Exactly what is an upscale sedan? From
the EPA's point-of-view, upscale sedans appear to be produced for
the most part, in either Europe or Japan (although you will find
a handful of Cadillacs and Lincolns.) They also cost more dollars
than most folks would care to part with. Alas, the best gas mileage
delivered by an upscale sedan isn't all that impressive, and it
produced by either a hybrid- or diesel-powered drivetrain.
Audi, Lexus, Volvo, Acura, and Saab crowd
the top of the list, but the mileage figures in this category aren't
nearly as impressive as they should be ... these aren't gargantuan
vehicles. Not one entry cracked the magic 30 MPG highway figure.
We're going to declare no winner in this very important category
and hope that the European and Japanese manufacturers get it together
bring us the high-MPG cars we need, ASAP.
There's one more trait among imported upscale
sedans ... nearly all require more pricey premium fuel. This is
a likely result of the manufacturers' reliance on high-compression
ratios to provide a higher level of performance. If you have a lengthy
daily commute, the cost of more expensive premium gasoline can add
up over time.
If you can't wait and truly aspire for upscale,
take it one level higher and go for the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec
diesel. But if you're family's more concerned with budgets and the
planet, and not smitten with status, check into a high-MPG family
sedan, like the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, or Saturn
Aura Hybrid.
Model |
Engine |
Displacement |
Transmission |
Fuel |
City |
Highway |
| Audi A4 |
4 cylinder |
2 liter |
Automatic (CVT) |
Premium |
21 city |
29 highway |
| Lexus IS 250 |
6 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
21 city |
29 highway |
| Audi A4 |
4 cylinder |
2 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
20 city |
31 highway |
| Audi A4 Quattro |
4 cylinder |
2 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
20 city |
28 highway |
| Volvo S40 FWD |
5 cylinder |
2.4 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
20 city |
28 highway |
| Acura TSX |
4 cylinder |
2.4 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
20 city |
28 highway |
| Lexus IS 250 AWD |
6 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
20 city |
26 highway |
| Volvo S40 FWD |
5 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
19 city |
28 highway |
| Volvo S60 FWD |
5 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (5) |
Premium |
19 city |
28 highway |
| Volvo S60 FWD |
5 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
19 city |
28 highway |
| Acura TSX |
4 cylinder |
2.4 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
19 city |
28 highway |
| Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan |
4 cylinder |
2 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
19 city |
28 highway |
| Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan |
4 cylinder |
2 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
19 city |
28 highway |
| Audi A4 Quattro |
4 cylinder |
2 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
19 city |
27 highway |
| Volvo S40 FWD |
5 cylinder |
2.4 liter |
Manual (5) |
Premium |
19 city |
27 highway |
| Mercedes-Benz C280 |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Automatic (L7) |
Premium |
19 city |
26 highway |
| Lexus IS 350 |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
19 city |
25 highway |
| BMW 328ci |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
28 highway |
| BMW 328i |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
28 highway |
| BMW 328ci |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
28 highway |
| BMW 328i |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
28 highway |
| Saab 9-5 Sedan |
4 cylinder |
2.3 liter |
Manual (5) |
Premium |
18 city |
28 highway |
| Volvo S40 FWD |
5 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
27 highway |
| Mercedes-Benz C350 |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Automatic (L7) |
Premium |
18 city |
27 highway |
| Audi A4 |
6 cylinder |
3.1 liter |
Automatic (CVT) |
Premium |
18 city |
27 highway |
| Acura TL |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
27 highway |
| Volvo S40 AWD |
5 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
26 highway |
| Volvo S40 AWD |
5 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
18 city |
26 highway |
| Volvo S60 AWD |
5 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
18 city |
26 highway |
| Volvo S60 FWD |
5 cylinder |
2.4 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
26 highway |
| Volvo S60 FWD |
5 cylinder |
2.4 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
18 city |
26 highway |
| BMW 335ci |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
26 highway |
| Lexus IS 250 |
6 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
26 highway |
| BMW 335i |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
18 city |
26 highway |
| Acura TL |
6 cylinder |
3.2 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
18 city |
26 highway |
| Saab 9-5 Sedan |
4 cylinder |
2.3 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
17 city |
27 highway |
| Mercedes-Benz C350 |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
26 highway |
| BMW 328cxi |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
26 highway |
| BMW 335ci |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
26 highway |
| BMW 328xi |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
26 highway |
| BMW 335i |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
26 highway |
| Acura TL |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
17 city |
26 highway |
| Audi A4 Quattro |
6 cylinder |
3.1 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
25 highway |
| Volvo S60 AWD |
5 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (5) |
Premium |
17 city |
25 highway |
| BMW 328cxi |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
25 highway |
| BMW 328xi |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
25 highway |
| Infiniti G35 |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
25 highway |
| Lincoln MKZ FWD |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Regular |
17 city |
25 highway |
| BMW 335xi |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
25 highway |
| BMW 335xi |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
17 city |
25 highway |
| Mercedes-Benz C280 4matic |
6 cylinder |
3 liter |
Automatic (5) |
Premium |
17 city |
24 highway |
| Infiniti G35 |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
17 city |
24 highway |
| Mercedes-Benz C230 |
6 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (L7) GAS 410 |
Premium |
17 city |
23 highway |
| Mercedes-Benz C230 |
6 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (L7) GAS 410 |
E85 |
13 city |
17 highway |
| Mercedes-Benz C230 |
6 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Manual (6) GAS 400 |
Premium |
17 city |
23 highway |
| Mercedes-Benz C230 |
6 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Manual (6) GAS 400 |
E85 |
13 city |
17 highway |
| Infiniti G35x |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Premium |
17 city |
23 highway |
| Mercedes-Benz C350 4matic |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Automatic (5) |
Premium |
17 city |
22 highway |
| Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan |
6 cylinder |
2.8 liter |
Manual (6) |
Regular |
16 city |
26 highway |
| Cadillac CTS |
6 cylinder |
3.6 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Regular |
16 city |
25 highway |
| Cadillac STS |
6 cylinder |
3.6 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Regular |
16 city |
25 highway |
| Volvo S80 FWD |
6 cylinder |
3.2 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
16 city |
25 highway |
| Cadillac CTS |
6 cylinder |
2.8 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Regular |
16 city |
24 highway |
| Lincoln MKZ AWD |
6 cylinder |
3.5 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Regular |
16 city |
24 highway |
| Volvo S80 AWD |
6 cylinder |
3.2 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
16 city |
24 highway |
| Volvo S60 R AWD |
5 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
16 city |
23 highway |
| Cadillac STS AWD |
6 cylinder |
3.6 liter |
Automatic (S5) |
Regular |
16 city |
23 highway |
| Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan |
6 cylinder |
2.8 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Regular |
15 city |
26 highway |
| Audi A4 Quattro |
6 cylinder |
3.1 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
15 city |
25 highway |
| Cadillac CTS |
6 cylinder |
2.8 liter |
Manual (6) |
Regular |
15 city |
25 highway |
| Cadillac CTS |
6 cylinder |
3.6 liter |
Manual (6) |
Regular |
15 city |
24 highway |
| Cadillac STS |
8 cylinder |
4.6 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
15 city |
24 highway |
| Volvo S60 R AWD |
5 cylinder |
2.5 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
15 city |
23 highway |
| Volvo S80 AWD |
8 cylinder |
4.4 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
15 city |
23 highway |
| Cadillac CTS |
8 cylinder |
6 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
14 city |
22 highway |
| Audi S4 |
8 cylinder |
4.2 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
14 city |
21 highway |
| Audi S4 |
8 cylinder |
4.2 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
13 city |
20 highway |
| Audi RS4 |
8 cylinder |
4.2 liter |
Manual (6) |
Premium |
13 city |
20 highway |
| Cadillac STS |
8 cylinder |
4.4 liter |
Automatic (6) |
Premium |
12 city |
19 highway |
Convertibles