Could The Next Generation Of Luxury Cars Come From The East?
Luxury Cars: For upon |With models like the Infiniti Q50 and Lexus IS drawing some attention away from the traditional chart-toppers like the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series, these Japanese vehicles have proven that the likes of Toyota and Honda know how to make more than just affordable and dependable commuters. However, it has not been an easy row to hoe, with both brands having to work hard to meet quality standards, especially in terms of interiors. They have the power and the tech, but corners have to be cut somewhere to make up for their lower price tags. A natural preference by American consumers for home-grown vehicles has also made it difficult for these brands to break into the US market. Luxury Cars.
Nevertheless, experience has been a patient teacher, and newer automakers, like Genesis, have learned from the struggles of their peers. The G70 wasn’t an immediate hit, but unlike cars from Infiniti, it did leave an impression. This was the foot in the door that the Koreans needed, giving them the time they needed to develop the eminently successful V80 and smaller V70. These models earned the acclaim of consumer and safety institutes in the USA. In fact, the brand was noted as J.D. Power’s top-ranking marque for dependability in 2020. This may not be overly surprising from the maker of the Hyundai Venue and Sonata. Luxury Cars.
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Already, some of its more expensive options were showing that near-luxury could be achieved for a reasonable cost. However, it really broke the mold with its latest generation of Genesis nameplates. Similarly, Lexus and Infiniti have learned from their mistakes and are starting to nip at the heels of the more traditional premium brands like Volvo and Audi. They can’t compete when it comes to high-performance variants like Mercedes-AMG or BMW M, but it may just be a matter of time until we see a kitted-up, sporty Genesis doing laps at the track, too. Luxury Cars.
Current competitors
While Infiniti may have discontinued many of its current generation of vehicles, it still has a presence at the car dealerships. Lexus, on the other hand, has shown a bit more staying power, with the IS and LS still managing to sell, while the LC coupe and convertible prove that the marque has a little experience at making something more lavish for more serious car enthusiasts. Both brands also offer a selection of SUV and crossover models, a segment that Genesis is only now starting to break into. Luxury Cars.
So, before taking a closer look at some of the most successful configurations within each lineup, here is a quick rundown of some of the more exciting offers from each of the Asian luxury brands:
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Genesis G80
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Genesis GV80
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Lexus LS
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Lexus LC
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Infiniti QX50
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Infiniti QX55 (upcoming 2022)
Keeping stride
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While Genesis may be the youngest of the Asian luxury divisions, it has been making the biggest waves. Both its sedan and crossover lineups are drawing a lot of attention around the world, and even in America where brand loyalty to Chevrolet and Ford is strong. It wouldn’t be going too far to say that the mid-size GV80 is one of the most impressive cars on the market right now. Luxury Cars.
Built on the same platform as the G80, the high-rider takes advantage of its height to present a more commanding view of the road. And you may very well think yourself seated on a throne with how lavishly the cabin is outfitted. Considering the price point, build quality is top-notch, and everything the brand has learned from its range of successful cars bearing the Hyundai and Kia logos is put to good use. The proportions are perfectly balanced to offer a great deal of passenger space without compromising the cargo hold behind the rear seats. Luxury Cars.
Under the hood, the portly cruiser shows that it has what it takes to keep up with the other big boys. The base model comes equipped with a 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, while an available twin-turbo V6 kicks this up to 375 hp for some real athleticism around town. Luxury Cars.
Not out just yet
While Infiniti may have fallen back to lick its wounds and strategize about its list of concept cars due to release over the next few years, Lexus has managed to keep itself in the game. Despite stiff competition and equally hindering brand bias, several models have remained popular in the American market. These include the large LS executive sedan and the smaller, sportier LC Coupe/Convertible. Neither offers the best fuel economy, but the LC is available as a hybrid if you want to see better mileage figures. Luxury Cars.
Unfortunately, the entire range of high-performance vehicles is prohibitively expensive, starting at around $66k MSRP for the RC F and hitting six figures for the LC Convertible. Going up against the likes of Genesis and European brands, maybe a significant deterring factor. However, you get a fair amount in return for how much you spend. Luxury Cars.
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The LS makes use of a twin-turbo V6, the LC opts for a rambunctious V8 that tosses 471 hp and 398 lb-ft around as if it were nothing. This allows the sportier variant to sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, which puts it a little behind its mainstream competition. Nevertheless, it sounds absolutely divine, and the feeling you get when you pull it off is exhilarating. Sadly, the lack of refinement carries through to the ten-speed automatic transmission. But, if you can overlook these shortcomings, it makes for a great sports car with a high-quality interior laden with all the latest tech. Of course, that means any passengers in the back seat will feel the lack of legroom, and the trunk leaves something to be desired. Luxury Cars.
These vehicles prove that the Asian automakers are more than skilled enough to deliver truly impressive vehicles, both in terms of performance and comfort. And, what makes them even more competitive in their pricing? This level of competition could be exactly what we need to shake up the status quo and see the big names in the industry reevaluate their strategies to hang onto their market shares. Luxury Cars.
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