Tale of the tape: Cadillac CTS Vsport vs. BMW 550i vs. Mercedes E550 4MATIC

Nothing exemplifies the arms race among German luxury automakers quite like the technology they've poured into their mid-size sedans, turning them into 400-hp dens with Internet access. Those models aren't their best-sellers, but they're the epitome of what a luxury car should be. With the 2014 Cadillac CTS, General Motors aims to close the perception gap between its U.S.-built challenger and the establishment — and on paper at least, that matchup looks too close to call.

For this tale of the tape, we've compared the top-end sport versions of the midsize luxury models — the new Cadillac CTS Vsport that will go on sale this fall, the BMW 550i and the Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic. The similarities spring forth instantly; all have more than 400 hp, use automatic transmissions of at least 7 gears and come within a fraction of a inch in many dimensions. The differences come down to some hard engineering choices: Cadillac chose a twin-turbo V-6 to replace the displacement that BMW and Mercedes rely on, winning the horsepower war while ceding the torque figures to the Germans. Yet the Caddy claims to be a few tenths of a second faster to 60 mph, largely due to the lightweight chassis that 200 lbs. lighter in base form than the BMW. (Mercedes alone offers a hybrid model in this class.)

Stats only go so far, and many BMW and Mercedes buyers at this level barely care that they're required to use premium gas, as is the Cadillac. The real battle comes down to interiors, a struggle that Cadillac never contended with in the first-generation CTS, but vows to claw back now. The smaller ATS has proven Cadillac can build cars that deserve a look from import owners; whether the CTS can make the same argument to people shopping for a $60,000 car will depend on more than a stat sheet.

Cadillac CTS Vsport vs. BMW 550i vs. Mercedes E550 4Matic

Model	2014 Cadillac CTS	2013 BMW 550i	2014 Mercedes E550 4Matic
Drivetrain	RWD/AWD option	RWD/AWD option	AWD
Transmission	8-speed auto	8-speed auto	7-speed auto
Engine	3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6	4.4 liter V-8	4.6 liter V-8
Horsepower	420	400	402
Torque (lb-ft)	430	450	443
Standard wheels	18-inch	18-inch	18-inch
Turning circle (ft.)	36.7	39.2	36.9
0-60 mph time	4.6 seconds	5.0	5.2
Premium fuel	Required	Required	Required
Fuel economy	N/A	15/22	16/26
Steering	Electric	Hydraulic	Electric
Base model weight (lbs.)	3,616 lbs	3,818	3,979
Wheelbase (inches)	114.6	116.9	113.2
Length	195.5	193.1	191.7
Width	72.2	73.2	73
Height	57.2	57.6	57.9
Front legroom	42.6	41.4	41.3
Rear legroom	35.4	36.1	35.8
Base price	N/A	$62,700	$60,400

Source: Yahoo!