When I was younger, brand meant something; Mercedes Benzes were solid but stolid, Jags were distincitive but rough around the edges and everywhere else, Porsches were built to be driven in anger, and BMW baked near magic balance between ride and handling into every product it sold.
But today, in an age of mergers and acquisitions, marketing and accounting rather than engineering – call the shots. In a spectacular display of vanity, no one was content doing what they do best and has suffered for their hubristic attempt at winning over ‘crossover’ buyers. Lexus comfort has gone out the window in an attempt to be more like BMW, BMW and Porsche chassis are literally ruined by the big wheels dictated by a stylist’s pen. Meanwhile Jaguar and Mercedes Benz have recently quietly focused their attention on the details that make the difference between competent and competitive.
I never thought I’d live to see the day when Jaguars and Benzes key to the road more fluidly than a Porsche or BMW but as you read this comparison you’ll see my point.
Don’t trust brand, trust the feel of the final product.