   2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA 250. Click image to enlarge |
Article by Justin Pritchard
Used to be that six-digit pricing territory defined the battlefield where automakers would sling their fanciest technologies, powertrains and styling efforts into single rolling showcases of poshness. But today, with shoppers constantly demanding more for less, the ‘affordable’ luxury car marketplace is offering up more fantastic products than ever before.
Now, war is being waged around the $50,000 price point – and more contenders than ever are fighting for the hard-earned dollars of Canadians that needn’t spend $100,000 or more to get into a world-class machine.
Some luxury cars are big on confidence, while others are big on interior design and high-tech goodies. Some luxury cars prioritize tranquility and relaxation, others value, and others still aim to deliver the delightful split-personality of a luxury sports car. Some machines strike a unique balance between all of the above.
Readers and enthusiasts may choose to define the luxury segment however they like, and debate the worthiness of certain brands and products on our list.
We chose the following on a fairly simple basis: these machines have an underlying, standout characteristic that makes them a laudable choice for a wide range of value-minded luxury shoppers. Put simply, these machines have something special. Here’s a look.
Mercedes-Benz CLA 250: This hot new one from Benz isn’t even on sale yet, but will start with pricing under $35,000 and pack 208 standard horsepower, 258 standard lb-ft of torque and a compact and lightweight seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
The big draw here? This isn’t a wannabe Mercedes, nor an up-badged version of a cheaper commuter car. The CLA 250 looks like a very big deal rolling down the road, and feels like a Mercedes at the fingertips: dense, solid, substantial and responsive. Friends and neighbours will guess the price thousands too high. High-value ‘baller’ status? Very yes.
This front-drive, four-door coupe has a sneaky, sporty flare, too, thanks to quick steering, stable handling and available all-wheel drive (AWD). There’s a tuned-up CLA 45 AMG variant coming, too.
Cadillac ATS: From the first twist of the ATS’s steering wheel, you can ‘feel’ that engineers were serious about making this one a performance weapon with instantly accessible dynamic capability. The ATS turns, squirms, accelerates, slides and brakes with an engaging level of precision, agility and immediacy uncommon in the segment. Magnetic Ride Control suspension lets it all happen without abuse of occupant spinal columns. Brembo brakes let ATS ditch forward momentum meters sooner than a comparable BMW 3 Series, too.
   2013 Cadillac ATS. Click image to enlarge |
The shrill, full-throttle wail from the 3.6L engine is not to be missed, though the 2.0L Turbo engine should prove adequate for most thrill seekers, and the only engine option for manual-transmission enthusiasts. With the ATS, it’s a highly tuned, highly engaging feel that serves up a fantastic sports luxury driving experience.
   2013 Lexus ES 350. Click image to enlarge |
Lexus ES 350: Lexus has fine-tuned their recently-enhanced ES 350 for drivers who equate luxury motoring with tranquility, quiet, and a sense of isolation from the world around them.
Extensive sound-deadening implements make for one of the quietest rides this side of $100,000, and the suspension filters out virtually any feeling from the road beneath – even rougher ones. The highly assisted steering means drivers can guide this front-drive cruiser along with a fingertip, if desired. (DISCLAIMER: Autos.ca doesn’t condone driving with one fingertip.)
The unique haptic-feedback controller even allows manipulation of infotainment and communications functions with little more than a few millimetres of fingertip movement. Fully automatic lights, climate control, high beams and wipers leave little to do but sit back and relax. The ES 350 offers up one of the most un-stimulating, peaceful and laid-back driving experiences in your writer’s recent memory.
    2012 Hyundai Genesis Sedan 3.8. Click image to enlarge |
Hyundai Genesis Sedan 3.8: Here’s a simple proposition: provide your local Hyundai dealer with $49,499, and they’ll provide you with a Genesis 3.8 with Technology Package. A comparably-sized and equipped A6 or E-Class would cost many thousands more than this rolling showcase of Korean luxury tech.
A recent cosmetic and engine update make the Genesis Sedan even more appealing than ever. Direct injection and eight-speed transmissions put its powertrains into world-class territory, too.
Genesis’s standout attribute? Bang for the buck. Here’s a machine that could confidently compete with cars twice its price all day long. That holds especially true if you dip a little into the $50,000 range and order the R-Spec, with a five-litre V8 churning out 429 of the most buttery horsepower on the road today.
    2013 Acura MDX. Click image to enlarge |
Acura MDX: Like that proverbial perfect bowl of porridge that nearly got Goldilocks munched by a ravenous family of grizzlies, the MDX strikes a just-right balance. Arguably, the most important thing about the MDX is its inclusion of all the sensible stuff luxury crossover shoppers like: long-term value, flexibility, and a great reputation. Sales numbers, residual values and owner satisfaction back this up.
To the wholesomeness of owning a luxury Honda is added a VTEC V6 that turns in robust power output, respectable real-world mileage and a slick SH-AWD system which tackles lousy weather conditions with an eye for responsiveness and agility. In fact, unlike many competitors, the MDX is a big crossover ute that’s actually fun to drive.
There’s an all-new model hitting dealer lots in the immediate future, too – and all signs point to continuation of the MDX’s award-winning lineage. However, don’t overlook a low-mileage used MDX – it has a reputation for reliability and durability that make it an excellent used vehicle purchase as well.
   2013 Volvo S60 T6 AWD. Click image to enlarge |
Volvo S60 T6 AWD: Aside from the meatballs, cheap furniture and Carolina Gynning, the S60 is one of the best things from Sweden.
Key draw? It’s uniquely beautiful to drive – no matter the climatic or road surface conditions at hand. Highway cruise? Seat comfort rivals the best sofas on the planet. Snowstorm? The Haldex-built AWD system provides locked-on grip, or tosses fresh powder 300 horsepower into the air if you turn off the traction control. Racetrack? There’s plenty of punch and a remarkably poised and stable chassis. Powerful and durable brakes, too.
Get the Four-C chassis control system, and you can fine-tune the S60 to whatever you’re feeling. The unique shapes, colors and textures lining the cabin generate a distinctive personality and atmosphere on a higher level than the comparable German and Japanese stuff, too.
Add in the highly relevant safety features and discreetly understated styling, and you’ve got a highly appealing take on a luxury sports sedan.
  2013 BMW 328i. Click image to enlarge |
BMW 3 Series: When it comes to affordable luxury vehicles, the pedigree, history and instant ‘made it’ status of a BMW 3-Series is as undeniable as it is controversial. The competition has grown, evolved and improved, as has this decades-old Bavarian benchmark. The latest generation focuses on improved fuel efficiency without sacrificing the dynamic ‘feel’ that makes it a 3 Series.
The big draw to the 3 Series? It’s a 3 Series. It’s a BMW. In many ways, it’s the car that made BMW so desirable. The name evokes thoughts of storied style, comfort, technology and performance recognized around the globe. And, since the competition is more aggressive than ever, 3 Series shoppers will find more value at lower price points.
Case in point? You can get a 328i xDrive with 240 horsepower for a tick over $46,000. Or, go with the even more affordable 320i xDrive, with 180 horsepower for under $40,000.
    2013 Chrysler 300. Click image to enlarge |
Chrysler 300: After putting the American luxury sedan back on the map and rocketing itself into sales superstardom, the 300 has evolved into a force to be reckoned with. All the luxury-sedan must-haves are here: plenty of powertrain selection, distinctive looks, and numerous trim grades and options packages to fine-tune it to a variety of tastes and budgets.
Opt for a nicely loaded model, and you’ll get a gorgeous selection of interior trim materials, high-tech interfaces and a laundry list of delightful touches, including automatic high beams, heated and chilled cupholders, and a stereo system tuned by rap icon Dr. Dre.
The big draw here? Value. At virtually any price point, the 300 serves up heaps of style, space and feature content – and wraps them all up in a package that looks and feels like a million bucks.
