Ranking the Best Midsize Luxury Cars of 2023
For most, a midsize luxury sedan is simply a tool. A way to get from place to place in slightly more comfort than the person in the ho-hum Honda next door. But there are some midsize sedans that stand out above the pack. And whether it’s down to style, design, or sheer value, these three models might just be the best midsize luxury cars of 2023.
1. Genesis G70
Yes, it’s our friends from Korea again. And yes, Genesis has been getting a lot of love lately. And it hasn’t all been coming from us. All the auto publications love this thing, including Car and Driver.
With the Genesis G70, it isn’t just one thing that makes it the best midsize luxury car of the year. It’s a confluence of factors that help put this smart sedan at the top.
For starters, it is available with both a 2.0-liter turbo or a 3.3-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. The latter delivers 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, and does the run to 60 mph faster than every car in its class, save the BMW M340i.
Behind that fantastic powerplant lies a cabin rich with both comfort and tech. The Nappa leather upholstery is satisfying, and the heated and cooled seats make any drive a joy. And where tech is concerned, the Genesis infotainment system is one of the most straightforward to use.
It does lag a step behind Mercedes in sophistication, but as an overall package, the G70 outranks its rivals.
2. Mercedes-Benz C-Class remains one of the best midsize luxury cars
Speaking of Mercedes, the luxury crown used to fit firmly atop the pointed star emblem on the hood. And slotting the new C-Class into the second spot on our best midsize luxury car ranking doesn’t mean the German outfit is losing its shine.
In fact, the cabin of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is easily the most stunning in terms of design and outright comfort. The German brand offers excellent interior materials, ergonomic seat design, and a wraparound dash that feels uniquely warm and futuristic at once.
Performance is where the C-Class loses out. The 2.0-liter turbo is the sole option, offering 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. And handling, well, the C-Class has never been about carving up corners. It’s satisfying to drive, but the G70 is just better.
And while the tech in the C-Class is highlighted by a fantastic voice-activated system, when it’s time to manage the menus manually, things get a bit muddy.
The further addition of a tablet screen that removes physical buttons for HVAC controls tips this competition to the new kids on the block. That said, the top spot for best midsize luxury car of 2023 is a close race.
3. Volvo S60 Recharge
Deciding on the third model for this list wasn’t easy. Truthfully, the Audi A4 and BMW M340i could have easily ended up here. But then we considered the ferocious plug-in hybrid powertrain inside the Volvo S60 Recharge and decided it belongs here.
455 horsepower, 523 pound-feet of torque, all-wheel drive, 41 miles of EV range, and up to 37 MPGe highway.
If the job of a luxury sedan is to make life easier, that combination is hard to overcome. Acceleration to 60 takes just a whisper over four seconds, perfect for light-to-light traffic or getting past that pesky Prius at the end of an on-ramp. Over 500 miles of range means highway road trips will simplify fly past. And over 40 miles of electric range means no trips to the gas station during the weekly commute.
With all that in mind, why place it third rather than first? Because being the best midsize luxury car of 2023 means hitting on all cylinders, and the cabin of the S60 is starting to age out. The Nappa leather is wonderful and the heated and ventilated seats are excellent. However, the dash materials are starting to look a bit aged, though the simple design is still holding up well.
Furthermore, the switch to a Google-based infotainment system hasn’t saved Volvo’s vertical infotainment screen from its basic issues. It’s still slow to respond, finicky to get used to, and the voice controls lag behind its more advanced competition.
The best midsize luxury sedans blend comfort, performance, and tech
Though flagship models may get all the press, these midsize luxury sedans are some of the best products these brands have to offer. With an excellent mix of performance, comfort, safety, and tech, it’s hard to go wrong.
