Inexpensive Luxury Vehicles

MSRP: $26,200 - $31,350

Fuel Economy: 29 mpg Hwy/21 mpg City

The Volvo S40 is a sporty front-wheel or all-wheel drive four-door sedan. The front-wheel drive 2.4i has a 168-hp 2.4-liter inline-five-cylinder engine. The front-wheel or all-wheel drive T5 is powered by a 227-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five engine. Safety features include electronic stability control, side-impact and side curtain airbags, and all-disc anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. The S40 includes Bluetooth in standard equipment and the T5 is only available with the unique R-Design package, enhancing appearance and comfort.

MSRP: $27,270 - $30,850

Fuel Economy: 30 mpg Hwy/21 mpg City

The Audi A3 is powered by either a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged (2.0T) four-cylinder gas engine; or a 140-hp 2.0-liter turbo-diesel (TDI) engine. The 2.0T comes standard with a six-speed manual or optional automatic S-tronic transmission that allows manual selection of gears. The only choice with the TDI is the S-tronic. Quattro all-wheel drive is also available with the 2.0T engine, but then your only transmission choice is the S-tronic. Some high-tech A3 features include Bluetooth phone connectivity, light and rain sensors, satellite radio and dual-zone automatic climate control. Passenger safety is provided by front, side and curtain airbags, active front head restraints, electronic stability control and optional rear side-impact airbags.

MSRP: $28,700 - $33,050

Fuel Economy: 31 mpg Hwy/20 mpg City

The front-wheel drive 2.4i has a 168-hp 2.4-liter inline-five-cylinder engine matched with a five-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel drive T5 is powered by a 227-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five engine with six-speed manual. The five-speed automatic transmission includes Geartronic, allowing driver selectable shifting. Safety features include electronic stability control, side-impact and side curtain airbags, and all-disc anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. The V50 includes Bluetooth and HD radio and the T5 is only available with the unique R-Design package, enhancing appearance and comfort.

MSRP: $29,400 - $34,000

Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/18 mpg City

The rear-wheel drive 128i is available as either a coupe or convertible. The 128i is powered by a 230-hp 3.0-liter dual overhead cam, inline six-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with steering wheel paddle shifting. Standard safety features include six airbags on the coupe, four on the convertible, anti-lock brakes, adaptive brake lights, stability and traction control and run-flat tires with pressure monitoring. The 128i features the usual BMW creature comforts such as a 10-speaker audio system, auxiliary input jack, automatic climate control, leather wrapped steering wheel and multi-way adjustable front seats.

MSRP: $29,310 - $34,850

Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/20 mpg City

The front-wheel drive TSX is powered by a 201-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission, or a 280-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine and five-speed automatic. The auto transmission includes SportShift and steering wheel paddles and is available with the 4-cylinder engine. The TSX is well-equipped, with a power moonroof, Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights, heated front seats, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, satellite radio and HandsFreeLink (Bluetooth) wireless connectivity. The 2.4-liter model includes 17-inch alloy wheels and the 3.5-liter model includes 18-inch alloy wheels and exclusive suspension tuning. An optional Technology Package includes a navigation system with voice activation, integrated rearview camera parking assist and upgraded audio and climate control systems. Standard safety-enhancing features include four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control, front side-impact airbags, overhead curtain airbags and new active anti-whiplash front head restraints.

MSRP: $30,360 - $51,330

Fuel Economy: 29 mpg Hwy/19 mpg City

The Saab 9-3 is available in three body styles; a four-door Sport Sedan, a two-door soft-top Convertible, and a four-door wagon called the SportCombi. The 2.0T trim is powered by a high-output, 210-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic. The Aero trim features a 280-hp turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with shifter paddles on the steering wheel. The Convertible features front-wheel drive while the Sport Sedan and SportCombi are available with either front-wheel drive or the new XWD all-wheel drive system. Standard safety features include front and side airbags as well as Saabs' anti-whiplash Active Head Restraints. The Sport Sedan and SportCombi include side curtain airbags and the Convertible includes side airbag head extensions and rollover protection.

MSRP: $30,915 - $39,205

Fuel Economy: 18 mpg Hwy/14 mpg City

The H3T is powered by a 242-hp 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder engine bolted to a standard 5-speed manual or optional 4-speed automatic transmission. An available 300-hp 5.3-liter V8 with 4-speed automatic transmission provides power for increased towing capacity and quicker acceleration. This midsize truck features standard full-time four-wheel drive, 32-inch tires, functional skid shields and hill start assist. The H3T offers front and rear locking differentials, specifically-tuned shocks, 4.03:1 low-range gearing in the transfer case and 33-inch tires as part of the available Off-Road Adventure Suspension Package. OnStar, XM satellite radio and Bluetooth wireless connectivity are standard. A premium Monsoon audio system, rear parking camera and a navigation system are available. Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, and frontal and curtain side-impact airbags.

MSRP: $31,450 - $35,350

Fuel Economy: 30 mpg Hwy/23 mpg City

The A4 is outfitted with a 211-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, featuring FSI direct fuel injection; available transmissions include a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic with Tiptronic manual shift mode, and a Multitronic CVT. Every A4 is equipped with the Premium package, including a power sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, satellite radio and an auxiliary input jack. A Premium Plus package, available for all variants, adds features such as Xenon Plus headlights, LED tail lamps, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, Homelink universal garage door opener, Bluetooth wireless connectivity and an Audi Music Interface with iPod integration. The quattro models can be further equipped with a Prestige package that boasts 18-inch alloy wheels, Advanced Key passive entry/start, voice-activated navigation, DVD player and a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system. Standard safety features include electronic stability and traction control systems, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with brake assist, front side-impact airbags, overhead curtain airbags for front and rear passengers, and a tire pressure monitor; rear side-impact airbags are optional.

MSRP: $31,845 - $35,475

Fuel Economy: 26 mpg Hwy/18 mpg City

Available in either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations, the IS 250 is powered by a 204 horsepower 2.5-liter V6. The front-wheel drive IS 250 utilizes a standard six-speed manual transmission, while a six-speed automatic with Formula 1 inspired paddle-shifters available as an option. The all-wheel drive IS 250 uses the six-speed automatic transmission standard. Safety features include driver and front-passenger knee airbags. The brakes are large and effective four-wheel discs, clamped at the front by aluminum four-piston calipers. Augmenting the big brakes are ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and Brake Assist. Traction control also comes standard.

MSRP: $33,250 - $43,900

Fuel Economy: 26 mpg Hwy/18 mpg City

The G37 is named for its 3.7-liter V6 engine, available with between 325 and 330 horsepower depending on model. This smooth, powerful engine comes with a new seven-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. A rear-wheel drive car, the G37 comes in Base, Journey, and Sport 6MT trims. The styling is aggressive yet subtle with abounding curves and the G series heritage is apparent in both design and performance. Standard safety features include six airbags, traction control and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes. Optional is an intelligent cruise control system that matches the speed of the car ahead and an upgraded audio system with Bose sound.

MSRP: $30,950 - $36,400

Fuel Economy: 28 mpg Hwy/19 mpg City

The Volvo S60 sedan combines excellent performance and a great design with outstanding safety features. The S60 comes in three turbocharged versions: a front-wheel or all-wheel drive 2.5T, and the front-wheel drive T5. The standard powerteam is the turbocharged 208-hp 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine matched with a five-speed Geartronic automatic transmission. The sportier T5 comes with a 257-hp turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and five-speed Geartronic automatic. New for 2009 the 2.5T includes an auto-dimming rearview mirror and more speakers while the T5 adds active bi-xenon headlamps with washers.

MSRP: $33,000 - $39,500

Fuel Economy: 27 mpg Hwy/18 mpg City

The Genesis can be had with a 290-hp 3.8-liter V6, or a 375-hp (using premium fuel) 4.6-liter V8. Both engines send power to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission that features manual sequential shift capability. Mechanical safety features include traction control, stability control, and panic brake assist. The interior features a full compliment of airbags, electronic active front headrests that provide whiplash protection, and a tire pressure monitor. Luxurious leather seats, automatic dual-zone climate control and woodgrain trim are just some of the appointments this car offers that are typically only found in vehicles costing much more.

MSRP: $33,330 - $51,360

Fuel Economy: 25 mpg Hwy/18 mpg City

The SRX is available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations, and is powered by either a 3.0-liter, direct-injection V-6, or a 2.8-liter turbo V-6, both use a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. Standard safety features include anti-lock disc brakes, Stabilitrak electronic stability control, six airbags with occupant sensing system, tire pressure monitor, theft-deterrent system, daytime running lights and OnStar. Available luxury and high-tech features include genuine wood interior trim, adaptive Xenon headlights, rearview camera, navigation system, double-sized glass sunroof, 20" wheels and tires and rain-sensing wipers.