08 premium large cars
2008 Jaguar XJ Series

Power. Space. Comfort. Prestige. These are traits that well-heeled luxury car buyers demand from their vehicles. They want a machine that provides a rewarding driving experience but at the same time coddles them in executive-jet comfort.

These cars might not be a brand's best-selling vehicle, but automakers still understand the need to offer a premium large car to help satisfy the tastes of the most discerning buyers. Consumer Guide identifies nine entries in this class: One each from Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, Lexus, Lincoln, and Volvo, and two from Mercedes-Benz.

The premium large car class sees no major changes for 2008--all models are carried over with either no changes of note or minor changes such as a slight restyle or new trim level.

Large and In Charge

These cars are stately in power, interior space, and luxury touches. All are available with V8 engines. Audi's S8 is a sporty A8 and has a V10. A few, including the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, and Mercedes-Benz CL-Class and S-Class, are available with 12-cylinder engines. Lexus' LS 600h L offers the only hybrid powertrain in the class; a 5.0-liter V8/electric motor combo that puts out 438 horsepower.

Many premium large cars accelerate like sporty coupes. In Consumer Guide tests, the V8 versions of these cars typically do 0-60 mph in less than 7.0 seconds. Mercedes-Benz says its V12 S600 will make the same run in 4.5 seconds. To put that in perspective, Porsche pegs its sporty 911 Carrera S coupe at 4.6 seconds.

All cars in this class use an automatic transmission--six-speeds are the most common. The Cadillac DTS and Lincoln Town Car make do with a comparatively old-fashioned four-speed. Mercedes' entries have a seven-speed automatic, and their sporty AMG variants use a five-speed. Lexus' LS 460 models have an eight-speed automatic, and the hybrid LS 600h L has a CVT automatic.

Big Outside, Big Inside

Some manufacturers offer versions of their premium large cars with extended wheelbases, which allow for more room and comfort, especially in the rear seat.

The Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ8, Lexus LS, and Lincoln Town Car are available in extended-wheelbase versions. While a typical midsize sedan has about 35 to 37 inches of rear legroom, the A8 L, 7-Series Li, XJ8L, LS L, and Town Car L offer between 39.3 and a limousine-like 45.4 inches of space to stretch your legs. Don't dismiss other cars in this class, though. The Cadillac DTS has 41.6 inches of rear legroom, and the Mercedes S-Class has 42.3.

Front-seat occupants are also treated to expansive room, with the Lexus LS leading the pack at 43.7 inches of leg room, and the Cadillac DTS closely behind at 42.5.

Cargo capacity varies greatly, from 21.0 cubic feet in the Lincoln Town Car down to 12.9 in the Mercedes CL-Class. Keep in mind, though, the Benz is a two-door coupe. The smallest trunk among four-door sedans is the Audi A8 at 14.6 cubic feet.

Brimming with Safety and Luxury Features

Buyers of premium large cars demand the best, and automakers go all out to try and satisfy those needs by including plenty of high-tech safety, comfort, and convenience features.

ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and curtain side airbags are expected safety features and are standard across the board. The Lexus LS and Mercedes S-Class have added electronics that can sense an impending collision and respond by tightening the seat belts and applying additional braking force.

While most premium large cars are rear-wheel drive, the A8 comes standard with Audi's quattro all-wheel drive. AWD is also available on the Mercedes S550 and Volvo S80. The S80 can be had with front-wheel drive also, and Cadillac's DTS comes with front-wheel drive only.

Most models offer front and/or rear obstacle detection systems. Bumper mounted sensors detect when objects are too close and trigger audible alerts. Some add a rearview camera that uses the navigation system's screen to display an image of what's behind the vehicle with the transmission in Reverse. The S-Class has an optional night-vision system that uses infrared lighting and an infrared-sensitive camera to project a highlighted image of distant objects that might not be visible otherwise.

Inside, opulence reigns. Leather upholstery, dual front and rear automatic climate control, and high-end audio systems are among many available features for these cars. DTS, LS, and S-Class offer cooling seats with a massaging function.

Once on the road, many premium large cars are available with adaptive cruise control, which uses sensors to detect vehicles up ahead and slow down the car automatically to maintain a preset distance. The S-Class's Distronic system can completely stop the car if necessary, though such a feature requires placing your faith in technology.

Speaking of faith in technology, the Lexus LS offers a feature called the Advanced Parking Guidance System. It's designed to automatically parallel park the car by using a combination of the navigation, obstacle detection, and steering systems, all aided by the rearview camera. It's an interesting piece of "gee-whiz" technology, but it takes a long time to program and is certainly not necessary if you're already good at parallel parking.

Luxury's Price Tag

All these comfort and luxury features don't come cheap. While some premium large cars can be had for as little as $45,000, others easily double, and in some cases triple, that figure. The A8, 7-Series, LS, CL-Class, and S-Class all have models with base prices greater than $100,000.

Consumer Guide chose the Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class as Best Buys among premium large cars. The Audi A8 and Cadillac DTS earned our Recommended label. If you're lucky enough to be able to afford one of these cars, you'll be treated to a powerful, luxurious, and comfortable vehicle.

Engines
Though the V8 engines in any premium large car have generally impressive horsepower numbers, check out the ponies riding under the hoods of these 10- and 12-cylinder offerings.