After wearing a new dress to the office or getting a fresh hair cut, there’s no better compliment than hearing, “You look like a million bucks!”
Of course, most of us can’t afford that much money to make ourselves look like we spent more than we did. But that’s the point of this list: you don’t have to spend big bucks to look good in your next new vehicle.
Alphabetically, here are the top 10 new 2015 models that look more expensive than their price tags suggest:
2015 Alfa Romeo 4C
The Alfa Romeo 4C is expected to hit North American shores soon.
Handout, Chrysler
It’s made in Italy. It has two seats that are positioned right in front of its rorty mid-mounted engine. And it’s at its best when being driven hard on an Alpine mountain pass road. Nope. We’re not talking about a $275,000 (all prices are starting MSRPs) Ferrari 458 Italia, but the new rear-wheel-drive, $75,995 Alfa Romeo 4C. Just make sure to get yours in Rosso Alfa red.
2016 Audi R8 V10
Audi R8
John LeBlanc, Driving
Fresh from its recent world debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the second-generation, two-seat mid-engine Audi R8 maintains its predecessor’s main role as a supercar without the supercar price. Estimated to start in the $175,000 range, the 601-horsepower R8 V10 uses the same platform and engine found in the 610-hp, $300,000-plus Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4.
2015 Chrysler 200
2015 Chrysler 200 C AWD
John LeBlanc, Driving
We already think the new-this-year $19,495 Chrysler 200 five-passenger, front- or all-wheel-drive, four-door sedan is one of the most improved cars we’ve driven in some time. And much of that appeal comes from its sophisticated styling. Did you know that America’s Chrysler is under the stewardship of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, as is Italy’s Maserati? This could be why the lowly Chrysler family sedan looks remarkably like a pint-sized version of the $82,600 2015 Maserati Ghibli luxury sedan.
2015 Chrysler 300
2015 Chrysler 300
Lesley Wimbush, Driving
For over a decade now, the reborn Chrysler 300 has counted on its looks for sales. But the second-generation version, first seen for 2010, is more refined and sophisticated than ever. Chrysler’s designers created a much more luxurious cabin, and the $37,895 five-passenger, rear- or all-wheel-drive sedan’s lines have been sharpened-up, highlighted by a face that could be mistaken for an $85,300 Audi A8.
2016 Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer
Andrew McCredie, Driving
Large SUVs have become the new status symbols of the rich. And at the top of the luxury SUV heap sits the all-conquering $100,590 Land Rover Range Rover. Trouble is, few new car buyers in Canada can afford one. Instead, we suggest Ford’s redesigned-for-2016 Explorer, a three-row crossover seemingly penned in Land Rover’s design studios, available for an estimated $31,000.
2015 Hyundai Genesis
2015 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 Technology
John LeBlanc, Driving
Since it arrived in 2009, the whole point of the rear- or all-wheel-drive $43,000 Hyundai Genesis five-passenger luxury sedan was to offer a luxury driving experience for a mainstream price. And while the styling of the Korean automaker’s first Genesis was a little trepidatious, the second-gen version is much more aggressive and confident — almost matching a $100,100 2015 BMW 7 Series.
2016 Kia Sorento
2016 Kia Sorento
David Booth, Driving
Like its Hyundai sister brand, Korea’s Kia doesn’t expect new car buyers to have to spend a lot of money on a great looking car. From its compact Soul wagon to its flagship K900 luxury sedan, Kia cars look more expansive than their actual sticker prices. Case in point is the just-released $27,495 2016 Kia Sorento. From its sleek front end to its tidy rear, the Sorento could fool some folks into thinking you ponied up for a $65,500 2015 BMW X5.
2015 Mazda CX-5
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 GT AWD’s handling dynamics stress agility.
Brian Harper, Driving
For a few sentences, let’s forget about the $22,995 Mazda CX-5’s upscale styling. Instead, let us remind you that the front- or all-wheel-drive, five-passenger compact crossover is one of the best driving small utility vehicles you can buy. It’s also quite space- and fuel-efficient. Just make sure NOT to tell your neighbours that you didn’t buy a $43,600 2015 BMW X3.
2015 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
The Mercedes-Benz CLA brings coupe styling to the compact luxury sedan.
Russell Purcell, Driving
It was in Mercedes-Benz’s plans all along: the new, front- or all-wheel-drive, five-passenger CLA-Class — the German automaker’s smallest (and, therefore, least expensive) sedan offering — was meant to look more expensive than its $34,600 starting price. ‘Benz even goes out of its way to call the CLA four-door a “Coupé”, just like the similarly-styled, $147,500 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe that has two, not four, doors.
2015 Volkswagen Jetta
2015 Volkswagen Jetta TSI.
Handout, Volkswagen
Like the ‘Benz CLA, the $14,990 Volkswagen Jetta front-wheel-drive, five-passenger compact sedan has been penned to make it NOT look like the economy car its price would suggest. Because of the Volkswagen Group’s massive lineup of brands and models, the Jetta’s lines, proportions and details can make it look like a $37,800 A4 sedan from VW’s Audi brand.
