Luxury Car Review

We analyzed auto-review sources to identify the best luxury cars, searching out test-drive evaluations, comparative luxury-car reviews and sources that chose top luxury cars based on varying criteria. Motor Trend compares four sedans, including the Mercedes S550, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS and a mega-dollar Maserati Quattroporte. Ratings are based upon the judgments of multiple testers. High-quality reviews can also be found at Cars.com, Kelley Blue Book, Consumer Guide and Consumer Reports. Each does a well-balanced, descriptive review of all car models, summarizing pros and cons. Consumer Reports isn't as comparative in its picks, but editors do road-test nearly every car on the market, supplementing performance scores with ratings for predicted long-term reliability. We also found comprehensive reviews at Edmunds.com, NewCarTestDrive.com and Car and Driver magazine. Kiplinger magazine and IntelliChoice highlight value and reliability. We also check crash-test results at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) along with fuel-economy ratings from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In the luxury-car price range, as you might expect, there aren't many downright poor choices. Rather, differences come down to more subtle variations in drive quality, available features and style. While all of the cars in this report are roomy for at least four adults, most are also powerful and agile enough to appeal to driving enthusiasts. Edmunds.com points out that features formerly found only in luxury cars -- such as side-impact airbags, remote keyless entry and high-end audio systems -- now come standard even on some economy cars. Today's luxury cars still have a lot of features, but what distinguishes them from more pedestrian sedans are subtle elements like premium materials and technology like voice-activation systems, ventilated seats, sophisticated climate controls and advanced safety features such as lane-change warnings and other collision-protection systems.

Many luxury cars are equipped with V8 engines, and zero-to-60 speeds are usually under seven seconds. Keep in mind that there's a blurry line separating luxury cars from less expensive sports sedans, covered in our separate report. If the manufacturer's emphasis is more on ride comfort and luxury features, the model is likely covered in this report. If driving performance is a top priority, the car is likely covered in our sports sedans report. If you are shopping in the under-$40,000 range, you'll have more choices among sports sedans than luxury cars.

The huge land-yachts that defined the luxury-car class in previous decades have lost favor to smaller, sportier vehicles. Two models are especially typical of the old-school barges: the Lincoln Town Car (*Est. $45,295 to $50,900) and the Cadillac DTS (*Est. $43,175 to $50,675). While they have some appeal to limousine fleets and traditionalists who appreciate old-fashioned American luxury sedans, most consumers are showing a preference for more advanced technology and modern styling. Reviews say the Lincoln in particular is well past its prime, utilizing a body-on-frame chassis that dates from the early 1980s. Edmunds.com calls the Town Car "a relic from a different time." They say it has "sloppy vehicle dynamics and a thirsty V8 that's less powerful than many V6 engines." They sum up by advising, "Newer offerings exist that are much better in almost every respect." Fleets comprise the vast majority of Town Car sales.

The Cadillac DTS gets recommendations from Kelley Blue Book and Consumer Guide, and is unquestionably a better choice than the Lincoln Town Car, according to most critics. But reviewers are only slightly more enthusiastic about the DTS. Indeed, poor sales of the Cadillac DTS seem to indicate that most luxury car buyers are looking elsewhere. Reviews point out the DTS still uses a four-speed automatic transmission, while most competitors have more advanced and efficient five-, six- or even seven-speed transmissions. Common criticisms include the Cadillac's clumsy handling, vague steering, heavy weight, expensive options and "unsupportive, couch-like bucket seats," according to Car and Driver's reviewer. Among supporters, Consumer Guide comments, "The front-drive DTS aims for the traditional American luxury-car buyer, and scores." Kelley Blue Book says the DTS "maintains a firm foothold in the soft-riding, moderate-handling category." They add that the smooth ride offers satisfying comfort, but is "less direct and more isolated than many of today's motorists would prefer."

Generally, reviews prefer other cars in the same price category, such as the Acura RL (*Est. $46,280 to $53,700) and several sports sedans such as the highly rated Infiniti M45 (*Est. $43,900 to $52,750), Audi A6 (*Est. $42,950 to $72,350) and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (*Est. $51,200 to $85,300) covered in our sports sedans report. Reviews that put an emphasis on driving performance and enjoyment say each of these cars is a better choice. Even the rear-wheel-drive Cadillac STS (*Est. $43,775 to $78,775) offers better handling, comparable comfort and similar luxury features for a lower price, many auto writers say.