2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class vs. Its Competition

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

The CLS carved out a new luxury niche when it was new in 2005, but haters don't just hate--they copycat, too.

Audi is new to the game this year with the luscious A7; it's a sexy hatchback with nifty Google Earth mapping, and a high sticker price to go with its supercharged six-cylinder, all-wheel-drive mechanicals.

The Infiniti M56 rivals the CLS' lush interior and looks; handling's tuned a notch above the CLS 550, but there's no spicy version, just a green Hybrid model.

For scalding performance, look no further than the glitzy Jaguar XFR and its supercharged V-8, but be prepared for the same skimpy back seat as with the CLS.

Just slightly afield of the Benz coupe-like sedan is the Cadillac CTS-V, a smaller machine with 556 horsepower and some of the best track times in the business.

And while we're at it, we'd cross-shop a Porsche Panamera, a more pricey competitor with far better back-seat room, and the roofline to show why it's not always a good idea to give people exactly what they want.