As the world's largest independent product-testing organization, when Consumer Reports speak, people listen. In their latest evaluation of mid-sized luxury sedans, the 2012 Audi A6 took top spot scoring an impressive 93 points on the CR scale. Consumer Reports cited "an inviting combination of strong acceleration, agile handling, a comfortable ride, and a quiet, well finished interior" for its big improvement from the 79 the last A6 scored. It now tops the charts with the previously tested Infiniti M37.

The four cars tested in the group - the Audi A6, Saab 9-5, Infiniti M35h and the Mercedes Benz E350 BlueTec - have all approached the task of improving gas mileage from different angles, and it was the Mercedes (26mpg) and Infiniti (25mpg) that scored an "Excellent" road test score for their respective diesel and hybrid engines. For a look at the full report head to the Consumer Reports website now, or wait for the January issue of the magazine to hit the newsstands on 6 December.