2008 Volvo S80 Beautiful on 2040-cars

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These are the top luxury cars bought by people entering the segment for the first time

Let's say you just got a big promotion at work or the kids are moving out of the house, and you finally have some extra money. You decide to blow it all at once and treat yourself by upgrading your ride. Naturally, you look to a luxury automaker. What do you choose?
Models like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class may be tailor-made to introduce buyers to the premium segment, but a new study finds that they don't garner the highest rates of non-luxury customer conquests. It turns out that a Volvo leads among folks moving up to a premium brand, and it isn't even one that's made anymore, at that.
A recent study by Polk and IHS Automotive looked at what models had the highest rates of buyers upgrading from a non-luxury segment. The information comes from its new vehicle registration data through April 2014. All ten top models boasted conquest rates of over 50 percent, but the Volvo C70 led the field with 68.01 percent of its customers coming from non-premium brands.

Editors’ Picks February 2023 | Audi RS 3, electric G80 and a longtime favorite

In this month’s set of EditorsÂ’ Picks, we see a wide variety of vehicles earn our recommended status. The Audi RS 3 is a truly stellar sedan with a killer engine, great handling and still enough comfort for daily use. Genesis finds its way onto the list again with its electric version of the G80 midsize sedan, and VolvoÂ’s XC90 still charms after all these years. In case you missed our previous Editors' Picks posts, hereÂ’s a quick refresher on whatÂ’s going on here. We rate all the new cars we drive with a 1-10 score. Cars that are exemplary in their respective segments get an EditorsÂ’ Pick designation. Those are the ones weÂ’d recommend to our friends, family and anybody whoÂ’s curious and asks the question. The list that youÂ’ll find below consists of every car we rated in January that earned an EditorsÂ’ Pick. 2023 Audi RS 3 Quick take: The Audi RS 3 keeps the passion alive with a superb sounding 5-cylinder engine and a torque-vectoring rear differential that massively ups the handling fun. Its interior is a little bland, but it's still a handsome Audi on the outside. Score: 8.0 What it competes with: Mercedes-AMG CLA 45, BMW M240i, Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, VW Golf R Pros: Epic engine sound, fun AWD system, great handling and acceleration, attractive exterior styling Cons: Interior doesn't pop, expensive for its size From the editors: Road Test Editor Zac Palmer — "If you love a special engine, the Audi RS 3 is a car for you. Few powertrains sound and feel as special as the 5-cylinder engine in the RS 3, and the ferocity with which it accelerates will have you laughing your head off with every pull. The sheer performance out of this little machine is extraordinary, and I'd recommend it to anybody shopping for a small, luxury sports car daily. All that said, I wish Audi could've sorted out better steering and a suitable interior. As-is, both of those factors are negatives in a car that is almost all upside." In-depth analysis: 2023 Audi RS 3 First Drive Review: To hell with business cases   2023 Volvo XC90 2022 Volvo XC90 Recharge View 15 Photos Quick take: The XC90 may be old now, but key updates and a timeless design ensure it's competitive as ever. The Scandinavian interior design appeal has never faded, and now the Google-based infotainment system is fresh and snappy. Even the Recharge PHEV is an awesome alternative with great range and strong electric motor.

Best places to get your car maintained and repaired

In this era of rampant inflation and high interest rates, the challenges of acquiring a car or SUV have been well documented. And so it has never been more important to protect that expensive investment by maintaining it. In recent months, Autoblog has shared Consumer Reports' evaluation of the least and most expensive car brands to keep running, as well as tips to prolong a car’s useful life. Especially since the pandemic, a number of factors have impacted these costs: more complex vehicles, new materials and manufacturing methods, a shortage of qualified technicians and replacement parts. Since 2022, repairs costs have jumped each year by about 10 percent. This month, Consumer Reports is offering a useful primer on keeping your ride in great shape, suggesting what might be the best options for searching out a repair shop, depending, as CR says, “on your car and your situation.” Author Ben Preston identifies three basic types of repair facilities: dealership service departments, independently owned repair shops, and chain repair shops. Building up trust with a specific shop and feeling comfortable going there is important. Preston quotes John Ibbotson, chief mechanic at Consumer ReportsÂ’ Auto Test Center: "You might be able to save a few bucks by going to whichever shop offers the cheapest prices, but if you want consistent, reliable service, itÂ’s best to find a repair shop you trust and stick with it,” Ibbotson says. The story goes on to evaluate each type of service facility. HereÂ’s a breakdown of CRÂ’s findings: Dealerships These work well for owners of newer cars, especially for covered warranty work. But the disadvantage is the high labor rates common to dealer service. Satisfaction ratings for dealer service departments range from very good (Acura, Lexus, Mazda, and Volvo) to not-so-good (Jeep and Kia). Dealers are best for: Fixing infotainment system glitches: "If the screen in the center of your dash has a habit of freezing up, or the touchscreen-activated climate controls arenÂ’t working, the dealership is the most likely place to find someone with the know-how to fix problems that maybe only a factory-authorized technician can access," Ibbotson says. Safety system recalibration: "Anything from a crack in your windshield to a minor fender dent can upset the calibration of the sensors that make features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control work," says Ibbotson.