The Best Full-Size Luxury Sedan on the Planet!

[HighestOfHigh]

There are a lot of large luxury sedans on the market today. Some cost $70k and some $400k. Out of the sedans listed, which sedan do you feel is the best total package? Don’t look at it from a cost/segment factor. Look at it as the best bang for the buck (value). What car do you feel is the total package when it comes to a full size luxury car? Please keep in mind that these are not in the same segments some maybe be luxury and some ultra luxury. You are basically voting on the best overall package.

Please feel free to use these as decision making factors –

• Engine/Performance
• Quality and presentation
• Standard equipment compared with price
• Features such as safety and technology
• Cost compared with Value of Vehicle

The choices are –

Mercedes-Benz S-class


Maybach 57/62

BMW 7 series


Rolls-Royce Phantom

Rolls-Royce Ghost

Audi A8


Bentley Mulsanne

Bentley Flying Spur

Jaguar XJ


Lexus LS

Maserati Quattroporte

Please explain your choice and feel free to rate them in order!

*If you're confused, pick the one that you would mostly purchase and feel good about years later.

 

[Padi]

Wow, this poll was hard Well I went for the 7-series since, well it looks good, love the interior and the motoring is just fantastic, and of course the price (compared to the others I mean)
So, a short list:

1. BMW 7-series
2. Rolls-Royce Ghost
3. Bentley Flying Spur
4. RR Phantom
5. Quattroporte
6. S-Class
7. Bentley Mulsanne
8. Jaguar XJ
9. Maybach 62 S
10. Audi A8 (new version is ugly)
11. Lexus LS

 

[cawimmer430]

I voted for the S-Class because I am biased, but I honestly feel these polls are quite meaningless since all these cars listed are great. It really comes down to what the individual buying them is looking for.

 

[adeel2010]

1. Mercedes-Benz S-class- best value
2. Rolls-Royce Ghost- a Phantom that you don't have to be chauffeured in
3. Bentley Mulsanne- couldn't have done a better job, but still not the best
4. Rolls-Royce Phantom- the ultimate luxury sedan but I like to drive myself without looking like a chauffeur
5. Maserati Quattroporte- not too expensive but very distinguished
6. Maybach 57/63- too much resemblance with the S-class but still very nice
7. BMW 7 series- great package, but the others are better
8. Bentley Flying Spur- the continental GT should keep to 2 doors
9. Audi A8- new one is ugly
10. Jaguar XJ- kind of ugly
11. Lexus LS- i hate Lexus

 

[LaArtist]

Only 2 cars i would buy is the S or the Mulsanne..
And the S is good enough maybe even better at a much lower price..
So S it is

 

[Merc1]

IMO there are only 2 here that really define the breed.

Money no object and you want the best car there is, I'd say the Phantom. Nothing is as grand or accomodating.

For the rest of the population, there is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It has been the best mass produced sedan money can buy for years and years.


Everything else falls in between the S and Rolls or below the S-Class.

Mentionable: - Bentley Mulsanne. Stunning car thats above the S-Class, but doesn't top the Phantom for what the Phantom does, but it isn't trying too hence I think it is noteworthy in its own right.

Quattroporte doesn't belong here. These are luxury rides, not rip-rorthing sport sedans.

The Lexus is likely the best transportation device on the planet. No driving experience, styling, handling or anything remotely "involving", but from point A to B transportation its as good as anything on the market. I mean honestly all these cars are quiet, ride well etc. so the only thing seperating them is their design, feel, performance, leather/wood quality, etc. etc. things where the Lexus misses the mark for those who care about such things. It is the ultimate in brown paper bag luxury.

Ghost, Maybach (a red 57S, really HoH), and the flying spur are nice, but better cars can be had in house.

Need to see the LWB A8L and the Jaguar is just plain goofy.


M

 

[Shining Star]

If money was no object, I'd choose the Mulsanne in a heartbeat. However, the S-Class does provide so much luxury, tech, and power for lots less. The S is simply the king! With a stunning exterior and interior design, plus all the prestige I need, all I desire is an S600.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Ghost, Maybach (a red 57S, really HoH)

Lol...Well I thought it was interesting. Seems like every photo we see of it is in black. Wanted to change up a bit.

Hopefully these will help -

 

[pismeov]

long time lurker, first time poster....

this is one of the most interesting polls i've seen on this forum, so i felt very compelled to respond.

i honestly would pick the s-class if i had a 200k a year salary. but if money were no object, i would choose the maybach--specifically a 57s. to me it just makes sense. and here is why:

i get many of the s-class' mechanicals--which are top notch on any price range. i get the s65's drivetrain--a drivetrain which outpeforms any other rivals shown here.

i get an interior that is peerless save for maybe the rolls-royce. but even the rolls' interior feels cold compared to the maybach's cozy interior feel. sure, it may feel like an s-class, but it's as customizable as a rolls or a bentley. i mean, this interior is jut hard to beat:





like the bentley mulsanne, it's a car to be driven or driven in. but unlike a bentley or a roller, it can be parked anywhere. i don't have to worry about getting the sort of looks that one gets driving a more ostentatiously styled machine. i can park this thing on almost any street and most people will just dismiss it as another s-class (a common sight here in vancouver where i live). and to me, this is a huge plus.

Edit: my links don't seem to be working, so I'll fix this when I get home from work...

 

[klier]

All I can say is.....WOW @ uglyness of the Mulsanne front.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

long time lurker, first time poster....

this is one of the most interesting polls i've seen on this forum, so i felt very compelled to respond.

That's always good to hear. Welcome to GCF!

 

[adeel2010]

like the bentley mulsanne, it's a car to be driven or driven in. but unlike a bentley or a roller, it can be parked anywhere. i don't have to worry about getting the sort of looks that one gets driving a more ostentatiously styled machine. i can park this thing on almost any street and most people will just dismiss it as another s-class (a common sight here in vancouver where i live). and to me, this is a huge plus.

I have a completely opposite point of view, I wouldn't want a $350,000+ car to be ignored and confused with a $100,000 car.

 

[pismeov]

That's always good to hear. Welcome to GCF!

thank you! i've been to many forums now, and so far i've found this to be the most mature, well-natured and well-informed forum. i always enjoy the discussions that take place--especially when it gets somewhat heated. i'll try to make more posts when relevant...

I have a completely opposite point of view, I wouldn't want a $350,000+ car to be ignored and confused with a $100,000 car.

while i understand this (this is why a lot of people hate the same sausage/different lengths styling that some carmakers are doing), i just don't share it. to me, my car need only look good to my eyes. and to me, the maybach looks good, understated and elegant without the brash, in-your-face looks of the rolls and, to a lesser extent, the mulsanne. the opinions of people whom i will never meet or know are thus irrelevant. i see the maybach looking like an s-class to be a great thing as i know that when i open the door, i won't be looking at an s-class interior. some components may be shared with the w220 s-class (like how some bentley continental interior bits are found on the previous generation a8 or phaeton), but the quality and execution of the interior design is beyond that of the s-class--w220 or 221. and seeing how i will be driving this car and not just looking at it from the outside, the interior matters more....

this is why my current car is a glk. it may not be a looker (especially considering i didn't bother with the optional sport package), but i filled it with all the interior options i could get. i needed a small suv, and this gave me all the features i wanted. so i'm happy everytime drive the thing.

 

[adeel2010]

while i understand this (this is why a lot of people hate the same sausage/different lengths styling that some carmakers are doing), i just don't share it. to me, a car need only look good to me to be appreciated. and to me, the maybach looks good, understated and elegant without the brash, in-your-face looks of the rolls and, to a lesser extent, the mulsanne. the opinions of people whom i will never meet or know are thus irrelevant. i see the maybach looking like an s-class to be a great thing as i know that when i open the door, i won't be looking at an s-class interior. some components may be shared with the w220 s-class (like how some bentley continental interior bits are found on the previous generation a8 or phaeton), but the quality and execution of the interior design is beyond that of the s-class--w220 or 221. and seeing how i will be driving this car and not just looking at it from the outside, the interior matters more....

I know what you're saying but to me it's still not worth the extra 250k. Regardless of how good looking it is and how beautiful the interior is, it's still an unnoticeable car compared to rolls royce. I guess it's just what each of us wants, an ostentatious car or a modest car.

 

[aleks_16]

For me the best is this car

BUT this car doesn´t is a production car so for this time give me that :

 

[NarutoRamen]

Easily the S-class. It has the right amount of luxury for the right price. Not to mention it's been the king of sedans for LONG time.

IMO...

 

[ree]

A full-size luxury sedan is for me Maybach 57/62, Rolls Royce Ghost/Phantom and Bentley Mulsanne/Arnage. Well, S-Class, 7-series etc are luxury too, but they are just not special enough. I always loved the Maybachs interior - it looks so special, but has so much understatement as well. Also like the new Mulsanne, but for me a Maybach 57 S was always a dream…so my vote goes for this car. Ultimate luxury…would have choosen the S-Class if I had to look for money.

Would choose a grey leather and carbon fibre interior (saw this combination in a Bombardier Challenger 600 and it was absolutely amazing)

 

[HighestOfHigh]

It really comes down to the S-class, Maybach 57 and Bentley Mulsanne for me. Still deciding on my number 1. The S-class clearly is superior when it comes to technology and safety. The Bentley is absolutely glorious and highly sophisticated with the proper luxury features. Maybach 57s has a powerful engine and business luxury that has proven to be one of the highest interior treats then any other car on earth….and lets not even start on its remarkable sound system. Still debating though….

 

[cawimmer430]

Pismeov, I think I remember you from the good old days at the Car and Driver forums. Are you the same guy?

 

[pismeov]

Pismeov, I think I remember you from the good old days at the Car and Driver forums. Are you the same guy?

yep! I am that very same pismeov from years back. I remember then when the c/d forum was a great place to chat about cars.... Kinda like how this forum is now. I knew I recognized your name. Still have that w126 and w211?