"Riding in the lap of luxury" takes on a whole new meaning for luxury cars in 2009. The editors at NADAguides.com, a leading vehicle pricing and information website, today announced their top 5 luxury cars for 2009 based on a variety of factors, including styling, luxury amenities and overall handling.
"Time will tell how negatively the luxury car segment will be impacted after the economic shakeout," said Jeff Glucker, road test editor at NADAguides.com. "From our vantage point, however, what hasn't been negatively impacted is the quality and selection of 2009 luxury cars available to buyers today."
Glucker points out that the recent economic crisis has actually created opportunities for carmakers such as Hyundai - whose 2009 Genesis made the NADAguides.com top 2009 luxury car list - to create inroads with car buyers in market segments where Hyundai isn't typically known.
Following are the NADAguides.com top 5 luxury cars for 2009.
1. 2009 Audi A8 L, starting at $74,050.The 2009 Audi A8 L made the NADAguides.com luxury car list due to its ultra-luxurious cabin, complete with leather and wood inlays, and plenty of extra legroom for rear passengers, thanks to its extended wheelbase. The A8 L comes equipped with a 450-hp 6.0-liter W12 engine and Audi Quattro AWD, making it extremely responsive on the road. The A8 L features a 14-speaker Bose surround sound system with Audiopilot noise compensation, with which a microphone measures background noise and adjusts the radio volume accordingly, resulting in a more balanced sound. According to the NADAguides.com editors, "this sedan is a must-have for car buyers who want passion, prestige and power in one perfectly-appointed package."
2. 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged, starting at $64,475.Jaguar has delivered one of the "smoothest cars on the planet," according to NADAguides.com. The 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged boasts the Jaguar Sequential Shift transmission, with steering wheel-mounted paddles perfectly mated to its supercharged V8, which generates 420-hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. The XF features ventilated front seats with fan-assisted whole-seat heating and cooling, in addition to single-cushion heating and cooling. Because the XF separates seat and cabin temperature controls, occupants have the option of a warm cabin with a cool seat or vice versa. According to NADAguides.com, "The term luxury and the nameplate Jaguar go hand in hand and the XF showcases this pairing perfectly."
3. 2009 Mercedes-Benz S Class 550, starting at $90,225.With its exhilarating 382-hp 5.5-liter V8 and its long list of luxury amenities, the 2009 Mercedes S550 represents the latest in automotive technology, according to NADAguides.com. "Equipment you expect to be available in the next five years is probably already installed on the S550," said the editors at NADAguides.com. For 2009, Mercedes upgrades its adaptive cruise control, now called Distronic Plus, which uses two onboard radar systems to distance you from moving vehicles ahead. It offers true stop-and-go functionality by braking the vehicle to a complete stop or automatically adjusting the throttle. The Distronic Plus system also features Blind Spot Assist that provides visual and audio warnings if a vehicle is in your blind spot, as well as Parking Guidance which uses sensors to help you identify parking spaces that can accommodate your car and steering instruction displays to help you park. "Mercedes' flagship sedan is an instant classic. No wonder it dominates luxury car lists year after year," said the editors at NADAguides.com.
4. 2009 Hyundai Genesis, starting at $32,250.Hyundai is all grown up now, and the 2009 Genesis is here to prove it. With its Lexicon-designed sound system - built by the same company that designs Rolls-Royce systems - its well-appointed interior, a long list of standard equipment and a powerful 4.6-liter V8, Hyundai has "hit a homerun with the 2009 Genesis," according to NADAguides.com. The Genesis went head to head against the Porsche Boxster and the BMW 750i in a zero-to-60 sprint...and beat them both.
5. 2009 Bentley Arnage, starting at $224,900."When it comes to luxury cars, Bentley coined the phrase," says NADAguides.com. Unfortunately, the creme de la creme company of the ultra-luxury car world sings a swan song for its Arnage this year. To commemorate, the folks at Crewe have created the Bentley Arnage Final Series model, which will be produced in extremely limited quantities. What won't be limited, however, is the abundant power and prestige of the Arnage Final Series. Every Arnage is hand built to order, so the possibilities for personalization are virtually limitless. Up to 6.2 meters of veneer is used in every Arnage, with each wood set taking approximately 60 hours to complete. "The 2009 Bentley Arnage makes you feel like a king with its gorgeous hand-stitched leather and its wickedly powerful 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V8," said the editors at NADAguides.com.
LA Auto Show Photo Gallery