Nevertheless, at a base price point of $55,995 the STS V6 offers up impressive value. While this might sound like a lot of
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| At a base price point of $55,995 the STS V6 offers up impressive value. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
money, stacked up beside its midsize rivals it's quite the steal. Only the new Infiniti M35 sells for less at $54,800, with the Jaguar S-Type starting out at a much richer $63,095, the Lexus GS 300 costing $64,300, a comparable BMW 530i needing $66,500, a better equipped Acura RL near the top at $69,500, and the uber-expensive Mercedes-Benz E320 fetching $73,000. I suppose some will counter that a well-equipped Chrysler 300C can be had for the paltry sum of $43,095, but there's a difference between these luxury sedans and the 300C when it comes to refinement, so it's a bit of a moot point. Step up to the V8-powered STS and the price jumps to $68,725, on par with most of its competitors. The all-wheel drive version,
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| The new STS is a wonderfully capable car that can run with the best from Europe and Asia. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
however, seems a bit over the top at $83,620, with a fully loaded version, featuring adaptive cruise control with head up display (HUD), Tuscani leather seats and trim, and a power glass sunroof, stretching the price point to $90,120. Add Red Line or White Diamond paint to the mix and the price tops out at $91,415. This comes pretty close to Audi A8, BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class territory. But that in mind, while it might not be as lavishly equipped as some of these top-tier Europeans, the new STS is a wonderfully capable car that can run with the best from Europe and Asia, and this coming from one of the most ardent "Eurasia"-snobs I know... me.
