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, both in terms of quality and value.

The cars come replete with posh leather-appointed interiors, heated seats, excellent 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 the occasional wagon makes an appearance. They usually carry five passengers with varying degrees of backseat comfort. Engine choices run the gamut from turbocharged four- or five-cylinders, to flexible and powerful V6s, to brawny V8s. Prices range from about $30,000 to more than $80,000. Tradeoffs include high prices, possible poor fuel economy, and high maintenance costs for some brands.

New or redesigned models for 2007 include the Infiniti G35, Lexus ES 350, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Lincoln's Zephyr, new for 2006, was renamed MKZ for 2007.

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. No matter the drivewheels, however, all-wheel drive is 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 snow is a possibility for much of the year, opt for front-drive or AWD. A real benefit of all-wheel drive is superior snow or rain traction. If you want to experience superior handling characteristics, rear-drive or all-wheel drive are the best bets.

All-wheel drive is usually a $2000 premium, so keep that in mind when ordering your car. The disadvantages of AWD vs. a two-wheel drive model include reduced fuel economy and higher insurance and maintenance costs. 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 engines in this class will get you where you need to go worry-free. Highway passing is fairly easy, and, for the most part, fuel economy is decent. Some of the base engines are better matched to their cars, though.

No matter how powerful the V6s, some people just want a V8. Every V8 offered in this class is a wonderful engine that will provide more power than you can use on the street in daily driving. V8s tend to be smoother than V6s and obviously faster. Keep in mind, though, that they get considerably worse fuel economy and come with higher price tags.

This is also the class for true speed freaks. BMW, Cadillac, and Mercedes-Benz offer vehicles that make more than 400 horsepower. 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. Fifty thousand dollars is the minimum starting point for a 400-plus horsepower premium midsize car, and prices rise past $80,000. 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. In fact, all of these vehicles would make great alternatives to SUVs. They match SUVs in terms of cargo room and available all-wheel drive (all but the Saab 9-5 offer it), they generally get better fuel mileage, and they definitely ride and handle better. The only thing these cars can't do that SUVs can, is go off road.

Sport, Luxury, or Both?
Buyers have two routes to take when deciding on a premium midsize car: luxury or sporty. While that sounds simple, it really isn't so cut and dried. 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 brother. 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 better 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 sport suspension or a Mercedes 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 modern 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 Infiniti M offers 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 people 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 most 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 midsize 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.

Acura RL Base Price Range: $45,780-$53,200 EPA MPG Range: 18-26 Body Style: 4-door sedan RL shines for its sporty demeanor and smart, efficient engineering, plus standard all-wheel drive, handsome interior, and Acura's reputation for reliability and resale value. The Technology Packages add worthwhile safety and convenience features, but like-priced rivals offer the V8 power and high nameplate prestige that resonate more with many buyers in this clas

Acura TL Base Price Range: $33,625-$38,235 EPA MPG Range: 19-29 Body Style: 4-door sedan This Acura is an impressive blend of sport and luxury. Its only real dynamic flaw is the tendency toward torque steer, most notably in the manual-transmission Type-S. Still, the TL is a solid Best Buy, delivering high refinement, solid workmanship, and lots of features at hard-to-beat prices

Audi A6 Base Price Range: $41,950-$72,000 EPA MPG Range: 15-29 Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon A6 is tough to top for craftsmanship, and offers all-weather AWD capability, great overall refinement, and cool sophistication. It's a must-see for any luxury-car shopper.

BMW 5-Series Base Price Range: $43,500-$82,500 EPA MPG Range: 12-30 Body Styles: 4-door wagon, 4-door wagon 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.

Cadillac CTS Base Price Range: $29,825-$51,325 EPA MPG Range: 15-27 Body Style: 4-door sedan Solid, rewarding to drive, and competitively priced, the CTS earns our Recommended nod. We'd pass on the low-calorie 2.8 base model, but the 3.6 offers great dollar value, plus the response and refinement expected in this class. The CTS-V is pricey, yet costs less than most V8 imports of similar performance.

Cadillac STS Base Price Range: $42,250-$74,870 EPA MPG Range: 14-27 Body Style: 4-door sedan STS impresses dynamically, and the availability of all-wheel drive is an asset. AWD is a pricey proposition on V8 models, however, so kudos to Cadillac for making it a stand-alone option on V6s. Inside, STS disappoints with subpar rear-seat space and materials that are not in step with class pacesetters. On any model, extra-cost items can quickly add to the price, making an intelligently optioned V6 version the best value in this line.

Infiniti G35 Base Price Range: $31,450-$34,050 EPA MPG Range: 18-27 Body Style: 4-door sedan These Infinitis lack the brand prestige of rivals from Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes. They don't quite match them for quietness or refinement, either. But their performance, space, and available all-wheel drive make them good alternatives. These virtures, teamed with prices that undercut those rivals, earn the G35 Recommended status.

Infiniti M Base Price Range: $41,450-$50,550 EPA MPG Range: 17-25 Body Style: 4-door sedan This impressive 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 Best Buy alternatives to these and other rivals at each price point on the premium-midsize-car spectrum.

Jaguar S-Type Base Price Range: $48,335-$63,335 EPA MPG Range: 17-28 Body Style: 4-door sedan These Jaguars are a pleasure to drive, with appointments and features worthy of the class. On the downside, prices are steep vs. top competitors, and resale values pale vs. BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz rivals.

Lexus ES 350 Base Price: $33,170 EPA MPG Range: 21-30 Body Style: 4-door sedan Lexus takes a two-pronged approach to the Premium midsize car market. It points its trimmer, tauter IS model at the performance end, and aims the bigger, more comfortable ES 350 at the luxury end. This strategy allows the ES to drop most sporty pretensions and concentrate on coddling. Few cars have so clear a mission or accomplish it so thoroughly as this Best Buy pick.

Lexus GS Base Price Range: $44,150-$54,900 EPA MPG Range: 18-29 Body Style: 4-door sedan Ride quality over sharp bumps disappoints, and hiding some controls in a drop-down dashboard pod is counterproductive. But any GS model 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. They're available with all-wheel drive, and their V6 engine now has more horsepower than the costlier GS 430's V8. Lexus' boast for the GS 450h is a tall one, but not unrealistic: that it blends V8-style acceleration with fuel economy typical of 6-cyl cars and exhaust emissions usually associated with 4-cyl engines.

Lincoln MKZ Base Price Range: $29,175-$31,050 EPA MPG Range: 18-27 Body Style: 4-door sedan As a premium midsize sedan that tilts toward comfort rather than sportiness, MKZ positions itself squarely against the class champ in that approach, the Lexus ES 350. The Lincoln is a good match in roominess, quietness, and overall performance. It trumps the Lexus in price--nearly $4000 less expensive to start--and in availability of all-wheel drive. The ES, however, is more refined and has a more established reputation for reliability and resale value.

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Base Price Range: $66,900-$92,200 EPA MPG Range: 13-22 Body Style: 4-door sedan We have not yet tested a 2007 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Base Price Range: $50,550-$85,400 EPA MPG Range: 14-37 Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon Contemporary and sophisticated, rock solid and confident on the road, E-Class brims with worthwhile features and Mercedes cachet. The '07 revamp nets safety advancements, more-powerful engine choices, and driving enthusiast-friendly Sport packages. Prices are steep, but overall, these very appealing cars are easy Recommended picks.

Saab 9-5 Base Price Range: $34,370-$36,465 EPA MPG Range: 19-30 Body Styles: 4-door sedan, 4-door wagon The 9-5 is a roomy, solid, good-handling car available with the added utility of a wagon body style. But it's among the oldest designs in the premium-midsize-car class, and counts among its shortcomings the absence of curtain side airbags. It's also pricey for a 4-cyl automobile, and Saab trails Japanese-brand rivals for resale value and in reliability surveys.

Volvo S60 Base Price Range: $30,885-$38,985 EPA MPG Range: 17-30 Body Style: 4-door sedan 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 value, or the Audi A4 and Cadillac CTS for driving satisfaction.

Volvo V70 and XC70 Base Price Range: $30,045-$40,940 EPA MPG Range: 17-29 Body Style: 4-door wagon Less refined than rival Audi, BMW, and Mercedes wagons, and less fuel-efficient than you might think. The 2.5T is the best all-around choice in this lineup. The XC70 does offer many "real SUV" attributes without the bulk and fuel thirst, however.