Skip advert
Advertisement

'Luxury cars can be tempting, but only when the price is right'

Many manufacturers have ideas above their station but there is nothing wrong with good old-fashioned values, says Steve Fowler

OPINION-Audi A1

Let’s be honest, we all like a little bit of luxury in our lives, don’t we? That’s nowhere more apparent than in the car world, where premium brands are seen as aspirational, not only for buyers, but also for rival mainstream brands. In my view, too many of them have ideas above their station; there’s nothing wrong with a brand that offers good old-fashioned value.

Advertisement - Article continues below

That’s why I find Vauxhall boss Stephen Norman’s assertion that the British company makes “modest cars for the modest person” so refreshing. But of the many clever things the car industry has done in recent years, two of the smartest have been the premium makers who’ve given us smaller, cheaper models, and the finance gurus who thought up PCPs to make them more affordable for us to acquire.

Best luxury cars to buy

This week we’ve driven the latest Audi A1, a car that, for some years now, has offered luxury for less. The car itself is another example of the Volkswagen Group’s brilliance at platform and parts sharing – making it easier, cheaper and more lucrative for Audi to build a great small car. But it’s also the knowledge that car buyers just can’t get enough of ticking the options boxes – options that come with rather tasty profit margins.

Let’s credit MINI with kicking off the premium small car fad, but it seems people can’t get enough kit on any car. That’s why Ford’s top spec went from Titanium to Titanium X and now there are even grander Ford Vignale models. Admittedly, we scoffed at them when they were first announced, but buyers are loving them. And we have to admit that the Focus Vignale we’ve driven is the most appealing model yet. 

Which brings me to the humble PCP – probably the smartest sales tactic ever. With the focus on monthly payments, not the overall price, it makes spending more on luxury options seem spookily affordable. Oh, and it guarantees buyers return to their dealer every few years. Genius!

If you enjoyed reading Steve's column this week then click here to read his prevous one...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: grab the Vauxhall Grandland family SUV for only £169 per month while stocks last
Vauxhall Grandland - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: grab the Vauxhall Grandland family SUV for only £169 per month while stocks last

Our Deal of the Day for 3 October lets you get a fully loaded family SUV for well under £200 per month
News
3 Oct 2024
New entry-level Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD boasts 373-mile range
Tesla Model Y update 2024 - front

New entry-level Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD boasts 373-mile range

Tesla’s best-selling Model Y electric SUV now costs from £46,990 – exactly £2,000 more than before
News
4 Oct 2024
EVs outlasting ICE cars says Renault boss
Renault Zoe - front tracking

EVs outlasting ICE cars says Renault boss

Electric car batteries are holding up very well against the test of time
News
4 Oct 2024