SpeedSUVs.com – The late 1990s represented a golden era for executive luxury transport, a time when automotive manufacturers were pouring unprecedented resources into engineering the ultimate highway cruisers. For buyers looking to spend around $50,000—a substantial sum at the time—the market offered an incredibly diverse array of choices. The luxury car segment was undergoing a dramatic shift, with Japanese challengers maturing into their second generations while established European marques fought back with potent V-8 engines packed into their mid-size platforms. This historic retrospective takes us back to a seminal comparison test of 1997 luxury sedans, examining how the BMW 540i, Mercedes-Benz E420, Lexus LS400, and Infiniti Q45t stacked up against one another in a quest for premium dominance.
The Diverse Philosophies of Mid-Range Luxury
The luxury landscape of 1997 was defined by distinct regional approaches to engineering, comfort, and performance. On one side stood the European establishment, represented by the V-8-powered iterations of Germany’s finest mid-size sedans. These vehicles were designed with an emphasis on driving dynamics, high-speed stability on the Autobahn, and a tactile connection between the driver and the road. On the other side, the Japanese challengers focused on supreme isolation, whisper-quiet cabins, and impeccable build quality. Each philosophy targeted a different type of affluent buyer, creating a fascinating clash of priorities that made direct comparisons highly compelling for automotive enthusiasts and prospective buyers alike.
Fourth Place: Infiniti Q45t
The Infiniti Q45t entered the 1997 model year carrying the heavy burden of its predecessor’s legacy. The original Q45, launched in 1990, had boldly attempted to win over luxury buyers with raw horsepower and minimalist, wood-free cabin design. Traditional buyers, however, preferred dashboard wood and conservative styling, leading Infiniti to radically rethink its strategy. For 1997, a chastened Infiniti delivered a completely redesigned Q45 that crammed an all-you-can-drive smorgasbord of traditional luxury-car cues into a body cautiously styled to avoid offending anyone.
In its Touring trim—denoted by the “t” badge—the Q45t featured a sport-tuned suspension setup consisting of stiffer rear shocks and springs combined with a softer rear anti-roll bar. While this configuration provided commendable poise, the firm ride and sophisticated rear-steering system of the original Q45t were gone. Road isolation was extensive, which, while comfortable for long-distance cruising, cost the car valuable points among enthusiast drivers who preferred a more communicative chassis. The Q45t’s overall flavor was firmly established as poise rather than active verve.
Performance was another area where the Infiniti Q45t struggled to keep pace with its rivals. In quarter-mile acceleration, which serves as an excellent indicator of real-world power feel, the Q45t trailed the pack significantly. It registered speeds 10 mph slower than the potent BMW 540i, 7 mph behind the Mercedes-Benz E420, and 4 mph behind the Lexus LS400. Despite being modestly downsized for 1997, it remained the longest car in the test (nearly a foot longer than the BMW) and the heaviest (about 250 pounds heavier than the Mercedes). This weight and size penalty prevented the Infiniti from ever feeling truly fast, even though its road-gripping ability, braking performance, and skidpad limits remained highly competitive.
Inside the cabin, the Q45t offered a spacious but polarizing environment. The driver sat high, feeling as though they were positioned on the seat rather than nestled in it. The interior design was ornate and heavy on traditional gestures, dominated by large, prominent pieces of shiny, woodlike trim on the dashboard, doors, and center console. While the leather was soft and the seats featured plush padding, the overall aesthetic was busy. Furthermore, the Q45t lacked several features that buyers in this price bracket expected, such as dual-zone climate controls for front passengers, power headrest adjusters, and side airbags. Its saving grace was its exceptionally wide, user-friendly trunk, which excelled at easy loading and unloading.
Third Place: Lexus LS400
The Lexus LS400 entered the comparison as a
