Mercedes E-Class vs BMW 5 Series vs Audi A6: Which Is Best?

TL;DR

The Mercedes E-Class emerges as the top choice, excelling in luxury and comfort, while the BMW 5 Series offers the most engaging driving experience. The Audi A6 is a solid all-rounder with practicality but lacks standout features, making the E-Class the winner for those prioritizing elegance and refinement.

Transcript

executive cars no one does them as well as the Germans but which German firm does them best Mercedes BMW or Audi to find out I'm going to see how the new Mercedes E-Class compares to the BMW 5 series and the Audi A6 so three desirable German cars and some less desirable British weather I'll critique their designs I just don't think I'm worthy I fee... Read More

Key Insights

• The Mercedes E-Class is the most expensive of the three, starting at £35,935, but offers a luxurious experience both inside and out.
• The BMW 5 Series is noted for its sporty drive and distinctive design, although its interior is starting to look dated.
• The Audi A6 offers a great all-rounder experience with a spacious boot and a comfortable drive, but lacks standout features.
• The Mercedes E-Class provides the best cabin experience with a digital driver's display that is bright and crisp.
• In terms of practicality, the Mercedes E-Class offers the most spacious interior, making it ideal for families.
• The BMW 5 Series excels in driving dynamics, especially with its adaptive suspension, making it the most fun to drive.
• Audi A6's infotainment system is user-friendly but lacks the high-resolution display quality of its competitors.
• All three cars offer different strengths: Mercedes for luxury, BMW for driving pleasure, and Audi for practicality.

Questions & Answers

Q: What makes the Mercedes E-Class stand out in this comparison?

The Mercedes E-Class stands out due to its luxurious design, both inside and out, and its superior comfort. It features a high-quality cabin with a digital driver's display that is bright and crisp. Additionally, it offers the most spacious interior, making it ideal for families. Its air suspension provides a smooth ride, enhancing its overall comfort.

Q: How does the BMW 5 Series perform in terms of driving experience?

The BMW 5 Series is noted for its sporty driving experience. It offers a great blend of performance and handling, especially when equipped with the optional adaptive suspension. This makes it the most fun to drive among the three cars. Its 8-speed automatic gearbox is praised for being fast and smooth, contributing to its dynamic driving experience.

Q: What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Audi A6?

The Audi A6 is a great all-rounder, offering a spacious boot with a wide opening and a comfortable drive. Its infotainment system is user-friendly, although the screen's resolution is lower than its competitors. While it provides a good driving experience, it lacks standout features, making it less distinctive compared to the Mercedes and BMW.

Q: How does the interior of the Mercedes E-Class compare to the other cars?

The interior of the Mercedes E-Class is the most luxurious and spacious among the three cars. It features a high-quality cabin with a digital driver's display that is bright and crisp. The E-Class offers the best rear seat comfort and the largest boot space, although the boot's opening is slightly awkward. Its cabin design is more in line with the larger S-Class, enhancing its premium feel.

Q: What are the practical aspects of the BMW 5 Series?

The BMW 5 Series offers a spacious interior with plenty of headroom, although its boot is the smallest among the three cars. The car's cabin storage is limited, with small rear door pockets and limited space under the armrest. Fitting a baby seat is somewhat tricky due to hard-to-locate Isofix fittings, but the car provides ample room to maneuver.

Q: How does the Audi A6's boot compare to the other cars?

The Audi A6's boot is slightly smaller than the Mercedes E-Class but features a wider opening and a squarer shape, allowing for more efficient use of space. Unlike the other two brands, Audi does not charge extra for fold-down rear seats, adding to its practicality. However, the boot's overall capacity is between the Mercedes and BMW.

Q: What engine options are available for the Mercedes E-Class?

The Mercedes E-Class comes with an automatic gearbox as standard on all models, contributing to its higher price. It features a new 2-liter diesel engine that is quieter than its predecessor while delivering almost 200 horsepower. This engine provides good performance with a claimed fuel economy of 72 miles per gallon, although real-world figures are around 55 miles per gallon.

Q: Why does the BMW 5 Series require adaptive suspension for optimal performance?

The BMW 5 Series requires the optional adaptive suspension to fully realize its potential for a sporty and comfortable drive. Without it, the car does not perform as well as it could. The adaptive suspension enhances the car's handling and ride comfort, making it the most fun to drive among the three cars, especially for those who prioritize driving dynamics.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, and Audi A6 are compared in terms of design, practicality, and driving experience. The E-Class stands out for its luxury and comfort, making it the winner of the test.

• The BMW 5 Series is praised for its sporty driving experience and distinctive design, although its interior is becoming outdated. It offers a great blend of performance and comfort.

• The Audi A6 provides a balanced experience with a spacious boot and comfortable drive. However, it lacks standout features compared to its competitors, making it a solid all-rounder.