BUYING GUIDE to New Mid-Luxury Cars

Overview

Mid-luxury cars offer prestige, great fit and finish, and high performance characteristics that create an incredible driving experience. They also offer many of the latest technological advancements and safety features in the auto industry. For what you’re paying in this segment, you should demand more space, speed and technology than in regular mid-sized sedans or entry-level luxury models.

Price Range: $34,100-$92,200

Starting things off, we have the 2009 Audi A6.  The A6 offers two different engines: a 3.2-liter 255-hp V6 and a bigger, more robust 4.2-liter 350-hp V8.  If you need more interior space, the 2009 Cadillac DTS is a solid contender, but doesn’t offer the confidence-inspiring handling of its German competition.

Acura’s 3.5-liter 290-hp 2009 RL will not win any drag races, but it will transport your occupants in quiet comfort, safely and effectively.  Starting at $46,280, the RL offers a myriad of luxurious appointments from sumptuous high-grade heated leather seats to one of the most intuitive navigation systems we’ve sampled.  Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) comes standard, but serves more as a function of safety than pure performance. 

The sporty 2009 Infiniti M35 remains largely unchanged from last year. At $43,050, "the M35’s 275-hp V-6 offers gobs of go across the rev band and rarely leaves you thinking that you shoulda had a V-8," says Automobile magazine.  The big news for Infiniti’s M marque is the availability of ATTESA ET-S all-wheel drive system for the M45 (dubbed M45x).  The M45x joins the M35x in Infiniti’s AWD stable and starts off at $51,850.  

The tried-and-true BMW 5-series remains atop the mid-level luxury totem poll.  The 5 is offered in several iterations: 528i, 535i, and the 550i.  The 528i can be considered the base model, sharing the 328i’s 3.0-liter Inline 6-cylinder engine.  The 550i comes with a beefy 4.8-liter 360-hp V8 that also churns out a symmetrical 360 lb/ft of torque.  But the BMW 535i is what really will enthrall you.  Utilizing the 335i’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter Inline 6-cylinder engine, the 535i brings a new driving dynamic to the mid-luxury class.  Test drive one, and you’ll see.  Starting prices for the 528i, 535i, and 550i are $44,300, $49,400, and $58,500, respectively. 

Mid-Luxury Performance

For some, a luxurious car that drives well is simply not enough.  Many luxury car owners share the very same passion as sports car aficionados.  They want a luxury car that also has the characteristics of a sports car. To satisfy these consumers, and to showcase some of their company’s racing developments, many manufacturers have created special edition versions of models in this class.

Mercedes-Benz enhances their models under the AMG badge and has the CLS63 AMG and E63 AMG. The $92,200 CLS63 AMG comes with a 6.2-liter V8, air suspension, larger Z-rated tires, and more powerful brakes. Its seven-speed automatic features Speedshift paddle shifters. The E63 AMG is available in sedan or wagon that come with 507-hp V8 engine. "The new V8 emits less harmful emissions than the supercharged engine and weighs 55 pounds less. Allowing the E63 AMG to rocket from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds," says NewCarTestDrive.

Cadillac has the CTS-V and STS-V as their sport models. The CTS-V has a 400hp 5.7-liter LS6 V8 engine developed for the Chevrolet Corvette. The STS-V is the most powerful Cadillac ever offered with its supercharged V8. It also packs a high level of standard amenities such as obstacle detection and rear climate controls.

The Audi S6 is based off the A6 and  has a 435 hp 5.2 liter Direct Injection V10 engine and four-wheel-drive system to keep the power on the road. The BMW M5 now has an optional manual 6-speed or sequential transmission. This four-door sedan sprints to 60mph in 4.5 seconds thanks to its 500hp 5.0L V10 engine. The Porsche Cayman S is based off the Boxster, but Porsche took a more performance-oriented approach to its design. It has a 295hp 3.4L H-6 engine and a sport tuned suspension. Edmunds.com said the Cayman S is "more than just a Boxster S with a lid; the Cayman S embodies the soul and heart of history's best Porsches."

Mid-Luxury Roadsters

Roadsters evoke a certain mystique to those that have them and those that want them. Just rev up the engine, put the top down, and a roadster will take you and a passenger on a driving experience. In the mid-luxury class there are two such vehicles: the Porsche Boxster and the Mercedes SLK. The Porsche Boxster is designed as a midengine roaster giving it excellent balance and handling. When talking about the $45,600 Boxster Edmunds.com said, "classic Porsche styling, not to mention sublime steering and brakes, give the Boxster a unique combination of traits that few cars can match at this price point." Mercedes-Benz has two models of the SLK roadster in production, both with electric retractable hardtops. The SLK280 comes with a 228hp 3.0L V6 engine and the SLK350 comes with a 268hp 3.5L V6 engine.

Mid-LuxuryHybrid

Just because mid-luxury cars are expensive and luxurious doesn’t mean they can’t also be good to the environment. For 2009 Lexus offers up the GS 450h a hybrid model for their GS lineup. At $54,900 the GS GS 450h comes with a 340hp 3.5L V6 / electric-drive motor system, premium interior, and cutting edge safety features. The GS 450h can go from 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds and gets 25/28 mpg.

Mid-Luxury Car Safety Guide

As you move up the luxury ladder, more safety features become available. In addition to side airbags and traction control, side-curtain airbags are commonly found in mid-luxury cars, which help reduce potential head and neck injuries during side impact collisions. An electronic stability system, which works by sensing a car's "yaw" (side-to-side motion) and applying braking pressure to the appropriate wheels to keep the tires in contact with the road, is another feature to look for in this segment. Many mid-luxury manufacturers also design in crumple zones and crash-resistant door pillars to better protect occupants in the event of an accident.