A 1993 luxury sedan shootout pits six contenders against each other in the high-stakes world of executive transportation. Car and Driver tested the Audi V8 Quattro, BMW 740i, Cadillac STS, Jaguar XJ6, Lexus LS400, and Mercedes-Benz 400E to determine which sedan best justified its premium price tag.
The field represents distinct philosophies. The Audi V8 Quattro brings German engineering and all-wheel-drive sophistication. BMW's 740i carries the Munich marque's sporting tradition into the luxury space. Cadillac's STS aims to prove American luxury can compete globally. Jaguar's XJ6 represents British refinement and heritage. Lexus counters with the LS400, Toyota's audacious assault on the established luxury order built on reliability and value. Mercedes-Benz fields the 400E, its executive sedan backed by three decades of S-Class dominance.
The 1993 comparison highlights a pivotal moment in automotive history. Japanese manufacturers were infiltrating segments long considered the exclusive domain of European and American builders. The LS400, launched in 1989, had already begun reshaping buyer expectations around quality and longevity. German competitors like BMW and Mercedes-Benz faced pressure to justify their pricing against Lexus's value proposition. Cadillac, meanwhile, struggled to maintain relevance as domestic luxury lost ground to imports.
Each sedan addressed different buyer priorities. Performance enthusiasts gravitated toward the Audi's quattro system and the BMW's handling dynamics. Traditionalists remained loyal to Mercedes and Jaguar despite rising competition. Pragmatists increasingly considered the Lexus, which offered competitive power and technology without the prestige markup.
This test captures luxury sedans at a crossroads