Verdict
What to do, which to buy? In terms of the big question of the day, the Infiniti Q45 left us perplexed. It impresses, even amazes, with some of its technologically advanced features. Its new V-8 is no sleeper, though it didn't give the Q-Ship the performance advantage its horsepower rating promised. Its looks are unremarkable-not offensive, not distinctive. The trunk is small, and the center-stack function's control logic, or lack of same, takes lots of getting used to. If you want the feature content the Q45 contains, and dig the new look, it's a fine ride. But it doesn't overwhelm the rest.
We said right up front that the Seville STS might be one step too small to play in this class, and couldn't be expected to deliver the goody count the others do at its price point. And we were right. Yet, this roundup's only domestic player fought the good fight and landed a few direct hits. Bravo for a sophisticated, powerful, great-sounding V-8. Even though the Seville was the only front-drive player, it exhibits few front-drive bad habits. We appreciate its genuine wood trim and decent tunes. Quality control is still not up to the offerings from Japan and Germany. But all in, probably the nicest Seville we've ever tested.
Like the Seville, the Jaguar Vanden Plas Supercharged plays in a different game, at the other end of the scale. It costs a lot, maybe too much, but delivers big points for style, elegance, a polished ride/handling balance, and that wailing, supercharged V-8. In the twilight of its career, this platform can't match some of the high-tech goodies or interior space of the others, particularly the newer breed of Japanese lux cars. But it makes you feel great every time you ride in it, look at it, or mat the gas pedal into that supple wool carpet.
The A8 L has been around awhile, too, but we've certainly not grown tired of it. It's artfully designed and executed, happily giving up a few electronic toys in exchange for fine materials and a high-tech chassis and powertrain. Two editors selected it as their out-and-out choice. Audi's big guy does everything well, draws admiring looks, and casts its owner as a smart automotive enthusiast who loves to drive.
How to reconcile the continuing Benz versus Lexus controversy? We still find the LS 430's styling on the flat side, but the marketplace is apparently okay with it, as sales of Lexus' new-for-'01 flagship have been ultra-strong. It offers features the others haven't dreamed, along with world-class fit, finish, and materials usage. It's also the quietest and most insulated of the bunch-certainly part of the luxury equation-yet still involves the driver with competent, if not ultra-sporty, chassis tuning and a superlative powertrain.
Four of seven editors opted for the Mercedes-Benz, were they voting with their own bucks. As tested, it doesn't offer nearly as much stuff as the Lexus does, but costs much more. It's sportier, which accounts for a lot with this bunch, yet in 4.3L trim, isn't as quick as the others. So its styling, road presence, and ultra-premium brand value-call it the Luxury "X" Factor-must make up the difference. Choosing winners, we'd say the Mercedes-Benz S-Class remains the king, by a majority, if not a unanimous, vote-discounting the Price/Value equation. Factor P/V back in, and the Lexus earns its spot as one of the world's best luxury sedans.
All that said, Jaguar is hard at work on an all-new full-size platform, and BMW's new, ultra-high-tech 7 Series comes out this fall. Finally, Cadillac is hard at work on an all-new rear-drive platform that will spawn a new DeVille and Seville. Sounds like another Luxurious Maximus test to us.