Luxury Cars at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show

Luxury Cars at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show - Though statistics prove that few people can afford a Cadillac or Mercedes-Benz, it’s nice to dream. . . . From Acura to Volvo the floor of the Chicago Auto Show is littered with $50,000-plus luxury cars that bathe occupants in sumptuous leather and burled walnut and coddle with creature comforts like heated and cooled cup holders and massaging seats.

When you’re spending enough money to buy a condo on the beach, you expect things and luxury cars deliver with the latest technology, safety features and indulgent comforts. But all luxury cars aren’t created equal or to serve the same master. Some are flavored with a dash of sport, others pamper with luxurious appointments. Most blend the two and throw in a dash of advanced technology.

When choosing a luxury car you need to consider a couple of things. How much do you want to spend and how over the top do you want to go? For example, the BMW 5-Series is a fine midsize sedan that offers room for four adults and plenty of luxury appointments. But there are levels of luxury. For example, the base 528 lists for $44,550, but the line-topping 550 has a sticker $62,000. Add a couple of sport and technology packages to 550 and the price quickly rises to close to $70,000.

At the top of the class are flagship sedans like the Audi A8, BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Panamera and the new Hyundai Equus. These cars are the pinnacle of automotive engineering and each a technological masterpiece of engineering and design.