DrewSRX

2005 Consumer Reports - AWD Mid-Luxury Sedan Comparison

Intersting results compared to Edmunds. The Audi came in the 2nd place again, which is a good consistant showing for Audi. The A6 had the best fuel economy, but got a low score for controls & displays. The RL placed more at the bottom this time and got a low score for trunk space and controls & displays . The GS got the lowest scores for emergency handling and driving position. The STS placed mid-pack, but didn't get good scores for fit & finish and trunk space. The M got a low score for trunk space and fuel economy as did the others with 18 MPG. Trunk space was an issue for all of them. The GS and A6 had the best scores for noise. The M35x is now CR's overall top rated sedan.

1. Infiniti M35x
2. Audi A6 3.2 Quattro
3. Cadillac STS V6
4. Acura RL
5. Lexus GS300 AWD

Infiniti M35x:
0-60 MPH - 7.0 Seconds
60-0 MPH - 128 Feet
Fuel Economy - 18 MPG

Audi A6 3.2 Quattro:
0-60 MPH - 7.7 Seconds
60-0 MPH - 129 Feet
Fuel Economy - 21 MPG

Cadillac STS V6:
0-60 MPH - 7.1 Seconds
60-0 MPH - 131 Feet
Fuel Economy - 18 MPG

Acura RL:
0-60 MPH 6.9 Seconds
60-0 MPH 131 Feet
Fuel Economy - 18 MPG

Lexus GS300 AWD:
0-60 MPH - 7.4 Seconds
60-0 MPH - 133 Feet
Fuel Economy - 20 MPG

Lexusfreak

Geez, I'm quite suprised the GS AWD came in dead last.

AlwaysLate

Lexus came in last place, again? I have a feeling this review put performance more in favor of everything else. I'm sure if the GS was more sport orientated it would have scored much higher. Other than performance, I honestly don't believe the M has anything going for it. I honestly don't say this about many cars, but after careful evaluation and observation, in my opinion, the M is a piece of ****.

Variance

Not necessarily. CR reviews always score equally based on performance, comfort, reliability, etc.

Do you mind if I ask how you reached this conclusion?

Gojirra99

I don't think reliability is taken into account as these cars are very new, but besides having only a 3.0 engine & being less sportily tuned, I think the new GS lose points on interior space & trunk space as well. The M35 is closer to the LS in interior space.

Lexusfreak

I agree the GS AWD should have a 3.5L V6....that might have made a difference, but I'm not sure that only omission would have put the car on top.

DrewSRX

This is how the luxury sedans now rank, according to Consumer Reports:

1. Infiniti M35x
2. Mercedes-Benz E320
3. BMW 530i
4. Audi A6 3.2 Quattro
5. Cadillac STS V6
6. Acura RL
7. Jaguar S-Type 4.2
8. Lexus GS300 AWD
9. Volvo S80 T6

Previously, the Lexus LS430 and E39 BMW 5-Series were the best luxury sedans.

spwolf

interesting... Caddy scored better than RL or GS? Apperantly fit and finish is not important in mid-luxury sedan...

Variance

Actually...

Xenthar

The results seem right except that i would have still expected the RL to be on top since its specialty is AWD. Oh and M35x

encore888

I don't know about the rankings here but in the past 3 Consumer Reports auto issues, the LS 430 is the 'best car we have tested' -- "exceeds the best."

spwolf

right, so it scored in mid pack because it wasnt luxury enough, but how does it even compare? It seems to me that in mid-luxury comparo, luxury is one of the options, not requirement...

LexFather

RU going to defend Infiniti in every thread?

LexFather

Wow, I have to say 2 last place finishes, on paper looks bad. Thing is 6 ot 7 years ago, last place really meant you sucked. Today, with cars from pretty much every car maker very solid, last place just means different priorites.

Oh well, you can't win or place 1-3 in every comparison for 15 years. About damn time some of the competiton stepped they're game up.

Variance

The "Actually..." comment was in regards to Cadillac.