Saloon

Yes, Aston Martin is the preferred manufacturer of a certain (not so) secret agent, but its latest cars offer a lot more than the chance to indulge your Bond fantasies.

The DB11 grand tourer, for example, won its price point at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards, thanks to its beautifully crafted interior and the fact that it’s both fun in the corners and a convincing long-distance cruiser. Meanwhile, the latest Vantage is Aston Martin’s best sports car to date.

The modern Aston Martin isn’t afraid to move with the times, either, with a luxury SUV part of its future model plans.

ASTON MARTIN

RAPIDE S

Have you ever woken up and felt like going for a nice drive to the South of France? For most of us such spontaneity isn’t feasible, but those with (quite a bit) more time and money will want something fast and fun to drive, yet comfortable and of a high quality to do it in. For those people, the Aston Martin Rapide S is very much an option.

Beneath the familiar <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/aston-martin">Aston Martin</a> looks sits a huge 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine which produces 552bhp, and despite the Rapide S stretching to more than five metres long and weighing very nearly two tonnes, that engine pulls it to 60mph from standstill in just 4.2sec. Wait a little longer and the Rapide S will keep going all the way to more than 200mph.

The reason for all that length is simply because the Rapide has seating for four people inside, which places it up against other mile-munching behemoths such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2016-audi-s8-plus-review/n14017">Audi S8 Plus</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/flying-spur/saloon/review/?aq=Bentley%20%20Flying%20Spur&amp;amp;type=review&amp;amp;src=SearchDropdown&amp;amp;oq=bentley%2520flying%2520">Bentley Flying Spur</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/?aq=BMW%20%207%20Series&amp;amp;type=review&amp;amp;src=SearchDropdown&amp;amp;oq=bmw%25207">BMW M760Li</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/mercedes-benz-s65-amg-revealed/n1569">Mercedes-AMG S 65</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/panamera/hatchback/review/?aq=Porsche%20%20Panamera&amp;amp;type=review&amp;amp;src=SearchDropdown&amp;amp;oq=porsche%2520pana">Porsche Panamera Turbo</a>.

All these cars are trying to combine luxury with sledgehammer performance, but does the Aston do it best? Read on over the next few pages of our in-depth review to find out.

Once you've chosen your next new car – whether it's a modest hatchback or a scorching sports model&nbsp;– make sure you get it for the best price by searching our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Deals pages</a>. It has some tempting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury">new luxury car deals</a>.

A brilliant engine isn’t enough to warrant the Aston Martin Rapide’s unsettled ride, so-so handling and cramped interior

Aston Martin Rapide S

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plush ride and the ability to cruise in near-silence </li> <li>Powerful and efficient engine</li> <li>Space for passengers to stretch out in the rear seats</li> <li>Exquisite materials and build quality</li> <li>Endless luxuries on the options list</li> <li>Sensible fuel and tax bills</li></ul>

If you’re in the market for a luxury car, you’ll be after a sumptuous interior, a ride that can soak up the worst of the UK’s pockmarked roads and supreme refinement that allows you to travel at speed in near-silence.

Luxury

In an increasingly homogenised world, the biggest difference between rival products is often how they're marketed – but that's not the case for the Audi A6 and the other&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-cars-2022/n17020">luxury cars</a> it competes with.

The A6 sits&nbsp;at the more affordable end of a class full of genuinely accomplished models that are all quite different, and all have their own unique selling points. In other words, if <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audi</a> is going to convince you to buy one, it's got to be pretty special.

Fortunately, the German car maker has handed the&nbsp;A6 plenty of ammunition to take on its competitors. For a start, it has several features found on its bigger and more expensive sibling, the five-star What Car? rated <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302">Audi A8</a>.

For example, some version of the Audi A6 have the same&nbsp;12-volt <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild-hybrid</a> technology to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.&nbsp;That works by switching off the engine and letting the car&nbsp;free-wheel when you lift off the accelerator between 34mph and 99mph.&nbsp;

Two of the engine choices come with that system: a 201bhp diesel and a 261bhp petrol. On top of those, there’s also a 201bhp petrol engine without hybrid tech, plus a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars-2022/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> (PHEV) that can drive on electricity alone and cuts CO2 emissions dramatically.

So, what are those tough-to-beat rivals we mentioned earlier? Well, for a start, there's the 2022 What Car? Luxury Car of the Year, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5 Series</a>&nbsp;– and that's a&nbsp;genuinely compelling all-rounder. The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/xf/saloon/review/n85">Jaguar XF</a>&nbsp;is the driver’s car, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17174">Mercedes E-Class</a> is a comfortable cruiser and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/s90/saloon/review/n17182">Volvo S90</a>&nbsp;qualifies as the respectable alternative choice.

Over the next few pages of this review, we'll tell you all about&nbsp;Audi A6's strengths and weaknesses, and reveal which of the engines and trims we think are best. We'll also let you know how we rate its performance, handling, practicality and more.

If you decide at the end that it's the car for you, or you plan to buy a vehicle of any other make and model, don't forget to visit the free What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a>&nbsp;pages to see how much you could save off the list price and check out the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury">new luxury car deals</a>.

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Impressive luxury car is quiet, comfortable and&nbsp;spacious, but not quite as thrilling to drive as the class best

Audi A6

The Audi A8 and other flagship <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-cars/n17020">luxury cars</a> play an important role for their makers. Not only do they give manufacturers the chance to show off their latest technologies, but they’re also often used by heads of states as a form of soft power. After all,&nbsp;if the chancellor of Germany rides in the back of an A8, it&nbsp;must be good.

Speaking of which, Angela Merkel was known to alternate between brands to project neutrality and support the German car industry in general. That meant she spent plenty of time in the Audi A8, but also travelled in its closest rivals, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a>.&nbsp;

Like those rivals, the A8 can be had in standard-wheelbase form (ideal if you’re a private buyer looking for the ultimate luxury saloon) or as a stretched, long-wheelbase 'L' model, which provides even more leg room for those sitting in the back. If you’re wondering, Merkel preferred the A8 L.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/audi">Audi</a> gives you a choice of four engines, including a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;(PHEV) called the 60 TFSI e, which is handy for going into your Central London office without burning any petrol. The other options are a 282bhp 3.0-litre V6 diesel (50 TDI), a 335bhp 3.0-litre V6 petrol (55 TFSI) and a high-performance version called the S8, with a 563bhp 4.0-litre V8 petrol.

The PHEV&nbsp;model pairs the same V6 petrol as the 55 TFSI with a 126bhp electric motor and a 17.9kWh (14.4kWh useable) battery for a combined 456bhp output. That gives it an official electric-only range of 36 miles, which is disappointing compared to the 63 miles offered by the latest PHEV S-Class.

So, the crucial question is: "Is the Audi A8 good enough to beat the 7 Series and S-Class for comfort, luxury and technology?" In other words, is it one of the best luxury cars around? Over the next few pages of this review, we'll give you all the answers, as well as recommendations for which engine, trim and options to go for.

Whichever luxury limo you decide is the one for you, don’t forget to check out the deals available through our free What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals service</a>. It could save you thousands of pounds off the list price of most makes and models of car, and has lots of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury">new luxury car&nbsp;deals</a>.

The A8’s blend of performance, comfort and serenity make it the most relaxing limo you can buy. It's also beautifully built, practical and well equipped

Audi A8

The Audi S8 has some striking vital statistics. It’s almost 5.2 metres long and weighs nearly 2.3 tonnes. It probably has more square metres of leather in it than Air Force One, and yet it can steam you from 0-62mph in 3.8sec.

The S8 might look like a relatively unassuming luxury limousine, and there's not a huge amount to differentiate it visually from the&nbsp;regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302">Audi A8</a>&nbsp;saloon on which it's based. But, thanks to a mighty&nbsp;563bhp 4.0-litre V8 engine under the bonnet, it's&nbsp;almost as fast as&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/r8/coupe/review/n124">Audi R8</a> supercar.

For all that performance, though, the S8&nbsp;still needs to cosset you so that you can get to where you’re going in as stress-free fashion as possible – otherwise, what’s the point of having a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-cars/n17020">luxury car</a> with so much power?

You're certainly paying enough to expect the best of everything, with the S8 costing similar money&nbsp;to smaller performance saloons, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17226">Mercedes-AMG E63</a>, as well as&nbsp;some versions of&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/panamera/hatchback/review/n17212">Porsche Panamera</a>. So, is it a worthy alternative to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/performance-cars/n23035">best performance cars</a> and which version of the S8 should you go for – the standard car, the Black Edition or the&nbsp;Vorsprung trim?

That's what we'll be telling you over the next few pages of this Audi S8 review. We'll cover everything from performance and interior quality to boot space and running costs. We'll also let you know what equipment <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/audi">Audi</a> gives you with each of those trims and which one is our favourite.

When you've decided which car is the right one for you, make sure you find it for the best price by searching on our free What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals service</a>. It&nbsp;could save you thousands off the brochure price and there are some cracking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury">new luxury car deals</a>.

As its name suggests, Black Edition trim brings lots of black exterior detailing. However, you also get 10 rather than five-spoke alloy wheels, carbon fibre interior trim and a black roof lining.

S8 Black Edition

Crushingly fast yet comfortable and refined. Just don’t expect sports car cornering thrills.

Audi S8

Like oversized sunglasses, luxury limos have fallen out of fashion in recent years, but the BMW 7 Series is a shining example of why they can still make sense today.

For starters, they tend to be more comfortable to ride in and better to drive than taller SUV alternatives, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/bentayga/4x4/review/n17228">Bentley Bentayga</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Range Rover</a>. And because saloons are lower and sleeker they’re also more streamlined, which is good for efficiency.

That’s particularly important when you’re relying on electricity to provide forward momentum, as all versions of the 7 Series do to some extent. Here we’re focusing on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> (PHEV) variants – there’s also an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a> model called the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i7/saloon/review/n25141">BMW i7</a>&nbsp;(which we’ve reviewed separately).

So, let’s see how the BMW 7 Series stacks up against <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-cars/n17020">luxury car</a> rivals – in other words, whether it's as good to drive the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302">Audi A8</a>&nbsp;or as pampering as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a>.

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

7 SERIES

A fine luxury limo, but the fully electric BMW i7 offers much lower tax bills, as do some plug-in hybrid&nbsp;rivals

BMW 7 Series

It seems oxymoronic, doesn’t it? A coupe&nbsp;is something that traditionally has two doors, so adding two more seems to defy convention. But breaking the rules is not necessarily a reason to be poo-pooed, and four-door coupes, like the BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe, have been a big hit ever since the Mercedes CLS burst onto the scene back in 2004.&nbsp;

Besides, BMW itself has form in defying convention; with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x6/estate/review/n17306">BMW X6</a>, it created the even more mind-distorting coupe&nbsp;SUV concept.&nbsp;It could be argued that four doors on a low-slung coupe&nbsp;is still an agreeable blend of&nbsp;elegance and practicality, while&nbsp;a chunky-looking SUV coupe isn't.&nbsp;So, you could say that the 8 Series Gran Coupe belongs to a rarified club: a&nbsp;car&nbsp;that lets you ‘have your cake and eat it'.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PAMGwqGJVKM"></iframe>

Where, then, does the 8 Series Gran Coupe&nbsp;fit in the market? Well, according to BMW, it’s deeper into the luxury sphere than the previous 6 Series Gran Coupe&nbsp;(<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/6-series/coupe/used-review/n870">click here for our used review</a>). The more powerful versions align with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/panamera/hatchback/review/n17212">Porsche Panamera</a> on price, but&nbsp;throughout this review we’ll also be referencing its cheaper rivals: the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cls/coupe/review/n146">Mercedes CLS</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a7/hatchback/review/n151">Audi A7 Sportback</a>.&nbsp;

In essence, the Gran Coupe&nbsp;is a two-door 8 Series that’s been stretched on a rack, and both bodystyles offer the same engines. There’s a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with rear-wheel drive, or a V8 petrol and six-cylinder diesel that come with BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive system.&nbsp;

Read on to see which of those engines we think is the best fit for the 8 Series Gran Coupe, and how it matches up to the competition. And when you’re done deciding, head to our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw/8-series/coupe/deals">New Car Buying page</a> to find the best deals for the least hassle.&nbsp;

8 SERIES GRAN COUPE

Offers a great balance of comfort, sportiness and practicality

BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe

We can only imagine that some high-ups at Alpina know where the bodies are buried at BMW. Okay, that might sound a bit far-fetched, but how else do you explain the long-standing and happy partnership between one of the world’s industrial leviathans and a pint-sized outfit like Alpina?

It’s a relationship so entwined that Alpina is allowed to infiltrate BMW’s production process and spirit away all of the constituent parts required to build a whole range of cars. What’s more, these are cars that provide direct competition to BMW’s top-end performance variants.

Take the Alpina B5 saloon. Sure, Alpina will gladly rob sales from super-saloons such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17226">Mercedes-AMG E63</a> and hot versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/panamera/hatchback/review/n17212">Porsche Panamera</a>, but that also means the B5 is a bang-to-rights rival to the current <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m5/saloon/review/n184">BMW M5</a> – and, to within a couple of thousand quid, it’s priced accordingly.

Yes, the M5’s Botoxed bumpers and chiselled mirror housings give the car a more ripped appearance than Alpina’s more conservative rendition of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">5 Series</a> saloon, but the B5 is not without its own embellishments, including optional slender pin-stripe decals, Alpina emblems and those iconic sundial alloy wheels.

There’s also a fair bit of mechanical symbiosis going on. Both cars employ twin-turbocharged V8 engines and both use four-wheel steering and traction-enhancing four-wheel drive, along with mind-boggling terabytes of electronic intervention systems, in an effort to maximise power delivery and enhance cornering stability.

This can only be a good thing, given the lurid performance – the B5 will thunder to 62mph 3.5sec and will best 200mph, making it faster than the M5.

Read on to find out if the B5 is worth choosing over its BMW cousin and, indeed, other super-saloons.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

BMW ALPINA

5 SERIES

Fuel consumption aside, the Alpina B5 combines everyday comfort and usability with staggering performance and exclusivity, even if it can’t quite match the BMW M5

BMW Alpina B5

The term ‘modified car’ tends to conjure up images of teenage boy racers in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/hot-hatch">souped-up hatchbacks</a> stuffed with speakers, but Alpina’s efforts are altogether more sophisticated.

For more than 40 years, this Bavarian company has been customising <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMWs</a> with the aim of making them both faster and more luxurious. And while Alpina is independently owned, its efforts are not just tolerated by BMW but encouraged and supported.

It probably helps that Alpinas tend to be quite different in character to BMW’s own M performance models, delivering a more relaxed, less track-focused performance car experience.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5pEM8Tsx2Ng"></iframe>

Take this D5 S. It’s based on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5 Series</a> and powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six that produces 322bhp and gets the car from 0-62mph in just 4.9sec. However, it’s also a diesel, so has a potential range of almost 700 miles between fuel stops.

Alpina has gone to the trouble of creating bespoke suspension components, too, in an effort to maximise comfort and agility. And while the D5 S features 20in alloy wheels, body decals and spoilers, it looks nowhere near as aggressive as <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m5/saloon/review/n184">the latest M5</a>.

So has Alpina built a better 5 Series than BMW itself? And is the D5 S worth its hefty price tag? That’s what we’ll be exploring in this review.

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>

Stunning performance, but feels too much like a regular BMW 5 Series

BMW Alpina D5 S

“The best defence is a good offence” doesn't just apply to&nbsp;sports and military combat&nbsp;– it’s equally relevant to the car you’re reading about: the BMW M5.

This sixth-generation M5 has been on sale for less than five years, yet BMW just keeps on releasing new versions with even more power and ability to take on its similarly extreme super-saloon rivals.

When it first went on sale in 2018, it featured a heavily tweaked 591bhp version of its predecessor’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 engine.

You’d think that would probably be enough poke for the average buyer, but it was barely a year before <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw">BMW</a> released an even more hardcore, track-focused M5 called&nbsp;the Competition. With 616bhp and a 0-62mph time of just 3.3 seconds, only a Learjet could get you across Europe quicker.

In the rarefied world of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/performance-car">super saloons</a>, the Competition soon proved to be more popular than the ‘regular’ M5, so when it came time for a mid-life facelift, the standard car was dropped from the line-up.&nbsp;

You’d be forgiven for thinking that must be the end of the F90-series M5 story, but&nbsp;no. Less than a year after the launch of the face-lifted Competition, there's&nbsp;an even more driver-focused M5 in the form of the CS (or Clubsport). Yes, really.

With a smattering of carbon-fibre body panels, forged 20in wheels, standard-fit carbon-ceramic brakes and carbon-backed lightweight seats, it's a good 70kg lighter than the&nbsp;Competition. That, combined with more performance-focused dampers from the BMW M8 Gran Coupe and a revised steering set-up, means the CS should, in theory, feel even more precise in the bends.&nbsp;

So should you stick with the already superb Competition&nbsp;or fork out a bit extra for the CS? And do either of these M5s have what it takes to outperform a truly superb selection of rivals in the form of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/panamera/hatchback/review/n17212">Porsche Panamera Turbo</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17226">Mercedes-AMG E63</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/rs6/estate/review/n17185">Audi RS6</a>?

That’s what the next few pages of this review will tell you. Even if you’re not in the market for a 190mph super saloon, we can save you a good few quid on nearly any make and model of vehicle through the free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car?&nbsp;New Car Buying service</a>, which features some particularly tempting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/bmw/m5/saloon/deals?trim=m5-competition">BMW M5 deals</a>.&nbsp;

M5 Competition

One of the most complete and captivating super saloons we’ve ever tested – but it comes at a price

BMW M5

To explain the difference between the BMW M8 and the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/8-series/coupe/review/n18853">BMW 8 Series</a>&nbsp;we’ve devised the curry rating. The regular 8 Series is rated jalfrezi, because it’s pretty pokey. The M8 – the subject of this review – tops out at vindaloo.

Yes, the M8 – whether you choose the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-coupes-2022/n17019">coupé</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-convertibles-2022/n17007">convertible</a> or four-door Gran Coupé version – is a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-cars-2022/n17020">luxury car</a> that's as spicy as a tabasco pepper soaked in methanol then set on fire. It uses the same engine as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/m5/saloon/review/n184">BMW M5</a> saloon but with even higher power and torque outputs: 616bhp and 553lb ft respectively.&nbsp;

It comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive, but you can set it to&nbsp;rear-wheel drive if you’re feeling bold. Performance upgrades are available, such as a delimited top speed of 189mph (the default is a limited 155mph) and carbon-ceramic brakes, which retain their effectiveness for longer on a race track.&nbsp;

Despite all the above, the M8 isn't solely about performance. No, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/bmw">BMW</a> says it’s as much about luxury, hence it comes equipped with many toys. If many isn’t enough, you can option many, many more. You can further individualise&nbsp;your M8,&nbsp;upholstering it with bespoke leathers or Alcantara,&nbsp;or&nbsp;adding lashings of carbon-fibre to its exterior.

Is it any good, though? Read on to find that out, as well as, more importantly, how it stacks up against its rivals. In&nbsp;the sportier corner&nbsp;there’s the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/r8/coupe/review/n124">Audi R8</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/911/coupe/review/n98">Porsche 911</a>&nbsp;while&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/coupe/review/n17232">Bentley Continental&nbsp;GT</a>&nbsp;covers the luxury end of the market. The M8 is designed to sit between those two extremes.

Don’t forget that we can save you a good few quid on your next new car if you check out our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/bmw">New Car Deals</a>&nbsp;pages. The best bit is that getting a great deal is as simple as putting on your socks, and there are lots of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury">new luxury car deals</a>.

Sports

Rapid and comfortable grand tourer, but not a sports car

BMW M8

The Bentley Flying Spur&nbsp;is one of the exceptions to the rule that saloon versions of cars are sensible, worthy&nbsp;and about as exciting as a bowl of rice.

It’s essentially a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/coupe/review/n17232">Bentley Continental GT</a>&nbsp;coupé but with two extra doors, and in theory&nbsp;that's a pretty good starting point for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-cars/n17020">luxury car</a>. The Flying Spur isn’t for shy and retiring types, though – it’s almost five and a half metres long&nbsp;and has a front grille big enough to eat a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/ami/city-car/review/n23515">Citroën Ami</a>.

Then again, you don't buy a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/bentley">Bentley</a> to blend in, and&nbsp;a big part of the allure of a car like this is that you can turn it into a&nbsp;personal statement. Picking the colour is just the start of the almost infinite number of options&nbsp;– if you have lots of money, the only real limitation is your imagination.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IVQdieio7aM" width="560"></iframe>

When it comes to picking an engine, there are three to choose from:&nbsp;a 6.0-litre W12 with 626bhp, a 4.0-litre V8 with 542bhp and a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> (PHEV) that marries a&nbsp;2.9-litre V6 engine with an&nbsp;electric motor for a total of 536bhp. Astonishingly, the quickest version of this big, heavy luxury saloon has of 0-60mph time of 3.7sec. In other words, it's <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/sports-cars/n24412">sports car</a> quick despite it's size and weight.

So,&nbsp;is the Bentley Flying Spur any good, or are you paying lots for the mascot on the bonnet and the British brand's&nbsp;history? That's what we’ll explore over the next few pages of this review, along with which engine is best, and whether it's a better luxury car than the main rival&nbsp;– the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/rolls-royce/ghost/saloon/review/n17299">Rolls-Royce Ghost</a> –&nbsp;or high-end versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302">Audi A8</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a>.

Remember, when you next buy a&nbsp;new car, make&nbsp;sure you pay a fair price by checking our free&nbsp;What Car?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals pages</a>. You'll find heaps of tempting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury">new&nbsp;luxury car deals</a>.

In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.

The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and the fact that it’s available with Bentley’s outrageous W12 engine.

Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur and Mulsanne saloons and the Continental GT coupé.

BENTLEY

FLYING SPUR

Luxury car is fast with a beautiful interior,&nbsp;but it's very pricey and could be better to drive

Bentley Flying Spur

Imagine you’ve just won the lottery or, better still, you’ve struck oil. Or maybe you just happen to have always been a fabulously wealthy person. Whichever one of those scenarios applies to you, if you’re looking for your next car, how about taking a look at the Bentley Mulsanne?

Big, brash and showy it may be, but these aren’t necessarily negatives when you’re looking for a car that represents your status. And undeniably stately the Mulsanne is, too, oozing luxury with a hand-built finish that you can tailor to your heart’s content.

But money brings choices, so they say, begging the question: should you be investing a small fortune in the Mulsanne or would a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/rolls-royce/phantom/saloon/review/n131">Rolls-Royce Phantom</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes-Maybach S600</a> better serve you?

Read on over the next few pages and we’ll let you know all this and more. And if you have already decided this is the car for you, why not visit our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/configure/bentley/mulsanne/saloon/">New Car Buying</a> site – a discount is always nice to have.

MULSANNE

The Bentley Mulsanne is a luxury limo that’s a little sharper to drive than a Roll-Royce Phantom, but not quite as comfortable

Bentley Mulsanne

We can almost guarantee that a gleaming DS 9 is in the French President’s fleet of chauffeur cars for state visits, and that’s a pretty impressive seal of approval. After all, it would be a bit of a political faux pas for him to choose a luxury car that wasn’t home grown, wouldn’t it?&nbsp;

Indeed, most of the DS 9’s rivals hail from across the border in Germany, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a6/saloon/review/n61">Audi A6</a>, BMW 5 Series and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17174">Mercedes E-Class</a>. As you might have noticed, however, they’re all pretty heavy hitters, so the DS 9 is going to have to pull something out of the bag if it’s to compete.

Well, it’s safe to say that DS follows a different tack to its rivals. The brand says it's not interested in volume sales, and instead hopes to woo potential buyers with a dedicated concierge service, boutique-style salons (rather than conventional dealerships) and exclusive access to DS-organised events.

And, even if you're not interested in any of that stuff, the DS 9 has some car credibility that might win you over. That's because all versions are <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrids</a> (PHEVs) so they attract lower <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/company-cars">company car tax</a> rates than pure petrol and diesel alternatives.

Is that enough to triumph over the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-cars/n17020">best luxury cars</a>? Read on to find out...

DS has only existed as a standalone manufacturer since 2015&nbsp;(prior to that the badge was used on upmarket&nbsp;Citroëns), but it is now the premium brand in the PSA Group, which also includes&nbsp;Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

In 2018, DS stated that it planned to launch a new model every year, with all of these influenced by the French fashion industry and&nbsp;designed&nbsp;to take on the ubiquitous offerings of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

First to arrive (that same year) was the&nbsp;DS 7 Crossback – a large SUV that competes with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Then in 2019 this was followed by the smaller DS3 Crossback SUV, which is not only available&nbsp;with petrol and diesel engines, but also in fully electric E-Tense form.

More recently, DS&nbsp;unveiled its answer to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class luxury saloons. And while this DS 9 won't now go on sale until 2021, when it does arrive it will be offered with a choice of petrol, hybrid and fully electric power.

DS 9

The DS 9 is a&nbsp;sharp-looking&nbsp;alternative to the usual luxury saloon choices

To explain the, erm, genesis of the Genesis G80 we need to turn to the world of music and specifically a man called Peter Gabriel.&nbsp;

You see, back in the 1970s, Mr Gabriel left the rock band Genesis to ‘go solo’. Here, completely the opposite has happened: the Genesis used to be a luxury model built by Hyundai, but it’s now stepped away to set up an entirely new brand.&nbsp;

Indeed, Genesis is a nouveau premium brand in much the same way DS is to Citroën and Infiniti was to Nissan. It launched in its native South Korea a few years ago&nbsp;and has been carving a niche for itself in the United States for a while, but has only recently arrived in Europe.

The G80 is its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-cars-2021/n17020">luxury saloon</a>, making it a rival to the What Car? Luxury Car of the Year, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">BMW 5 Series</a>. That said, the G80’s slightly swoopy roofline arguably gives it a whiff of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cls/coupe/review/n146">Mercedes CLS</a>&nbsp;(a four-door coupé based on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17174">E-Class</a>).

If you need more space for passengers, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/genesis">Genesis</a> also makes a seven-seat luxury SUV called the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/genesis/gv80/estate/review/n23126">GV80</a>, which you can read about in our separate review.

As you’d perhaps expect, the Genesis G80 undercuts its big-selling German rivals when it comes to price, but how does it compete on CO2 output, another big factor in this class?&nbsp;That’s something we’ll be finding out in this review, along with how the G80 stacks up in other important areas, including driving manners, interior quality and infotainment.

If you decide you want to buy one – or any other new car for that matter – make sure you search the free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car?&nbsp;New Car Buying service</a> to find out how much you could save with no haggling at all. It's a good place to find the best&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury">luxury car&nbsp;deals</a>.

GENESIS

Worth a look if you’re bored with the big-selling European alternatives

Genesis G80

The Lexus ES is aimed at anyone looking for a luxury car that combines the tax advantages of a hybrid without the faff of plugging it in. Indeed, almost every model in the&nbsp;current Lexus range is helped along by at least one&nbsp;electric motor.

This seventh-generation ES is the first version available in the UK (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/lexus">Lexus</a> aimed previous versions primarily at the US market), and under its bonnet is a 2.5-litre petrol engine that’s assisted by two motors.&nbsp;

So, what are&nbsp;the benefits of its 'self-charging'&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/hybrid-cars/n17013">hybrid</a> set-up? Well, for a start the ES can travel short distances on electricity alone, which makes it quiet at lows speeds.

Plus, its official CO2 emissions are more in line with a small hatchback than a big luxury saloon – and that's particularly good news if you pay <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/company-car-tax-calculator">company car tax</a>. Unless you’re looking at<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743"> plug-in hybrid</a> (PHEV) options, the ES trumps the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a6/saloon/review/n61">Audi A6</a>, the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63"> BMW 5 Series</a> and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17174">&nbsp;the Mercedes E-Class</a> for emissions.

So, can a car that mixes all the trappings of a luxurious vehicle while also giving a big nod to efficiency cut it against the best rivals? Read on over the next few pages of this review to find out how we rate the Lexus ES for performance and handling, interior quality and space, running costs and more.

And don’t forget, you could save a packet on your next new car if you&nbsp;search out the lowest prices using our free What Car?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals pages</a>. They're a good place to find the best <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury">new luxury car deals</a>.

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Not without its strengths, but the Lexus ES is outclassed by the majority of rivals

Lexus ES

There are few better examples of the phrase "It’s what's on the inside that counts" than the Lexus LM. You see, while the exterior looks like a&nbsp;Lexus MPV with a rather radical grille, the interior is inspired by the world of private jets.

There are two versions to choose from – a four-seater&nbsp;and a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/7-seat-cars/n2344">seven-seater</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;and each serves a slightly different purpose. The more you pay, the fewer seats you get, so the range opens with the seven-seat LM model, which has&nbsp;similar appeal to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/v-class/estate/review/n17287">Mercedes V-Class</a>. In other words, it should be ideal for providing very comfortable transfers from airports.

The top-spec four-seater – called the Takumi – is solely concerned with trying to be the most luxurious <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/mpvs-and-people-carriers/n17001">MPV</a> you can buy, treating you to huge reclining seats and a whopping great 48in entertainment screen. Much like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a> and the long-wheelbase <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Range Rover</a>, it aims to transport VIPs in private-jet style without leaving the ground.

To help it achieve that, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/lexus">Lexus</a> has equipped the LM with a myriad of standard equipment, including a pair of huge reclining and massaging captain’s seats, a built-in fridge and a whopping great 48in entertainment screen for the pampered back-seat passengers.

It’s fair to say that the Lexus LM’s main appeal will be to companies chauffeuring the rich and famous around, but can it really compete with the established competition from Mercedes and Range Rover? Read on to find out...

The LM&nbsp;does exactly what it says on the tin, but could do with more power options

Lexus LM

Let’s paint a picture. You’re a successful businessperson who wants a big <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-cars/n17020">luxury car</a> but you still have a social conscience. Not only do you want to look after the environment, you also want to stand out a little. After all, a big German barge is rather common.

If that sounds like an impossible task, you might not have considered the Lexus LS 500h. While the LS has historically been a cautiously styled shrinking violet of a luxury car, this one is something quite different to look at.

It’s much lower than before and the roofline is a nod to the popularity of cars such as the coupé-like <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a>. It’s certainly more exciting to look at than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a> or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302">Audi A8</a>.

In the UK, there’s a choice of just one engine – a 3.5-litre V6 that’s augmented by a couple of electric motors fed by a battery pack in the rear. That means low emissions for a squeaky clean conscience and low(er) <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/company-car-tax-calculator">company car tax</a> bills.

Over the next few pages, we’ll let you know what it’s like to drive and be driven in, plus which trim makes the most sense. And, as always, you can find out if there are some tempting discounts available by searching our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals pages</a>.

Well equipped and distinctive but too flawed in key areas to recommend

Lexus LS

The Maserati Ghibli&nbsp;proves you can teach an old dog new tricks – its entry-level diesel engine has been replaced with a far greener hybrid one.&nbsp;Not that you'd call this powerful luxury saloon an old dog (although it does have&nbsp;a fine Italian pedigree).

Ditching diesel might seem brave considering that 80% of Ghibli buyers used to opt for one that supped from the black pump, but rivals including Porsche did the same a few years ago&nbsp;and you wouldn't describe them as struggling, would you?

Whether it will be successful for Maserati remains to be seen. It's fair to say that, despite being on sale since 2013, the Ghibli is still far from a common sight on the road, unlike the&nbsp;BMW 5 Series&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mercedes E-Class it's up against. That may be because the Ghibli is priced to compete with high-end versions of those cars.

Alongside the hybrid choice, there are some suitably potent petrol engines filling out the rest of the range. You can have the 345bhp and 424bhp 3.0-litre V6 engines found in the Modena and Modena S models, or – if you're a particularly well-heeled petrolhead –&nbsp;there's the twin-turbo 572bhp 3.8-litre V8 Trofeo.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/maserati">Maserati</a> has made a number of other changes to the model, too. There's now a new infotainment system, extra safety kit&nbsp;and improved sound insulation to help keep it relevant in today’s fiercely competitive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/category/luxury">luxury car</a> class.

So how does the Maserati Ghibli compare with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/saloon/review/n63">5 Series</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17174">E-Class</a>&nbsp;and other rivals,&nbsp;and which version is best? This review will answer those questions and more, so read on for our full verdict.

When you do decide which car is right for you, make sure you get it for the best price by using the free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car? New Car Buying service</a>. It can help you save thousands of pounds&nbsp;on hundreds of makes and models without any haggling, and has some tempting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/maserati/ghibli/saloon/deals">Maserati Ghibli deals</a>.

Do you look at the models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and find them all a bit too… common? Well then, Maserati might be up your street.

This Italian car maker has one SUV in its line-up – the Porsche Cayenne-rivalling Levante – but also the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons, GranTurismo coupé and GranCabrio drop-top.

Despite its long history, Maserati has been through several periods of inactivity but is now in better health thanks to being part of the large Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.

In the future, we’re expecting to see Maserati grow its SUV range with new models to sit above and below the Levante, as well as a new range-topping sports car.

MASERATI

GHIBLI

Looks swanky and now has a mild-hybrid option, but is off the pace in most other areas.

Maserati Ghibli

Sometimes going against the grain can work in your favour – and the Maserati Quattroporte <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-cars/n17020">luxury car</a> is a great example of that.

You see, the Quattroporte is the Italian car maker’s answer to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a> luxury limousine, but rather than concentrating on cosseting and lowering the heart rates of those sitting in the back seats, it aims to deliver a more exhilarating, high-octane experience.

It stands out from the crowd with a cool and slightly rebellious demeanour, and has athletic proportions that make it look sharper than its luxury saloon rivals, which also include the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302">Audi A8</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a> and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/panamera/hatchback/review/n17212">Porsche Panamera</a>.&nbsp;

It also has a less tech-heavy interior than those models, making it feel like a more traditional option with sporting aspirations, in the spirit of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/xj/saloon/used-review/n18603">Jaguar XJ</a> perhaps.

The engine range consists of two petrol options and doesn’t include any form of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/hybrid-cars/n17013">hybrid technology</a> or electrification. There isn’t even a diesel for those wanting to cover long distances. There are two distinct trim levels too. Modena is linked to the entry-level V6, while Trofeo is the flagship V8-engined version.

So, the Maserati Quattroporte is designed to appeal to those who want to get to their destination with a bit more verve and a small adrenaline hit thrown into the journey, but does that formula still work in today’s world?

Over the next few pages of this review, we'll give you all the answers, as well as telling you which version we'd recommend if you do buy one.

Whichever car you decide is the one for you, don’t forget to check out the deals available through our free What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals service</a>. It could save you thousands of pounds off the list price of most makes and models of car, and has lots of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury">new luxury car deals</a>.

QUATTROPORTE

Sporty limo&nbsp;can't quite match rivals in the performance or luxury stakes, making it hard to recommend – but the V8 engine is wonderful

Maserati Quattroporte

If you think big luxury cars are irrelevant to you, remember that, like its predecessors, the latest&nbsp;Mercedes S-Class is rammed full of clever technology that will eventually filter down to more mainstream models.

How clever? Well, with some trims, the seats can move you away from an impending side-on collision, for example. That’s hopefully not something you’ll be showing off to your friends or family, but, fortunately, there is much more than that to impress them within the latest S-Class.

For a start, there's its interior. The giant (12.8in) portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen and 12.3in driver’s display leave barely a button to be found. And, if you opt for one of the higher trim levels, the S-Class will even give you a hot stone massage.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oPtYiLUMGCk" width="560"></iframe>

As with key rivals,&nbsp;a couple of different lengths are available – short and long wheelbase – so rear seat space ranges from generous to absolutely indulgent.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/mercedes-benz">Mercedes</a> also gives you a selection of petrol and diesel engines to choose from, ranging from the 282bhp S350d to the 503bhp S580. There’s now a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-plug-in-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n1141">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;(PHEV) version too – the S580e – and it's the fastest, yet&nbsp;most frugal car in the range.

Having said all that, the S-Class doesn’t have a monopoly on luxury transportation. You might also decide to waft around in one of its well-appointed rivals, such as the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302"> Audi A8</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a> or even the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Land Rover Range Rover</a>. The question is, should you?

Read on through our S-Class review to find out just how pampering it is, what it's like to drive, how much it will cost you and how it compares with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-cars-2022/n17020">best luxury cars</a>&nbsp;available.

Regardless of which make and model of car you choose to buy, you could save thousands of pounds by checking out our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car?&nbsp;New Car Deals pages</a>. It helps you get the best price without any haggling, and there are lots <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/luxury">new luxury car deals</a>.

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

S CLASS

The Mercedes S-Class is a comfortable&nbsp;luxury saloon with lots of tech and a fabulously appointed, roomy&nbsp;interior

Mercedes S-Class

At one time, if you'd told a high-flying executive that their Mercedes E-Class would one day be able to park without a driver and join video meetings with colleagues around the world, they'd have thrown their BlackBerry at you.

Yet this sixth-generation E-Class can do both those and more. We’re talking about autonomous driving functions, a bleeding-edge infotainment system with a separate screen for your passenger, ambient lights that pulse to the beat of the music you’re listening to and a surround-sound system with Dolby Atmos.

What about the actual driving experience, though? Well, we should tell you right now that there’s no <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a> version. If you want a fully electrified E-Class-sized Merc, see our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/eqe/saloon/review/n25101">Mercedes EQE review</a>.

<iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yLIMxKOXN2Y" width="560"></iframe>

Mercedes' main rivals are taking the same approach with the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. Both will sit alongside electric equivalents – the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2024-audi-a6-avant-e-tron-revealed-price-specs-and-release-date/n24283">Audi A6 e-tron</a>&nbsp;and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/i5/saloon/review/n26177">BMW i5</a>&nbsp;– although the BMWs will be harder to tell apart.

It turns out that executive car buyers like to have a choice over when and how they go electric –&nbsp;and manufacturers are clearly listening.

So, is the new Mercedes E-Class right for you? Read on to find out...

E CLASS

The E-Class executive car is elegant, classy, well equipped and good to drive

New Mercedes E-Class

Why should you compromise in life? If you have the funds to treat yourself to a&nbsp;luxury car&nbsp;but need four seats,&nbsp;you can have sports car performance too. For proof of that, take a look at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Porsche Panamera.

You see, underneath the Panamera’s sharp four-door exterior is a rather athletic frame, with&nbsp;a choice of V6 or V8 petrol engines and rear or four-wheel drive.&nbsp;Plug-in hybrid (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">PHEV</a>) models are also available, in case you want to reduce your fuel consumption, go very quickly – or both.&nbsp;

There’s no such thing as a sluggish <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/porsche">Porsche</a>&nbsp;of course, and even the slowest version of the Panamera does 0-62mph in the mid-five second range. The quickest is, well, very quick indeed. It's not just about straight-line pace, though. This is&nbsp;also one of the most agile luxury cars around.

The driving experience car be improved further with a&nbsp;range of options, including adaptive air suspension with active anti-roll bars, four-wheel steering and carbon-ceramic brakes. That doesn't come cheap, though. Spending a five-figure sum on options for the Panamera is very easily done – even before you’ve considered special paint finishes, bigger wheels or a more luxurious interior.

There’s a wide range of cars you could consider rivals. At the bottom end are four and five-door coupes, such as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a7/hatchback/review/n151">Audi A7 Sportback</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cls/coupe/review/n146">Mercedes CLS</a>. The long-wheelbase Panamera Executive models could be seen as sporty alternatives to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302">Audi A8</a>&nbsp;or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a>. And the Turbo S and Turbo S E-Hybrid have the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/amg-gt-4-door/saloon/review/n17968">Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé</a>&nbsp;firmly in their&nbsp;sights.

Wondering whether the Porsche Panamera could be the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-cars/n17020">best luxury car</a> for your? Well, we've road-tested it, and in this review&nbsp;we'll tell you what the performance is like, how pleasant the tech-laden interior is, how much it will cost to buy and run, and much more.

Hatchback

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

PANAMERA

Luxury car from Porsche is comfortable and superb to drive

Porsche Panamera

The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is&nbsp;a composite car – or a&nbsp;patchwork Porsche, if you prefer. 

While the standard Panamera splices together the DNA of a luxury saloon, coupé and hatchback with a few strands of sports car, the Sport Turismo adds&nbsp;a pinch of estate car to that mix for good measure.

The Panamera Sport Turismo is a shooting brake rather than a&nbsp;fuddy-duddy 'station wagon', so&nbsp;it sacrifices some space at the altar of style, but&nbsp;its long tail deals with bulkier luggage better than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/panamera/hatchback/review/n17212">Panamera</a>&nbsp;(or the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/taycan/saloon/review/n20184">Porsche Taycan</a> for that matter).

It's&nbsp;roomier than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cls/coupe/review/n146">Mercedes CLS</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/amg-gt-4-door/saloon/review/n17968">Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door</a>, but for the ultimate fast load-lugger, there's also&nbsp;the mighty <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/e-class/saloon/review/n17226">Mercedes-AMG E63&nbsp;Estate</a>.

That’s quite a diverse spread of potential rivals, then, and the Sport Turismo range is broad enough to take on the lot. There’s no such thing as a slow version: power ranges from a relatively modest 326bhp in the entry-level 4, right up to a staggering 690bhp in the Turbo S E-Hybrid.

Speaking of the E-Hybrid, it’s the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars-2021/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a> options that make the most appealing reading if you’re interested in <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/company-car-or-car-allowance/n1115">company car tax costs</a>&nbsp;– and, more to the point, lowering yours. The two E-Hybrids&nbsp;offer much lower benefit-in-kind tax rates than a non-plug-in performance car, so they're&nbsp;a smart choice if you pay it.

There we have it: the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo is a driver’s car fit for everyday use. Or is it? In this review, we'll tell you all about its performance, comfort and running costs,&nbsp;as well as how it compares with its key rivals, which also include the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/5-series/estate/review/n34">BMW 5 Series Touring</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/rs6/estate/review/n17185">Audi RS6 Avant</a>.

When you've decided which <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-performance-cars-2021/n23035">performance car</a> is for you, we can even help you find a great deal on most makes and models. Just head over to our free What Car?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Buying service</a> to find out.

More practical than the&nbsp;regular Panamera. Still has huge badge appeal and&nbsp;effortless performance

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

It’s hard to describe a car costing more than £250,000 as “entry-level”, but the Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II is the most attainable car in the brand’s rarefied portfolio.

The new car is, obviously, very different from the famous Silver Ghost of 1906, but it is also very different from its much more recent Ghost predecessor. While that car shared many of its parts with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a>, this Ghost Series II is based on the same aluminium underpinnings as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/rolls-royce/cullinan/4x4/review/n18282">Cullinan SUV</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/rolls-royce/phantom/saloon/review/n131">Phantom saloon</a> – these being exclusive to Rolls Royce. And if this new Ghost is anything like its megabuck stablemates, then owners and passengers are in for a treat.

Like every current car with a Spirit of Ecstasy on its prow, it’s powered by a whopping great big 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine that delivers 563bhp and 627lb ft of torque, with four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering both standard. But chest-thumping acceleration may not be the first thing you associate with the British marque. Instead, you’ll more likely expect exquisitely serene and tranquil cruising manners, and an interior fit and finish to please even the most pernickety and fastidious of well-heeled patrons.

So does the Ghost deliver? Well, without giving too much away, it certainly does. But, of course, such opulence doesn’t come cheaply, and it needs to justify its intimidating price tag, which overshadows such esteemed luxury car rivals as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_A8">Audi A8</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/flying-spur/saloon/review/n17297">Bentley Flying Spur</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a>. Can it possibly carry this off? Read on to find out. And if you’d like buying your next car to be as relaxing as cruising in a Roller, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">our New Car Buying service</a> has your best interests at heart.

When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.

If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.

Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.

It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.

ROLLS-ROYCE

GHOST

Those who can afford to buy this exquisite luxury saloon will not be disappointed

Rolls-Royce Ghost

Although car brands will occasionally bleat on about their history and how long a certain model name has been on sale, we can’t think of any that are quite so long lasting as the Rolls-Royce Phantom. While the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/rolls-royce">famous British marque</a> is unlikely to boast about this fact – such bragging is arguably far too vulgar – we’re quite happy to point out that the name first appeared in 1925.

Yes, there have been a couple of occasions where the name disappeared for a decade or so, but it has been a firm fixture in the range since 2003. Now on only its eighth generation, the Phantom remains the pinnacle of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/rolls-royce">the Rolls-Royce range</a> and, arguably, the new car market as a whole.

Like its direct predecessor, the Phantom is a gargantuan saloon that stands nearly as tall as some <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Range Rovers</a> and is almost six metres long if you opt for the extended-wheelbase model. Underneath a bonnet long enough to be used as a runway sits a 6.75-litre V12 that’s bolstered by a couple of turbochargers. Power is most definitely adequate: there’s enough of it to fling the Phantom from 0-62mph in a little over five seconds.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5pEM8Tsx2Ng"></iframe>

But although it’s quick and has both adaptive air suspension and four-wheel steering to make it the most nimble Phantom to date, this is no sports saloon. No, this is a car built to cosset and calm its occupants in their own bespoke leather-lined cocoon.

How you decorate this cocoon is almost entirely up to you; there is a brochure full of colours, upholsteries and options you can choose from. And, if your bank balance has enough noughts before the decimal point, Rolls Royce will gladly add to, remove from or adapt your Phantom in any way you like.

Although we suspect Rolls-Royce would say the Phantom is without rivals, we’d argue that the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/mulsanne/saloon/review/n17254">Bentley Mulsanne</a> serves as a similarly bespoke and far sportier alternative, while the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes-Maybach S-Class</a> is also worth a look. Sure, you could argue that the regular S-Class, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302">Audi A8</a> are also rivals, but that’s like suggesting that an M&amp;S meal deal is comparable to a hamper from Fortnum’s.

Should you be in the market for a luxury motor vehicle of any kind, then do have a look at our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Buying section</a> for big savings on hundreds of new conveyances.

PHANTOM

The most luxurious car in the world is exceedingly hard to fault. You’ll need very deep pockets to buy and run one, though.

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