Luxury Car Guide for Buyers
Entry Level Luxury Cars
This is where the luxury car experience starts. Cars in this range boast high levels of technology, comfort and driveability.
Chevrolet Cruze:
There’s no refuting that it’s a stunning looking car. And, about a year ago, Chevrolet gave the Cruze a mid-life facelift and rather than change the car visually, it tweaked the engine to be more powerful, refined and also fuel efficient. Power is now at a massive 164 bhp! It is a perfect highway cruiser and the interiors are also striking to look at. You also get a long list of equipments. Rear seat space is quite poor though.
Volkswagen Jetta:
This beautifully engineered car has styling that is quite understated. The cabin is hard-to-fault and if you pay attention to details you will notice that build quality is easily the best in class. The seats are spacious and comfort is brilliant. It lacks a bit in the equipment department and the steep price is a downer compared to the competitors.
Toyota Altis:
Quality and fit and finish are excellent. It’s also one of the best cars to own if you’re chauffer driven. The engine is under powered and it’s not the most exciting car to drive.
Hyundai Elantra:
The Hyundai Elantra is easily the best looking car in its class. You get a long list of equipments including cooled front seats, a spacious cabin and also a very competitive price tag. Also it’s easy to drive in traffic and decent on the highway too. Though it is a tad bouncy at high speeds.
Renault Fluence:
The Fluence was Renault’s first car in India and it has been improved a few months back. There is a slight bump in the power and much lesser turbo lag. Also, a few equipments have also been added.
Executive Level Luxury Cars
These cars typically start from the Rs. 20 lac bracket and come with loads of features and luxurious cabins. Ideal for people who like to be chauffer driven.
Toyota Camry:
It is better looking, better equipped and more comfortable too. The Camry’s forte is to offer the most relaxing driving experience and everything has been tuned to deliver just that. It’s slightly expensive and dull to drive but it is one of the most comfortable cars of its class.
Honda Accord:
What you get is a car that feels like a proper luxury saloon. The lounge like rear seats add to the limo-like feel. It is quite well equipped and in the city traffic it drives brilliantly. However, the soft suspension does make the car a bit pitchy on the highway and the lack of a diesel engine is an issue.
Skoda Superb:
The reason that the Superb is so appealing is that it feels a class higher. The performance is brilliant and has the tech and luxury of more expensive cars. There are no cheap bits on the car which makes a world of a difference.
Volkswagen Passat:
The Passat is VW’s flagship saloon in India. In typical German fashion the interiors are faultless and it is packed to the teeth like a space shuttle. And the car parks itself!! Although not competitively priced against rivals, the extra cash spent is well worth it.
Hyundai Sonata:
The Hyundai’s new Sonata is positively stunning. The equipment list is generous and the cabin is quite spacious and comfortable. Indians appreciate value for money and this car is exactly that.
Compact Level Luxury Car:
These cars demand a certain level of respect and authority. Drive anyone of these and you will definitely get heads turning.
Audi A4
Audi A4 got a facelift recently which brought subtle improvements to the car. The car is fresher, plusher and the 1.8 litre turbo petrol engine is silky smooth. It’s more spacious than its competitors and hence can be used as a chauffer driven car as well. It’s not as engaging to drive as some of its rivals though.
BMW 3-series
BMW has set the benchmark in its segment with the new 3-series. It delivers the best of all the worlds- it’s compact yet the most spacious in its class, it’s blisteringly quick and efficient too. It’s incredibly fun to drive. Though the engine could have been more refined and suspension a bit quieter but these are just minor niggles in an otherwise class leading package.
Mercedes C-Class
Traditional Mercedes strengths of comfort and build quality remain at the core of C-Class. It’s definitely the car that feels the most premium in its class
Volvo S60
Like all Volvos, this car is as safe as a battle tank and comes loaded with tech. The engines are most powerful in the segment and efficient. If you compare cars purely on specifications in this segment the Volvo comes out on top. However it’s a little cramped in the rear and just doesn’t have the appeal of the German trio.
Premium Level Luxury Cars
Big on size, presence, value and luxury!
Audi A6:
The new Audi A6 is almost everything luxury car buyers in India could ask for. It comes with a class leading diesel motor that is powerful and incredibly refined. Interior appointments could embarrass a luxury suite and a comfortable ride.
BMW 5 series:
The 5 series is BMW’s softer, more level headed take on luxury cars. The 530d comes loaded with power if you looking to drive the car yourself. In case it’s primarily chauffer driven 520d is an excellent choice.
Mercedes E-Class
It is Mercedes best seller and is a prefect blend of old world charm and modern tech. It is not the quietest cabin around but the features and options list has grown quite substantially. With the new look it is now appealing to the younger buyers as well.
Jaguar XF:
The XF isn’t the cheapest car in its segment but you get your money’s worth. The XF looks like a sports car stuck in a saloons body and the performance complements the striking design. Overall, it’s an accomplished alternative to the German trio.
Volvo S80:
The car is a bit long in the tooth which is evident from its understated design. The interiors are top-notch and safety levels are outstanding, but the cabin does feel outdated. Also ride and handling isn’t the best. It scores well on the rear seat comfort has one of the airiest cabins around.
Limousines Level Luxury Cars
These are the cars you want to be seen in. They are extremely expensive and there is no better way to tell the world you have arrived than one of these.
Audi A8
This luxury barge comes loaded to the teeth with features. It is currently the benchmark in its segment. It’s got reclining seats, a fantastic Bang & Olufsen sound system, cooled and heated seats with a massage function and the list goes on.
BMW 7-series:
BMW has made improvements in the places it was weak in and the most significant one is the eight speed gearbox. It has made the car very smooth. The cabin has also been worked upon as most car owners would want an equivalent of their lush office cabin even on their drive home.
Mercedes S-Class:
The S-Class is Merc’s flagship. Loaded with more features than you can dream of, it is more a limo than a saloon. It features a vastly superior cabin and levels of comfort only seen in Rolls Royce or Bentley.
Jaguar XJ
Jaguar makes fast and beautiful cars and the XJ is a testament to that. It is a mix of striking design, breathtaking performance and crafty engineering. It is extremely comfortable and is pretty well equipped as well. There’s a new top of the line Ultimate version as well, which comes with even more tech, like massaging bucket seats at the rear, a champagne chiller, two hi-res screens with wireless headphones and loads of other additions.