The safety features of the Volvo S80 are its best rated component. As a luxury large car, it has an appeal to buyers looking for family cars that concentrates on the safety of its passenger. The thing is, however, the Volvo S80 can’t measure up to cars like the Mercedes E-Class or the BMW 5 series. It looks a bit plain, it doesn’t handle well, and it’s generally considered underpowered.

You’d think that after an upgrade from the 2007 version, the S80 would’ve managed to look a bit more stylish or at least distinguishable. But more and more people are saying it doesn’t look good, some even dared saying the exterior design is bland and unexciting. Perhaps from the perspective of people who’ve seen almost every popular car out there, the Volvo isn’t beautiful. On my opinion however, the Volvo S80 looks just right. After all, there’s beauty in simplicity, and this car has lots of those.

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This car could use some more power, and a bit more tweaking on its handling. Cabin noise rating is also below that of famous luxury large cars. Though not really as good as expected, the interior design and overall feel somehow managed to still impress some veteran reviewers. All in all, the Volvo S80’s features failed to impress but it’s acceptable nonetheless.

Ferrari, maker of fast and exotic cars, offers yet another wonderful machine to its already impressive lineup. The Ferrari 612 is a fast car with excellent handling and a very luxurious interior. The stylish look is coupled with a very performance-oriented engine and topped-off by one of the most luxurious interior that any Ferrari has had. It’s also one of the few 4-seaters out there that offers speed of nearly 200 miles per hour. Add this car’s several design and equipment enhancements to those already mentioned and you have before you a near perfect 4-seater.

On the exterior, it is an instant head-turner. Although some respected reviewers believe it is a bit bland, I still think it looks classic and elegant. If you compare it to other Ferraris, the design sure looks lacking. But taking it on its own, without being influenced by the established Ferrari designs; you’ll come to realize how sweet-looking this car is.

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Inside, you’ll be treated to one of the best car interior in the planet. It could possibly be the most luxurious Ferrari interior ever. The fact that it seats 4 people and still provides ample legroom is proof that comfort was well thought of. Storage wise, it’s not bad either with the trunk that offers fair cargo storage space. The Ferrari 612 is a race car, a luxury car, and a Grand Tourer rolled into one.

Lexus has a proven track record of rolling our automobiles that combines comfort and luxury with astounding overall performance. It looks like that reputation is proven again this time with the RX 400h, the hybrid version of their equally impressive RX 350 SUV. The best thing about the Lexus RX 400h is the fact the quality and performance are not traded off in Lexus’ pursuit of a vehicle that is environment-friendly.

The Lexus RX 400h offers performance never before seen in any hybrid of its class. The acceleration is fast and smooth, and its power is comparable to non-hybrids, more powerful even. Two particular features that impressed seasoned reviewers are its transmission system and handling. Of course, as is characteristic of most hybrids, eco-friendliness is a given. One difference though is that the RX 400h went a step ahead in terms of clean emissions.

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Its interior deserves mention too for being comfortable and very well equipped. The cabin offers adequate space for legroom both in the front and back row. Another highlight is the number of hi-tech gadgets included in the base model. There are so many that Lexus is offering only a few items as options because almost everything is included already. Truly, Lexus has yet again proven that quality and performance comes first in their vehicles.

The Subaru Tribeca is a good midsized SUV. The problem there though is that it’s in a very large and competitive market. Despite its excellent features, the Tribeca sits near the middle of the pack. It’s better than most SUV’s out there but other vehicles are also better than it.

Buyers will appreciate the Subaru Tribeca’s responsive handling an its upgrade engine. It is a 5-seater, 2-row SUV with an option to turn it into a 7-seater with 3 rows. People interested with a good SUV that can handle a family of 5-7 individuals and can offer comfort and a bit of luxury without sacrificing its highway performance can very well be happy with the Subaru Tribeca. Excellent scores on crash tests adds to its appeals on big families.

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The Subaru Tribeca is lacking in the off-road department though. It has decent off-road capabilities but it’s not enough to impress most reviewers. If only the class it belongs to is not so highly competitive, this SUV could’ve been sitting near the top. Unfortunately, that is not to be. The market for midsized SUV’s is packed and competition is fierce.

This is a luxury SUV that actually lives up to its “Sport Utility Vehicle” part. The good things about the Volkswagen Toureg2 are enough to satisfy a buyer looking for an SUV with good highway maneuverability while still maintaining its poise on off-roads. Actually, only a few luxury SUV’s can match the Touareg2’s excellent performance on dirt roads and back-country paths. Most of its competitors opt to develop their highway and road capabilities. Sadly, this is where the Volkswagen Touareg2 is lacking a bit.

Its base V6 engine delivers good performance but it is not up to par with the SUV’s at the top of the rankings. The interior though is as good as any. Featuring walnut trims, luxuriously soft leathers, and innovative design, the Volkswagen Touareg2 also has a spacious cabin. This 5-seater SUV delivers comfort as well as hi-tech electronics and expensive-looking gauges.

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As long as you don’t expect too much speed in a straight road from it, this SUV can deliver every luxury SUV’s promise. Expect more from the engine and you will be disappointed. However, since the Volkswagen Touareg2 is an SUV and not a sports car, that shortcoming can be easily overlooked by some.

Although the Toyota Avalon is considered to belong to the Affordable Large Cars category, it could easily be on the Luxury Cars group. Perhaps people should start calling this car an affordable luxury car with its excellent features, most of them geared toward providing comfort and luxury.

Just think about it, a Lexus LS430 costs $23,000 more but the Toyota Avalon offers nearly everything that the LS430 has. The Avalon also scored high on fuel economy, handling, and braking. Its V6 engine is smooth and powerful but not as gas-hungry as a V8 engine. An affordable price coupled with a fuel economy that can save you more cash in the long run makes this car a smart buy indeed.

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The very best that the Toyota Avalon offers is the comfort level of its interior. It’s roomy inside with lots of legroom and designed to give first class comfort and luxury. As stated above, this could easily be considered a luxury car with a significantly lower price. If you’re not to picky with names, try the Toyota Avalon instead of a Lexus.

It’s a given that you’ll be treated like royalty when you come out of this car. The Jaguar XJ looks expensive without being one, at least if compared to other cars out there offering the same things that an XJ has to offer.

What’s not to be dazzled about? It’s a beautiful car, sleek and stylish. Instances where you can’t judge a car by its looks alone are pretty common, but feel free to judge this one. The Jaguar XJ is beautiful outside, inside, and under the hood.

The interior is very luxurious. The overall design is very nicely done. The materials used in its first-class cabin and passenger area are top notch. Leg room is good enough for even the tallest individual. Very comforting, the seats keep you in place without being firm. They can be heated or cooled, choose your preference.

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There’s beauty under the hood too. This 400hp car eats distances like Pacman. Acceleration is amazing and so is the handling considering that this is a luxury cruiser. Think of this car as a Lexus LS430 but with a better design and more horsepower. The following link offers a thorough review on the Jaguar XJ.

Rugged and brawny, the Ford Mustang is an affordable car with a lot of power inside its hood. Quick and nimble, it has earned plenty of praises from car magazine editors, reviewers, and test drivers. What’s not to like? It looks cool. It’s interior design screams of power waiting to be unleashed, and it backs this up with a powerful engine and good handling. Plus, it’s a Ford. You can bet that the safety measures ratings are off the charts on this one.

The Ford Mustang is a pony that runs like a horse. Ok, that’s exaggerated, but only a little. In fact, the Mustang can give some muscle cars out there a real race. If you fancy street races, or casual between-friends races, then the Ford mustang is an excellent choice. It has plenty under the hood. It’s not rated excellent in performance though because some of its competitors offer the same power but with a more refined driving experience.

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Photo by: Ford Motor Company

Adults won’t feel welcome in the back seat of the Ford Mustang. Legroom will definitely be a problem because it’s limited. The design is very Ford-like, which could be great for some while a little disappointing for others. Safety features are highly commended. This car got excellent ratings from tests of the Federal Government of the US. All in all, the Mustang is a very fun car to take for a spin. Here’s a site that gives more info on the Ford Mustang.

Here’s a quick rundown on the new Infiniti EX35: it handles like a sports car and it has stylish and technologically advance interior. The downsides: fuel economy is bad and cargo space is very limited. The bold grill on the exterior face of this SUV is a very smart addition to the already excellent design. It looks very stylish and rugged at the same time hinting of power and luxury. Luxury it has, but power, well, some reviewers doubt if it has enough. It can perform very well but the lack of cargo space and the poor towing capability can maybe hamper its performance in the market.

Excellent materials and top of the line amenities are the usual in the Infiniti EX35’s interior. Boasting great design and even greater in luxuriousness, this SUV however could’ve benefited more from a bigger cabin. Why so? The front seats are just right, and the rear seats are cramped. Being an SUV, it’s sometimes a sin not to make the cabin spacious and comforting. The comfort is clearly there with the excellent seating and setting, but there’s a lot to be desired in the limited cabin space.

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Handling the Infiniti EX35 is like handling a sports car with its rear-wheel drive configuration. Its V6 engine is more than enough to give this SUV power in any situation, except when towing. This makes the Infiniti EX35 a very fun SUV to drive. It fact, it is one of the best when it comes to SUV handling. This is best for small families, large ones are better off with other SUV’s in the market. Some more details about the Infiniti EX35 here.

The Chrysler Crossfire catches eyes with ease thanks to its racy design. Sporty and sleek, this car deserves all the ohh’s and ahh’s from people it passes by. Like most people, I also covet this car, not just for its excellent exterior design but also because of its good performance and an excellent interior. It features quite a powerful V6 engine, enough to propel this car fast enough to excite even race car drivers. What’s more, the luxury and comfort that its interior offers are inspiring. It received very favorable reviews too, so this is a safe buy.

With its soft-touch surfaces, the Chrysler Crossfire delivers creative design not only on the outside but also inside. This car also features heated seats for when it gets cold and frosty. The legroom is fine; you won’t feel cramped, but not really overly opulent. Chrysler got creative with the interior of the Crossfire, providing it with the necessary elements to match its hot exterior. The entertainment system is solid with its 6-speaker sound system.

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The Federal Government of the US has tested this car to measure its safety rating and guess what, it scored perfect in front seat crash test. More tests are being done, but if that first one is an indication, it should also do well in other safety tests. This car offers front and side impact air bags. A more complete review of the Chrysler Crossfire is available here.