Motor Trend: Mid-Size Sedan Showdown! Audi A6 vs. BMW 535i vs. Infiniti M37S vs. Lexus GS350 F Sport!

lexus fanboys: since you have absolutely no regard for what automotive mags have to say (because a bmw wins most of these comparisons), you can't say how right they are now.

thinking people: sounds like lexus has much improved on the mediocre last gen GS. if only this car had the looks to match the improved mechanicals, it might be selling more than half the volume of the 5-series and be able to charge a similar price.

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 12:32:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Well GS does not likes me, But numbers says that is the clear winner..and now the Germans Will have to rise the bar again...and about security "Lexus GS Named IIHS Top Safety Pick"..this will be a very interesting year.

— Yonder7 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 12:49:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I'll paraphrase the comparison:

Lexus built an E60 BMW and came in first, BMW built a Benz and came in second, Audi built an Audi and came in third, Infiniti built a Buick and came in fourth, and Benz chose not to be included because they knew they'd come in last.

— JRobUSC (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 1:59:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

Thumps up to Lexus, this is very good news. I would love to change my Infinity for the GS350 F Sport.

— Designer1 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 2:58:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Quite harsh comment for M, but Nissan should know better not to over extend life of VQ engine. Time for a new design, and go FI!

— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 3:05:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

As the owner of three 5 series, I can honestly say I would like a softer ride. But will Lexus "older" age buyers like a firmer setup. Maybe IS buyers will trade up for more space, but do not see ES owners doing this.

— Dr550 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 3:30:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Very very close to general consensus. my ranking would've been A6, GS, and 5 series - GS being second because it is not made in Germany. Much as I love the BMWs, I really hate to see that they got rid of bangle and brought in Joe the Stumpy to design a car that weighs as much as a tank. My sentiment exactly that Lexus is turning into a BMW and BMW is turning into a glorified Lexus. What an irony. On a side note, much as I hate to admit, A6 has surpassed and exceeded 5series in every aspect. 5 series turn out to be a major disappointment.

— BMWRU (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 3:35:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

When you see one in person it looks alot better. The styling also grows on you the more you look at it.....

— knowitall1985 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 3:40:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

so you DO work for lexus! nobody could possibly have that info otherwise. you're drinking the kool aid.

so why are sales only half that of the 18-month old 5-series despite the GS costing thousands less?

— enthusiastx11 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 9:19:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

enthusiastx11 your penis is looking smaller by the second...
Keep trying to justify why and who you are but we all see the ugliness that is YOU~

— Baby (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2012 12:39:36 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Well that doesn't happen very often now does it? Congrats to Lexus for making a good car.

— BrownsGoBack (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 3:51:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

"Lexus" doesn't make a car. They don't make anything actually.

— 1BadMan (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 4:57:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Maybe MT should have used the previous generation 5 series.


"It's no secret that we haven't exactly turned cartwheels over this latest generation of 5 Series. Two years ago, when the so-called F10 debuted, it didn't even make it to Round 2 of our Car of the Year competition. And that was a year after the last iteration of the previous-gen E60 won an eight-car comparison test. Talk about following in the footsteps of greatness -- and stumbling."

— BrownsGoBack (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 8:49:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

Ordered my Gray F Sport!

— Henanamani1 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/12/2012 9:24:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Upcoming IS will be even sportier(more focus on sport compare to luxury than new GS) confirmed by Karl Schlicht, Lexus Europe.

"We want to give you amazing design, amazing interiors and amazing leaps in driving pleasure, just like what we’ve done with the GS (the next IS will be even better, I can personally confirm this)."

http://lexusenthusiast.com/2012/04/10/insights-from-a-lexus-insider-karl-schlicht-goes-to-europe/

So LFA, LF-LC Concept, GS F-sport, RX F-sport and new promise that IS will be even sportier than GS shows that Lexus is on the right path and many great driving machines from Lexus are on their way. Lexus is determined to change their image and wants to be seen as maker of best in class sporty driving and fuel efficient cars.

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2012 5:50:04 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

The A6 is garbage. The interior feels so cheap and the dash looks and feels like cheap plastic rubber. I know a lot of people who rushed out to get the A6 and immediately went back to BMW. Ya, their sales are up, but the trendy pick of the Audi will fall right back down.

— 2ndbimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2012 10:26:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

With the weight being the same between the Audi and BMW, I am even more surprised that A6 feels nimbler and more agile overall. For those who criticize A6's interior, my question is if you had ever been in an A6 recently...
Audi and GS have the best interior - hands down! Go to your Audi dealership and ask them to give you an A6 on loan for the weekend, I bet you will be sold instantly. In terms of active steering, Porsche and Audi have the best electronic steering, while BMW's active steering feels so "abrupt" in comparison - well, that is the only word I can find to describe the active steering. Again, as I had said that I really like BMW, it just seems to me that the company does not road-tune and -engineer their cars anymore. Prototyping their cars on Nurburgring is just for show. Just my two cents.

— BMWRU (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2012 1:24:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Agility and nimbleness used to be what BMW did best and now lost in this new wave of tech-equipped soul-less vehicles. Start up any new 5 series, did you hear anything? Exhaust note is barely noticeable. Cruising down the freeway at 80mph, you'll immediately notice all the Lexus attributes (e.g., quiet cabin and floaty handling even with M sport package and active stabilization). Do a full throttle passing, you'll notice that engine is so muffled that it barely purrs - especially in 550 which sounds like an Lexus LS 460 imitator. If comfortable ride quality (rather than sporty ride), smoothness, quietness, and fuel economy are what the majority of BMW buyers want. Why buy a BMW when you can buy a Lexus that does all these better. "Ultimate Driving Machine" is earned, not bought.

— BMWRU (View Profile)

Posted on 4/13/2012 3:13:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Funny thing is the Lexus fans keep hating on Motor Trend and other magazines when their Lexus doesn't finish top. Now that a Lexus has won this comparison all of a sudden Motor Trend is a "credible magazine" to them.

Hilarious.

Personally I wouldn't touch any car here if I wanted something sporty. They're all to heavy and overweight and not as nimble as a lighter and smaller car. A 3er or C class will always handle better than a 5er or E class due to less weight and a shorter wheelbase (and possibly a sportier setup).

Oh, and I don't need a magazine to tell me which car is "the best" because it's all subjective. From this group I find the A6 with AWD the most appealing if I had to pick a car here.

— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 4/14/2012 4:18:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

I would take the 5 series, its the most balanced. It still puts up good performance numbers ( this class is NOT about all out performance, and im sure a majority of customers who buy these cars agree), it also rides the best, and is the most efficient. This is where the Audi falls short, they focus to much on performnace numbers but forget its a luxury car...it should be somewhat fun to drive. Instead the A6 is as fun as a buick, with a harsh ride, the car just does not make sence. Lexus made a good car, and got a well deserved win.

— PQ40 (View Profile)

Posted on 4/18/2012 9:30:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3