BATTLE OF TWO GOLIATHS
BBC TopGear India|December 2024
When Luxury Meets Performance, Who Takes the Crown?
AKAASH BHADRA
BATTLE OF TWO GOLIATHS

Luxury sedans—often considered the zenith of automotive engineering— have always carried an air of prestige, comfort, and performance. These cars don’t just serve as modes of transportation; they become extensions of their owner’s lifestyle, serving as mobile sanctuaries of comfort or symbols of success. The battle for supremacy in this world has long been fought between two formidable giants: Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The E-Class and the 5 Series have, for years, defined what it means to drive— or be driven—in luxury.

In 2024, both of these legends have been revamped, ushering in new technologies, design philosophies, and performance enhancements. Mercedes-Benz, with its E-Class, has consistently set the bar for refined luxury, combining sophisticated design with a focus on passenger comfort. On the other hand, BMW’s 5 Series, which has traditionally been the more driver-focused of the two, has turned its attention towards creating a vehicle that doesn’t just perform but pampers as well.

So, what happens when these two heavyweights square off? Is the BMW 5 Series, with its performance-oriented engineering, ready to dethrone the Mercedes E-Class in the luxury sedan segment, or does the E-Class, with its signature opulence and impeccable rear-seat comfort, still reign supreme? Let’s dive in and see how these two sedans compare across design, interior, performance, and overall luxury.

THE EVOLUTION OF LUXURY SEDANS

Bu hikaye BBC TopGear India dergisinin December 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye BBC TopGear India dergisinin December 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

BBC TOPGEAR INDIA DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Mi5 SILENT, POSH AND LETHAL!
BBC TopGear India

Mi5 SILENT, POSH AND LETHAL!

With its reimagined design language, BMW has done what it does best-divided opinion with the kind of fervour usually reserved for debates about pineapple on pizza.

time-read
5 dak  |
December 2024
A VIRAL ESCAPE
BBC TopGear India

A VIRAL ESCAPE

The last time I visited Hampi in Karnataka was back in 2021, just as the world began to shake off the COVID-19 travel bans.

time-read
3 dak  |
December 2024
FROM UNDERDOG TO CHAMPION
BBC TopGear India

FROM UNDERDOG TO CHAMPION

Thierry Neuville's Journey to WRC Glory

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
Max Verstappen: FOUR-TIME CHAMP UNDER THE VEGAS LIGHTS
BBC TopGear India

Max Verstappen: FOUR-TIME CHAMP UNDER THE VEGAS LIGHTS

From dominance to resilience, Verstappen cements his legacy while Mercedes shines in Sin

time-read
1 min  |
December 2024
VOLKSWAGEN VIRTUS GT PLUS SPORT: SEXY+SPORT
BBC TopGear India

VOLKSWAGEN VIRTUS GT PLUS SPORT: SEXY+SPORT

Volkswagen has a knack for keeping their loyal and enthusiastic customers grinning from ear to ear. The German manufacturer has almost become synonymous with build quality, safety and performance.

time-read
2 dak  |
December 2024
BE GE AND XEV 9E  Sexy and Ballsy!
BBC TopGear India

BE GE AND XEV 9E Sexy and Ballsy!

Starting a review can be quite a challenge, especially when it's hard to pinpoint the flaws!

time-read
8 dak  |
December 2024
CAPTURING THE ESSENCE
BBC TopGear India

CAPTURING THE ESSENCE

Chilly, cold mornings and Mumbai is a rare combination that we seldom see in this part of our beautiful country.

time-read
8 dak  |
December 2024
BATTLE OF TWO GOLIATHS
BBC TopGear India

BATTLE OF TWO GOLIATHS

When Luxury Meets Performance, Who Takes the Crown?

time-read
8 dak  |
December 2024
THE E-MPV THAT DARES TO DREAM BIG
BBC TopGear India

THE E-MPV THAT DARES TO DREAM BIG

The MPV market, dominated for aeons by Toyota's Innova, has always felt like a rather predictable place. It's the type of vehicle you buy not out of passion but practicality-like a pair of orthopaedic shoes.

time-read
4 dak  |
December 2024
IMPRACTICAL YET IRRESISTIBLE
BBC TopGear India

IMPRACTICAL YET IRRESISTIBLE

Exactly ten years ago, I took my first international trip. It was to Bahrain, a country of endless desert and skyscrapers, where my aunt and uncle lived. Among their friends and neighbours, one particular gentleman, upon learning I was a budding petrolhead, took an entire day off work to take me around the city’s showrooms to see some “normal” Middle East traffic.

time-read
5 dak  |
December 2024