Money

New Cars 2011: What to Look For in Luxury Cars

By Jerry Edgerton

Updated on: August 27, 2010 / 8:13 AM EDT / MoneyWatch

This is the sixth of a series. In addition to an overview of the 2011 cars and your money, MoneyWatch has broken out details for Small Cars, Mid-size Cars, Small SUVs, Mid-Size SUVs and Minivans. We also will cover Hybrid and Electric cars.

Buyers of luxury cars crave their style, power and prestige. Paying luxury prices also typically gets you an additional perk: top-of-the-line safety equipment. And for 2011 models, that means new signals beeping warning of an impending rear-end crash or that you are drifting out of your lane. The new Mercedes-Benz E-class vehicles even sense if you are getting drowsy and caution that you need a break by watching your steering patterns and turning on a dashboard light.

From a style standpoint, the 2011 luxury roster features redesigned versions of the top-end Audi A8, the BMW 5-series, the Infiniti M sedan, and the Volvo S60. The Cadillac CTS adds a new coupe while Mercedes-Benz E-class is offering coupe, wagon and convertible variations. And Hyundai introduces its brand-new Equus, which it classes -and prices-as a luxury car.

Here is a look at the biggest changes for 2011-model luxury cars. All except the Cadillac offer variations on optional rear-end crash warning plus lane drift and blind spot warning.

BMW 5-series-This total redesign pleases reviewers as an improvement over the last generation-maligned by many BMW loyalists. The 5-series, on sale now, treads a line between the outstanding performance and handling BMW owners expect and the ride and comfort they need for their passengers. The Dynamic Damping Control lets the driver change suspension stiffness for more comfort or toward sportier driving. The 528i comes with a 240 horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine rated at 22mpg in city driving, 32 on the highway. The next-step up 535i gets a turbocharged version of that engine (with lower mpg, 19/28). The 550i has a turbocharged V-8 (even lower mpg, 15/22). List price for the 528i is $44,550 before options; package selections range from $1,000 to $4,000. The $535i starts at $50,475 and the 550i at $60,575. For drivers who want to race through tight corners and impress their friends, BMW can't be beat.

Cadillac CTS-The Cadillac CTS sedan has won wide praise for its fun-to-drive qualities and competes with sport sedans like the BMW 3-series--the smaller, less expensive sibling of the 5-series. For 2011 models, now in showrooms, General Motors has added a coupe version. Reviewers love the sleek looks and the athletic handling, but criticize the stiff seats and small trunk space. The CTS coupe, with its 304-horsepower V6 engine (17 mpg city, 26 highway), starts at $38,165. Coming later this year is a high-performance version of the coupe, CTS-V, with a supercharged V8 engine rated at 556 horsepower (no mileage ratings yet). Cadillac aims for the CTS-V to compete with BMW's high-performance M3. The CTS doesn't have lane drift or imminent crash warnings, but it got a "top safety pick" rating in crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. For a shopper who wants to buy American in a luxury sport coupe, CTS is the choice.

Infiniti M37-With a new look and sharper handling, the M37, available now, has won praise from most reviewers. Some pronounced it a worthy competitor to the BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-class. The Infiniti's big safety advance is a blind spot warning system that takes control of steering if it senses an imminent crash with a car in your blind spot. With more power than the previous model in its 330 horsepower V6 and better gas mileage rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway, M37 starts at $46,250. The V8 version, known as the M56, starts at $57,550. Less expensive than the BMW 535i, the Infiniti M37may be a good value for a luxury car shopper who doesn't care too much about brand-name boasting, since the Nissan luxury brand doesn't have quite the cachet of BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz E-class Cabriolet-The Cabriolet (European for convertible) has caught the attention of reviewers for its high-tech protection against the wind with the top down. The so-called Aircap system deflects the wind stream over the top at highway speed, keeping even the back seat passengers from getting too windblown and allowing climate control heat or cooling to work. The E350 version with a V6 engine (rated 17 mpg city, 25 highway) starts at $56,850. The E550 with a V8 (15 city, 22 highway) starts at $64,800. Any luxury convertible buyer who wants to put the top down much of the year should check this Mercedes out.

Volvo S60-Volvo says its S60 model, due out late this year, will be the sportiest Volvo ever. Reviewers agree that it is a nice mix of comfort and sporty driving. But this Swedish car company recently sold by Ford to the Chinese Geely hasn't forgotten its long-time emphasis on safety. (See Volvo: Still Safety First with New Chinese Owner? ) In addition to blind spot, lane departure, and rear-end crash warning, the Volvo S60 will stop if it senses a pedestrian moving in front of you. Starting at $37,700, the S60's 300-horsepower V6 engine is rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway. For the shopper who likes the combination of comfort, safety and fun driving, this could be a good fit. Like the Cadillac CTS, the Volvo competes in the lower-price "entry level" luxury car class.

Photos courtesy of the manufacturers