2014 Best Buys: Sedans and Coupes Between $50,000 and $100,000
A heterogeneous category if there ever was one, the segment for sedans and coupes between $50,000 and $100,000 certainly isn’t dull. Eternal rivals the 2014 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and the 2014 Subaru WRX STI are pitted against the 2014 Audi A5, 2014 A6, 2014 A7 and even the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class. Whoops, then there’s also the 2014 BMW 3 Series and 5 Series, plus the 2014 Cadillac XTS, 2014 Hyundai Equus 2014 and 2014 Jaguar XF. There’s really something for all tastes, provided you also have the means to pay for those tastes!
The 2014 BMW 5 Series offers an impressive variety of drivetrains (ranging from 241 to 560 horsepower!). There’s a diesel, a hybrid, an inline 6 and a few V8s. It can come with rear or all-wheel drive. You can order it as a sedan, wagon or hatchback. Its handling is emblematic and the M5’s performance is exhilarating. Reliability can be an issue, but since most folks lease this car (and get rid of it before problems arise) and since its attributes make up for its shortcomings, we decided to award this car with first place.
Next up is the 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS Class. Whether you opt for the 'base' trim or the AMG, this car is never short on power, its handling is superlative and its comfort level is terrific. Congratulations to our second-place winner.
The bronze medal was awarded to the 2014 Audi A6, whose outstanding fit and trim is evident at all levels. The drivetrains on the S6 range from 211 to 420 horsepower. The fact that it offers less power than the CLS 63 AMG and BMW M5 – combined with the fact that Audi’s infotainment system is less user-friendly – cost this car some points.
One thing the BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi winners have in common is astronomical maintenance costs. But then again, all three will also get you noticed, that’s for sure!
