2009 Volkswagen CC
The Volkswagen CC is a new-for-2009 addition to the premium midsize car class.

Premium midsize cars may be upscale luxury machines, but they are also among the leaders in all-around performance, reliability, and value for the money.

Stepping up to a premium midsize car often means more standard features, such as leather upholstery, heated seats, uplevel audio, and techno-gadgets galore. Most of these cars provide plenty of power to go along with a supple ride, and in many cases, superb handling.

Most cars in this class are 4-door sedans, but there are wagons available, as well as a coupe--the Infiniti G37. Most can carry five passengers; some do it more comfortably than others. A wide range of engines are available, from turbocharged 4-cylinders all the way up to powerful V10s. Pricing in this class ranges from about $30,000 to around $80,000. Downsides include high prices, potentially poor fuel economy, and high maintenance costs for some brands.

As always, buyers should consider which car best fits their wants and needs. Front-wheel, all-wheel, and rear-wheel drive cars are all available in this class. Power is another consideration. Size should also be taken into account, as should the balance between sportiness and luxury.

New for 2009

New or redesigned premium-midsize models for 2009 are the Acura RL, Acura TL, Cadillac CTS-V, Jaguar XF, and Volkswagen CC.

Acura's RL is restyled, and the company's flagship sedan also gets a new 3.7-liter V6 that makes 300 horsepower, 10 horsepower more than the previous car's 3.5-liter V6. The TL is also redesigned, and it grows in size slightly. The Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) version replaces the Type-S as the TL's high-performance model. SH-AWD models have a 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6--the most powerful engine ever offered in an Acura.

Cadillac's CTS-V marks the return of this high-performance model after a one-year absence. Powered by a 556-horsepower version of the Chevrolet Corvette's 6.2-liter V8 that mates to either a 6-speed manual transmission or 6-speed automatic, CTS-V will compete with high-performance imports like BMW's M5 and Mercedes-Benz's E63.

Jaguar's XF replaces the S-Type, and it forgoes retro styling in favor of a more-modern look. XF has high-tech touches such as a rotary-shaped selector knob for its 6-speed automatic transmission, and dashboard vents that open when the vehicle is started, as part of what the company calls the Jaguar "handshake." XF has normally aspirated and supercharged versions of a 4.2-liter V8.

Volkswagen's CC is a new premium midsize sedan that shares its basic design with VW's Passat. Unlike its sibling, CC has a coupe-like roofline and seating for four instead of five. Volkswagen is positioning CC as a 4-door coupe. With swoopy styling and available all-wheel drive, CC represents a bit of a departure from the norm for Volkswagen, but since it's based on the Passat, it's a calculated risk.

There are a couple of smaller changes in store for 2009: A more-expensive 4-door coupe, the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, gets freshened styling for 2009, while Volvo adds a T6 model to its XC70 lineup. The T6 has a 281-horsepower turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder, an increase of 46 horsepower over the base model.

Drive Wheels

Many premium midsize cars come with rear-wheel drive, although some are front-drive. All-wheel drive is also available on the majority of the offerings. Which type is right for you will depend on your specific needs.

Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are better suited to inclement weather, so if you live in an area with an unpredictable climate, either type may be your best choice. All-wheel drive offers superior traction in snow or rain. For best dry-pavement handling, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive are the best bets.

AWD usually costs more at purchase time than a two-wheel drive system, and its added weight has a negative effect on fuel economy. These higher costs may be offset by a higher resale value, however.

Power Play

Even base engines in this class are powerful, but fuel economy is usually still respectable. Many drivers in this class opt to step up to larger V8--or in some cases, V10--engines. The extra power offered by a larger engine is often offset by the higher fuel costs and premium sticker price that come with the extra cylinders.

Performance enthusiasts can find several desirable choices in this class. Audi, BMW, Cadillac, and Mercedes-Benz all offer ultra-performance models. Cadillac's high-performance CTS-V model returns this year with 556 horsepower. The V10 in Audi's S6 makes 435 horsepower, BMW M5's V10 makes 500 horsepower, the Cadillac STS-V's V8 makes 469 horsepower, and the Mercedes-Benz E63's V8 makes 507 horsepower. Of course, all that power probably isn't necessary, but that much muscle can make for a lot of fun. Sadly, that fun doesn't come cheap, high sticker prices and abysmal fuel economy are part of the high-performance equation.

Size It Up

Even though all these cars are classified as midsize, it doesn't mean that they are all the same size. Some are larger than others, of course, and most manufacturers have more than one entry in this class. Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo all have multiple entries. For those in search of more size, Audi's A6, BMW's 5-Series, and Mercedes' E-Class, among others, are all on the larger side. The Acura TL, Lincoln MKZ, and Volvo S60 are among those with more diminutive dimensions.

Rear-seat room is the dimension that is most affected by size. While all premium midsize cars offer decent rear seat room, if you plan on having rear passengers often, a larger car may suit you better.

For some buyers, utility is a prime concern. Those buyers that often carry cargo may want to consider wagon body styles offered by Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Saab, and Volvo. They offer SUV-like cargo capacity, but also deliver better ride and handling, and cause less pain at the gas pump. With the exception of the Saab 9-5, all these wagons are available with all-wheel drive, which is a plus in inclement weather.

Sport, Luxury, or Both?

This class offers buyers a choice: performance, luxury, or both. Some models, like the M5 or CTS-V, emphasize performance over luxury. Cars like the Lexus ES 350 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class lean toward the luxury side of the equation. Others, such as the Jaguar XF and Acura RL, attempt to strike a balance for those who are looking for the best of both worlds.

Obviously, the choice between sportiness and luxury is personal, and it often comes down to ride and handling trade-offs. Ride quality generally suffers in order to improve handling, and vice versa. If a smooth ride is a priority, take a look at the ES 350 or the Mercedes-Benz E350 or E550. Those who prefer crisper handling might be best served by a BMW with a sport suspension or a Mercedes-Benz AMG model. The best way to determine what works for you is to take a test drive.

Decide on Options

Premium midsize cars are full of high-tech gadgetry, and they offer plenty of creature comforts. Features such as rear-view cameras, navigation systems, radar- or laser-based cruise control, heated and cooled seats, keyless ignition, concierge service, lane-departure warning systems, and DVD entertainment are available. Prices can skyrocket quickly, so it's wise to pick only options you'll actually use. Also, some features are only available on select models, so the desire to purchase those features could severely limit your choice.

Navigation systems often absorb climate or audio controls, which can make their use more complex. Some manufacturers also offer vehicle interface systems, which can be frustratingly complex to use. Audi's MMI and BMW's iDrive systems are not easy to learn and require the driver to perform multiple steps to accomplish simple tasks, which often diverts the driver's attention from the road. It's worth testing these systems before purchasing a vehicle.

Consider Safety

Standard safety features abound in this class. All premium midsizers come with ABS, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and traction control. Antiskid systems, which help drivers maintain the intended path on slippery roads, are available on all and standard on most. Rear-obstacle detection is offered on many cars in this class, and many of the cars that have it also have available front-obstacle detection. Cars like the Audi A6, Cadillac CTS, Jaguar XF, Lincoln MKZ, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and E-Class, Saab 9-5, and Volvo S60 offer obstacle-detection systems. Rear-view cameras are available on the Acura TL, Acura RL, Infiniti M, Lexus ES350, Lexus GS, and Volkswagen CC.

Some cars in this class go beyond the norm in terms of available safety features. Rear side airbags are available on several cars in this class: The Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Lexus ES 350, Lexus GS, Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class and E-Class, and Volkswagen CC. Some cars in this class, like the Audi A6, Cadillac STS, Infiniti M, and Volvo XC70 offer a lane-departure warning system. 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 can also be considered a safety feature because it helps maintain traction in slippery conditions.

Consumer Guide always recommends airbags and antiskid systems. Other safety features are nice to have, but they come at a price. Do your needs justify the extra cost?

Buy Smart

If you are shopping in this class, you are probably buying more than you really need. There are plenty of cars in the regular midsize class that offer plenty of features and power, for a lot less money. Shoppers in this class are looking for more luxury, more power, and a premium image. Decide if going upscale is worth the added cost before shopping in this class. If it is, you should have no problem finding your ideal vehicle here.