Luxury cars were once considered a sign of refinement and expensive tastes, but several recent studies are painting a darker picture of the good life.
Researchers at The University of California Berkeley conducted several experiments to test the morality of different car owners. They found drivers in pricier vehicles, including BMWs, were more likely to cut off fellow drivers and blow through crosswalks.
An informal study from discount website VoucherCodesPro is backing up those finding. They found drivers who are perceived as expressing road rage the most tend to drive luxury brands, with BMW topping the list. Followed close behind were Land Rover and Audi. They also found that blue was perceived as the most aggressive color car and men ages 35 to 50 were the worst offenders. Predictably, the worst times for road rage were Friday afternoon and Monday morning rush hours.
George Charles of VoucheCodesPro toldThe Daily Mail that while parts of the survey are humorous the issue of road rage should be taken very seriously.
“Road rage is not something to be taken lightly and these results show that many motorists need to remind themselves that sometimes losing your temper whilst driving can result in serious altercations, assaults, and collisions that cause injuries or worse,” Charles told The Daily Mail.
Yet another informal study recently called luxury owner’s morality into question. A UK dating website for people looking to cheat on their spouse called Illicit Encounters surveyed their users and found 22% were Audi owners. The most popular model with cheaters last year? BMW of course.
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The Dow Jones has solidified its position beyond the 15,000-point milestone. The unemployment rate has gradually fallen to 7.6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average consumer has breathed a little easier these days.
What to do with the extra cash that may finally be starting to accumulate in your bank account? Well, you might invest it or save for a rainy day. But you’re not here for financial advice.
If you’re shopping for a new vehicle, and if you’re looking to pamper yourself a little, or both, you’ve come to the right place. Our friends at Kelley Blue Book have compiled a list of the Ten Best luxury SUVs on the market today. Here’s a look at their findings:
Sticker Price: $66,345 – $85,670
Invoice Price: $62,033 – $80,101
Fuel Economy: 14 mpg City, 18 mpg Highway
If you’re looking for luxury and looking to show it off, this might be the SUV for you. TheCadillac Escalade ESV is an even bigger version of the already hefty luxury SUV. With tons of interior features and space for the whole family, this is a comfortable and versatile vehicle.
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Sticker Price: $34,850 – $49,800
Invoice Price: $32,759 – $46,812
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 26 mpg Highway
Volvo has stated an objective of having zero people killed in traffic accidents involving its cars by 2020. Ambitious? Yes. Noble? Yes. You won’t only feel surrounded by luxury in theXC60, you’ll feel surrounded by the latest in safety technology.
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Sticker price: $30,800 – $38,600
Invoice: $28,335 – $35,510
Fuel economy: 23 mpg City, 34 mpg Highway
TheX1 definitely falls into the ‘small SUV’ category, and is a terrific introduction to BMW’s lineup. It is both smaller and more nimble than its X3 sibling, and delivers terrific gas mileage for its segment. And, of course, comes with the European luxury you’d expect from BMW.
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Sticker Price: $34,520 – $35,920
Invoice Price: $32,430 – $33,726
Fuel Economy: 19 mpg City, 27 mpg Highway
One of the best things about this SUV is the space it allots for both front and rear passengers. You won’t feel crammed in the back, should you desire to ride there. Another bonus: there’s a lot of equipment that comes standard on the RDX you’d pay extra for on other models.
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Sticker Price: $37,300 – $46,500
Invoice Price: $34,690 – $43,247
Fuel Economy: 20 mpg City, 28 mpg Highway
TheQ5 winds up in the middle of the pack in Kelley Blue Book’s rankings. But it is the top-ranked compact luxury SUV on the market in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. In any case, you’ll want to keep it on your short list.
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Sticker Price: $41,250 – $42,650
Invoice Price: $38,205 – $39,499
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 24 mpg Highway
The all-newJX boasts interior features and tons of passenger room. Consumers love the third row, but there are those who express criticism of the performance of the Continuously Variable Transmission.
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Sticker Price: $39,660 – $47,350
Invoice Price: $37,083 – $44,274
Fuel Economy: 18 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway
There were some people bored with the look and drive of theRX 350. Lexus engineers responded with the F Sport trim, which adds a more aggressive look and sturdier driving dynamics. For those who liked the original, they can still count on Lexus to deliver luxury and a quiet ride.
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Sticker Price: $48,850 – $108,750
Invoice Price: N/A
Fuel Economy: 15 mpg City, 22 mpg Highway
You often hear the phrase”engineering marvel” used to describe skyscrapers and bridges. Extend it to transportation, and you might use it to describe the Cayenne, which comes in six different models, all of which deliver power, delicate handling and a combination of sportiness and elegance on the road.
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Sticker Price: $62,400 – $116,925
Invoice Price: $58,032 – $108,740
Fuel Economy: 14 mpg City, 19 mpg Highway
Looking for luxury? You’ll like the heated leather seats, the dual-zone automatic climate controls and, perhaps best, the third-row seat that is power-folded in theGL. You might also add as an option Mercedes’ massage system for $1,100. Best of all? It provides a quiet, luxurious ride.
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Sticker Price: $82,650 – $135,100
Invoice Price: $76,625 – $123,616
Fuel Economy: 17 mpg City, 23 mpg Highway
“For decades the Range Rover has prowled to the ends of the Earth, growing more luxurious with each generation,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Combining opulent amenities with extreme capability, the all-new-for-2013 version is the best Range Rover yet.”
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