Tag: luxury cars

  • Need a New Ride? Top Affordable Compact Luxury Cars

    Need a New Ride? Top Affordable Compact Luxury Cars

    Everyone loves getting to drive a nice new car. There’s something about being behind the wheel of a luxury car that’s ineffable and hard to place. It’s like you become the master of your own little domain, able to zoom around corners and go where you want. Not everyone can swing the huge payments to own a nice new car though.

    So, how do you find a compromise between a nice ride but not having to take a long time to pay it off? Thankfully, you can check out our list of the top luxury cars that won’t break the bank! These are luxurious, compact and affordable, and will keep you riding in style even as you keep your car payments reasonable.

    2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

    Mercedes-Benz, a well-known name in the world of luxury cars, offers the CLA-Class as a more affordable entry option to their range of vehicles. While you’ll only pay $33,695 for base models of the 2018, you’ll get the full Mercedes-Benz luxury experience. Some of the base features are pretty high-tech and impressive. For instance, it comes stock with drowsy-driver sensors, forward collision mitigation and rain-sensing windshield wipers. If that’s not enough for you, it even sports dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth! Add-ons include LED headlights, heated seats and adaptive cruise control. You can even opt for blind spot monitoring if you’re like me and forget to check those every time!

    2018 Acura ILX

    The ILX is a great choice for those who want a luxury ride but still want to have a practical vehicle. This vehicle has some pretty sweet amenities for its low price tag. While base models cost about $29,000, they also have keyless entry and ignition and heated front seats. they also sport dual-zone climate control, for when the driver and passenger feel comfortable in two different temperatures, and automatic LED headlights to help cut through hazardous weather conditions. For those who want a bit more, they can also opt for some safety features like adaptive cruise control and front collision mitigation. The ILX can also be equipped with navigation, leather upholstery and satellite radio.

    2018 Audi A3

    The next car on our list, the elegant Audi A3, starts at around $33,000. And it does more than just look pretty: it has some stellar luxury features. The A3 comes standard with forward collision mitigation, helping make sure you keep your nice new luxury car out of trouble. It also ensures a comfortable ride, with heated front seats and leather upholstery, and even a panoramic sunroof! If you want even more, you can opt to add on blind spot monitoring to even further keep your A3 (and yourself) safe, and even parking sensors. To round it all out, you can even opt for Apple CarPlay mirroring, letting you use your phone as your car stereo!

    2018 Volvo S60

    An extremely elegant car, and a great buy for $35,095. The S60 is a looker and boasts an incredibly comfortable ride to boot. Base models have low-speed collision mitigation, which is great when driving around town. They also have xenon headlights, leather upholstery and sunroof equipped standard. Oh, and don’t forget the Wi-Fi connectivity. Pretty cool, right? You can also opt for rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and navigation.

    2018 BMW 3 Series

    The 3 Series is the most affordable of BMW’s luxury cars, but it feels anything but “affordable.” This decadent ride is smooth, responsive and just plain fun to drive. You can grab a base model for $35,895, and that equips you with push-button start, dual-zone climate control and rain-sensing windshield wipers. You even get Bluetooth connectivity! If you want a more upgraded experience, you can also opt for a sunroof, among other awesome options.

    Tesla Model 3

    When it comes to brand recognition, few cars are in the same boat as Tesla. The astonishing range and acceleration on display in the Model 3 make its all-electric powertrain that much more impressive. The luxurious interior, with its minimalist design and simple center screen, feels like a car from the future.
    For the price of $35,000 you can get the Standard Range Tesla, though a few thousand more bucks gets you the Long Range. It’s a difference of about a hundred miles of range, as the Standard Range allows for an impressive 240 miles, while the Long Range sports 310 miles. The Long Range will run you a steeper $49,500.
    The Model 3 makes our list, however, due to the all-electric nature of the vehicle working in conjunction with its great drive and range. This is, for all intents and purposes, a totally normal car that also happen to need neither gas nor oil. You won’t need to fill it up, get oil changes or worry about most regular maintenance. That’s all behind you once you go fully electric.


  • What’s New for the 2020 Audi A4

    What’s New for the 2020 Audi A4

    Audi’s announced a slate of new features and updates for the A4, which will be rolling out for the next model year. Between a new look, hybrid engine options and new tech, there’s a lot to cover in this A4 update. If you’re in the market for a luxury car, this news might be music to your ears.

    Audi A4 Updates

    Styling

    The A4 has received a styling pass this time around, and it looks slick. A number of adjustments have been made to the outside of the car, from the wider and flatter grill to the introduction of 12 new paint options. The headlights have been updated and are now LED, and there are multi-element running lights along the body now. Besides that, the A4 also sports an updated rear, with more updated styling on the rear lights that is reminiscent of the A6.

    Technology

    New tech makes an appearance in the A4, including a new 10-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. You can upgrade for a Bang and Olufsen sound system, taking full advantage of the luxurious and quiet interior of the A4. Meanwhile, the vehicle now offers a Wi-Fi hotspot and natural language searching for the infotainment system. Thankfully, this A4 model will forego the second, lower touchscreen in favor of physical buttons. The secondary touchscreen on other Audi models has notable less sensitivity and outdated graphics, making it less luxurious and more off-putting. We’ll take the physical buttons and knobs over a Windows XP-looking touchscreen.

    Mild Hybrid

    In Europe, where the A4 will be offered starting this Summer, there will be mild hybrid powertrain options. Three of the six available powertrains will offer 12-volt mild hybrid options to help keep the gas mileage high, making these more economic options. Time will tell how long we have to wait to see these new luxury options for the A4 to roll out in America. However, Europe will be seeing these changes in the coming months. We’ll be keeping our eyes on the A4 as a serious contender in the luxury sedan market, though.
  • 2019 Infiniti Q60: A Worthy Affordable Luxury Car?

    2019 Infiniti Q60: A Worthy Affordable Luxury Car?

    Infiniti is known for making luxury cars of exemplary quality with reasonable price tags for the average person. The 2019 Infinity Q60 is upon us, and it’s time to ask: is this a worthy affordable luxury car? Let’s look under the hood, inside the cab and at the specs and find out what makes this Infiniti stand out from the crowd.

    2019 Infiniti Q60

    Performance

    The most important thing about any luxury car is performance. If you’re starting a vehicle at $40,850, then it’s important the car is actually fun to drive. In the case of the Q60, it is satisfying, responsive and quick. The engine is a bit quieter than you might expect, but the acceleration and power on display here are certainly impressive.

    This goes double for the Red Sport 400 spec, which will run you an extra $15,000, bringing the starting price to $55,000. This trim level nets you a bump from 300 horsepower to 400, as well as a few minor aesthetic cues to differentiate the vehicle from its base trim.

    The Cab

    The ride is smooth and enjoyable, though the steering is a bit lacking in excitement. However, the notably lacking part of this luxury Infiniti is the infotainment system. For whatever reason, Infiniti’s outdated InTouch system is still in play here, sporting graphics from 2008 and features from 2012. The underpowered tech on display in the cab leaves us scratching our heads.

    Surprisingly, despite how quiet the engine is, the ride on the highway catches a ton of road noise. Crank up the tunes to drown this out, but it’s a bit of a drag to hear the road instead of the purr of the engine.

    Bottom Line

    Compared to some of the competition, like the Audi S5 and the Lexus RC, this Infiniti is a solid contender. If you don’t mind the underpowered tech or the quiet engine, there’s a lot to love here. However, unless you don’t get a lot of opportunities to gun it, we highly suggest you get the Red Sport 400 upgrade, as it makes the car a blast to drive.

    Noting that, bumping from $40,000 to $55,000 might take the vehicle out of the “affordable” price category. However, even the base trim offers a fun experience, if you’re looking for an affordable and stylish luxury vehicle.

  • Need a New Ride? Top Affordable Compact Luxury Cars

    Need a New Ride? Top Affordable Compact Luxury Cars

    Everyone loves getting to drive a nice new car. There’s something about being behind the wheel of a luxury car that’s ineffable and hard to place. It’s like you become the master of your own little domain, able to zoom around corners and go where you want. Not everyone can swing the huge payments to own a nice new car though.

    So, how do you find a compromise between a nice ride but not having to take a long time to pay it off? Thankfully, you can check out our list of the top luxury cars that won’t break the bank! These are luxurious, compact and affordable, and will keep you riding in style even as you keep your car payments reasonable.

    2018 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

    Mercedes-Benz, a well-known name in the world of luxury cars, offers the CLA-Class as a more affordable entry option to their range of vehicles. While you’ll only pay $33,695 for base models of the 2018, you’ll get the full Mercedes-Benz luxury experience. Some of the base features are pretty high-tech and impressive. For instance, it comes stock with drowsy-driver sensors, forward collision mitigation and rain-sensing windshield wipers. If that’s not enough for you, it even sports dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth! Add-ons include LED headlights, heated seats and adaptive cruise control. You can even opt for blind spot monitoring if you’re like me and forget to check those every time!

    2018 Acura ILX

    The ILX is a great choice for those who want a luxury ride but still want to have a practical vehicle. This vehicle has some pretty sweet amenities for its low price tag. While base models cost about $29,000, they also have keyless entry and ignition and heated front seats. they also sport dual-zone climate control, for when the driver and passenger feel comfortable in two different temperatures, and automatic LED headlights to help cut through hazardous weather conditions. For those who want a bit more, they can also opt for some safety features like adaptive cruise control and front collision mitigation. The ILX can also be equipped with navigation, leather upholstery and satellite radio.

    2018 Audi A3

    The next car on our list, the elegant Audi A3, starts at around $33,000. And it does more than just look pretty: it has some stellar luxury features. The A3 comes standard with forward collision mitigation, helping make sure you keep your nice new luxury car out of trouble. It also ensures a comfortable ride, with heated front seats and leather upholstery, and even a panoramic sunroof! If you want even more, you can opt to add on blind spot monitoring to even further keep your A3 (and yourself) safe, and even parking sensors. To round it all out, you can even opt for Apple CarPlay mirroring, letting you use your phone as your car stereo!

    2018 Volvo S60

    An extremely elegant car, and a great buy for $35,095. The S60 is a looker and boasts an incredibly comfortable ride to boot. Base models have low-speed collision mitigation, which is great when driving around town. They also have xenon headlights, leather upholstery and sunroof equipped standard. Oh, and don’t forget the Wi-Fi connectivity. Pretty cool, right? You can also opt for rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control and navigation.

    2018 BMW 3 Series

    The 3 Series is the most affordable of BMW’s luxury cars, but it feels anything but “affordable.” This decadent ride is smooth, responsive and just plain fun to drive. You can grab a base model for $35,895, and that equips you with push-button start, dual-zone climate control and rain-sensing windshield wipers. You even get Bluetooth connectivity! If you want a more upgraded experience, you can also opt for a sunroof, among other awesome options.

    Tesla Model 3

    When it comes to brand recognition, few cars are in the same boat as Tesla. The astonishing range and acceleration on display in the Model 3 make its all-electric powertrain that much more impressive. The luxurious interior, with its minimalist design and simple center screen, feels like a car from the future.
    For the price of $35,000 you can get the Standard Range Tesla, though a few thousand more bucks gets you the Long Range. It’s a difference of about a hundred miles of range, as the Standard Range allows for an impressive 240 miles, while the Long Range sports 310 miles. The Long Range will run you a steeper $49,500.
    The Model 3 makes our list, however, due to the all-electric nature of the vehicle working in conjunction with its great drive and range. This is, for all intents and purposes, a totally normal car that also happen to need neither gas nor oil. You won’t need to fill it up, get oil changes or worry about most regular maintenance. That’s all behind you once you go fully electric.


  • Best Luxury Compact Cars for 2029

    Best Luxury Compact Cars for 2029

    When you want the best of the best, it helps to be informed. That goes double for when you want a luxury car: they’re expensive, and a pretty big investment for your future. When you go shopping for luxury, you don’t want to settle for second best. Here are our top picks for luxury compact cars in 2019.

    Best Luxury Compact Cars

    Audi A5

    Audi’s name is a respected one in the world of luxury vehicles. The Audi A5 for 2019 is a killer vehicle for a number of reasons. The vehicle starts around $44,200 and can run you all the way up to $74,200. The engine options in the A5 are suitably impressive, bringing a might and heft to the otherwise breezy convertible.

    The trunk space is small, even for a compact vehicle, and the price is quite high. However, for the money, you get a stellar ride. The ride is smooth and responsive, the interior is high-quality and luxurious, and the sound quality of the stereo is top-notch.

    2019 Genesis G70

    The Genesis G70 is another wonderful luxury vehicle that you should consider if you’re a fan of going fast and looking stylish. The handling and performance of this vehicle make it well worth the starting price of $35,000. Options could bring it up to $52,250, making this a more affordable luxury vehicle than the average.

    The cabin is very slick and attractive, with a high build quality and tons of amenities. The seats are cushy and comfortable, the finish and material are both stellar. The infotainment system is somewhat lackluster, and the fuel economy is sub-par. However, this is still some great bang for your buck in the terms of a luxury compact car.

    Tesla Model 3

    Sleek, stylish, with a name brand that turns heads and an all-electric motor, the Tesla Model 3 is the pinnacle of luxury compact cars. The interior is spartan and calm, while the drive is aggressive and quick, and the lack of a conventional engine saves you tons on gas. Not only that, but it’s great for the environment.

    The Model 3 has a ton of configurations and various price ranges. It could run you as little a $40,000, or as much as $60,000 for some configurations. Tesla promises that there will be a $35,000 configuration in the near future.

  • Best Luxury Compact Cars

    Best Luxury Compact Cars

    Luxury and compact aren’t two things that are commonly found together with cars in 2019. However, not everyone wants to drive an SUV for their luxury ride.

    So, in order to help you find your dream car, we’re looking at some of the best luxury compact cars. Sometimes good things come in small packages!

    Best Luxury Compact Cars

    Infiniti Q50

    The Infinity Q50, which starts at $35,550 is a great pick for luxury in a small vehicle. It’s got tight handling, agile performance and a nice ride. The cabin is described as “refined” and “tasteful,” and you’ll always feel like you’re riding in style in this luxury compact.

    While not the most powerful car on this list, the Q50 brings a ton of style to the luxury compact category. It’s worth noting that the Q50 has somewhat below-average fuel economy, though this is largely mitigated by the agile handling and straightforward luxury of the drive.

    If you’re looking for a downright stylish luxury vehicle and don’t mind gassing up more often, the Q50 is a great pick for you.

    Genesis G70

    What’s not to love about the Genesis G70? The sporty, aggressive look and stellar engine performance pair perfectly with the smooth, quiet ride quality. When this vehicle takes off, you’ll feel the power. However, you’ll also feel the comfortable seats and unrivaled handling of a Genesis vehicle.

    The only real downsides to the G70 are its below-average fuel economy and small trunk space. The infotainment system could use some refining, but this is a minor nitpick. That said, coming in just under $35,000, this car is a great value for your money. After all, it sports more style than the average SUV and handles like a dream. There are few cars like it on the market.

    Tesla Model 3

    The storied Tesla Model 3 is the very definition of a chase vehicle. Tesla’s name is synonymous with “cool” for some people, as these all-electric cars sacrifice no power to untether themselves from the gas pump. Gorgeous design, a spartan interior and unparalleled handling for an electric vehicle all set the Model 3 apart from the pack.

    The Model 3 has stellar performance for an electric car. It’s got 271 horsepower and handles like a dream, feeling like a conventional car in all ways but the sound. Thanks to the electric engine, the Tesla runs as quietly as possible. Pricing for the Model 3, and other Tesla models, can be found on their website.

  • Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio: An Odd SUV With and Odd Premise

    Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio: An Odd SUV With and Odd Premise

    Let’s get this out of the way: I don’t think anyone asked for an SUV that could keep up with a Ferrari. Yet, for some reason, Alfa Romeo has created the Stelvio Quadrifoglio, a “sports SUV” that aims to do just that. To be fair, this Italian SUV keeps up with the promise of being fast and powerful. However, it sort-of forgets to be an SUV while it does that. Let’s talk odd Italian cars!

    Performance

    We’ll cover what the Stelvio Quadrifoglio wants to be known for first and foremost, the performance. It delivers in that respect: it’s fast, it accelerates well and it’s fun to drive on a long stretch. It’s got a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine under the hood, and that Ferrari comparison from earlier was literal. This is a Ferrari engine, sourced directly from the Italian carmaker. And it shows! However, the question remains: why is this in an SUV with 505 horsepower? This feels like something that was made because Alfa Romeo could, not because they should.

    The biggest issue this vehicle runs into is when it’s being driven in the city. While its engine is awesome on a racetrack, the handling and brakes make it awful in heavy traffic. Start-and-stop traffic becomes a chore rapidly, which is dangerous in a car with this much power under the hood. The suspension is tight, and the brakes are touchy, making the car feel anxious and jumpy in normal traffic. This shouldn’t be a problem for a vehicle this expensive.

    Interior

    The Stelvio Quadrifoglio has a luxurious interior at first glance but is actually somewhat disappointing upon inspection. While there is soft leather and brushed metal in some places, there are also patches of plastic and cheap-feeling finish in several places. The buttons on the console feel cheap and would be more at home in a Subaru. Additionally, the infotainment screen is somewhat small, at 8.8 inches, and it’s difficult to use with the dial. You can opt to use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay instead, and you should.

    Oddly, a number of advanced features that you’d expect to be standard are option on this “luxury” car. Features like forward collision warning, high-beam assist, and lane departure warning are added in the Driver Assist Dynamic Plus Package, which runs $1,500. That’s pretty much unacceptable, as the base price is $79,795.

    Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Bottom Line

    Avoid this one unless you really want an SUV with a Ferrari engine. It’s hard to recommend something this expensive when it fails to deliver on the basic things an SUV of this price should come with. Good performance in city traffic and standard tech should be no-brainers, and yet the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio opts to go fast instead. If this was a sports car, these problems could be overlooked. However, it fails to deliver on what it says it is, and as such, you should look elsewhere for a luxury SUV.

    Feature Image Credit: Car and Driver

  • Luxury Car Breakdown: 2018 Tesla Model 3

    Luxury Car Breakdown: 2018 Tesla Model 3

    Everyone’s talking about Tesla right now. Their CEO, Elon Musk, is something of a celebrity and their cars are hot-ticket luxury items. Tesla’s newest luxury car, the 2018 Model 3, is here. Well, for some people. If you happened to reserve yours in advance. And you happened to be towards the front of the line. What’s the verdict? Read on to find out our thoughts on the futuristic vehicle. 

    Biggest Draw: Price 

    Tesla has a bit of a reputation as a company that makes cars rich people can afford, and that’s it. In order to bring themselves to mass-market, though, Tesla has made the Model 3 affordable. Musk has been promising a $35,000 electric car for years now, and the Model 3, nominally, delivers. It is worth noting, however, that the models currently available for reservation are closer to $58,000 than $35,000. Why is that, you might ask? 

    Well, there’s a few reasons. For one, the car is currently only available in its long-range configuration, which starts at $44,000. The long-range version can drive 310 miles on a full charge, while the standard-range gets about 220 miles on a full charge. Not to mention the price for wheels and paint, which add Additionally, amenities like heated seats come in the “Premium Package,” which adds $5,000 to the price tag, as does Autopilot. If you want to enable the vehicle to use the eventual self-driving functionality, you’ll spend another $3,000. Finally, you have to pay another $1,000 to have it delivered.  

    Okay, we finally have the thing paid for. Now what? Well, according to those who’ve gotten theirs and taken it for a spin, the next part is pretty sweet. 

    Interior 

    To get into the vehicle, you use a sleek black card that comes with it to unlock it. You can also pair an iPhone or Android phone to the car to have it unlock as you approach, which is awesome. Once you’re in, the interior is sparse and minimal. The design is either incredibly clean or dreadfully bland depending on who you ask. Personally, I tend towards the former, but I can see how someone might be put off by just how spartan it is for how much the car costs.  

    Oddly, the vehicle has no gauge cluster. Instead, it has a large, iPad-like display that handles all of the measurements and functions usually displayed on such gauges. It’s… it’s weird. But also, kind of cool? So, this display handles everything from speedometer to displaying how much charge is left. You control the radio, the autopilot, the wiper blades and nearly every other feature through it. It’s the only spot of note in the otherwise bare interior. If you’re into discreet, sleek tech you might love it. It’s as though Apple made a car with their focus on slick, immutable form. 

    The Drive: Worthy of the Title “Luxury Car”? 

    Is the car fun to drive, though? That’s the really important part. Thankfully, the answer is yes, and dreadfully so. The vehicle almost begs to be driven hard and fast, which, tragically, drains the battery pretty rapidly. That said, it hugs turns very well and steers like a dream. All reports say the Model 3 is a zippy, mean machine, especially considering it’s 100% electric.  

    The Verdict: Awesome, but Unfinished 

    Time will make the Model 3 the coolest car ever. Once it’s available for the (much more affordable) $35,000 and the kinks are worked out of the awkward interface, that is. As it stands, for how much you spend for the thing, and how clunky (and dangerous) it is to take your eyes off the road to fiddle with settings, it’s a bit disappointing. That said, the car is still stellar. It’s sleek, fast and high-tech, so enthusiasts won’t be disappointed. The average consumer will still be left wanting by the few wrinkles in the design, but I’m confident Tesla will have them ironed out in time. 

  • Full Cadillac Line and Other Luxury Car GM Brands to Incorporate Super Cruise

    Full Cadillac Line and Other Luxury Car GM Brands to Incorporate Super Cruise

    Self-driving tech is red hot at the moment. Cars equipped with self-driving functionality are in the news constantly. Many car makers seem convinced that the technology is on the brink of being ready to release to consumers. GM’s take on the driverless technology is called Super Cruise, and the auto maker plans to incorporate it in to their luxury car brands, name Cadillac, by 2020.  

    Super Cruise 

    The 2018 Cadillac CT6 was the first car to incorporate Super Cruise. Super Cruise is designed for divided highways and can operate as a mostly hands-free self-driving suite. GM’s technology uses advanced driver monitoring to make sure the driver is still paying attention to the road. For instance, if the technology senses the driver’s attention drifting, it can give visual and audio warnings to the driver.  

    In an emergency situation, Super Cruise can even pull the car over and call OnStar for assistance. All in all, GM’s driverless technology is rather advanced and works well for its niche. However, it’s hardly the “true” self-driving technology that many are anticipating in the coming years. While Super Cruise uses similar technology to Tesla, with lidar and advanced mapping, it encounters many of the same issues as that technology. 

    Which Luxury Car Lines are Getting Super Cruise? 

    GM has stated that they intend to incorporate Super Cruise into the full Cadillac line by 2020. Their other luxury car brand names, like Buick and GMC, are likely to see the technology next. GM has been investing heavily in driverless tech and has expressed plans to commercialize the technology by 2019. This would make the Detroit-based auto maker one of the first to market with the technology. 

    While driverless tech still has a number of kinks to work out, it is still a nice addition to otherwise luxurious rides. Specifically, GM’s luxury brands all feature quiet, peaceful cabins and high-tech amenities. Super Cruise is a welcome companion to other features, like parking assist and blind spot monitoring. GM has stated that we can expect to see driverless technology incorporated across all their cars by 2023. 

  • Top 10 Luxury Cars That Won’t Break Your Bank

    Top 10 Luxury Cars That Won’t Break Your Bank

    Everyone loves getting to drive a nice new car. There’s something about being behind the wheel of a luxury car that’s just so… luxurious. Not everyone can swing the huge payments to own a nice new car though. What’s a good compromise for someone who wants a nice ride but doesn’t want to take a long time to pay it off? For such discerning individuals, we have our top ten luxury cars that won’t break the bank! Our list is in ascending order of price and assumes base configurations with automatic transmission. 

    Our First (and Least Expensive) of Our Luxury Cars: 2018 Acura ILX 

    Photo Credit: YouTube 

    The ILX is a great choice for those who want a luxury ride but still want to have a practical vehicle. This vehicle has some pretty sweet amenities for its low price tag. While base models cost about $29,000, they also have keyless entry and ignition and heated front seats. they also sport dual-zone climate control, for when the driver and passenger feel comfortable in two different temperatures, and automatic LED headlights to help cut through hazardous weather conditions. For those who want a bit more, they can also opt for some safety features like adaptive cruise control and front collision mitigation. The ILX can also be equipped with navigation, leather upholstery and satellite radio.