I am in the market for a mid size sedan under $50k. This will be a daily driver.

The car has to get at least 30mpg on highway.
Has to have at least 4 adult seats
Has to look stylish

So far, I am between:
1. 2012 A6 2.0T
2. 2012 528i
3. Tesla S

A6 is FWD, no AWD for 2.0T... Is this a concern? How bad is Audi's steering? It does have some very cool technologies.

528i looks very boring. I would love to get the A6 if it were quattro or rwd. Has anyone taken it for a long spririted drive?

Any other obvious choices that I am missing?

 

Are you serious with your selection? You're all over the place.

No bullshit- a RWD MB E350 will get 29mph on the highway with 302hp.

 

I have delivered three A6 2.0T's, great car. I was impressed with the 2.0 in that chassis, handling was very nice.

 

Well, if you want to be truly green I'd argue the Tesla is out (based off of what I know of electric vehicle production).

The 2.0T is a fantastic engine. That would get my vote.

 

335D.
A3 Tdi.
Mercedes blutec.

 

Smart Car. Prius. There's your list.

 

Smart would be tight for 4 but Prius seriously - swap your qualifiers: 50 for the MPG and 30 for the price!

 

Looking for a mid size sedan. Not compact. Prius is far from stylish.

Green = fuel efficient in my books. You can argue about what battery pack does to environment. I don't believe it's any more harmful than you laptop or ipad battery. Years ago, people argue about Prius being more harmful than a H1. I don't think that'll happen. Why? Gas is now almost $5.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but those type of comparisons are in terms of the manufacturing process where the (now) old cliché "a used car is the greenest car" comes from.

 

I was being semi-facetious based on your location.

I think a 335d is a great choice. Another one, not a sedan, but good, is a TDI A3. I bought my wife one and it's been a great little car.