Top full size luxury cars

In today’s Thursday Throwdown, we look at luxury full-size sedans. Most of our picks are in the higher end of the luxury market with one noted exception. Some of these vehicles may be a surprise while others would likely make most “best of” lists in this segment.

Our top picks have been chosen for their excellence in the luxury sedan market. We’ve made choices for best value, best fuel economy, quietest ride and more. It should be noted that in this category, most vehicles are not crash tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), so safety scores are not listed.

Side-by-Side Comparison Chart of Top Picks

2014 Luxury full-size sedans	New $	MPG
Audi A7	$72, 100	18/27
Mercedes-Benz S-Class	$92, 900	17/25

2014 Top Luxury full-size sedans Picks

Lowest Entry Price: Cadillac XTS
Best Value: Audi A7, Lexus LS
Best Fuel Economy: BMW 7-Series
Quietest Ride: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
Most Refined Overall: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
Most Refined Interior: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Most Fun To Drive: Audi A7, Cadillac XTS

2014 Audi A7

An athletic option in comparison to most of our other choices, the Audi A7 was an easy pick for fun driving and high value. The price point and excellence this Audi offers make it a good choice for many luxury buyers. The A7 is marked by its excellent driving dynamics and beautiful interior.

The base Audi A7 is powered by a supercharged V6 gasoline engine, but for those who can, an upgrade to the refined and powerful turbodiesel V6 is recommended. The diesel engine offers good performance, excellent fuel economy (24/38 mpg city/highway) and higher resale value for the car. The quick response of the eight-speed automatic transmission will also be appreciated.

The interior of the A7 is graceful and efficient, this being the hallmark of most Audi sedans. It utilizes excellent materials and fine workmanship throughout, with wood or aluminum accents setting off the leather upholstery. With seating for five adults plus all of their luggage, the Audi A7 is a great choice in the luxury segment.

2014 Audi A7
Base price new: $64, 500