The 11 Best Luxury Midsize Sedans to Buy Right Now
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when the midsize luxury sedan was king. It was what you bought on your way up in the world, or perhaps got for your first company car. Now, though, with many people seemingly moved on to SUVs, folks who still gravitate towards storied nameplates like 5 series and E-Class do so for a reason.
Those reasons include the fact that sedans offer a number of benefits over SUVs, especially when it comes to luxury. Sedans tend to be quieter for one thing, due to reduced interior space versus an SUV with its big (and usually empty) cargo area. The ride of a sedan also tends to be more luxurious and better controlled too, because they’re not saddled with off-road pretensions or large tires.
Midsize sedans, in particular, are easier to park than their full-size siblings and tend to drive a little better due to their smaller size. That makes them better for urban environments, and a different kind of statement than full-size car. Midsize sedan owners would probably call this discerning, while what they mean might be closer to practical. A midsize luxury sedan, in other words, is a car that is pretty close to the ideal machine: a little bit of everything, in a package that isn’t trying to overwhelm or feel overwhelming.
In a crowd, they don’t stand out, and that’s part of the point, too. A midsize luxury sedan is the quiet luxury of motoring, probably even more so than a luxury compact. Cars like the Lexus ES and Cadillac CT5 are supposed to be soft-spoken but outstanding and even a little bit timeless, which means they might always be with us, in an SUV world or not. Automakers have also been making luxury sedans for about as long as they’ve been making cars; the best of them reflect that they’ve got the formula down pat and have for a while now.
Our Best Midsize Luxury Sedan Picks
—Best Overall: Mercedes E-Class
—Best Ride: Audi A6
—Best Powertrain Options: BMW 5 Series
—Best for Traditionalists: Cadillac CT5
—Best for Comfort: Genesis G80
—Best Value: Lexus ES
—Best Electric: BMW i5
—Best Sound: Acura TLX
—Best Looking: Maserati Ghibli
—Best for Style: Volvo S60
—Best for Performance: Audi S6
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