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Best-Selling Luxury Cars of 2016 . . . So Far
Of the 20 most popular luxury cars sold in the first eight months of 2016, only two models show an increase in overall sales compared to the same time period in 2015. Luxury brands such as BMW and Lexus are buoyed by strong SUV sales, but car sales are dragging numbers down for these brands, having declined 8 and 5 percent, respectively, compared to the same time period in 2015.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Growing Brands
However, the news is not all bad for luxury brands. Jaguar saw a 189 percent increase in sales compared to August of 2015, making this the best August for the British marque since 2004, thanks in part to the introduction of the all-new F-Pace and XE. Year-to-date sales have also been impressive — with an increase of 73 percent compared to 2015, Jaguar is growing faster than any other luxury brand in the U.S. market. Volvo, Land Rover and Lincoln are also seeing strong growth this year versus 2015. Here’s a look at the best-selling luxury cars in America after the first eight months of 2016, according to numbers compiled from individual auto manufacturers’ sales reports and goodcarbadcar.net.
© General Motors
20. Cadillac CTS
YTD Sales: 10,645
Vs. 2015: -17.7%
The third generation of Cadillac’s sport sedan was introduced as a 2014 model, with completely new styling and engine options to take on the established European luxury sedans. Even though CTS offers the latest high-tech features as well as the extreme performance CTS-V boasting a 640-horsepower supercharged engine, sales are down compared to a year ago.
© American Honda Motors
19. Acura ILX
YTD Sales: 10,831
Vs. 2015: -7.8%
The ILX is the lowest-priced entry in the Acura lineup. The small sedan had strong sales at the beginning of the year, but has recently experienced a downturn — August sales decreased almost 30 percent compared to the same month in 2015. The 2016 model has a new 2.4-liter direct-injection engine that produces 201 horsepower, providing a 51-horsepower increase over the outgoing 2.0-liter engine. The new engine is mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with a torque converter and paddle-shift Sequential Sport Shift. Exterior styling is also updated with a new grille, front fascia, rear LED combination lights and 17-inch 10-spoke aluminum alloy wheels.
© BMW AG
18. BMW 2 Series
YTD Sales: 11,493
Vs. 2015: 55.4%
BMW’s small entry-luxury model for the U.S. market, the 2 Series joined the lineup as a 2014 model replacing the 1 Series. The 2 Series is a modern example of the type of sporty, agile, fun-to-drive car on which BMW built its reputation in the 1960s. Although sales in August were down almost 30 percent compared to August of 2015, overall the 2 Series is one of the few luxury models to have higher sales so far in 2016 than the previous year.
© Mercedes-Benz USA
17. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
YTD Sales: 11,974
Vs. 2015: -14.7%
This year saw the best August sales ever for Mercedes-Benz, but the credit for this success goes to the brand’s SUVs. Across the board Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales have declined — the flagship S-Class was down 17 percent in August compared to 2015. There are a number of different S-Class models available, including the luxurious Maybach, high-performance AMG S63 / S65, and for the first time a plug-in hybrid. Earlier this year Mercedes also added a convertible to the S-Class lineup.
© Audi USA
16. Audi A6
YTD Sales: 12,110
Vs. 2015: -21.2%
Audi has done an amazing job with vehicle design in the past few years, making the A6 one of the most attractive luxury sedans on the market. However, Audi has not seen much sales growth this year from its sedans — only the A4 had a sales increase in August. The A6 can be equipped with the latest safety technologies designed to help drivers avoid collisions. Two engine options are available: a 252-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter or a supercharged V6 delivering 333 horsepower. Of course, the A6 is available with Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel drive system.
© General Motors
15. Cadillac XTS
YTD Sales: 12,977
Vs. 2015: -10.0%
Sales of the XTS may be down for the year, but August saw a jump of almost 50 percent compared to last year’s sales. The big luxury sedan received a number of updates for 2016, including a new grille design, Surround Vision with a 360-degree overhead view, wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Offered with front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive, the XTS has two powerplant choices, including a 410-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 with standard all-wheel drive in the XTS Vsport.
© General Motors
14. Cadillac ATS
YTD Sales: 14,360
Vs. 2015: -13.2%
Cadillac’s compact luxury sedan debuted as a 2013 model, and the ATS coupe joined the lineup for the 2015 model year. Year-to-date sales are down, but ATS did show a slight increase for August. For 2016 the high-performance ATS-V Sedan and ATS-V Coupe have been added, boasting a 464-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6. Although these powerful models will be sold in low numbers, they will still contribute to increased overall sales.
© Mercedes-Benz USA
13. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
YTD Sales: 17,706
Vs. 2015: -16.3%
Now in its third year on the U.S. market, CLA-Class sales have been steadily declining this year; August had a drop of more than 30 percent compared to a year ago. However, Mercedes-Benz is hoping to reverse that trend when the 2017 model arrives this fall, featuring new front and rear bumpers, new wheel designs, new seat covers and chrome-plated controls inside. With front-wheel drive or available 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the small sedan is available as either the CLA250 or high-performance AMG CLA45 4MATIC .
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
12. Lincoln MKZ
YTD Sales: 20,415
Vs. 2015: 0.3%
Lincoln MKZ sales continued to hold steady in the first eight months of 2016. The redesigned 2017 model began arriving in showrooms this summer, which may be responsible for the 7 percent increase for August. The most noticeable update to the MKZ is a new front-end treatment with a grille similar to the one on the Lincoln Continental concept, flanked by adaptive LED headlights. Inside, the controls have been updated for easier access to the most common buttons and USB ports. MKZ also gets a power upgrade, featuring 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine as well as an advanced hybrid system.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
11. Audi A4
YTD Sales: 20,496
Vs. 2015: 12.0%
Audi continues to buck the downward sales trend, turning in the brand’s 68th consecutive month of record sales in America. The A4 is one of just two luxury models to show an increase in year-to-date sales, and the sport sedan had an increase of almost 17 percent in August compared to last year. These impressive results are largely due to the introduction of an all-new A4 that features crisper styling, a new horizontal grille and sharply angled headlights.
©Audi of America
10. Audi A3
YTD Sales: 22,654
Vs. 2015: -6.6%
The Audi A3 nearly maintained its sales pace for the first eight months of 2016, dropping just 5 percent after its redesign for 2015. The A3 originally arrived in the U.S. as a 2006 model in 4-door hatchback configuration only, but the 2015 model year saw the U.S. debut of the A3 Sedan and Cabriolet. An A3 Sportback eTron gasoline-electric hybrid joins the lineup for 2016, featuring a 1.4-liter engine combined with a liquid-cooled permanent-magnet electric motor for a combined output of 204 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.
© BMW of North America
9. BMW 4 Series
YTD Sales: 23,747
Vs. 2015: -23.5%
One of four BMW cars in the top 20 during first eight months of 2016 luxury car sales, the 4 Series joined the BMW lineup in 2014 when the 4 Series Coupe and Convertible replaced the 2-door 3 Series models. BMW added the 4 Series Gran Coupe (which is actually a 4-door) in 2015. The 4 Series is offered in Coupe, Gran Coupe and Convertible versions with two different engine choices and available xDrive all-wheel drive.
© Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
8. Lexus IS
YTD Sales: 24,085
Vs. 2015: -25.3%
Lexus offers two models in the entry-luxury category: the IS sport sedan and the ES luxury sedan, and both are top-10-sellers in the luxury segment. The third-generation, sport-oriented, rear-wheel-drive IS debuted as a 2015 model with more aggressive styling and the signature Lexus spindle grille. It is now offered in three trim levels defined by three different engine choices : the IS 200t, the IS 300 AWD and the IS 350 with available all-wheel drive.
© American Honda Motors
7. Acura TLX
YTD Sales: 25,632
Vs. 2015: -14.7%
The best-selling passenger car in the Acura lineup, the TLX still followed the sales trend with a drop of 17 percent in August compared to August 2015. The TLX debuted as a 2015 model, replacing the TL in the Acura lineup by combining sport-sedan performance with luxury refinement. Available in three different powertrain combinations including a powerful 3.5-liter V6 that produces 290 horsepower, the TLX is also available with Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive.
© BMW of North America
6. BMW 5 Series
YTD Sales: 26,184
Vs. 2015: -12.1%
BMW’s midsize sport sedan, the 5 Series has been successful in the highly competitive sport sedan market for dozens of years, but it took a 35 percent hit in sales during August compared to a year ago. The current sixth-generation design debuted for 2011 and a new model is slated for next year. The current lineup includes a number of different trim levels, powerplants and body styles. All versions are rear-wheel drive, with xDrive all-wheel drive available for all versions except the ActiveHybrid 5.
© Nissan North America, Inc.
5. Infiniti Q50
YTD Sales: 26,804
Vs. 2015: -4.4%
A replacement for the G sedan in the 2014 model year, the performance-oriented Q50 has rear-wheel drive standard as well as available all-wheel drive. Sales have remained mostly flat for 2016 — the Q50 had a small sales decline of 2.4 percent for the first eight months of the year. For 2016 the Q50 2.0t joins the lineup, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with available all-wheel drive. Also new for 2016 is the Q50 Red Sport 400, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.
© Mercedes-Benz USA
4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
YTD Sales: 32,752
Vs. 2015: -7.7%
Overall sales of the midsize E-Class may be down year-to-date; however, the luxury sedan saw an 18 percent increase in sales in August compared to a year ago. An all-new 2017 E-Class Sedan coming to market could have something to do with this positive note. The updated model boasts a new exterior design, a new luxurious interior and world-premiere technologies. Inside, a high-resolution display combines a wide navigation screen and a traditional gauge cluster integrated into a single unit behind the steering wheel. The new E-Class launches in the U.S. market with a new turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 241 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a new 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission as standard equipment.
© Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
3. Lexus ES
YTD Sales: 39,230
Vs. 2015: -6.1%
The Lexus ES is the best-selling passenger car in the Lexus lineup; however, with sales down almost 20 percent in August the ES contributed to the overall decline of year-to-date passenger cars sales. Lexus introduced a redesigned ES for the 2015 model year, incorporating the brand’s spindle grille as well as standard LED headlights and fog lights sculpted in at the outer corners. The ES is front-wheel drive and a hybrid version is also offered, but all-wheel drive is not an option.
© BMW of North America
2. BMW 3 Series
YTD Sales: 45,660
Vs. 2015: -24.8%
Long known as the benchmark sport sedan, the BMW 3 Series had always reigned at the top of the luxury sedan sales charts, but it experienced an uncharacteristic 42 percent sales decrease in August. For 2016 the 3 Series received minor exterior styling updates including available LED headlights, revised suspension for improved handling and new interior trim. Also new is the 340i which replaced the 335i as the top trim level, powered by a new turbocharged inline 6-cylinder that produces 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. We’ll keep a close eye on 3 Series sales in the closing months of 2016.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
1. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
YTD Sales: 49,734
Vs. 2015: -12.6%
Although C-Class sales are down nearly 13 percent for the first eight months of 2016, the compact Mercedes-Benz sedan continues as the top-selling luxury model and the best-selling vehicle in the entire Mercedes-Benz lineup. The C-Class Sedan was redesigned for the 2015 model year, and for 2016 it was joined by the C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet. In addition to the standard C300, the C-Class is available as the high-performance 469-horsepower AMG C63 S.
