5 to Drive: Affordable Luxury
2009 Mercedes-Benz C300 Sports Sedan (MSRP $33,375)
Many people aspire to own a Mercedes-Benz...someday. The problem is that the cost of entry for top-notch German engineering is fairly prohibitive. That’s where the C-Class comes in. With a price of just $33,375 for the C300 Sport, you can get one of the best-engineered sedans ever to come out of Stuttgart—Mercedes engineers put in about 15 million test miles while developing the latest C-Class, which hit the market for the 2008 model year.
The C-Class borrows its flared-fender styling from Mercedes’ flagship S-Class. Two versions of the C300 are offered: Sport and Luxury. The Sport is differentiated by more aggressive styling, including a dynamic grille and a deeper front airdam. Drive the C300 with vigor and you’ll also appreciate the Sport model’s stiffer suspension versus the Luxury model.
Under the hood resides a quiet 3.0-liter V-6 that churns out 228 bhp. That power is fed to either a 6- speed manual transmission or a smooth-shifting 7-speed automatic; all-wheel drive is optional. Fuel economy is reasonable, but not great: 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway.
The C300 Sport carries such features as Mercedes’ COMAND system—which operates the car’s infotainment functions via a controller knob—standard. Although the C300 Sport might not exhibit quite the vault-like solidity of its big-brother, the S-Class, the C300 also doesn’t carry anywhere near also that car’s astronomical price.
Five Reasons to Buy:
1. Mercedes-Benz status
2. Flagship styling, entry-level price
3. 7-speed automatic
4. Thoroughly modern interior
5. Plenty of tech features
2009 Cadillac CTS (MSRP $36,880)
Even though General Motors is currently going through a rough time, the cars Cadillac is producing are anything but rough. Take, for instance, the CTS. This American designed and built sports sedan isn’t just one of the best cars Cadillac has ever built; it’s one of the best sports sedans you can buy, period.
Initially you might be attracted to the CTS because of its dramatic exterior styling—the bold grille and angular headlights define Cadillac’s Art & Science theme. But you’ll buy the CTS because of its sumptuous accommodations, impressive build quality and powerful drivetrain.
At 191.6 in. long, the CTS is larger than most cars in its class, endowing it with ample passenger space. Its rear-drive layout (all-wheel drive is optional) and European-tuned suspension give it terrific handling, while its long, 113.4-in. wheelbase makes for a composed ride.
The Caddy’s base 263-bhp 3.6-liter V-6 is easily the most powerful of this group. It’s available with either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters—we prefer with latter, as the manual is a bit imprecise.
At $36,880, the Cadillac CTS offers an amount of luxury, power and in-your-face styling that few can match. It even comes with GM’s handy OnStar service free for a year. And for 2010, Cadillac will offer a CTS Sport Wagon—letting you have your luxury and utility.
Five Reasons to Buy:
1. Edgy styling
2. Powerful V-6
3. Top-shelf interior
4. Precise handling
5. Why not buy American?
For some, a car is simply a tool. For others, the act of getting where you’re going (the driving) is just as important as the eventual destination—those folks demand a “driver’s car.” Others believe a car’s styling, or the prestige that comes with a particular marque—such as Mercedes or Lexus—is just as critical as the way it drives. The five cars here cover all the bases: they’re boldly designed, fun to drive, have all the latest luxury features, yet are still surprisingly affordable. And all of them stand out from the crowd.
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Slideshow: 5 to Drive Affordable Luxury
