Luxury Sedan Speed, Handling, & Suspsension Comparison

Audi's five-valve/cylinder V-8 feels just a little softer at the low end than some of the others, but still hustles its aluminum-chassis'd self to the aforementioned 6.57-sec 0-60 run, with a super-strong mid and upper range and a great sound of its own. The five-speed Tiptronic automatic works nicely in Drive and allows some manual control in Tip mode, but will upshift at redline and won't allow manual selection of first, etc. Not bad, not ideal.

Be careful when you choose off an LS 430 at the light; its 6.34-sec 0-60 scamper was second quickest of the group, despite its second-from-the-lowest horsepower rating. Lexus' powertrain engineers obviously made the most of getting that power to the ground, and it's also the smoothest and quietest player at just about any rpm level.

Luxury-car suspension systems need to be ultra-sophisticated to deliver the handling performance and safety people demand, along with the ride and quiet they insist on in this class of machine. Remembering that four of our testers (save the Jag and the Lexus) were equipped with some manner of performance wheel/tire combo or upgraded suspension package, we have to be careful in drawing conclusions. The group covered a slalom time spread of just 3.8 mph-58.1 to 61.9. But numbers are never the entire story.

As the Lexus offers the softest, cushiest ride, we expected it to be slowest through the handling trials. And it was, though we're confident that a sport-suspension-equipped car would fare a bit better. Never mind; it still feels capable and secure (especially with the VDC system engaged), though serves up too much body roll for our taste. If your notion of a luxury sedan asks for max ride comfort with solid-though-not-overly-sporty handling, the Lexus delivers it. Next up was the Premium-package-equipped Q45, on some pretty sporty 18-in. rolling stock. Yet it only mustered 58.5 through the cones. As with the engine, competent-but not class leading by any stretch. Senior Road Test Editor Chris Walton noted, "better than the Lexus in terms of feel and feedback." No complaints with the ride quality, however; its driver-selected bimodal suspension is smooth, well damped, and never harsh.

The Jaguar delivered what we expected, given its high-power-lux rather than ultimate-sport mission; a 59.1-mph time is respectable, though Walton needed to watch his right toe, or he could easily have brought the Jag's tail around with too much supercharged horsepower. Jaguar has always done well at delivering a ride/handling balance that's still sporty, yet luxuriously supple. The Vanden Plas continues to underscore that notion.

All-wheel drive should give the Audi a handling edge-and it does. It hustled through our slalom exercise at 61 flat, barely edging the 60.6-mph performance tendered by the Mercedes. The extra grip and exceptional balance inspire confidence; you always feel in control, and in communication with what the chassis is doing. Should your commute consistently take you through mountain roads-ice and snow covered or otherwise-the A8 L makes a terrific road partner.

This is where the "numbers aren't everything" mantra comes in. Though the S430 only ran third quickest in this test, it felt the best doing so. "Poise and superior engineering really came through," wrote Walton. And these traits carry through to the Mercedes' on-road performance. Considering its high-tech (and expensive) air suspension and computer-controlled electro-hydraulic shock-absorber system, we're entitled to expect this high level of ride/handling balance. And the Benz delivers it.