The luxury mid-size car market, like every other car class and sector in the industry, has shrunk in recent years. A growing number of Americans choose to drive a high-riding box. The nine players that remain on the field are a diverse group, with a variety of automobiles ranging from old-fashioned sedans to coupe-like four-doors and hatchbacks. In this segment, high-tech features like all-wheel drive are still common. A variety of engine options are available, ranging from fuel-efficient four-cylinders to hybrids and turbocharged stump-pulling V-8s. Click here to see the best luxury mid-size cars crossovers and SUVs.
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8. Lexus USE
The Ghibli is the lone Italian in this class, and some of us have dubbed it the Fredo of Maserati’s lineup. The Ghibli is the smallest of the brand’s two sedans, but it comes with spicy-sounding twin-turbocharged V-6 engines and a racy Trofeo grade with a 580-hp twin-turbo V-8 this year. Otherwise, the Ghibli has never lived up to its storied past or hefty price tag, particularly in terms of its switchgear and infotainment system, which are shared with other Stellantis vehicles. For 2022, Maserati added a suite of driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking, but at a $4000 premium above the base price.$77,695 is the starting price.
345-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6; 424-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6; 580-horsepower twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-8
18 cubic feet of trunk space
Read more: BMW I vision circular electric car’s CO2 footprint
7. BMW 5-SERIES
The BMW 5-series, once the show’s attractive star with an unequaled mix of young vitality and agility, has grayed around the temples and developed a muffin top. Customers expecting The Ultimate Driving Machine will be disappointed, as the 5-series isn’t as enjoyable to drive as its predecessors or competitors in its class. It has moved away from its sporting roots, becoming more opulent and technologically advanced in the process. There are four variants available, including a plug-in hybrid. When paired with the optional twin-turbo inline-six and V-8 engines, the sedan is still capable of real speed, but some of the previous charms have been lost. $55,195 is the starting price.248 hp turbo 2.0L inline-four; 335 hp turbo 3.0L inline-six; 180 hp turbo 2.0L inline-four, 111 hp AC electric motor, total 248 hp; 456 hp twin-turbo 2.0L inline-four Trunk 4.4L V-8 15–19 cubic feet of space
6. MERCEDES-BENZS CLS
The Mercedes-Benz CLS-class is a pure aesthetic play, with its low-slung roof and more aggressive lines. The first CLS, based on the mainstream E-class, is a design icon that effectively originated the term “four-door coupe.” Only the CLS450 with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six combined with a 48-volt hybrid-assist technology called EQ Boost is available. The silky-smooth setup produces 362 horsepower and accelerates the Benz to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. Unfortunately, the CLS with 429 horsepower from Mercedes-Benz was dropped from the roster for 2022.$74,000 is the starting point (est)
362 horsepower combined (362-hp turbo 3.0L inline-six, 21-hp AC electric motor)
12 cubic feet of trunk space
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5. Genesis G80
With its traditional appearance and high-tech interiors, the Genesis G80 is reminiscent of automotive steampunk. The G80 is a premium deal that includes all of the features seen in its competitors. The base engine is a 300-hp 2.5-liter inline-four, with a 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 available as an option. The V-6 G80 tested hit 60 mph in under five seconds, putting it within striking distance of a BMW M550i that costs about $78,000. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and are available with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.$49,045 is the starting price.
Engine: 375-hp twin-turbo 3.5L V-6; 300-hp turbo 2.5L inline-four Trunk space: 13 cubic feet
4. AUDI A6
The Audi A6 has always lagged behind the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-class in terms of sales and celebrity. It is deserving of better. The A6 is competent in every manner. It isn’t a thriller, but it also doesn’t put you to sleep. It’s a stylish, comfortable, and powerful four-door that simply gets the job done, and we enjoy the new touchscreen infotainment system. There are two turbocharged engines available: a 248-hp four-cylinder and a 335-hp 3.0-liter V-6 that accelerated the sedan to 60 mph in under 4.8 seconds at our test track. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is Quattro all-wheel drive.$56,945 is the starting price.
248 horsepower turbo 2.0L inline-four; 335 horsepower turbo 3.0L V-6 trunk space: 14 cubic feet.
Read more: BMW I vision circular electric car’s CO2 footprint
3. Audi A7
Consider the Audi A7 to be an A6 with a hatchback and nine additional cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat. The A7, on the other hand, is available as a plug-in hybrid with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor for a combined output of 362 horsepower. The A7 PHEV has a starting price of $75,945 and can go 26 miles on electricity alone. The base A7 still has a 335-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6 engine with a 48-volt hybrid-assist system to reduce turbo lag and smooth stop-start operation. All-wheel drive and seven-speed automatic transmission are standard on the Audi.$70,245 is the starting price.
335 horsepower turbo 3.0L V-6; turbo 2.0L inline-four, AC electric motor, total 362 horsepower
25 cubic feet of trunk space
2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
This year, the Mercedes-Benz E-class receives a comprehensive mid-cycle update that includes the sedan, coupe, and cabriolet variants. The upgrades include a new front and rear appearance, as well as a new steering wheel, the brand’s latest infotainment system, and improved driver-assistance technology. The E450’s twin-turbo V-6 is replaced with a new turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt hybrid system that generates 362 horsepower and drives the sedan’s all-wheel-drive system. The rear-wheel-drive E350e is a new plug-in hybrid model with a four-cylinder engine and an electric motor for a total output of 315 horsepower.$56,000 is the starting point.
Engine: 255-horsepower turbo 2.0L inline-four; 362-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0L V-6; 255-horsepower turbo 2.0L inline-four, AC electric motor, total 315 horsepower
13 cubic feet of trunk space
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1. MERCEDES-AMG E53
What could be more luxurious than a Mercedes E-class? One has more horsepower, larger tires, and a suspension set up for faster lefts and rights. The Mercedes-AMG E53 is a mid-range vehicle that sits between the entry-level cars and the V-8-powered AMG E63 and E63 S. It may not be as powerful as its more powerful siblings, but it’s still a hot-rod version of the luxury sedan. Its AMG-tuned turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine produces 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, and it’s shared with the CLS53. The sedan’s standard air suspension tackles curvy portions of the road as neatly as the urbanscape and the highway, and the inline-six is mated with a sharp-shifting nine-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive. The latest E53 coupe we tested took 4.0 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph.
$76,050 is the starting price.
429 hp turbo- and supercharged 3.0L inline-six engine, 21 hp AC electric motor, total 429 hp
13 cubic feet of trunk space
