The power players in the automotive industry used to show off with luxury cars to broadcast their success. Today, that declaration is largely communicated through SUVs. If you want to announce that you’ve arrived and you don’t follow the crowd, it’s time to shop for a cool sedan. Key considerations are confidence and power, both in the image it projects and in its performance. Two of the best are the Mercedes-Benz CLS550 and the Jaguar XJ8. The former is a young upstart and the latter is an established player. Let’s see which one makes the cut.
2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 Coupe
MSRP: $67,675Engine: 5.5-liter, 32-valve, DOHC V8
Horsepower: 382 @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 391lb-ft @ 2,800rpm to 4,800RPM
MPG (city/highway): 15/22
Performance - 18/20
For 2007, the 5.0-liter CLS500 is gone and the 5.5-liter CLS550 is ours to enjoy. The new 32-valve engine begs to be exploited with 382 horsepower and 391lb-ft of torque to back up its looks, and it hits 60mph in 5.4 seconds. The seven-speed automatic transmission adapts to your driving style and lateral nudges of the shifter let you manually control the shifting. For the nudge-direction challenged among us, Mercedes equips the CLS550 with Optimum Gear programming. When activated, the car determines the best gears for acceleration and engine braking. Conventional braking of this two-ton car is impressive and fear-free. The ABS is as unobtrusive as it is effective, clamping the Merc to a halt from 60mph in about 116 feet.Exterior design - 17/20
The CLS has incorporated the look of a coupe into a four-door sedan package. The polarizing design is especially noticeable in the hind quarters -- what is it with German sedans and their controversial booties? For me, the car that shares parts with the E-Class has decidedly more aggressive looks while still looking graceful. Overall, the CLS appears contemporary without being trendy -- but for some reason it is reminiscent of a Ford Taurus.Interior design - 7/10
Certain aspects of past E-Class interiors felt a little more Chrysler than Daimler, but the CLS ups the ante with better detailing -- a dash with real stitching, for example. Also, the controls in the CLS have a more positive, rich feel in their execution. From the driver’s seat, some climate-control and sound-system adjustments are less intuitive than I would prefer and require familiarity to operate without diverting our eyes from the road. The CLS offers four-zone climate control, leather seating, wood trim, and velour carpets, but from the back seat -- two buckets really -- the experience is dampened for taller passengers, as the thick C-pillar and headliner converge around them.Sound system/goodies - 8/10
Awkward pauses in conversation can be filled with the 320-watt, 12-speaker harman/kardon digital surround-sound system, complete with amp and subwoofer. The low-range never seems muddy, highs are crisp and vocals are realistic. This is easily among the best-sounding factory-equipped systems, and yet one of the most confounding to adjust -- some controls require more visual hunting than preferred. However, there is some consolation in being able to adjust some audio functions on the steering wheel. Another trick feature is automatic closure of windows, the sunroof and outside air with the push of the air recirculation button -- Mercedes calls it "tunnel mode."Driving experience - 18/20
To drive a CLS550 is to guarantee the attention from most onlookers. Stoplight challengers come out of the woodwork for this car, so there’s a certain element of temptation to resist -- or consider. Once junior and his ratty Civic have been taught a lesson, the Electronic Stability Program and Airmatic Dual Control air suspension with Adaptive Damping System keep things on an even keel. However, the near-perfect experience is dulled a little by the slightly artificial feel of the electronic brakes and throttle.Bang for buck - 19/20
For $67,000, discerning drivers who appreciate style, performance and luxury shouldn’t have to second-guess this purchase. Other cars -- even from within Mercedes -- are more stylish or offer better performance or represent greater luxury, few balance all three traits as well as the CLS550. The CLS550 represents terrific value for the investment.Overall score - 87/100
Until the advent of the CLS, Mercedes-Benz sedans rarely came across as sports sedans or aggressive rides unless they were given the AMG treatment. The gap has closed with this number.
2007 Jaguar XJ8
MSRP: $64,250Engine: 4.2-liter, 32-valve, DOHC V8
Horsepower: 300 @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 310lb-ft @ 4,100rpm
MPG (city/highway): 18/27
Performance - 17/20
Acceptance of the XJ8’s road manners requires the driver to remember this is a luxury car, not a touring model like the XK. Nevertheless, it is still a Jaguar and experiencing this seventh-generation car accelerate 60mph in 6.3 seconds is akin to seeing Christopher Walken dance in Fatboy Slim’s Weapon of Choice video -- you didn’t realize either had it in them to move so well. Jaguar’s liberal use of aluminum puts the curb weight at 3,726 pounds, better than would be expected from such a substantial-feeling car. Braking leaves something to be desired, but it’s better than past XJs thanks to the Conti-Teves four-channel, anti-lock system. Jaguar has endured much criticism for its use of the J-gate shifter in the XJ. At least the awkward shifter is connected with a six-speed ZF automatic transmission, which thankfully does an admirable job in its operation. Its adaptive shift logic adjusts to road conditions as well as to how the car is driven.Exterior design - 18/20
2006 marked the advent of change to the XJ -- not an everyday occurrence -- while subtle changes were executed to retain the signature appearance. Moldings have been revised, side windows are now flush-mounted and laminated for reduced wind noise and added security, the mesh grille is now featured across the board, and standard XJs ride on 18-inch wheels. Generally, people either love or hate the exterior style, however, an overhaul is overdue.Interior design - 8/10
There’s a lot of leather here and some wood in the XJ8. Burl walnut trim is standard, elm is optional and hand-inlaid Peruvian boxwood is standard on the Vanden Plas and Super V8 models. Rear-seat passengers can’t complain as they have ample room to stretch in the standard XJ8 -- long-wheelbase models are more generous still. Seating areas for the driver and front passenger used to be fairly cramped, but they’re more comfortable now. Evidence of Ford’s involvement is contained to a dull roar and can be overlooked -- all things considered.Sound system/goodies - 6/10
Standard sound in the XJ8 is a 140-watt sound system with a single CD player -- an adequate system for the non-audiophile. Assuming some buyers long for a few more decibels in a car of this caliber, Jaguar offers an optional 320-watt Alpine system with a single in-dash CD and six-disc changer in the trunk. Comparable systems can be found in lesser cars. Fortunately, the rest of the interior appointments uphold the Jaguar tradition of luxury and craftsmanship: Pedals power-adjust for the driver; the front seats offer 16-way adjustment and front and rear seats have three-stage variable heating.Driving experience - 16/20
Driving the XJ8 at freeway speeds is eerily calm, thanks to the redesigned laminated side glass. It leads me to wonder if the car actually has a mute button. Underneath, things are kept in line thanks to the self-leveling air suspension, traction control, Dynamic Stability Control, and Computer Active Technology Suspension. As I mentioned earlier, this may be a luxury car but it’s still a Jaguar. It also conveys a sense of timeless elegance and remains a great car to be seen in.Bang for the buck - 17/20
Recent years have found Jaguars gaining ground in refinement, performance and reliability. All along, the XJ8 has retained the attention to detail and craftsmanship that has given British cars so much soul all these years. That’s the key to the solid scores in most of the categories. Japanese luxury sedans cost less, German luxury sedans are more technologically advanced, but none of them have the intangible character of a British-built Jaguar.Overall score - 82/100
The 2007 XJ is the best yet. It now has improved driving characteristics, technology and durability to go along with its inherent character. That’s the good news. The bad news is its design and certain ergonomics are holding Jaguar back -- a total redesign cannot come too soon.and the winner is…
The Mercedes-Benz CLS550. It’s been love at first sight with this car, and it’s fortunately a car of great substance beneath its striking bodywork. With a new engine under those gorgeous lines for 2007, it’s even higher on my recommended list of must-drives. I’ll always be fond of the Jaguar XJ8 -- and you could do a lot worse than own this car -- but it’s obvious the sun’s setting on this one. For guys who want to declare their success, the Jaguar XJ8 says, “I’ve arrived.” The Mercedes-Benz CLS550 says, “I’ve arrived… with time to spare.”Resources:
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