The guys over at Insideline got their hands on the V8 sport sedans from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar.
The newly launched Mercedes-Benz E550 took first place in the comparison because it is more than the sum of its parts. The car's ability to combine excellent acceleration with respectable handling, fuel economy, and interior quality at a competitive price sealed the win for the Benz.
Jaguar's XF 5.0 came in second place. Jaguar certainly designed a stylish car in the XF, but perhaps they forgot that cars are created to be driven and sat in rather than just looked at. There is no denying that in the looks department the Jaguar certainly has an appeal, but the interior quality and driving dynamics were not up to standards set by the E550 and 550i respectively.
Lastly, BMW's 550i came in third place. What once was the benchmark of sport-sedans has now become an aging car that has been surpassed by rivals who offer a more complete car for a more competitive price. BMW's 550i certainly is the choice for canyon carvers and those looking for a dance partner. Unfortunately, BMW forgot that the track is rarely, if ever visited by 550i customers. Sure, having a canyon carver is nice, but to win in this segment the car must be able to combine its excellent handling with everyday comfort at a decent price, which is precisely what the 550i failed to do.
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