Car and Driver's 2000 luxury sedan shootout captured five titans of the segment at a pivotal moment in automotive history. The Jaguar Vanden Plas, Mercedes-Benz S430, Audi A8 4.2 Quattro, Lexus LS400, and BMW 740iL represented the peak of turn-of-the-millennium luxury engineering.
The S430 and 740iL dominated the German luxury market with their established nameplates and performance credentials. Mercedes paired a 4.3-liter V8 with its 7G-Tronic transmission, while BMW's 740iL answered with a 4.4-liter V8 and five-speed automatic. Audi's A8 4.2 Quattro brought all-wheel-drive sophistication and a 4.2-liter V8, setting itself apart on grip and handling precision.
Lexus countered with the LS400, the Japanese alternative that had already proven its durability and reliability formula across a generation. Its 4.0-liter V8 and silky transmission created a different value proposition. Jaguar's Vanden Plas offered British styling and sporting heritage, though reliability remained a concern for buyers accustomed to German or Japanese benchmarks.
This test period captured luxury sedans before SUVs and crossovers fractured the segment's dominance. Each manufacturer still believed the full-size sedan would anchor their lineup. Buyers choosing between these five faced genuine technical and philosophical differences. The Germans prioritized performance and innovation. Lexus emphasized longevity and precision assembly. Jaguar leaned on character and prestige.
The photo gallery documents these machines from every angle, revealing the design language each brand employed. Mercedes' curves contrasted with BMW's angular aggression