Also keep in mind the RAV4 is a size-class smaller vehicle. It’s analog is the Corolla. 

You realize this is a size class larger than all the things you mentioned, two classes above the 2-series. This is more size competitive with the 5-series and E-class. So the comparisons to the E63 S are truly the only U.S. market competition, presently.

I think the Mercedes closeness is a testament to the staying power of the flagship sedan sticking to its identity, as the S-class has been a constant bastion of luxury and innovation. 

Problem being you are asking everyone to take a step back, to require pressing a button. The whole point of passive entry is the passive part, i.e., not pressing a button on a remote. 

Hey are not spoofing anything. They are just amplifying the signal. That is why it is so effective: no matter the security involved, all the thief does is increase the range the fob is accepted by the vehicle. 

And if anyone is too nostalgic for them, just buy a Porsche. You still get to turn a fake key, and if you are hell bent on turning a key, you take the fake key out and you have a place for your real key, which must now be used to turn the vehicle in. Still get the keyless access, but you get to pretend you have a BMW…

This last one is one I really enjoy, but am really irked that Toyota does not allow. I get that Toyota generally is pretty nannying, especially compared to BMW, but this is a really nice feature. 

Like the lack of a retail-consumer temperature-compensated gallon equivalent, simply because it makes the U.S. based motor fuels seller more money? Their argument, that it is necessary at the wholesale level and every level of the supply chain until you get to the retail-consumer, somehow got lost elsewhere, as the…

See, I only have issues with newer-design Lexus turn signal stalks. The implementation by Lexus of the selector that always returns to center whether doing the triple blink or full signal, doesn’t cancel or have static behavior. BMW always acts the same: push past the point of resistance to get full blink, less than…

The Hybrid LS is still ridiculously overpriced.  Not worth the massive amount more for a similar non-hybrid.

The wood steering wheel is standard on the ES, since it isn’t masquerading as a sports sedan. The GS, however, only came with the wood steering wheel with the Luxury Package.  The ES Ultra Luxury got fancier wood. It looks really cool.

Ultra Luxury for sure! If you can find it, pretty much any Lexus with the Luxury Package (until the time of the current generation ES) was always the way to go. On the ES, you get the panoramic roof and nicer wood interior, on the GS you get seats that rival BMW’s 20-way seats, rear air zone with rear air and audio…

So what is the difference between the Sonata and the Azera?  As someone who is still squarely anti-Kia, I am lost as to the difference; they even look quite similar.  

The base sound system is alright for some people. My wife finds it just fine in her IS, and has no problem with the base audio she has had in the vehicles shopped for comparison (all Lexus products, so far). Sadly, I think Chevy does a better job on there base sound systems, at times.

That is because the RX generally is a crappier version of the Highlander Hybrid. The 2016 RX finally caught up with the Highlander Hybrid, which had offered the heated steering wheel and rear seats since 2014, along with a better lower-end stereo.

Way underrated comment. Why does everyone get so excited about the Mazda Mazda6. If you want a premium vehicle, just buy a luxury car and skip the premium version of the cheap car: 9/10, likely will find it more enjoyable.

Noticing a lot of comments that seem to misconstrue the size of the Aviator. This is the Lincoln version of the Ford Explorer. The Navigator is the giant SUV, the Lincoln version of the Ford Expedition and Expedition MAX. 

How’s your Cadillac Cimarron?

The Aviator is the Lincoln version of the Ford Explorer, just as the Navigator (sold in two lengths) is the Lincoln version of the Expedition and Expedition MAX.

Audi RS5 and A5 are comparable to the BMW 4GC. The 6GT, previously sold as the 5GT, would be comparable to the Audi S7 and A7.