2009 Hyundai Genesis
The 2009 Genesis marks several firsts for the Korean automaker: V8 engine, rear-wheel-drive platform, and entry to the premium large car class.

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 eleven entries in this class: One each from Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Hyundai, Jaguar, Lexus, and Volvo, and two from Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz.

The premium large car class sees a few changes for 2009. The segment gains an uncharacteristic new entry in the 2009 Hyundai Genesis, a budget-priced luxury sedan from a Korean automaker better known for less-upscale vehicles. Ford's Lincoln division adds the MKS to the class, a new flagship that is based on the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable platform but has exclusive styling and luxury features. BMW's 7-Series is redesigned, gaining updated styling, more power, and a new version of BMW's iDrive control system. The remainder of the segment is unchanged or sees minor updates such as a new model, new available features, or expanded all-wheel-drive availability.

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 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.

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.
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 2008 911 Carrera S coupe at 4.6 seconds.

All cars in this class use an automatic transmission--6-speeds are the most common. The Cadillac DTS and Lincoln Town Car make do with a comparatively old-fashioned 4-speed. Mercedes' entries have a 7-speed automatic, and their sporty AMG variants use a 5-speed. Lexus' LS 460 models have an 8-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 inches.

Front-seat occupants are also treated to expansive room, with the Hyundai Genesis leading the pack at 44.3 inches of legroom, and the Lexus LS close behind at 43.7 inches.

Cargo capacity varies greatly, from 21.0 cubic feet in the Lincoln Town Car down to 12.9 in the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. Keep in mind, though, the Benz is a 2-door coupe. The smallest trunk among 4-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 to satisfy those desires 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-Benz S-Class have added electronics that can sense an impending collision and respond by tightening the seat belts and applying additional braking force.

Save for the front-wheel-drive Cadillac DTS, Lincoln MKS, and Volvo S80, all premium large cars are based on rear-wheel-drive platforms. And with the exception of the DTS, Hyundai Genesis, Jaguar XJ, and Lincoln Town Car, all are available with all-wheel drive. In fact, Audi's A8 and Mercedes CL550 can't be had without AWD.

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 the car automatically to maintain a preset distance. The S-Class' 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, but the premium large car class covers a very wide price range. Hyundai's bargain-priced Genesis and Lincoln's MKS start under $40K, while Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, Lexus LS, and Mercedes-Benz 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, Cadillac DTS, and Hyundai Genesis 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.