 7 and the V-12 edition.

As of late, the Jaguar XJ's joined the fray, with supercharged V-8 powerplants, ultimate interiors, and a glamorous aluminum body of its own giving it renewed hope.

Of all these range-topping four-doors, the least engaging is the Lexus LS; it's offered in short-wheelbase Sport models to long-wheelbase hybrid LS 600h L versions, all of which are incredibly smooth and comfortable, but lacking in verve and visual energy.