2008 Premium Midsize Cars
The 2008 Infiniti G37 coupe is a new member of the premium midsize car class.

Premium midsize cars are status symbols. Owning an Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, or Mercedes-Benz says to the world that you've made it. The brand names make them aspirational vehicles, but they are also some of the finest automobiles on the market in terms of both quality and value.

These upscale machines come replete with posh leather-appointed interiors, heated seats, superb stereo systems, and lots of technological gadgetry. Power is ample, ride quality is excellent, and, in most cases, so is handling.

Most premium midsize cars are four-door sedans, though a handful are also available as four-door wagons, and Infiniti now offers a sporty two-door coupe. Most carry five passengers with varying degrees of backseat comfort. Engine choices run the gamut from turbocharged four- or five-cylinders, to flexible and powerful sixes and V6s, to brawny V8s and even a couple high-performance V10s. Prices range from about $30,000 to more than $80,000. Downsides include high prices, potentially poor fuel economy, and high maintenance costs for some brands.

New or redesigned premium-midsize models for 2008 are the Cadillac CTS and the Volvo V70 and XC70. Infiniti introduced the new G37 for 2008, a sporty coupe version of the redesigned-for-2007 G35 sedan. The remainder of the 2008 class got minor updates and/or new engines, or no significant changes at all.

There are several attributes to consider when purchasing a premium midsize car, most notably: drive wheels, power, size, and sportiness vs. luxury.

Front-drive, Rear-drive, or All-wheel Drive?

Most premium midsize cars are based on rear-wheel-drive platforms, while a few are front drive. All-wheel drive is also available on the majority of the offerings. Your choice of drive wheels, as well as your choice of premium midsize car, should depend on your needs.

If you live in an area where inclement weather is a possibility for much of the year, opt for front drive or AWD. A real benefit of all-wheel drive is superior traction in snow or rain. If you want to experience superior dry-pavement handling characteristics, rear-drive or all-wheel drive are the best bets.

The disadvantages of AWD vs. two-wheel drive include reduced fuel economy and a higher purchase price (typically a $1,500-$2,500 premium), though the higher cost of AWD is somewhat offset by higher resale value. It probably doesn't make sense to opt for all-wheel drive in Southern California, but it might be wise in Minnesota.

Power Play

All of the cars in this class offer ample power, even when equipped with base-level engines. Highway passing is fairly easy and, for the most part, fuel economy is decent. Though most of the base engines offer sufficient go for most drivers' needs, many shoppers in this class crave the power and cachet of a V8. Every V8 offered in this class is an impressive engine that will provide more than enough power for daily driving. These engines tend to be smoother and faster than engines with fewer cylinders. Keep in mind, though, that they are not as fuel efficient and come with higher price tags.

For diehard speed freaks, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, and Mercedes-Benz offer ultra-performance models with serious muscle. Cadillac's high-performance CTS-V model goes on hiatus this year but will return for 2009 in more-potent form. For 2008, the Audi S6's V10 makes 435 horsepower, the BMW M5's V10 makes 500, the Cadillac STS-V's V8 makes 469, and the Mercedes-Benz E63's V8 makes 507. Nobody really needs that much power, but it's a whole lot of fun. Of course, with rising horsepower comes soaring sticker prices and dismal fuel economy. So, if you want the power, you're going to have to pay for it.

Size It Up

While all of the cars in this class qualify as midsize, some are bigger than others. Cadillac, for instance, has two entries in this class, the smaller CTS and the larger STS. Other cars, such as the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Infiniti M, Jaguar S-Type, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are at the larger end of the spectrum. Meanwhile, the Acura TL, Lincoln MKZ, Saab 9-5, and Volvo S60 are at the smaller end.

The main difference between the larger and smaller premium midsize cars is rear seat room. While none of these cars have cramped rear seats, you should still consider your needs. If you will often be entertaining clients or friends, a larger car is probably best for you. If you'll be driving mostly by yourself, a smaller car will be just fine.

Also bear in mind utility. If you often carry cargo, consider the wagons offered by Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Saab, and Volvo. They match some midsize SUVs in cargo capacity while offering better handling, a more-composed ride, and superior fuel economy. Plus, all but the Saab 9-5 are available with all-wheel drive. Unless you need off-road capability, these wagons make great SUV alternatives.

Sport, Luxury, or Both?

Buyers have two routes to take when deciding on a premium midsize car: luxury or sportiness. Most cars in this class offer a balance of both, and different models within a model lineup aim more for one than the other. The Mercedes-Benz E63, for example, is much sportier than its luxury-oriented E350 sibling. The BMW 550i, on the other hand, handles very well but is quite luxurious. The cars with the best balance of ride and handling are found in the premium midsize class.

The choice of sport or luxury is a personal one. Some people desire a smooth, coddling ride, while others want sharp, flat cornering characteristics. Generally, ride quality must suffer to make a car handle better, and making a car ride softer compromises handling. Those who desire a smooth ride should check out the Lexus ES 350 or the Mercedes-Benz E350 or E500. Those who want crisp handling should look at a BMW with a sport suspension or a Mercedes-Benz AMG model.

As always, try before you buy. You may find that even though you like the Lexus' ride, you'd prefer better handling. Or, while you like the Jaguar S-Type R's handling and power, the ride is just too hard. A few test drives will tell you all you need to know.

Decide on Options

Creature comforts and high-tech options abound in premium midsize cars. Features such as rear-view cameras, navigation systems, radar or laser cruise control, heated and cooled seats, keyless ignition, concierge service, lane-departure warnings, and DVD entertainment are available. Prices add up quickly as options are chosen, so only pick those that you'll really use. In some instances, the desire to have one or more of these features will limit your buying options.

Navigation systems often absorb some other controls (climate, audio, etc.), making their use more complex. Further complicating matters in some cars are vehicle interface systems. Audi's MMI and BMW's iDrive systems can be frustrating to learn and require additional steps to accomplish simple tasks, thus diverting the driver's attention from the road. We found the iDrive system so objectionable, in fact, that it prevented the 5-Series' inclusion on our Best Buy or Recommended lists. Needless to say, you should try these systems before committing to buy one of these vehicles.

Consider Safety

All premium midsize cars are safe. They all come with antilock brakes, front-side airbags, curtain airbags, and traction control. All that have been tested received at least four out of five stars in government front and side crash tests. An antiskid system, which is designed to help the driver maintain the intended path on slippery roads, is available on all but the Lincoln MKZ, and it's standard on most. Rear-obstacle detection is offered on all but the Acuras, BMWs, Cadillacs, Infinitis, and Lincoln MKZ, and many of the cars that have it also have available front-obstacle detection.

Some of the vehicles in this class go above and beyond in terms of available safety features. Rear side airbags are available on the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Lexus ES 350, and Mercedes CLS- and E-Class. The Audi A6 and Infiniti M offer a lane-departure warning system, and both Lexus models have a Pre-Collision System that readies the airbags, seatbelts, and brakes when sensors detect a skid or imminent crash. All-wheel drive, which is available on the majority of these cars, can also be considered a safety feature because it helps maintain traction in slippery conditions.

Consumer Guide always recommends airbags and antiskid systems. The other safety features mentioned have value, but they all come at a price. Consider your needs and driving habits when deciding which of these features are worth the extra cost.

Buy Smart

While many shoppers prefer the image of an SUV to that of a station wagon, the wagons offered in this class are better choices than most SUVs for a lot of people (unless towing or off-roading are part of the equation). Likewise, while many would prefer the cachet of a premium midsize car, some of the better offerings in the regular midsize car segment are almost as nice and cost thousands less.

Odds are if you buy a premium midsize car, you are going to get a fine vehicle, but these upscale brands charge more for their premium image. Our Best Buy and Recommended picks tend toward vehicles that have a reasonable level of equipment that buyers can use, present a value proposition in terms of features-per-dollar, or offer superior engineering.

Cool Premium Midsize Car Features

  • Lexus GS 450h offers the only hybrid powertrain in the class.
  • Unique safety features include the Audi A6's and Infiniti M's lane-departure warning system and the Pre-Collision System offered on Lexus' ES 350 and GS.
  • The Audi S6, BMW M5, Cadillac STS-V, and Mercedes-Benz CLS63 and E63 are genuine performance cars with more than 400 horsepower.
  • The Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI--the only diesel offered in the class--is the fuel economy leader with EPA ratings of 23 mpg city/32 highway.