10 Great Luxury Sedans for Winter

Midsize luxury sedans are expected to do it all. Shoppers in this category rightfully expect performance, comfort and a healthy dose of technology. All-weather capability is a more recent addition to that list, and almost every major luxury automaker has responded. All-wheel drive is now optional on most luxury sedans, along with various electronic safety systems that further help these sedans tackle tough winter weather. You may think you need an SUV to hit the slopes in February, but any of these sedans will do an equally competent job of navigating snow-covered roads.

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   1. 2015 Audi A3 Quattro:

Audi's latest sedan is also the newest entry into the compact luxury segment. Like most Audis, the A3 is available with the company's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which has been refined over the years to deliver excellent all-weather capability. A six-speed automated manual is the only transmission option, and Quattro models are paired only with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline power plant.

BMW's 3 Series provides all the features you'd expect in a modern luxury sedan, packaged with driving character that's both comfortable and capable. All-wheel-drive versions (called xDrive) are available with two engine choices: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder. The six-cylinder version is the only car on this list available with a manual transmission.

Redesigned for 2014, the Cadillac CTS is a thoroughly modern sedan with attractive exterior styling, high-quality interior materials and multiple engine options. All-wheel drive is available with either the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or the 3.6-liter V6.

Acura's new TLX sedan replaces the TSX and TL sedans, combining the best traits of both. Though front-drive versions are available with two engines, the SH-AWD model is powered exclusively by Acura's 3.5-liter V6. Torque vectoring, which can bias torque to the outside rear wheel in a corner, makes the TLX's all-wheel-drive system a performance-enhancing feature as much as it is an all-weather tool.

The Q50 is Infiniti's midsize sport sedan and it's available with the company's Intelligent all-wheel-drive system with either engine configuration. That includes the base 328-horsepower V6 and the 360-hp V6 hybrid system. Both engine configurations use a seven-speed automatic transmission.

Jaguar's midsize XF sedan offers sleek styling, a well-crafted interior and engaging handling. All-wheel-drive models are powered exclusively by a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

In addition to being available with all-wheel drive, the GS 350 offers a quiet, refined driving experience. One available engine, an ultra-smooth 3.5-liter V6, powers all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The F Sport package adds adjustable suspension and 19-inch wheels and tires to an already capable platform.

Fully redesigned for 2015, the C-Class comes standard with Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and is available with two engines: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. A seven-speed automatic is the only transmission. This all-new C-Class offers something its predecessor distinctly lacked — striking styling. And it picks up where the old C-Class left off in terms of materials and assembly quality.

Despite being a large, roomy sedan, the Panamera is easily the highest-performing car on this list. It also offers Porsche Traction Management (PTM) on nine of the 12 Panamera models. PTM is Porsche's combination of all-wheel drive and two different forms of electronic traction control. Four engines ranging in power from 310 to 570 hp motivate all-wheel-drive Panameras through a seven-speed automated manual transmission. In addition to performance and space, Panamera buyers are rewarded with ultrahigh-quality interior materials and abundant features.

All-new for 2015, the Genesis sedan now offers Hyundai's Htrac all-wheel-drive system. It's a driver-adjustable system that offers modes designed to improve traction in both wet and dry conditions. The Htrac system is only available with the base V6 and an eight-speed automatic transmission.