Are Mercury and Buick luxury brands?

[Gofishus]

On wikipedia it says they are entry level luxury brands, but who are they competing with? Lexus? BMW? Toyota? And are they really much more upscale than a Ford or Chevy? Why would a consumer go for them rather than Cadillac or Lincoln or entry level Mercedes?

[gherikill]

They compete with Lexus, Infinti and Acura. Chrysler is also entry level lux.

[Jon Lai]

They're "wanna-be" luxury brands. Why I say that is because their prices reflect this - for the same price you could pick a Ford or a Mercury.

For Ford, luxury would be Lincoln, although even with that it doesn't cost that much more. The "luxury" brands for American cars doesn't have as much luxury over their standard models as, say Japanese cars. For example, Toyota and Lexus are in totally different price ranges.

[Gofishus]

They compete with Lexus, Infinti and Acura. Chrysler is also entry level lux.

What does 'entry-level' luxury mean? If a Buick or Chrysler competes with Lexus, doesn't that mean Lexus is 'entry level' lux as well? Then who does Lincoln and Cadillac compete with? The definition is ambiguous. I highly doubt that people consider Lexus and Acura on par with Buick, Chrysler and Mercury. That also implies that Cadillac and Lincoln compete with 'tier one' brands like BMW, Benz and Audi.

[Buggy166]

entry lux are usually cars that start at around 50k base...price wise anyways...for a regular sedan. goes up from there. Pure luxury usually starting i think around 100k? maybe 80k? base.

thats the usual trend.

[Jon Lai]

entry lux are usually cars that start at around 50k base...price wise anyways...for a regular sedan. goes up from there. Pure luxury usually starting i think around 100k? maybe 80k? base.

thats the usual trend.

But Mercury has offerings available well under 50K... and so does Chrysler.

And what about Lexus? They have offerings from 40K to 500K. BMW and Mercedes has offerings from low 30K as well.

[gherikill]

What does 'entry-level' luxury mean? If a Buick or Chrysler competes with Lexus, doesn't that mean Lexus is 'entry level' lux as well? Then who does Lincoln and Cadillac compete with? The definition is ambiguous. I highly doubt that people consider Lexus and Acura on par with Buick, Chrysler and Mercury. That also implies that Cadillac and Lincoln compete with 'tier one' brands like BMW, Benz and Audi.

Buick is really close to Lexus now in Fit and finish, basically entry level lux means base model with leather, some cool gadgets and some sound deadening.

CAddy is definitely competing with Tier one brands Lincoln used to but have fallen behind.

[zivan56]

Buick is really close to Lexus now in Fit and finish, basically entry level lux means base model with leather, some cool gadgets and some sound deadening.

CAddy is definitely competing with Tier one brands Lincoln used to but have fallen behind.

Just from looking at pictures of the latest Buick model (2010 LaCrosse/Allure for example)...you can see the interior gap tolerances are really high and the materials are lackluster to say the least (plastic/vinyl?). Even the base IS, which is the cheapest Lexus, has better build quality along with fit and finish.
Not to mention the LaCrosse/Allure is almost a direct copy of the Lexus GS.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/13163307/112_0901_06z+2010_buick_lacrosse+side_view.jpg
http://www.lincah.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/2009-lexus-gs-460-rear-side-588x441.jpg

Cadilliac is somewhat better...at least they have bolder designs and don't copy. I would put them near Lexus with some higher end models in terms of build quality. But reliability of either is still up in the air...I personally wouldn't come near them without a lease.

[JohnB]

Mercury and Buick are 100% not luxury brands...

Ive never seen one of those cars in my life and thought "wow what money and luxury to be driving a car like that it must be a CEO!!!!!" :D

[McLaren]

In china Buick is considered luxury

[noob666]

american car = /= luxury

[jed]

Just from looking at pictures of the latest Buick model (2010 LaCrosse/Allure for example)...you can see the interior gap tolerances are really high and the materials are lackluster to say the least (plastic/vinyl?). Even the base IS, which is the cheapest Lexus, has better build quality along with fit and finish.
Not to mention the LaCrosse/Allure is almost a direct copy of the Lexus GS.

http://image.motortrend.com/f/13163307/112_0901_06z+2010_buick_lacrosse+side_view.jpg
http://www.lincah.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/2009-lexus-gs-460-rear-side-588x441.jpg

Cadilliac is somewhat better...at least they have bolder designs and don't copy. I would put them near Lexus with some higher end models in terms of build quality. But reliability of either is still up in the air...I personally wouldn't come near them without a lease.

Wow, if I`m spending near 50 grand on a car the last thing I`m doing is relying on pictures for details like fit and finish. And, materials used for interiors is an extremely objective opinion. For any name brand.

If you`re going to compare models, I would rather hear from someone who has sat, felt and driven the unit, than what I might say from looking at it from a picture. But hey, maybe I`m just being rational.

[weedb0y]

Cadillac and Lincoln do compete with Tier ones.

Escalade, CTS, STS

MKZ, MKX, Navigator, Aviator etc..

I still remember my buddy's white Navigator with white leather, damn that was a sweet SUV.

[ES_Revenge]

No they are just uplevel makes for their respective manufacturers, but not exacly "luxury" as you would consider a luxury automobile.

Ford's lux division is Lincoln, GM's is Cadillac. Yes there's perhaps some crossover with Buicks but not so much with Mercury (which doesn't really exist in Canada anymore anyway, right?). Buick you could think of as a stop-gap or in-betweener I suppose, but it's not really a luxury brand, as mentioned.

Mainstream lux makes/brands I can think of off the top of my head:

Cadillac
Lexus
Infiniti
Lincoln
Volvo
Land Rover
Jaguar
BMW
Audi
Mercedes-Benz
Acura

Even higher end goes into stuff like:
Maserati
Rolls Royce
Bentley
Maybach
etc.

Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, etc. probably fit in there somewhere but they are more along the lines of exotic [sports] cars that aren't really luxurious for the most part.


Not to mention the LaCrosse/Allure is almost a direct copy of the Lexus GS.
:rolleyes: There's always gotta be a "WTF comment" somehere eh? LOL. Yeah the LaCrosse/Allure such a direct copy of the GS. You know with it being a rear driver /longitudinal arrangement just like the GS right? Can't forget the V8 offered in the LaCrosse either along with that hybrid model... Yeah definitely a direct copy!

[zivan56]

Wow, if I`m spending near 50 grand on a car the last thing I`m doing is relying on pictures for details like fit and finish. And, materials used for interiors is an extremely objective opinion. For any name brand.

If you`re going to compare models, I would rather hear from someone who has sat, felt and driven the unit, than what I might say from looking at it from a picture. But hey, maybe I`m just being rational.

Not comparing any models, just talking about the quality in general. The pictures were just to show that Buick is in the copying game. Even the interior controls and trays are basically a copy on the Allure from the GS. Not that they are in the same class or comparable for that matter.

Here you go:

Interior:
http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/images/buick/2010-buick-lacrosse/x10bu_lc037.jpg

That picture shows more details than you ever could see unless it is a bright, clear, day with the car having light coming in from all windows.

Like the pricier CTS sedan from sister brand Cadillac, the LaCrosse's dashboard is trimmed in a leather-like material with stitched seams and padded finishes

http://www.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?revid=55120&makeid=7&modelid=7631&year=2010&revlogtype=20&section=reviews

Not objective at all.

I agree driving it and seeing it is a necessity, but that picture alone and various reviews just shows that Buick is using cheap materials and definitely not in the same class. Who said anything about buying based solely on reviews and picture???

[zzz3]

On wikipedia it says they are entry level luxury brands, but who are they competing with? Lexus? BMW? Toyota? And are they really much more upscale than a Ford or Chevy? Why would a consumer go for them rather than Cadillac or Lincoln or entry level Mercedes?

i dont know about mercury, but i guess it can be said for buick back in the day. Lexus is now buick, but perfected :lol:...

[Engi-Nir]

Buick competes with Lexus, but Lexus is higher up, although buick has consistently compared in reliability, but Lexus is still Lexus ;) I think Caddy CTS/coupe has a better chance of competing with tier 1 brands. Buick is luxury in China and sells really well over there, here not so except for Enclave, lots on the road.

Someone who was comparing the Buick's interior, did you actually sit in one? the fit and finish is impressive now a days on Buicks, starting from Enclave. CTS did an awesome job and now that is reflected on the newer GM vehicles.


I remember seeing a while back,
Tier 1 (this only comprised of the three below)
Lexus, bmw, mercedes


Obviousily, Jag/landrovers/etc are luxury, but I think they are higher up there cause of their crazy price range.

2010 Lacrosse
http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/7/b/u/1/gm_10lacrosse_leftfrt.jpg http://image.automobilemag.com/f/12817348+w750+st0/0901_01z+2010_buick_laCrosse+interior_view.jpg


upcoming 2011 Buick Regal for America
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/2008-buick-regal-china-side.jpg http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/2008-buick-regal-china-interior.jpg

[ES_Revenge]

Not comparing any models, just talking about the quality in general. The pictures were just to show that Buick is in the copying game. Even the interior controls and trays are basically a copy on the Allure from the GS. Not that they are in the same class or comparable for that matter.

Here you go:

Interior:
http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/images/buick/2010-buick-lacrosse/x10bu_lc037.jpg
Not sure what the emphasised mention of the artificial leather on the dash/doors means at all. Even Audi doesn't use real leather for some of their trim (depending on model), so the fact that Buick doesn't is meaningless and does not point to any deficiency in quality IMO.

What I do think is the problem with that interior is the damn cheap looking garbagy plasti-chrome GM continues to plaster into their models--ugh :mad: That and the stupid wood trim which is always crap looking, real or not, and in any car anywhere. Steering wheel is a tad bulky too and I'd rather see one spoke at the bottom than that split spoke thingy, but hey there are worse steering wheels out there : cough : Ford : cough : Volvo : cough :

but that picture alone and various reviews just shows that Buick is using cheap materials
No, not really. :confused:

Though GM is calling it a "Lexus figher" I don't think they mean that entirely as the LaCrosse/Allure being a direct competitor to the GS. It's more like a lower-cost alternative; or, more of a competitor for a lower end Lexus like the ES.

CTS did an awesome job and now that is reflected on the newer GM vehicles.
CTS interior is great, but one thing ruins it for me. Can you guess what it is? LOL. Yep it's that damn cheap looking chrome garbage they adorn the interior with. WHY? WHY GM? Why do such nonsense?


2010 Lacrosse
http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/7/b/u/1/gm_10lacrosse_leftfrt.jpg http://image.automobilemag.com/f/12817348+w750+st0/0901_01z+2010_buick_laCrosse+interior_view.jpg


upcoming 2011 Buick Regal for America
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/2008-buick-regal-china-side.jpg http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/2008-buick-regal-china-interior.jpg
So from those pics, it looks like the the Regal will be a lower-end version of the LaCrosse/Allure? Why is it that GM still has this obsession with making two Buicks on the same platform in this class? Before we had the Century and the Regal, and now it seems that since the LaCrosse/Allure has taken the place of those cars now GM has to re-introduce the Regal as if it were how the Century was to the Regal before? :confused: I guess you can restructure the hell out of GM and even chop off a division or two, but that still won't stop them from unnecessary badge engineering :rolleyes: I do appreciate the revival of the Regal name, but c'mon just replace the LaCrosse/Allure name with Regal if you want to do that. Don't make another model in the same damn make that's the same car. :mad:

[motomondo]

i dont know about mercury, but i guess it can be said for buick back in the day. Lexus is now buick, but perfected :lol:...

Good post!





Back to the OP's questions: Are Mercury and Buick luxury brands?

The answer is in the form of a question, how do you define luxury?

Currently, any brand has models available with leather seats, power-everything, A/C, auto transmission, navigation, etc. ANY brand... even Kia. Does it mean they are selling luxury cars?

Or does the car need to be big like a boat to be considered luxury?
Or do you need a marketing campaign to make you believe the car is in the luxury category?

:razz: It's all in the eye of the beholder...

[Jon Lai]

Buick competes with Lexus, but Lexus is higher up, although buick has consistently compared in reliability, but Lexus is still Lexus ;) I think Caddy CTS/coupe has a better chance of competing with tier 1 brands. Buick is luxury in China and sells really well over there, here not so except for Enclave, lots on the road.

Someone who was comparing the Buick's interior, did you actually sit in one? the fit and finish is impressive now a days on Buicks, starting from Enclave. CTS did an awesome job and now that is reflected on the newer GM vehicles.


I remember seeing a while back,
Tier 1 (this only comprised of the three below)
Lexus, bmw, mercedes


Obviousily, Jag/landrovers/etc are luxury, but I think they are higher up there cause of their crazy price range.

2010 Lacrosse
http://z.about.com/d/cars/1/7/b/u/1/gm_10lacrosse_leftfrt.jpg http://image.automobilemag.com/f/12817348+w750+st0/0901_01z+2010_buick_laCrosse+interior_view.jpg


upcoming 2011 Buick Regal for America
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/2008-buick-regal-china-side.jpg http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/2008-buick-regal-china-interior.jpg

But Buicks still look like old geezer's cars to me. When I think of Buick, I think of old pap and granny in their 70-80's driving below speed limit on their Buicks. Their never-changing grille doesn't impress me either.

Lexus and Mercedes also has the very "old" look but nowhere close to what Buick comes across as. Their old look is more of a "mature" look, while BMW and Audi would obviously take the 30's area. :P

[Gofishus]

In china Buick is considered luxury

If Buick is considered Luxury over there, what would they think of Jaguars and Aston Martins? lol

[bsmmmm]

Mercury is no longer a brand here in canada, as far as I'm concerned they are not luxury cars and simply a Ford with more chrome. That being said, I love my Marauder...;0

[bluedcfive]

Are Mercury and Buick luxury brands?


no!

Its like H&M vs. Holts. Get it?