Luxury Cars We're Excited About

OK, there is no disputing the ample reasons that Fisker has become a popular punching bag.

Its cars have burst into flames. It received a failing grade from Consumer Reports because one of its cars repeatedly broke down during testing. It has been plagued by production delays and complications too numerous to list.

Suspend reality, if only for a fleeting moment, before you plunk down the $100,000 needed to buy this car, and appreciate this grand electric experiment. At first glance, the Fisker Atlantic is simply a beautiful automotive creation, one that melds sports and elegance in the next decade the same way Jaguar did more than a century ago.

After using up its all-electric range of 30 miles, drivers will rely on a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine borrowed from BMW.

Of course, that is all hypothetical. The Atlantic sedan hasn't even begun production yet. Should Fisker's woes continue -- the company lost 320 Fisker Karmas in Hurricane Sandy -- the Atlantic may never roll off an assembly line. But if Fisker can solve its lengthy string of problems, the Atlantic is a wonderful idea.

Whenever I say "that's one of the sexiest cars on the road today," I'm generally talking about a Jaguar or Aston Martin. In my opinion, those two lines of vehicles are probably the best looking in the industry.

But, wow, did BMW challenge that notion with this beautiful 2013 640i GranCoupe. I actually had the privilege of driving one coated in a luscious deep red paint for a week recently and I've never seen a car turn so many heads. This car just gets noticed. Period.

Designed to compete with the Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS, the GranCoupe is an interesting vehicle, given that BMW calls it a "coupe" despite having four doors. Confusing nomenclature aside, the GranCoupe is kind of a mix between the 5, 6 and 7 Series, with the four doors of the 5, the basic styling of the 6 and the size of the 7. It sounds crazy, but it works.

With a 3.0L turbocharged I-6 engine, the GranCoupe is good for 315 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough to have some fun on the road. Additionally, its interior cabin is simply dripping with creature comforts and technology, with a solid infotainment system, lots of active safety features, tons of room for the driver and passengers and leather EVERYWHERE. The level of refinement is remarkable.

It's roomy, comfy, beastly and downright sexy. I know I want one.

Tesla Motors burst onto the automotive scene in 2008 with their all-electric Roadster, proving that an EV can be every bit as sporty as a gas-powered car. Model S, the Silicon Valley automaker's second car, builds on a foundation of plug-in performance by adding copious amounts of technology and luxury to the mix.

Lauded for both its exterior and interior design, Model S punctuates with details like touch-sensitive door pulls, a hidden charge port and a massive 17-inch touchscreen embedded into the vehicle's dashboard. An active air suspension keeps the ride smooth and handling tight, while an optional 85 kWh battery provides up to 300 miles in range.

Tesla also plans on taking care of Model S owners by rolling out a free network of strategically located solar-powered "Supercharger" stations that promise to replenish up to 150 miles of battery range in only 30 minutes. But, for green-conscious consumers, there may be no bigger luxury than going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 6 seconds without using a single drop of gas.

Remember when Cadillac was the Cadillac of luxury cars? The all-new ATS sedan, a brand new model for Caddy, is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive sedan with very nice design lines, an exceptionally (for Cadillac) balanced ride and equipped with the new Cue system, which made linking and using my smartphone a breeze.

The ATS is aimed squarely at the BMW 3 Series. It is especially audacious that the ATS came out just months after an all-new Bimmer-3. But Caddy pulled it off. It does challenge the ride and handling of the BMW. For that, I am very impressed, and hopeful for the future of Detroit luxury car building.

The ATS uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 202 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. If those numbers may seem skimpy to challenge the 3 Series, it is a bit. That's the base engine, and many buyers will find it inadequate for enjoyable driving. The engine I like is the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 272 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. That takes the ATS 0-60 in 5.7 seconds. All-wheel drive is also available, though only with the automatic transmission. The ATS also comes powered by a 3.6-liter V6. That power-plant delivers 321 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. There is no manual option for the V6.

Viva Detroit.

Luxury can be defined many different ways. Expensive, powerful, and just plain nice. But for me, luxury cars must also denote a certain amount of understated elegance.

The Hyundai Genesis was a vehicle when it was first proposed that I thought would never make it. Instead of providing a new luxury brand, Hyundai said it could pull it off with by proving luxury instead of pretending it behind a badge.

The rear-wheel drive Genesis 5.0 is a later edition of the Genesis sedan, a vehicle that offers premium everything without the pretentiousness of so many other brands. It costs tens of thousands of dollars less that many of its competitors and still provides incredible power -- 429 horsepower -- and a soft, comfortable ride. The 5.0 model includes that powerful engine and some ready for the road sport handling without giving up its highway cruising ability. It's a dream on a road trip but still has the chops for blowing someone's doors off at a red light.

It comes loaded with nearly every luxury feature a person could want. In fact, the only thing missing is a monocle holder. It has that weighty feel of a Mercedes, the power of an Audi and quietness of a Lexus. There's nothing harsh or offensive about this car.

It's also so understated that many people will mistake it for a BMW or other luxury sedan.

And that's the thing, luxury in the automotive world is truly a state of mind. The Genesis provides all the luxury a person could want, everything they need, and comes in at a low enough price that there's money left over for that boat you've always wanted too.