BUYING GUIDE to New Near-Luxury Cars

Overview

Near-Luxury or "entry-level luxury" cars are defined by three parameters: price, comfort, and prestige. Aimed at the car buyer who desires a little more class and comfort in their everyday car, this is the most competitive luxury class. Esteemed manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and Audi have all released 4-door luxury sports sedans that are priced from $28,900 to $32,400 (for base models).

An emphasis on fit and finish is a must for this class and a car must be as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside. The cars in this class share many of the same attributes that their bigger, more expensive flagship models do.  This, coupled with the relatively low pricing will give you the best bang for the buck. Acura, Infiniti, Cadillac, and Jaguar also offer models in this class.  A list of vehicles in this class can be found on the left side of this page.  Click on either of the links to find out more regarding a particular model. 

Price Range: $22,990-$47,500

Models

For 2008, Mercedes-Benz has released their brand new C-Class.  The C-Class has received a complete redesign for 2008, featuring fresh new bodywork as well as a couple of engine options, from a 3.0-Liter 228-horsepower V6 to a larger, more powerful 3.5-Liter 268-horsepower V6.    

The Acura TL, Audi A4, Lexus IS 250/IS350, and BMW 328i/330i also fall into this ultra-competitive category.  The $33,725 Acura TL has found great success in the near-luxury class. "Its powerful 3.2-liter V6 engine, nicely balanced suspension, rigid structure, and classy good looks make the TL a serious contender," says NewCarTestDrive.  

The A4 remains unchanged for 2008, with a total redesign slated for 2009.  Starting at $28,900, the A4 comes equipped with 200-hp 4-cylinder turbocharged engine.  The turbo has been slightly updated with new compressor maps to aid in off the line acceleration, with a full 207 lb/ft available from 1800 rpm all the way up to 5000 rpm, which is good news when you consider that the A4 weighs in at a porky 3500-plus pounds. 

The IS series of vehicles from Lexus also remains largely unchanged for 2008 and continues in the company’s pursuit of perfection.  The IS350 starts off at $35,905 with the IS250 coming in at $31,625.  That $4280 price difference will give your right foot a lot to be happy about, since the IS350 comes with a silky-smooth 306-hp 3.5-liter V6.  Is it worth the extra money?  We think so.

The BMW 3-series has long been the target that all this newfound competition has been aiming for.  The 3 can be had in several different trim levels to suit virtually every appetite.  Starting at the low end of the BMW yardstick, the 328i comes standard with BMW’s tried and true Inline 6-cylinder engine.  The engine produces 230 horsepower and is one of the smoothest out there.  Fuel economy is also good, with the 328i getting about 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway—impressive indeed.  For those that want the most power, the 335i juggernaut comes with BMW’s award-winning 3.0-liter twin turbo Inline 6-cylinder engine.  Horsepower jumps to 300, as does torque.  The price also increases to $38,900. 

Not ones to rest on their collective laurels, in 2007 Infiniti released an all-new G35 sedan.  For 2008, the sedan receives a few cosmetic changes to the front and rear fascias, along with new updated taillight treatments.  However, the big news for Infiniti is the release of the beautiful G37, a replacement of the G35 coupe.  The G37’s 3.7-liter engine produces 330-hp, and has drawn many comparisons to the previously mentioned BMW 335i.   In fact, in a recent head-to-head comparison with the BMW 335i, Motor Trend named the G37 the winner.  And costing $7000 less, the G37 can be labeled a value-leader in this category.

Near-Luxury Car Safety Guide

All near-luxury cars come standard with anti-lock brakes and side airbags, and in many cases overhead airbags and active head restraints are also available. Traction control is a more advanced feature that stops the spin of a wheel, and in turn insures maximum contact between your tires and the road. Augmenting this feature is an Electronic Stability System that also keeps your tires in maximum contact with the road by coordinating the ABS, Traction Control, and the "yaw" of your vehicle (how much a car rocks side-to-side). The individual systems are combined in an effort to reduce tire spinning, skidding, and traction-less cornering. All features, if not offered as standard, can considerably boost the overall price of vehicles in this segment.