Swank for Less Bank: Entry-Level Luxury Cars Ranked

In the automotive realm, entry-level luxury denotes the region where price, prestige, practicality, and features intersect. It’s currently one of the hottest segments going, and auto manufacturers are engaged in a nonstop battle of one-upmanship, all working to imbue their more modest offerings with the look, feel, and cachet of their premium vehicles. As a result, buyers looking to step up from more pedestrian offerings have never had more options. To help you navigate the marketplace, we’ve assembled the entire entry-level luxury bunch here. So dig in and leave the guilt behind-there’s no shame in ordering the most reasonably priced item on the menu when you’re dining at the swankiest restaurant in town.

This article is updated whenever a new model merits inclusion or an existing model’s rank from Car and Driver changes. It was originally published in July 2015.

Despite its sleek design, the MKZ is a bit of a quandary: It shares its underpinnings with the Ford Fusion but costs more. There are two gasoline-engine choices plus a hybrid version. The base engine is a 245-hp turbo 2.0-liter inline-four; a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 is optional with 350 horsepower for front-drive models and 400 horsepower with all-wheel drive. Both engines have a six-speed automatic. The hybrid is front-drive only with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The 400-hp MKZ hit 60 mph in 4.8 seconds in our testing. READ MORE ››

Volvo blends Swedish design with the latest in safety features, proving a car can be both handsome and smart. The S60 offers peppy engine choices, but in our testing of the base engine, fuel economy was disappointingly low. The interior features upscale materials, and the front seats are extremely comfortable. Available safety tech includes collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection and automated emergency braking. An all-new S60 arrives in late 2018 and will be worth the wait. READ MORE ››

Acura likes to tout technology as the selling point of its models, so the TLX offers front-wheel drive with rear-wheel steering or torque-vectoring all-wheel drive to enhance its agility. The base powertrain is a 206-hp 2.4-liter inline-four with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission while a 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6 with a nine-speed automatic is optional. The TLX has LED headlamps and electronic driving assistants such as road-departure mitigation, collision-mitigation braking, and lane-keeping assist. READ MORE ››

With its sleek exterior, heavily bolstered seats, and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, the Regal GS might seem like a frisky sports sedan-but it isn’t. The Regal GS improves only slightly on the standard Regal Sportback’s already crisp handling, and its V-6 barely outguns the Sportback’s turbo inline-four. Instead, it’s an easygoing Buick with a spacious cabin, a sharp design, and a litany of standard features, including onboard Wi-Fi and heated and ventilated front seats with massage. READ MORE ››

The all-new Regal Sportback bravely ventures into the arena of sleek four-door hatchbacks where Audi, BMW, and Porsche rule. Under its handsome sheetmetal is a turbo 2.0-liter inline-four with front-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic; all-wheel-drive models get an eight-speed. Lithe handling and direct steering are courtesy of European engineering; its interior offers up to 61 cubic feet of cargo room. A 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot are standard. READ MORE ››

Combining impressive performance and distinctive styling in a tidy package, the ATS continues to challenge the best from Europe and Japan. Available as a coupe or a sedan, base models feature a potent 272-hp 2.0-liter turbo four mated to an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. A 335-hp V-6 is available, as are all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. The Caddy offers an 8.0-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for infotainment; 4G LTE Wi-Fi is standard. READ MORE ››

Style, performance, and a wealth of configurations pose the RC as a fetching luxury coupe. The RC300 offers a 241-hp turbocharged inline-four with rear-wheel drive paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission; an all-wheel-drive version of the RC300 gets a 260-hp V-6 and a six-speed automatic. The RC350 sports a 311-hp V-6 and rear-wheel drive with an eight-speed auto; all-wheel drive is optional but necessitates a six-speed. The F Sport package adds adaptive dampers, special gauges, and unique styling. READ MORE ››

With a range of engines and suspensions, the IS can transform from relaxed and refined to surprisingly capable. The base 241-hp turbo inline-four has an eight-speed automatic with rear-wheel drive only. All-wheel drive is available on both V-6 variants-a 3.5-liter producing 260 or 311 horsepower-but only offer a six-speed automatic. An F Sport package features a sport-tuned ride, supportive seats, and aggressive styling. Safety tech includes automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. READ MORE ››

The Q50 is Infiniti’s artfully sculpted and muscular mid-sizer, but its performance is less scintillating. The 208-hp turbo 2.0-liter inline-four will disappoint enthusiasts, but a 300-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 is offered, as is a hybrid powertrain good for 360 horsepower and a 32-mpg EPA highway rating. All Q50s get a seven-speed automatic and either rear- or all-wheel drive. The infotainment system offers apps for email and concierge services; adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking are optional. READ MORE ››

Aggressive design and a duo of eager engines set the Q60 apart from the competition. The base engine is a 208-hp turbo 2.0-liter inline-four, while the optional twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 makes 300 horsepower. The steering feels artificially light and doesn’t transmit much information about what the front tires are doing; the suspension, however, offers great handling and a compliant ride. Excellent mechanicals are let down by an interior that is cramped, outdated, and desperately in need of modernization. READ MORE ››

With a seductive blend of beauty and performance, the XE says “luxury” with a very British accent. Engines include a 247-hp or 296-hp turbo inline-four, a 380-hp supercharged V-6, and a 180-hp diesel, all with an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive; all-wheel drive is optional. The infotainment system is prone to crashing, the back seat is cramped, and trunk space is lacking. But excellent handling, polished looks, and communicative steering mostly make up for the XE’s shortcomings. READ MORE ››

With as many flavors as a fro-yo shop, the C-class offers luxury and performance in a tidy package. Most models are powered by a turbo four-cylinder, performance is decent, and fuel economy is good; eco-warriors may be interested in the plug-in-hybrid model. The C-class lineup-which includes a sedan, a coupe, and a convertible-looks every bit as prestigious as more expensive Benzes but lacks the driving verve of rival compacts. A revised C-class is expected in dealers before the end of 2018. READ MORE ››

The Gran Coupe is a handsome four-door based on the 3-series sedan, with the added practicality of a hatchback and a folding rear seat. Power comes from your choice of two turbocharged engines: either a 248-hp 2.0-liter inline-four or a 320-hp 3.0-liter inline-six, both teamed with an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional. The interior is comfortable. Steering is overly light; the engine is peppy but challenged by the Gran Coupe’s beefy curb weight. READ MORE ››

With or without a roof, four cylinders or six, rear- or all-wheel drive, the 4-series does not disappoint. Two turbo engines are available-a 248-hp 2.0-liter inline-four and a 320-hp 3.0-liter inline-six. In the coupe, either can be paired with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic; the convertible comes only with the automatic. A 6.5-inch infotainment display is standard; navigation, Apple CarPlay, automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control are optional. READ MORE ››

At one time, the 3-series was the benchmark for all sports sedans, but its once uncompromised tactility has been slightly softened in this latest generation. The showroom is flooded with choices: The 3-series offers five different powertrain options (including a turbo-diesel and a plug-in hybrid), a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission, and either rear- or all-wheel drive. The liftback Gran Turismo provides extra interior space, unique styling, and standard all-wheel drive. READ MORE ››

Kia’s BMW fighter, the Stinger, provides strong performance at a budget-friendly price. The base engine is a 255-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four; a 365-hp twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 is optional. Both models have an eight-speed automatic and either rear- or all-wheel drive. A 7.0-inch touchscreen is standard. Available driver aids include adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. An optional 15-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system kicks out the jams. READ MORE ››

At the corner of performance and pampering lives the G70, the latest offering from Hyundai’s Genesis luxury brand. Buyers can choose from a turbocharged inline-four or a twin-turbo V-6. Handling is crisp and sporty, and we found both engines to be plenty powerful. The automatic transmission doesn’t shift very crisply, however, so we recommend going with the six-speed manual if you choose the four-cylinder (the V-6 is automatic only). The G70 is an intriguing and elegantly packaged car made from high-quality materials with tons of standard and optional equipment. READ MORE ››

The stylish and comfortable A5 is available as a coupe or a convertible. All-wheel drive is standard for great performance in all conditions. The A5 uses a 252-hp turbo 2.0-liter inline-four with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Automated emergency braking is standard on all A5s, with more active-safety tech available at extra cost. A 7.0-inch infotainment system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Those seeking more muscle might consider the mighty S5 or the bahn-burning RS5. READ MORE ››

The A4 blends spirited performance, a handsome and well-made interior, and an understated exterior to place it near the top of its class. It’s fast yet fuel efficient, with a suspension that is sporty yet compliant. The back seat is one of the roomiest in its segment, and the cabin offers plenty of high-tech equipment, including an optional digital gauge cluster. The seven-speed automatic changes gears quickly and seamlessly, but we prefer the six-speed manual for its higher level of driver engagement. READ MORE ››

Blending hatchback versatility, sedan spaciousness, and coupe styling, the A5 Sportback is a masterstroke by Audi. The turbo four provides surprisingly quick acceleration; Quattro all-wheel drive is standard, but a manual transmission is not available. Handling is precise, and the A5 Sportback is as graceful as its appearance suggests. Our testing revealed the brakes are a weak point. An easy-to-use 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard. READ MORE ››

An emotional, hot-blooded Italian sedan, the Giulia sets pulses racing even before you get behind the wheel. A 280-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive are standard in this Car and Driver 10Best Cars winner. Leather seats, dual exhaust tips, and a flat-bottom steering wheel are also standard, while all-wheel drive is optional. A 6.5-inch or optional 8.8-inch touchscreen provide connectivity; high-tech features such as adaptive cruise control are available. READ MORE ››