The A6's "it's not just styled, it's designed" flavor certainly extends to the cabin. There's lots to look at, all very tactile, attractive, and nicely finished. Like the Mercedes, some of the controls take some figuring out, but they're ultimately a bit easier to learn. The Audi doesn't feel as upright as the Benz; it's a little cozier and more encapsulating, though still offering adequate room for four full-size customers. Pulling up the side and rear sunshades gives back-seaters a bit of a limo sensation. The interior takes on a particularly attractive look at night, with all the gauges and controls backlit by a deep red glow (even a more vibrant ruby hue as in the BMW). Three of the four of us feel the sport seats' bottom-cushion side bolsters are too aggressive-they pinch at pressure points on the lower side of the thighs and are downright hard. On the plus side, Audi's audio systems are generally outstanding, and this one proved no exception. However, the Tiptronic's overly shiny metal quadrant will reflect in the driver's eyes, depending upon height and seat position.
The design of this generation 5 Series dates back to '97, but the interior still looks and functions well. The steering wheel offers a wide variety of redundant systems controls and is also an M sport unit almost identical to the one on the M5. The dash styling is clean, the new larger nav screen is relatively easy to see, and we appreciate the easy-to-use HVAC controls. Seats? Simply the best of the group, by far. Their biggest attribute, besides high-quality leather trim and a multitude of adjustments, is the power-adjustable lower thigh bolster at the front edge of the seat; it offers an extra degree of comfort and tailorability to an already great pair of buckets. Rear-seat passengers are as happy as those up front, though the Audi probably has the best aft cabin of the bunch. All in all, attractive, yet businesslike. Comfortable, yet sporty. Luxurious, but not overtly so.
The GS 430 is luxurious, too. It mixes an attractive blend of high-quality wood, leather, plastic, brushed metal, chrome, and other smoothly finished surfaces as does the Audi, but in a different fashion. It's not as sporty, but more hedonistic in the classic sense; less cohesive, and trying harder to make some sort of styling statement. Lexus-patented electroluminescent gauges are different from those in the other players, but are still highly readable. The large nav and touch control system is well done, clear, and bright, and relatively easy to learn, though you must look at it to perform the functions, which draws concentration away from driving. Nobody was particular fond of the seats, either; they're not particularly comfortable nor uncomfortable, supportive or not; a car this sporty deserves better. Audiowise, the premium Mark Levinson system certainly sounds great, but are it and the nav option package, which also includes a one-touch open/close moonroof with shade, and heated seats, worth nearly six grand (over the cost of what is assuredly a good standard system)?
Lexus, Audi, and Mercedes all offer trunks in the 15-cu-ft range, though BMW's narrow opening and 11.1-cu-ft boot might become an issue if you constantly haul lots of stuff. To our eyes, the A6's hold is probably the best combination of size, shape, and access, though the E430's is functionally just about as good.
VerdictEach of us has said we'd proudly own any of this quartet. The fact that three of the four were Motor Trend Import Car of the Year winners for the year they were eligible (the E-Class in 1996, the 5 Series in 1997, and the GS in 1998) is testimony to that. But there are differences, and there are favorites.
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