The luxury car market has a history of apt engineering, performance and ride quality, and bearing these luxury traits in mind, buyers know it’s worth extra thousands of dollars to invest in these cars. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lexus are brands that are inherently perceived differently than your average, quality performance brands, like Ford, Mazda and Toyota. The former set of vehicles are known as luxury vehicles, whereas the latter are commonly referred to as mainstream or regular vehicles.
Luxury Cars vs. Regular Cars
Although with time the gap between these two categories may have narrowed a bit, there are still many factors that set luxury cars apart from regular ones. The differences between luxury cars and mainstream cars vary from brand to brand, but there are some distinct features of luxury cars that can’t go unnoticed, surpassing ordinary cars in the following areas: impressive interior and exterior design, quality body design, proficient ride, noise containment, powerful automotive parts, high performance, and efficient technology. For a more in-depth look at these features, visit an authority on luxury cars like the AUTO ONE Group Blog or other industry experts
Prestige isn’t the only perk of owning a luxury car – luxury vehicles come equipped with the most advanced safety options, versatile options for customization, advanced entertainment options and the best interiors in the market. For example, safety technology – like electronic stability control, anti-lock brake systems, and blind-spot warning – which is now incorporated into regular vehicles, was initially introduced in luxury vehicles. And the engines in luxury vehicles far surpass that of their standard counterparts, offering up superior efficiency and horsepower.
Then there’s the infotainment system. Long gone are the days when an infotainment system’s function was limited to controlling the stereo or the navigation system alone; the system’s function now extends to handling data communications and HVAC control in many vehicles. However, these systems are not all created with equal performance capability. Some are just standard, while others are of higher quality.
Audi for instance, knows how make an elegant infotainment system. Some of Audi’s models feature the MMI system that offers a rotary controller and a touchpad, and its “Virtual Cockpit” display is hands down the most attractive dashboard interior on the market, allowing you to operate an array of systems, including ride dynamics.
BMW, on the other hand, holds the reputation of being one of the earliest automakers to launch an infotainment program, and its iDrive is still one of the best systems out there. It uses a rotary controller, allowing drivers to easily navigate through menus. And Mercedes automakers are known for thinking outside the box. Mercedes’ signature element, the “Cockpit Management and Data” system, is a controller with a touchpad, buttons and a rotary knob to control and execute major functions. All of these infotainment systems, in short, are miles ahead (excuse the pun) of their standard car counterparts.
Of course, premium cars do come with additional expenses. For example, Palm Beach Garage, a luxury car dealership alternative repair shop, says that its BMW services, while nearly half of what you’d pay at the dealership, are still over $100 per hour. This means that with BMWs and other luxury cars, expect to pay a premium on mechanical services, simple repairs, or other diagnostic checks.
These are a few of the many reasons that highlight the clear distinction between luxury and regular cars. Even though the automotive industry is continuing to grow expansively and incorporate new and enhanced technology, its luxury line of vehicles remains the high bar to which all other automobiles are measured.