Uploaded March 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
2024 Lexus LS.
The 2023 Lexus LS is the Japanese luxury brand's halo sedan, built to provide the ultimate ride comfort. It comes with premium amenities to help passengers relax on long journeys.
2024 BMW 7 Series.
Like its competitors, BMW has long used its 7 Series flagship luxury sedan to highlight engineering triumphs that eventually end up in more affordable models.
2024 Porsche Taycan.
As automakers race to electrify more of their signature models, or introduce all-new EV lineups, Porsche has held steady with the Taycan, its only EV offering to date.
2024 Audi A8.
The full-size sedan category is a chance for luxury automakers to show off the best of what they have to offer, and for Audi, it's the A8. It's been around as long as its German rivals, but the A8 has always taken the road less traveled, eschewing flashy styling and jumped-up tech amenities for a more understated feel. This has made it the chariot du jour of celebrities, political leaders, and other VIPs looking for something less "look at me" and more straight to the point. Competence and quality are the name of the game here, and powering the A8 is a velvety smooth 335-horsepower twin-turbo V6, which is small but mighty. The A8 doesn't come in a hybrid nor offer the unbridled power of top competitors, but the V6 hustles the heavy sedan swiftly and quietly. All-wheel drive is standard, as is an extended wheelbase that affords incredible space inside. Audi's interior design is second to none, and the A8 has a level of attention to detail that is only matched by cars several times its price. Just one trim level is available, and it comes with an air suspension, automated parking, and a premium audio system. Some rivals are sportier to drive, but Audi also offers a performance-oriented S8 model, which churns out a jaw-dropping 563 horses. Nor does the A8 offer the best fuel economy in its segment, with no hybrid or EV powertrains available. Still, if it's plush comfort you're in search of in a stealthy package, few cars do so this brilliantly.
2023 Porsche Panamera.
The Porsche Panamera isn't just a legitimate performance sedan, it's the performance sedan. Depending on the model, it's easy to forget you're not driving a Porsche 911, and there are a lot of models to choose from. Starting with the $93K 325-horsepower base model, all the way up to the 690-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid that costs more than double that, there's a Panamera for a broad range of expensive tastes. There are also a few body style alternatives, with a wagon-like Sport Turismo and a long-wheelbase Executive model that increases rear legroom. When the Panamera debuted in 2010, there was some outcry from the Porsche faithful. "How could a sedan be considered a Porsche?" they cried. And then they drove it.The Porsche Panamera isn't just a legitimate performance sedan, it's the performance sedan. Depending on the model, it's easy to forget you're not driving a Porsche 911, and there are a lot of models to choose from. Starting with the $93K 325-horsepower base model, all the way up to the 690-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid that costs more than double that, there's a Panamera for a broad range of expensive tastes. There are also a few body style alternatives, with a wagon-like Sport Turismo and a long-wheelbase Executive model that increases rear legroom.The 2023 Porsche Panamera has a very diverse lineup, but what's missing is a direct competitor. The four-door Mercedes-Benz AMG GT comes close, but with the discontinuation of the top AMG 63 S model, it can't keep up with the higher-performing Panameras. The BMW M8 Gran Coupe narrows that gap and is plenty entertaining. Sportified luxury sedans such as the BMW Alpina B7 and Audi S8 are also intriguing alternatives with a more luxurious slant. You can't go wrong with any of these, but if performance is your priority, the Panamera stands alone. When the Panamera debuted in 2010, there was some outcry from the Porsche faithful. "How could a sedan be considered a Porsche?" they cried. And then they drove it.
2024 Lexus LS.
The 2023 Lexus LS is the Japanese luxury brand's halo sedan, built to provide the ultimate ride comfort. It comes with premium amenities to help passengers relax on long journeys.
2024 BMW 7 Series.
Like its competitors, BMW has long used its 7 Series flagship luxury sedan to highlight engineering triumphs that eventually end up in more affordable models.
2024 Porsche Taycan.
As automakers race to electrify more of their signature models, or introduce all-new EV lineups, Porsche has held steady with the Taycan, its only EV offering to date.
2024 Audi A8.
The full-size sedan category is a chance for luxury automakers to show off the best of what they have to offer, and for Audi, it's the A8. It's been around as long as its German rivals, but the A8 has always taken the road less traveled, eschewing flashy styling and jumped-up tech amenities for a more understated feel. This has made it the chariot du jour of celebrities, political leaders, and other VIPs looking for something less "look at me" and more straight to the point. Competence and quality are the name of the game here, and powering the A8 is a velvety smooth 335-horsepower twin-turbo V6, which is small but mighty. The A8 doesn't come in a hybrid nor offer the unbridled power of top competitors, but the V6 hustles the heavy sedan swiftly and quietly. All-wheel drive is standard, as is an extended wheelbase that affords incredible space inside. Audi's interior design is second to none, and the A8 has a level of attention to detail that is only matched by cars several times its price. Just one trim level is available, and it comes with an air suspension, automated parking, and a premium audio system. Some rivals are sportier to drive, but Audi also offers a performance-oriented S8 model, which churns out a jaw-dropping 563 horses. Nor does the A8 offer the best fuel economy in its segment, with no hybrid or EV powertrains available. Still, if it's plush comfort you're in search of in a stealthy package, few cars do so this brilliantly.
2023 Porsche Panamera.
The Porsche Panamera isn't just a legitimate performance sedan, it's the performance sedan. Depending on the model, it's easy to forget you're not driving a Porsche 911, and there are a lot of models to choose from. Starting with the $93K 325-horsepower base model, all the way up to the 690-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid that costs more than double that, there's a Panamera for a broad range of expensive tastes. There are also a few body style alternatives, with a wagon-like Sport Turismo and a long-wheelbase Executive model that increases rear legroom. When the Panamera debuted in 2010, there was some outcry from the Porsche faithful. "How could a sedan be considered a Porsche?" they cried. And then they drove it.The Porsche Panamera isn't just a legitimate performance sedan, it's the performance sedan. Depending on the model, it's easy to forget you're not driving a Porsche 911, and there are a lot of models to choose from. Starting with the $93K 325-horsepower base model, all the way up to the 690-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid that costs more than double that, there's a Panamera for a broad range of expensive tastes. There are also a few body style alternatives, with a wagon-like Sport Turismo and a long-wheelbase Executive model that increases rear legroom.The 2023 Porsche Panamera has a very diverse lineup, but what's missing is a direct competitor. The four-door Mercedes-Benz AMG GT comes close, but with the discontinuation of the top AMG 63 S model, it can't keep up with the higher-performing Panameras. The BMW M8 Gran Coupe narrows that gap and is plenty entertaining. Sportified luxury sedans such as the BMW Alpina B7 and Audi S8 are also intriguing alternatives with a more luxurious slant. You can't go wrong with any of these, but if performance is your priority, the Panamera stands alone. When the Panamera debuted in 2010, there was some outcry from the Porsche faithful. "How could a sedan be considered a Porsche?" they cried. And then they drove it.
