Drift Like King: 2011-08-14

Audi A4 review - CarBuyer

Thanks to its impressive build quality and carefully designed interior, the A4 feels every bit as special as rivals from BMW and Mercedes. With light, accurate steering, plus excellent performance from all of the engines, the Audi A4 is a comfortable, unfussy car to drive. Four-wheel drive is standard with the A4's more powerful engines, while front-wheel-drive versions are best for low running costs. Economy-minded drivers should go for the 2.0 TDIe diesel.

BMW 3 Series review - CarBuyer

The BMW 3 Series is the king of the hill in the compact executive car class and is a great car to drive. That said, it's not perfect -- the cabin, for example, is not as versatile or spacious as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and the boot is not as large the one in Audi's A4. Even so, it's a good all-rounder, and what's more it has some of the cleanest, greenest engines in its class. The diesel versions offer staggering fuel economy, as well as being refined and powerful, while the range-topping V8-engined M3 offers supercar-rivalling performance. That said, standard 3 Series models lag behind the class best for comfort, especially in M Sport trim.

BMW 5 Series review - CarBuyer

Despite a sharper focus on comfort, BMW's latest 5 Series saloon is still a popular choice for business buyers looking for a sporting executive model. And although it looks plainer, the new 5 Series is more technologically sophisticated and desirable than ever before. All cars get 'EfficientDynamics' equipment -- which includes a stop-start system on the 520d that cuts the engine in queuing traffic to save fuel. All of this ensures that the 5 Series is fun to drive, and green, too. By far the biggest seller is the 181bhp 520d, which returns an impressive 56.5mpg. SE or M Sport trims are available, the latter bringing more aggressive styling and firmer suspension.

Jaguar XF review - CarBuyer

Good to look at and even better to drive, the Jaguar XF is everything a top British luxury car should be. Its leather-trimmed interior is wonderfully detailed, and a world away from the dark, sombre cabins of many Audis and BMWs. Refined and well equipped, we say it's one of the best executive cars money can buy. The range is limited, though. The 3.0 V6 diesel engine is the top-seller, although the V6 petrol engine is cheaper to buy - but it's less powerful and economical. High-performance V8 petrol and supercharged XFR variants offer incredible pace and for their performance, reasonable economy.

Mercedes E Class review - CarBuyer

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a brilliant executive saloon. Sharp to look at - yet discreetly styled -- the car offers a high quality interior and impressive handling. An extensive engine range and three trim levels create plenty of choice. Even the cheapest E200 CDI turbodiesel models deliver good performance, while economy throughout the entire range impresses too. It might not drive with the precision of a BMW 5 Series or Jaguar XF, but the E-Class betters both for comfort and safety. The range-topping E500 and E63 AMG models provide impressive performance, with the E63 delivering an incredible 525bhp from its high-revving 6.2-litre V8 engine.

Audi A6 review - CarBuyer

You have to admire the new, 2011 Audi A6. Built out of more lightweight materials than ever, the latest A6 is faster yet more economical than ever while inside its incredibly classy cabin is chock full of all the gadgets you'd expect on a luxury car. There's a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, along with the option of quattro four-wheel drive too.

Porsche Panamera review - CarBuyer

Porsche could be criticised for being lacking a sense of adventure when it comes to design, but its dedication to providing a fantastic driving experience shines through with the Panamera. This oddly proportioned hatchback is Porsche's first 'saloon', yet the German firm has injected it with the DNA of a sports car.

Mercedes CLS-Class review - CarBuyer

There were plenty of people who doubted Mercedes-Benz' ability to successfully combine the looks and drivability of a coupé with the practicality of a saloon. They shouldn't have done... The CLS didn't just impress all those who saw it, it inspired an entire new class of rival and copycat cars, including the Audi A5 Sportback, the Audi A7 Sportback and the Volkswagen Passat CC.

This is the second generation of the car. It gets an even bolder design and totally new range of engines.

Range Rover Evoque review - CarBuyer

The premium SUV sector will never be quite the same again, as the Range Rover Evoque has raised the bar to an entirely new level. It's available in two compact bodystyles -- with three doors or five -- and with a choice of three engines and a trio of luxury trim levels, while the pricing structure makes it the perfect entry point to Range Rover ownership.