Luxury Cars

Entry-level luxury cars

For luxury cars, $40,000 is pretty much the low-end starting point. If the cars discussed here are beyond your budget, consider some of the cars featured in our report on sports sedans . We found good reviews for the Audi A4 (*est. $28,240 to $46,950) , a compact sports sedan. One of the best sports sedans is the Infiniti G35 (*est. $31,450 to $34,050) , which is the little sibling to the class-leading M-Series. The BMW 3-Series (*est. $32,400 to $49,100) also straddles categories a bit, but is still more of a sports sedan. The Acura TL (*est. $33,625 to $38,125) is another top crossover between sport and luxury categories, also covered in our other report.

With a starting price of about $41,500, the Infiniti M-Series are easily the best 'budget' luxury cars in reviews. The M-Series consists of two cars: the Infiniti M35 (*est. $41,450 to $44,250) and the Infiniti M45 (*est. $49,100 to $50,550) . The two cars are highly rated just about everywhere we looked. The M45 is the winner of the four-car roundup at Car and Driver. Other reviews published at Edmunds.com, Money magazine, CNet.com, Cars.com and others also highlight one or the other car in the Infiniti M lineup.

The big difference between the M35 and M45 is under the hood. The M35 is equipped with a 275-hp, 3.5-liter V-6, while the M45 houses a more powerful 325-hp, 4.5-liter V-8. It probably won't surprise you that the more powerful M45 gets the larger share of critical praise for its faster performance, but the M35 is no slouch, and is the obvious better value. Both cars come standard with ABS, traction control, front- and side-curtain airbags, leather upholstery, a sunroof, keyless entry/start and a wireless cell-phone link. Heated and cooled front seats are standard on all but the base model M35. The Sport versions have steering-linked xeon headlights. The base prices are kept relatively low by offering other amenities as options, including a lane-departure warning system, a heated rear seat, a navigation system and a rear-view camera. The Sport variants have stiffer suspension and cosmetic touches.

Reviews say the Infiniti M35 and M45 are just fun to drive. They are a bit lighter in weight than competing cars, so they're sprightlier, with an actively responsive drive feel. Testers really feel like they're in control of these cars, even though neither is as quick as the competition in zero-to-60 tests. Reviewers, including editors at Edmunds.com, say the Infiniti M cars are just the best blend of luxury and price. Editors say: "There are plenty of cars in this class that provide luxury and a few that might have better performance, but Infiniti's M cars put the two together in a more engaging package than any of their peers."

Although not as highly praised as the Infiniti M35 and M45, the Audi A6 Quattro (*est. $41,950 to $55,300) is noteworthy as one of the safest luxury cars. It is the only luxury sedan to receive an award as a 2007 Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), meaning that the Audi A6 achieved the highest crash-test ratings. One plus is that the A6 Quattro comes standard with all-wheel-drive, making it a good choice for winter driving. It's available with V6 or V8 engines, though reviews note the V6 is underpowered considering the car's relatively heavy curb weight. Most reviews say the Audi is pretty agile, with good handling overall. The wagon version of the Audi A6 gets more attention than the sedan.

The BMW 5-Series consists of the 525i (*est. $43,500 to $45,700) , the 530i (*est. $47,500 to $49,700) , the 550i (*est. $58,500) and the BMW M5 , which is closer to a sports car (*est. $82,500) . The entire 5-Series is noted for its safety at Money magazine and for reliability at BuyingAdvice.com. The BMW 550i is the runner-up in the four-car comparison at Car and Driver magazine, where it loses to the Infiniti M45 Sport mainly on value and controls. Reviews all agree that the BMW is great to drive, with responsive handling and good cornering and braking. Once you start adding options like a nav system, satellite radio and heated rear seats, the price quickly escalates. The biggest frustration in reviews is the BMW's interactive control setup, called iDrive. Experts have panned this system for years, and despite improvement, iDrive still takes a lot of criticism. iDrive features an LCD display with controls for climate, audio, navigation and communications. Just about every critic finds some aspect of iDrive difficult to use. Controls are not intuitive. Editors at Edmunds.com simply call it "cumbersome."

We found a couple of good reviews for the Volvo S80 (*est. $38,705 to $47,350) , which is recognized as being one of the top luxury cars for 2007 by Cars.com and one of this year's "hot" cars, according to editors at The San Jose Mercury News. The Volvo S80 was redesigned for the 2007 model year. Reviews say it plays well on the attributes generally associated with Volvos: it's big, with lots of safety features and standard all-wheel-drive. Some of the neat safety options include a blind-spot monitoring system, which according to reviews works really well, alerting drivers with a blinking light when another vehicle is in their blind spot. Another innovative option is adaptive cruise control -- when using cruise control, the car will automatically slow down if it catches up to another car. A collision warning system also comes with this option. The optional keyless entry system includes a heartbeat monitor that alerts drivers to pets or children that may have been left behind in the car.

Although reviewers are impressed with all the safety options, performance isn't judged as that impressive compared to the competition. CNet.com's reviewer calls handling "unimpressive" but generally good. Reviews say cornering ability isn't great. Even though the Volvo S80 has adjustable suspension, many experts say that even on the tightest setting, the car still feels imprecise compared to others. One other negative is that the car's premium sound system is directed almost entirely at the front seats, so rear-seat passengers are left out. The safety features are the big highlight in reviews of the Volvo S80, so if safety is your priority, the Volvo S80 has some effective innovations.

We found better reviews overall for the models in the Lexus LS series (discussed further below), and the Lexus GS family also gets good reviews. The series consists of the Lexus GS 350 (*est. $44,150) , the Lexus GS 430 (*est. $52,375) and the gas/electric hybrid Lexus GS 450h (*est. $54,900) . The Lexus GS vehicles are the number-one ranked luxury sedans in terms of reliability at BuyingAdvice.com. While most of the publicity given to the GS series goes to the hybrid GS 450h, the GS 350 and GS 430 both receive positive feedback in terms of performance, comfort and roominess. Standard features include leather seats, keyless entry/start, a sunroof and ten-speaker surround sound. A navigation system with voice recognition and a rear camera adds $4,000 to the price. The Lexus GS 350 has a 3.5-liter V6 while the Lexus GS 430 has a 4.3-liter V8 engine. The hybrid version has a gas/electric 3.5-liter V6 with CVT.

We found the most thorough review for the hybrid version at Car and Driver magazine. The review praises interior fit and finish, along with great zero-to-60 times. The driver touch controls are judged better than in the BMW iDrive system. But the car is heavy, so braking times are slower. The main issue in the review is a lack of "feel" in the steering. Altogether, the car is called "soul-less."

The Acura RL (*est. $45,780 to $53,200) has received positive feedback from KBB.com, eGMCarTech.com and BuyingAdvice.com. While it may not be in the top three, depending on who is asked, the Acura RL is on a lot of top-five lists. With more technology than most of the competition, a comfortable interior and a good track record where safety/reliability is concerned, the Acura RL may appeal to those looking for a more compact luxury car. Rear-seat comfort isn't the best in some reviews.

You don't read much in reviews these days about Cadillac, the premium American luxury brand. Critics say Cadillac didn't adapt to changing tastes as quickly as other manufacturers, who began making more compact, more fuel-efficient and more technologically advanced luxury cars while Cadillac was still clinging to the aging Cadillac DeVille. The Cadillac DTS is the replacement for the DeVille, and critics say it's a big step in the right direction for Cadillac. The DTS (*est. $41,525 to $48,895) isn't included in any recent comparison reviews. Single-car reports say it's catching up to the competition and has a pricing advantage, but is still a car based on the ideas of a commodious interior, huge trunk and cushiony ride as opposed to a sleek driving machine.

The Cadillac DTS has a 275-hp 4.6-liter V8 as its base engine. It ships with a navigation system, heated and cooled massaging seats and adaptive cruise control, but the Cadillac lacks innovative safety features being introduced by Volvo, Lexus and others. A review at Edmunds.com says it's a good value, but it lags behind the pack, especially in terms of build quality and handling.

The Cadillac STS (*est. $42,390 to $53,360) is the successor to the Cadillac Seville. The STS is sportier than the Cadillac DTS, and it gets better reviews for handling and ride quality. Critics say this car compares more favorably to the competition in the sport luxury class. With a firmer suspension and good handling, it's more fun to drive than the softer Cadillac DTS. Reviews say this is an elegant car with a pricing advantage over its counterparts. Interior build quality is still a low point, but reviews say the STS is quiet. Unlike the DTS, the Cadillac STS has optional all-wheel-drive. The base engine is a 5-speed automatic V6 with an optional 6-speed V8.

High-end luxury sedans

While the Infiniti M series sedans are easily the best value among entry-level luxury cars, the Lexus LS 460 (*est. $61,000 to $71,000) dominates the step-up price range. The Lexus LS 460 replaces the aged Lexus LS 430. It also comes in a long wheelbase version as the LS 460L.

Reviews say ride quality is sumptuous, with great seats and a library-quiet cabin. But the big feature that has everyone talking is the so-called "Advanced Parking Guidance System." Essentially, this car can park itself (you've probably seen the commercials). And for the most part, testers say the self-parking works quite well. The system uses the navigation system's LCD screen to identify the parking spot and guide you into setting up the car into the right position -- then the car parks itself while you control the brake. Most testers are pretty floored with the technology, though some detractors say it encourages lazy driving. Others note that snow and ice can sometimes confuse the sensors.

The Lexus LS 460 comes with a huge 380-hp, 4.6-liter V-8 engine that gets surprisingly good gas mileage (about 22 mpg in real-world mixed driving). A standard pre-collision system responds when it senses an imminent collision by tightening the seat belts, putting on the brakes and increasing the stiffness of the air suspension. The navigation system with XM satellite radio can receive live traffic information for metropolitan areas, rerouting you around accidents and delays. In tests, the nav system is accurate and easy to program with voice commands. Voice commands can also be used for audio and cell-phone controls. In addition, options include a massage setting in the rear seat, a chilling compartment for food and drink, and a rear-seat DVD player.

Editors at CNet.com simply say this is the best car they've ever tested. Lots of other reviewers agree. Its great blend of features, performance and safety are all excellent, say reviews, but the Lexus LS 460 is very expensive.

The Lexus LS 460's primary competitor is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (*est. $85,750 to $181,500) . The Mercedes-Benz S550 (*est. $85,400 to $88,750) gets most of the reviews, with a 5.5-liter V8 engine. The Mercedes-Benz S600 (*est. $139,900) has a 5.5-liter V12, while the Mercedes-Benz S65 (*est. $181,500) has a turbocharged 6.0-liter V12.

The Mercedes-Benz S550 has pretty much every feature in the book, but it doesn't match the Lexus automatic parking system. It has an anti-collision system, which tightens seat belts and makes other adjustments when an imminent collision is sensed. One innovative feature is an infrared night-vision assist feature, which helps 'see' the road and possible obstructions in the distance at night. It also works with the rear-view camera. An adaptive cruise-control feature will automatically slow the car if it catches up to another vehicle.

Ride comfort is superlative, with adjustable bladders in the seats plus a bunch of massage settings. They are heated and cooled, of course. The navigation system is said to be excellent, and a small 8-inch LCD in the dash controls lets drivers see the nav map right up front. Voice commands can be used for navigation and audio systems. With its V8 engine, the Mercedes is also fast, going from zero to 60 in 5.4 seconds. The Mercedes-Benz isn't cheap, however, and if you're looking at a car this expensive, emotion probably plays a large part in the buying process. Nonetheless, reviews say the S550 is excellent.

Another luxury sedan in this class is the Audi A8 (*est. $68,900 to $119,350) , which is an editors' choice at Edmunds.com and one of the best luxury vehicles for 2007 at KBB.com. According to reviews, the vehicle basically does everything well; if it suffers from problems, they would be the price of the Audi and the fuel efficiency -- about 17 mpg in mixed real-world driving. One review calls the Audi A8 "pleasant and capable" with a stiffer ride quality than some of the competition. In the eyes of some experts, the stiffer suspension gives the Audi A8 a somewhat less comfortable ride than the Lexus LS or the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and other reviews say the Audi A8 isn't quite as agile. All reviews agree that the cabin is superior, with a logical control system.

We saw a couple of reviews written for the Bentley Continental Flying Spur (*est. $164,990), which at this price is pretty much a status car. The Flying Spur offers amenities such as a bottle cooler, DVD entertainment system, standard navigation system, the ability to link up multiple phones concurrently via Bluetooth and folding tables in the rear. Reviews of the vehicle aren't overabundant due to the high price of the vehicle and the fact that not too many consumers are going to be purchasing a Bentley. The fuel efficiency of the vehicle is a relatively low 11 mpg/city and 18 mpg/hwy.

You can't get much more luxurious than the Maybach 62 (*est. $386,500) . Not surprisingly, there aren't a lot of critical reviews for this car, which has a 550-hp, 5.5-liter V-12 engine. It has all the safety features you'd expect, but it’s the 140 optional amenities that are the real jaw-dropper. Some of these are an intercom system, a sliding partition, solar powered cabin filtration system and a roof that can alter the amount of sunlight allowed in the vehicle. Champagne flutes and a humidor are also features that are available for the vehicle.

Important Features: Luxury cars

The following is what experts say about choosing a luxury car. Obviously things like style and prestige can't really be quantified, so much of the selection process is emotionally based.

• A luxury car should ride smoothly, but it should not have its suspension set so softly that it wallows when cornering or braking.

• The car should be large and accommodating, with enough interior room for five adults.

• A top luxury car should be able to accelerate to 60 mph in less than seven seconds. Most can get to 60 mph in less than six seconds.

• A full complement of comfort and convenience features should come standard, including air conditioning with automatic climate control, five-speed (or more) automatic transmission, power windows, door locks and mirrors, keyless entry, advanced multi-speaker stereo system with CD player, leather seats, remote security system, antilock brakes and traction control.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with retailer links)	details from Edmunds.com
9	Infiniti M series: M35 (*est. $41,450 to $44,250) M45 (*est. $49,100 to $50,550)	details
6	Mercedes-Benz S-Class (*est. $85,750 to $181,500)	details
6	Lexus LS 460 (*est. $61,000 to $71,000)	details
4	BMW 3-Series (*est. $32,400 to $49,100)	details
3	Lexus ES 350 (*est. $33,470)	details
2	BMW 5-Series (*est. $43,500 to $58,500)	details
2	Audi A8 (*est. $68,900 to $119,350)	details
2	Audi A6 (*est. $41,950 to $72,000)	details
2	Volvo S80 (*est. $38,705 to $47,350)	details
2	Acura RL (*est. $45,780 to $53,200)	details
2	Acura TL (*est. $33,625 to $38,125)	details
2	Infiniti G35 (*est. $31,450 to $34,050)	details
2	Audi A4 (*est. $28,240 to $46,950)	details
2	Lexus GS (*est. $44,150 to $54,900)	details
1 each	Mercedes-Benz E-Class , Audi S4 , Audi A4 , Bentley Continental GTC , Cadillac DTS

Several of the cars in our consensus report are better classified as sports sedans. We cover the BMW 3-series, Lexus ES 350, Acura TL, Infiniti G35 and Audi A4 in our report on sports sedans . So if you're shopping in the $35,000 price range, you might want to also visit that other report. Among true luxury sedans, the Infiniti M series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class pretty easily top reviews. The Lexus LS 460 is one of the best-reviewed new cars for 2007, and its automated parking system has tongues wagging. These three sedans are the easy contenders for inclusion in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers.

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