Best of 2006
Acura TSX
Back on my list for a second year in a row, Acura’s take on an entry level luxury sedan is just too good to ignore. For 2006, the TSX has some new features, such as increased horsepower from the 2.4 liter VTEC four cylinder engine, a few new colors and slightly modified exterior styling. This car is too good to overlook. It’s not quite a 3 series BMW, but for the money, it’s hard to beat. A must drive.
Base Price - $27,890
BMW 3 series
Probably one of the most important introductions for 2006, BMW took the wraps off their new 3 series sedan first, with an estate version following shortly thereafter. A coupe and convertible version of the new generation are on their way shortly. This is probably the ultimate ride for aspiring young professionals looking to ditch their economy cars of youth. My pick would have to be the 325xi sports wagon. Who needs an SUV when you have a fancy emblem on the hood, a powerful, legendary inline six, all wheel drive and more carrying capacity than many small SUVs?
Base Price - $30,990
Cadillac DTS
Big Cadillacs are cool. Bottom line. The new DTS sedan retains the previous generation’s front drive, V8 setup, but the styling is much more in line with current Cadillac offerings. The sharp, edgy styling is striking in such a large vehicle and a breath of fresh air from the more rounded designs of late. Just about every option you could think of is available in this car, as well as a performance package at the top of the range.
Base Price - $41,990.
Ferrari Superamerica
This is the last of the line in a series of gorgeous, front engined V12 Ferrari Coupes. What sets the Superamerica apart? A glass rotating roof with electrochromic technology. The top can swivel behind the driver in ten seconds, and when in place, the special glass, jointly developed with Saint Gobain, can lighten and darken with the turn of a switch, protecting the occupants from UV rays. The 5.7 liter V12 cranks out 540 horsepower, enough to almost make you forget about the looks, which are stunning. If you want to know how much this ride costs, you can’t afford it.
Base Price - Upon request
Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan/Lincoln Zephyr
Based of the Mazda 6 platform, the Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan/Lincoln Zephyr are virtually the same car meant to fill different gaps in the product lineup. The Ford Fusion splits the middle between the compact Ford Focus and large Ford Five Hundred. The Mercury Milan is the price leader in Mercury’s lineup and the Lincoln Zephyr is designed to compete with entry level luxury entrants such as the BMW 3 series, Lexus IS and Cadillac CTS.
The Ford and Mercury versions are available with either a 2.3 liter four cylinder or 3.0 liter V6, the Lincoln being sold solely with the latter powertrain. The four cylinder can be had with a 5 speed manual or automatic, the V6 available only with a new six speed automatic. The Fusion and Milan start around $18,000 for the base model, the fully loaded Zephyrs entrance fee begins at $29,000. Tasteful, non-boring styling and good build quality go a long way in this class, and I think Ford has hit one out of the park with this trio. It would be wise to cross shop these offerings if you’re in the market for a sedan this size.
Base Price - $17,795
Hyundai Sonata
Honda and Toyota are shaking in their boots, even if it doesn’t seem that way on the surface. More and more people I’ve talked to recently have been asking me about the new Hyundai Sonata, and those that have driven one have been pleasantly surprised. There is virtually no difference between Hyundai quality and that of its Japanese competitors anymore. The Koreans have closed the gap and then some, as Hyundai consistently undercuts the Japanese competition on price. Resale values are another story, but if you’re getting a bargain to start with, it won’t hurt as much come resale or trade in time.
If you are looking for a solid, well equipped mid sized sedan, put the Sonata on the top of your list. Even better, Hyundai has just introduced the Azera, which is one size larger than the Sonata and built to compete against the Toyota Avalon and similarly sized Buicks. We’re in an age where Honda Accords are crossing the $30,000 barrier. Repeat after me: it’s just not worth it.
Base Price - $17,895
Lotus Elise/Exige
The Lotus Elise makes my favorites list once again, this time it’s sister the Exige joining it. These cars are too good and too pure to overlook. In an age where power everything rules the day and cabin isolation is paramount, the Elise and Exige give the driver an unadulterated experience and help hone driving skills at the same time. The Exige takes the Elise formula one step further with an even more track biased suspension and modified aerodynamics for higher speed stability.
Base Price - Elise - $42,990, Exige - $50,990
Mercedes-Benz CLS
The Mercedes CLS took the world by surprise. Mercedes-Benz sedans are normally a bit stodgy and never too flashy. This four door coupe, as described by the marketing folks at Mercedes-Benz, can be had with the venerable 5.0 liter V8 as the CLS 500 or in AMG guise as the CLS 55, with the 469 horsepower supercharged V8. This car has some issues, as the low roofline makes it a bit difficult for taller than average people to exit and enter. In addition, the CLS is only a four seater, as a large console splits the car down the middle. However, this is a small price to pay for automotive haute couture.
Base Price - CLS 500 - $65,675, CLS 55 - $87, 375
Mercedes-Benz S Class
The gold standard of the large luxury sedan class has been completely redesigned, appearing early this year as a 2007 offering. The first cars destined for the U.S. will be the S550, with a new 5.5 liter V8 and 7 speed automatic transmission. Features of the new S include infrared night vision, intelligent cruise control, air suspension and heated, cooled and massage seats. This is just the tip of the iceberg of a car that will make the competition obsolete.
Base Price - $86,000
MINI Cooper
Again, the MINI Cooper makes one of my lists. On paper, you could compare this vehicle to cars such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, but in reality, this car has no equals. It’s simply too small, too over-engineered and too sporty to compare to any sub compact on the market. The MINI drives like it’s on rails, has massive street cred and just plain makes you feel good behind the wheel. This is possibly the closest thing to automotive Prozac.
Base Price - $18,450
Porsche Cayman S
The Porsche Cayman harkens back to the day of James Dean and the Porsche 550 Spyders. The Cayman slots above the Boxster roadster and below the 911 Carerra in the lineup, both in power (295 horsepower) and price. The styling is simply gorgeous, and almost makes one wonder if the Cayman will eventually reach such legendary status as the 911 lineup has over the past 40 years. This is one of the most significant sports cars of the year, if not the century.
Base Price - $58,900
Saturn SKY
The Saturn version of the Pontiac Solstice is just a bit prettier, in my opinion. GM has a winner on its hands with the Solstice/SKY duo and the SKY even made Esquire Magazine’s top ten list of “have to haves.” Features include rear wheel drive, a 2.4 liter four cylinder with 170 horsepower and a short throw 5 speed manual transmission. The SKY is a bargain for such a pretty little roadster and GM should be granted eternal salvation for turning out some of the most exciting cars of the decade.
Base Price - $23,690
Subaru Impreza WRX TR
Want something a little more practical than a roadster but just as much fun to drive? Look to Subaru, where the WRX has been lighting up the world rallye stage for years. This racing success has translated directly into sales success. For 2006, Subaru offers an interesting model, the TR, or Tuner Ready. Available in sedan form only, the TR is an affordable way into a WRX while offering enthusiasts a blank canvas to create their own work of automotive art. Even though the TR leaves off many of the popular options the regular WRX offers, it still retains the 230 horsepower turbo engine, 17″ alloy wheels, a security system and Subaru’s famous all wheel drive, which really sets this car apart from many sport compacts.
Base Price - $23,995
Volvo C70
Swedish cars used to be quirky and not so exciting, save for a few Saab and Volvo turbo engined cars. Even those cars didn’t look the part, however. In the past five years, Volvo has stepped up their game and their most recent arrival, the C70 continues this trend. The C70 features a complex retractable hardtop, something more commonly seen on two seat roadsters than four seat cabriolets. A 2.5 liter five cylinder six speed manual combination comes standard, with a 5 speed automatic optional.
Base Price - $38,710.