10 Best Near-Premium Sedans of 2016

2016 BMW 3 Series ・ Photo by BMW Media

The best near-premium sedans, generally speaking, can be broken down into three different categories: entry-level cars from established premium brands, dedicated upscale vehicles from the mainstream teams, and a few entries from brands like Acura and Buick, which are sort of stuck in luxury limbo. So we’ll look to maximize customer appeal by presenting a few from each class, while further keeping costs down to a near-premium level of no more than about $35,000.

10) 2016 Toyota Avalon

Perhaps the prime example of a lux-style car from a popular brand is the 2016 Toyota Avalon. Size-wise, the car is listed at 195.3 inches in length, so it’s 4.6 inches longer than the mid-size Camry, and while pricing for the significantly refreshed 2016 model has yet to be announced, the 2015 Avalon had an MSRP of $32,285. Now, truth be told, that’s right about the transaction price of the average vehicle today, but the Avalon is distinctly above average in terms of amenities—which is what makes it one of the country’s best near-premium sedans. More specifically, the Avalon showcases lux cues ranging from full LED exterior illumination to heated and ventilated leather seating to a JBL sound system with 11 GreenEdge speakers. Also for 2016, the Avalon welcomes standard Qi Wireless Charging, numerous style enhancements—including fresh wheel designs—and more driver-assistance measures.

Photo by Toyota

9) 2016 BMW 3 Series

Technically, it’s the 2 Series that’s the entry point for Bayerische Motoren Werke, but that car only comes as a coupe and a convertible—and oddly enough, by “coupe,” BMW refers to an actual two-door body style this time around. As a result, it doesn’t have enough entry points of its own to be considered one of the top near-premium sedans. That honor falls to the iconic 2016 3 Series instead. For an MSRP of $33,150, folks can find themselves in a 320i sedan that offers a nine-speaker, 205-watt audio setup and BMW’s iDrive control technology, complete with a 6.5-inch touchscreen. However, a primary part of the car’s premium appeal comes from its refreshed-for-2016 design, TwinPower turbocharged engine, athletic suspension and multi-mode Driving Dynamics Control feature. And that, in turn, means sacrificing expected cues like leather seating for SensaTec upholstery.

Photo by BMW

8) 2016 Hyundai Azera

The 2016 Hyundai Azera starts at $34,995, and it definitely has what it takes to compete with the rest of the best entry-luxury sedans. Certainly helping matters, the Azera was upgraded for the 2015 model year with restyled front and rear fascias, a revised grille, a reconfigured center stack in the cabin, and many additional safety features. For instance, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-change assistance are all standard across the 2016 Azera roster, with the Azera Limited adding standard lane-departure warning, forward collision warning and automatic high beams. Standard as well for the full lineup is new multimedia/navigation setup with an 8-inch LCD screen and Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics technology. Finally, a first-rate driving experience finishes off the Azera’s advantages, backed by 293-horsepower V6 engine, a 550-watt sound system, and heated, ventilated and leather-surfaced front-row seating.

Photo by Hyundai

7) 2016 Acura ILX

The 2016 Acura ILX is the near-premium sedan par excellence, since it’s the least-expensive, leadoff choice for a brand that—while relentlessly positioning itself above the mainstream—isn’t always thought of as a true luxury provider. And that’s supported by the fact that the ILX has one of the lowest sticker prices here, thanks to its MSRP of $27,900. On the other hand, the car does have its share of standard lux features, like its striking Jewel Eye headlights. They use five low-profile LEDs in each unit for low- and high-beam functionality, and Acura reports that the latter can shine an extra 17 feet of illumination when the car is travelling at 60 mph. Also standard, and also indicating why the ILX is indeed one of the best near-luxury sedans, are an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, dual-level front-seat heating, a multi-angle rearview camera, and top IIHS and NHTSA safety ratings.

Photo by Acura

6) 2016 Buick Regal

Sure, it wears an expressive exterior designed to “convey an upscale ambiance through technology,” but the real beauty of the 2016 Buick Regal is in its value proposition. Much like the ILX, the Regal is the product of a brand that’s a little light on luxury credibility, but the Buick is both less expensive than the Acura and an important extra step up the ol’ product hierarchy: Whereas the ILX is the compact entry point for its brand, the Regal is a midsized selection that’s positioned above the Buick Verano. Moreover, though the Buick’s standard 4G LTE technology and mobile Wi-Fi connectivity remain impressive benefits even among the best near-luxury sedans, the Regal’s pricing flexibility means owners can get a 259-horsepower turbocharged engine, heated eight-way power-adjustable front seats, rearvision camera technology, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, but still stay well under $35K.

Photo by General Motors

5) 2016 Cadillac ATS

A crisp design and equally sharp road manners help the 2016 Cadillac ATS stay on a competitive footing with other top entry-luxury sport sedans, especially now that that performance has been enhanced by a standard eight-speed automatic transmission. In keeping with Cadillac’s lightweighting efforts, the new unit is more than 33 lbs. lighter than the previous six-speed automatic, yet it still enables “world-class shift-time quickness and responsiveness.” Of course, the ATS also serves up the sort of standard lux amenities that owners look for in the best near-premium sedans, not the least of which are its mobile Wi-Fi capability, 4G LTE connectivity service, Apple CarPlay smartphone-integration technology, and Bose audio system. Plenty of high-end content is available as well, with the range-topping ATS-V sedan putting it all together with a 446-horsepower, twin-turbo engine and a terminal velocity of 189 mph—albeit while boasting an MSRP of $60,465.

Photo by Cadillac Media

4) 2016 Kia Cadenza

The updated 2016 Kia Cadenza adds even more near-lux credibility to an already impressive full-size sedan. Though the Cadenza is a close cousin of the aforementioned Hyundai Azera, they're different enough to stand strong on their own, and their distinctive designs are just the beginning. The revised Cadenza has an athletic profile that's backed up by its 293-horsepower 3.3-liter V6 engine, and is accentuated by touches such as LED illumination for the front fog lights, rear combination lamps and exterior positioning lights. Inside, the Cadenza caters to the high-tech owner with a standard infotainment setup. The interior is quiet and comfortable, and Kia's top-notch navigation system comes standard. Other features include an 8-inch touchscreen that also serves as the display for a standard rearview camera system, Kia’s UVO eServices, USB and auxiliary inputs, and Bluetooth handsfree technology. The 2016 Kia Cadenza starts at $32,990. 

Photo by Kia Media

3) 2016 Nissan Maxima

Yes, the 2016 Nissan Maxima still stands out as the self-styled “4-Door Sports Car” of the brand’s lineup, leveraging a 300-horsepower V6 engine, a multi-mode drive system with a performance-friendly Sport setting, and a hot-handling suspension with standard ZF Sachs dampers. Yet, the Maxima also makes a strong case for inclusion with this year’s top near-luxury sedans, since it not only furnishes a better power-to-weight ratio than a BMW 335i or Acura TLX V6, it also comes fresh from the factory with a spacious, detailed cabin accented by a leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel and real stitching for the instrument panel, upper-door panels and console—and note, that factory is in Tennessee. The Maxima also supplies a wealth of standard and available luxuries, from a standard NissanConnect system with 8-inch touchscreen and navigation to available Ascot-leather front-row seating that’s heated, ventilated, and accented by diamond-quilted Alcantara inserts.

2) 2016 Audi A3

The four-rings brand continues to go full speed ahead with its 2016 Audi A3, as the company has premiered another new round of improvements for what was already one of the best near-premium sedans. Thus, the new model year sees two more driver-assistance measures—a rearview camera system and parking assistance—launching as standard equipment on the 2016 A3, along with helpful technologies like heated outside mirrors and washer nozzles, for dealing with colder days. The A3 cabin also builds on its Grade A amenities by adopting the aluminum interior package as standard for 2016, creating a modern and professional ambiance for owners. “Modern” is the right word for the car’s connectivity capability, too: Its Audi connect system can deliver 4G LTE connectivity service and a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot to bolster infotainment features like standard Bluetooth technology and available Bang & Olufsen audio. (Just remember: You may want to stay away from the A3’s available—but VW-sourced—diesel engine.)

Photo by Audi Media Services

1) 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA

The “style rebel” of the roster, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA will push the ol’ appearance envelope a bit past the 2015 model’s benchmark, premiering both a Night Package and—for both the CLA250 and all-wheel-drive CLA250 4Matic—an Edition: Orange version that will be see a limited U.S. production run of 750 units. Meanwhile, all CLA owners will enjoy the newly standard Dynamic Select system, which is based on the technology first introduced in the latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class; it offers Comfort, Eco, Sport and Sport+ settings along with an Individual mode for a customized driving experience. And further fine-tuning can be accomplished with newly optional selective dampers. Shoppers also should be aware that, despite the CLA’s coupe-like silhouette, this is a full four-door entry with more than enough Mercedes mojo to cap off our list of the industry’s best near-premium sedans.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz Media