2011 BMW 7 Series 740i

The 7 Series is BMW's flagship luxury sedan, the one you cross-shop with the Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8. Even in base form it feels eager and precise, with a ride that's firm enough to keep the body flat through corners. Inside, the cabin wraps you in soft leather and wood, and the rear seats offer limousine-like legroom in the long-wheelbase models. The iDrive system controls navigation, audio, and climate through a central knob, and it's easier to use than earlier versions. The 740i gives you the short wheelbase and the six-cylinder, trading the 750i's V8 for lower upfront cost while keeping the same air suspension and standard features. Its 3.0L I6 produces 315 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque, routed through a six-speed automatic to rear-wheel drive, which is enough to move this sedan briskly while returning 20 mpg combined. The standard rear air suspension keeps the ride calm, and unlike the long-wheelbase Li, this one feels a little nimbler in tight curves.