The Makings of the Best Luxury Sedan

Opinions aside, it’s difficult to identify the best luxury sedan, because most brands have a strong contender of their own. Reliable history, innovation, and spaciousness are all admirable qualities, but they’re also all qualities that most luxury sedans possess. From Jaguar to Mercedes-Benz to Lexus sedans, the market is brimming with fine cars, and sometimes the choice is about preference more than anything else. That said, there are some qualities and criteria to meet in order to be the best. It’s a hard thing to judge, but we’re a Jaguar dealer for a reason. They may share some of their best attributes with a few other brands, but in the end, we think Jaguar sedans rise to the top.

Lexus sedanshave a reputation for being affordable and reliable. As one of the youngest brands in the luxury car world, they gained popularity quickly by being cheap and practical. Businessmen who didn’t have all the money to spend on a Jaguar or Mercedes-Benz opted for Lexus sedans instead, and they’ve been more or less content. The sedans are not flawless, though. Their reputation for reliability isn’t perfectly founded. MotorTrend has forecasted that in the first five years of ownership, Lexus sedans will cost over $700 a year more than a comparable Jaguar. Because the best luxury sedan is meant to be practical, roomy, and reliable, a Lexus isn’t the best purchase available. The initial savings quickly disappear, and the sacrifice of tradition and spaciousness doesn’t seem as worth it.

Whether drivers care about status themselves is irrelevant: the best luxury sedans should state to the professional world that their owners are strong, dependable, and in many situations traditional businessmen. Mercedes-Benz sedans have been on the road a lot longer than Lexus, a fact that may garner more respect from older, more traditional businessmen. Their German heritage is strong, and they’ve never been afraid to be large. That quality is a blessing and a curse. With wide wheelbases and elongated bodies, Mercedes-Benz sedans have accrued a lot of criticism for being monsters on the road. A commanding presence is essential for the best luxury sedans, but it needs to be subtle. Mercedes-Benz hasn’t found that balance, at least not as well as Jaguar.

With much more power than a Lexus and a sleeker, more conservative presence than the large Mercedes-Benz sedans, Jaguars have maintained enormous popularity for a reason. Their long history in the automotive world, adherence to tradition in style, and interiors that just exude class make them some of the best luxury sedans for serious businessmen. The XJ, in particular, has emerged as one of the most dependable and elegant vehicles in the luxury world. The affordability of Lexus sedans initially made the market more competitive, but as prices become more similar, people are realizing they don’t need to buy the cheapest car on the lot. They also don’t want it to be ostentatiously large; size is important, but fineness will often lead to more respect. If they’re spending money on a luxury sedan, they want it to be the best. With history, space, elegance, power, and class, Jaguar sedans have all the makings of the best.