Cadillac Catera Vs. Lexus ES 300 Vs. Mitsubishi Diamante LS

For all the glitz and glamour of the high-end luxury sedans, the real activity in the upscale marketplace is among the "mainstream luxury" machines, which combine cushy amenities with modest pricetags. We favor the "mainstream luxury" moniker over the "near luxury" or "entry-level luxury" terms commonly bandied about, simply because the mainstream luxury terminology describes this group of cars based on what they are, instead of how near they are to something else. But regardless of what you call them, the segment is most accurately described by price-the one language everybody understands. In the $29,000 to $40,000 range, you'll find the top-selling models: appealing entries from a wide range of manufacturers. And for '97, there are three new/reengineered entries (from Cadillac, Lexus, and Mitsubishi) that beg your close scrutiny. We've gathered them here for your perusal.

With the step up to the mainstream luxury class, you rightfully expect a better grade of treatment for the extra $5000 to $15,000 you plunk down relative to a midlevel family sedan. That extra money buys lots of nice stuff in this value-oriented trio. Although they differ in execution, all deliver plenty of goodness for your green.

To give ourselves a hearty taste of the good life, we gathered heavily equipped examples of each of these new upscale sedans. All carry a base price of about $30,000, but by the time we were through with them, all had been optioned up to the mid-$30Ks. Each is equipped with the sorts of irresistible options that seem like must-haves when you're optioning out your personal near-lux conveyance. But hey, if you're going to the expense of moving up from a Taurus or Accord, why stop just short of nirvana?

The PlayersWe've been hearing about Cadillac's first entry in this class for more than a year. The Catera was developed jointly with GM's Adam Opel in Germany. Based on the acclaimed Opel Omega MV6, the Catera is built in Ruesselsheim, Germany. The car's basic architecture runs counter to that of the rest of Cadillac's current product line and to that of most of its competition. Its DOHC V-6 engine sits longitudinally in the engine bay and drives the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission. A special dealer training program and a set of new customer treatment standards are aimed at keeping Catera owners satisfied.

The Catera comes standard with a brimming equipment list including traction control, dual-zone climate control, and much more. Side airbags for the front occupants will join the roster of standards this spring. An upgrade to leather seating is bundled with other niceties including a power passenger seat, and there are a handful of additional stand-alone options.

The perennially popular Lexus ES 300 returns for '97 with new styling, new technology, and new pricing. Unlike the related Toyota Camry, the ES 300 is built in Japan, not Kentucky. Functional advancements include a roomier interior, a longer wheelbase, and a more sophisticated optional suspension system. Just one trim level is offered, backed with a fairly short list of options including leather seating surfaces, Adaptive Variable Suspension, traction control, and an in-dash six-disc CD changer, among others-all of which were on our test car.

Mitsubishi's new Australian-built Diamante covers a wide slice of the marketplace with two trim levels. The affordable ES handles the entry-level duties, while the LS is targeted squarely at the mainstream luxury market. Our LS test car has two major option packages, the Luxury Group and the Luxury Convenience Group, along with an optional trunk-mounted CD changer. Regardless of trim level, the Diamante benefits from a new, larger interior and a standard 3.5-liter SOHC V-6 engine-the largest in the class.