The Consumer Guide to 2009 Premium Midsize Cars
by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide
2009 Premium Midsize Car Lineup
 Base Price Range: $46,680-$54,100 EPA MPG Range: 16-22 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Acura RL is redesigned, gaining freshened styling and more power. Wanting only in the areas of price and power, Acura's RL offers a fresh take on the luxury sedan formula. Count standard all-wheel drive, especially comfortable seats, and a handsome cabin among RL's chief pluses. On the downside, RL prices are high for the class, and the only available engine comes up just short of being sporty. Note also that most competitors offer available V8 power. |
 Base Price Range: $34,955-$43,235 EPA MPG Range: 17-26 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Acura TL is redesigned and slightly enlarged in most key dimensions. Roomier and more powerful than before--but also heavier--the Acura TL is packed with safety features, and the optional Technology Package provides most any gadget a buyer could want. The majority of sales should come from the base model, which is the better choice in this lineup. The SH-AWD disappoints for its overly stiff ride and handling that can't quite match the high standards set by TL's German rivals. |
 Base Price Range: $45,100-$75,900 EPA MPG Range: 14-27 Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon The 2009 Audi A6 receives freshened styling and is available with a new V6 engine. A6 is tough to top for craftsmanship. It supplements top-notch workmanship with available all-weather AWD capability, great overall refinement, and cool sophistication. The smooth, powerful 3.0T represents the best value in this lineup. The S6 is one of the most potent all-wheel drive cars you can buy for less than $100,000. |
 Base Price Range: $45,800-$85,500 EPA MPG Range: 11-28 Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon The 2009 BMW 5-Series is largely unchanged following its freshening for the 2008 model year.The 5-Series bristles with technology, but not all of it is beneficial. Active Steering is a love/hate affair, and the iDrive control center can be downright confounding. But Active Roll Stabilization is truly useful, and helps BMW maintain the 5-Series' world-class handling without compromising its admirable ride quality. Note however, that optional equipment can easily bloat sticker prices by a shocking degree. Ordered with restraint, a 5-Series provides true driving pleasure with expected practicality and reasonable value. |
 Base Price Range: $35,560-$58,575 EPA MPG Range: 16-26 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Cadillac CTS lineup gains a revived CTS-V high-performance model. The CTS-V is powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged version of the Chevrolet Corvette's V8 engine. It produces 556 horsepower and is mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission. Cadillac's smallest sedan is a Best Buy alternative to cars from Audi, BMW, and Infiniti. We especially like the Direct Injection model for its refinement and performance. Competitive pricing is icing on the cake for this premium midsize sedan. The enthusiast-oriented CTS-V offers blistering acceleration and near-world-class handling, but at a hefty price premium. |
 Base Price Range: $46,845-$81,795 EPA MPG Range: 13-26 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Cadillac STS lineup gets no major changes following its 2008 freshening. STS impresses dynamically, and the availability of all-wheel drive is an asset. Inside, STS disappoints with subpar rear-seat space and materials that are not in step with class pacesetters--or other Cadillac models. On any model, extra-cost items can quickly add to the price, making a judiciously optioned V6 model the best value in this line. |
 Base Price Range: $33,250-$38,700 EPA MPG Range: 17-25 Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible The 2009 Infiniti G37 becomes the name for all versions of Infiniti's best-selling vehicle. Two-door coupe and 4-door sedan versions are joined by a 2-door convertible with a power-retractable hard top. G37's performance, space, and available all-wheel drive make it an excellent alternative to rivals from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, especially with the addition of the hardtop convertible. These virtues, teamed with prices that undercut those rivals, make these Infinitis a Best Buy in this category. |
 Base Price Range: $45,800-$54,650 EPA MPG Range: 14-25 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Infiniti M receives more V6 power, and certain versions get a new 7-speed automatic transmission. This Recommended sedan is a credible competitor to such class bellwethers as the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Generously equipped in standard form, with convincing performance and available all-wheel drive, the Ms are strong alternatives to these and other similarly priced rivals. |
 Base Price Range: $49,200-$63,700 EPA MPG Range: 15-25 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Jaguar XF replaces the S-Type as this British automaker's premium midsize car. XF trades the retro styling of its S-Type predecessor for something edgier. It offers a fine balance of ride and handling along with impressive powertrain performance. For those wanting distinctive style and fresh, "gee-whiz" technological features, this Recommended premium sedan is well worth your consideration. |
 Base Price: $34,470 EPA MPG Range: 19-27 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Lexus ES 350 is largely unchanged. The ES is a luxury version of the Toyota Camry; Lexus is Toyota's premium division. Lexus paints its trimmer, tauter IS model as a performance luxury car. The bigger, more comfortable ES 350 is focused on coddling, which it does extremely well. If that's what you're looking for in a premium car, put this Best Buy at the top of your list. |
 Base Price Range: $45,000-$56,550 EPA MPG Range: 17-26 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Lexus GS is largely unchanged. Ride quality over sharp bumps disappoints, and hiding some controls in a drop-down dashboard pod is counterproductive. Six-footers also will want to stay away due to the cabin's limited headroom. Any GS model, however, is comfortable, cultured, and competent. Traditionally strong Lexus resale values and top-notch customer care appeal, too. Overall, the GS 350s are the smart buys here as they offer good power and are available with all-wheel drive. Lexus' boast for the hybrid GS 450h is a tall one, but not unrealistic. It blends V8-style acceleration with fuel economy typical of 6-cylinder cars and exhaust emissions usually associated with 4-cylinder engines. |
 Base Price Range: $32,695-$34,585 EPA MPG Range: 17-28 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Lincoln MKZ lineup gains an antiskid system as a newly standard safety feature. MKZ is a premium midsize sedan that tilts toward comfort rather than sportiness. As such, it's a good match against the Lexus ES 350. This Lincoln is not as refined, nor does it feel as luxurious as the Lexus. MKZ is competitive, however, for roominess, quietness, and overall performance. It trumps the Lexus in price and is available with all-wheel drive, too. |
 Base Price Range: $70,700-$96,300 EPA MPG Range: 12-21 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class gets slightly freshened exterior styling. Compared to the Mercedes E-Class on which it's based, the CLS trades svelte styling for typical sedan functionality--and a $9000 price premium. Furthermore, it lacks the E-Class' available all-wheel drive. But for well-heeled buyers who appreciate its dramatic design and can live with limited rear-seat room and reduced cargo versatility, the CLS won't likely disappoint. |
 Base Price Range: $53,200-$88,500 EPA MPG Range: 13-32 Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon The 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class gets no major changes. Contemporary and sophisticated, rock solid and confident on the road, the E-Class brims with worthwhile features and Mercedes-Benz cachet. Prices are steep, but overall, these Recommended cars merit serious consideration. |
 Base Price Range: $40,405-$43,270 EPA MPG Range: 17-27 Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon The 2009 Saab 9-5 is largely unchanged. The 9-5 is among the oldest designs in the premium-midsize-car class and counts among its shortcomings the absence of curtain side airbags. It's also expensive for a 4-cylinder automobile. Still, this is a roomy, solid, good-handling car available with the added utility of a wagon body style. Despite recent price increases, slow sales should mean big discounts. |
 Base Price Range: $27,100-$39,800 EPA MPG Range: 17-31 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Volkswagen CC is a new premium midsize sedan that shares its basic design with both VW's Passat and Jetta. The Volkswagen CC appeals for its peppy turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, top-notch interior design, and standout styling. If you're willing to sacrifice five-passenger capacity and pay a small price premium over traditional Passat models for the sake of style, check out CC. Otherwise, its Passat sibling may better suit your needs. |
 Base Price Range: $32,800-$36,400 EPA MPG Range: 17-28 Body Style: 4-door sedan The 2009 Volvo S60 adds a few new standard features. These Volvos are stylish and solid, but lag most other premium midsize sedans in ride quality and powertrain finesse. The all-season traction of available AWD is an asset, but doesn't help S60 match the Acura TL or Lexus ES 350 for overall refinement, or the Cadillac CTS and Infiniti G37 for driving satisfaction. |
 Base Price: $32,900 EPA MPG Range: 16-25 Body Style: 4-door wagon The 2009 Volvo V70 sees no major changes following its 2008 redesign. V70 is a wagon version of Volvo's S60 sedan. This Recommended midsize wagon is best appreciated as the value-seeker's luxury car. Well equipped at its roughly $33,000 base price, the V70 approximates the performance of similarly sized wagons from rival European manufacturers for thousands less, all while maintaining Volvo's unique style and character. For shoppers looking for room, comfort, utility, and a dose of coddling, the V70 is a must see. |
 Base Price Range: $37,250-$39,500 EPA MPG Range: 15-23 Body Style: 4-door wagon The 2009 Volvo XC70 gets a new addition to its model lineup--the T6. This SUV-flavored wagon is essentially a raised-suspension version of Volvo's V70 wagon, and like the V70, it shares its basic design with Volvo's S80 sedan. XC70 has its charms, among them a roomy cabin, refined drivetrain, and impressive build quality. The T6 adds stronger performance, though not enough to justify its higher starting price. With either model, be careful with the options list, as a few quick checks can swell the delivered price to more than $50,000. |
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