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Compact executive car

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A compact executive car, also known as a compact luxury car, is a premium car larger than a premium compact and smaller than an executive car. Compact executive car is a UK term and a part of the D-segment in the European car classification.

An executive car generally needs to be comfortable and well-equipped while also being cheap to run as a company car.[1] They may have performance features and are often viewed as status symbols. A high percentage of the "executive cars" market share consists of corporate-owned cars, or vehicles provided by a firm for the business and sometimes private use by employees.[2]

Cars related to the term by country

United States

2016 Cadillac ATS
2016 Cadillac ATS

The "compact executive car" description is not often used in the United States, but it describes certain models imported from Europe.[3]

The Cadillac ATS has been described as a compact executive car.[4][5][6] The ATS was succeeded by the Cadillac CT4.

Before the ATS, a heavily badge engineered version of the Saab 9-3 was sold in Europe as the Cadillac BLS (2005–2009). The BLS was both developed and manufactured by Saab in Trollhättan, Sweden. The model was never sold in the Northern American market. Cadillac's previous attempt at a compact executive car for the US market was the Cimarron manufactured in between 1981–1988. The Cimarron is largely consider to be a market failure and also at least partially responsible for the market struggles that Cadillac faced during and after its production.[7]

United Kingdom

1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint
1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint

The 1971 Triumph Dolomite is an early compact executive car.[8][9]

Jaguar's first compact executive car (although larger than the 1960s' Jaguar Mark 2) was the 2001 Jaguar X-Type.[10] Sales, however, were disappointing.[11] The X-type was replaced by the Jaguar XE in 2014, competing in the same sector.[10]

Italy

Alfa Romeo Giulia (1962–1978)
Alfa Romeo Giulia (1962–1978)

Alfa Romeo's models 75 and 155 are considered compact executive cars in the United Kingdom.[12] The 1996 Alfa Romeo 156 has been classified as such.[13][14] This was followed by the Alfa Romeo 159 and then the Giulia (Type 952).[13]

An early compact executive car from Lancia is the 1972 Lancia Beta (Type 828). The Beta morphed into the Lancia Trevi, which was produced from 1980 to 1984. Following an absence from the segment for five years, Lancia returned in 1989 when the Lancia Dedra replaced the smaller Lancia Prisma. The Dedra was replaced by the Lancia Lybra, which was produced from 1998 to 2005.[15]

Germany

1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E
1993 Mercedes-Benz 190E

An early compact executive car produced in Germany was the 1966 BMW 02 Series, followed by the BMW 3 Series in 1975.

In 1965 Audi introduced their first compact executive model Audi 72.

The 1983 Mercedes-Benz W201 range (also known as the "Mercedes-Benz 190") was the first compact executive car from Mercedes-Benz.[16] In 1993, the W201 was replaced by the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range.[17][18]

France

Citroën DS5, 2013
Citroën DS5, 2013

DS Automobiles offers a compact executive with its DS 4 hatchback. From earlier models also the larger DS 5 (sold until 2018) could be considered a compact executive car.[19] The DS brand used to be a sub-marque of Citroën, and thus earlier model years (before 2015 for the DS 4 and DS 5, but the change depends on the model) carry the Citroën logo. The smallest model offered by DS has been the DS 3 (sold until 2019), which could be condired to be a subcompact or even supermini executive car. The current DS 3 Crossback differs from the earlier model substantially, as it is a small crossover SUV.

Sweden

2019 Volvo S60
2019 Volvo S60

The Volvo S60 as well as its estate version Volvo V60 are considered to be compact executive cars.[20][21]

Saab Automobile, which went defunct in 2011, had the 9-3 -model which was a compact executive car. Based on heavily modified GM engines and platforms, the 9-3 was available as a convertible, hatchback (first generation), sedan (second generation) and station wagon (second generation). The 9-3 had a wide variety of both petrol and diesel engine options. Most of the petrol engines were turbocharged and supported the use of ethanol fuel, which were both relatively uncommon features for a mass production car in the 00's. The 9-3 also had high emphasis on car safety, which was a high priority in the design of all Saab cars. Also the previous Saab 99 and Saab 900 could be considered as compact executive cars at some markets, while especially in Northern Europe these models were more commonly seen as ordinary small family cars.

Japan

2019 Lexus IS
2019 Lexus IS

An early compact executive car produced in Japan was the 1988 Mazda Persona / Eunos 300.[22] The first Japanese compact executive car to be successful in overseas markets is the 1998 Lexus IS / Toyota Altezza.[23][24]

Other Japanese compact executive cars include the Infiniti Q50 (by Nissan),[25] Acura TLX (by Honda)[26][27][28] and Mazda Xedos 6.[29]

South Korea

Genesis G70 2.0L
Genesis G70 2.0L

Compact executive cars produced in South Korea include the Genesis G70.

Discover more about Cars related to the term by country related topics

Cadillac ATS

Cadillac ATS

The Cadillac ATS is a compact premium 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe manufactured and marketed by Cadillac and developed at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Cadillac assembles the ATS at the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan.

Cadillac CT4

Cadillac CT4

The Cadillac CT4 is a sedan manufactured and marketed by Cadillac. It replaced the Cadillac ATS sedan and sits below the CT5 in Cadillac's lineup. The CT4-V was unveiled first on May 30, 2019, followed by the standard CT4 four months later. Cadillac assembles the CT4 at the Lansing Grand River Assembly plant in Lansing, Michigan, as well as in SAIC-GM Jinqiao plant in China.

Cadillac BLS

Cadillac BLS

The Cadillac BLS is a compact executive car that was marketed in Europe by Cadillac, sharing General Motors' Epsilon architecture, as a restyled variant of the Saab 9-3. Development was carried out by Saab and the car was manufactured in Trollhättan, Sweden, alongside the Saab 9-3 and the Saab 9-5. Sales of the saloon began in March 2006, with an estate joining the line for 2007. Starting in 2007, the BLS was sold in the Middle East, Mexico, South Africa and South Korea. It was never sold in the United States or in Canada.

Cadillac Cimarron

Cadillac Cimarron

The Cadillac Cimarron is an entry-level luxury car manufactured and marketed by the Cadillac division of General Motors for model years 1982–1988 over a single generation, with a mild facelift in 1985.

Jaguar Mark 2

Jaguar Mark 2

The Jaguar Mark 2 is a mid-sized luxury sports saloon built from late 1959 to 1967 by Jaguar in Coventry, England. The previous Jaguar 2.4 Litre and 3.4 Litre models made between 1955 and 1959 are identified as Mark 1 Jaguars.

Jaguar X-Type

Jaguar X-Type

The Jaguar X-Type is a front-engine, all-wheel/front-wheel drive compact executive car manufactured and marketed by Jaguar Cars from 2001 to 2009 under the internal designation X400, for a single generation, in sedan/saloon and wagon/estate body styles. In addition to offering Jaguar's first station wagon/estate in series production, the X-Type would ultimately introduce its first diesel engine, four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive configuration.

Jaguar XE

Jaguar XE

The Jaguar XE (X760) is a rear or all-wheel drive, front-engine, four-door compact executive car manufactured and marketed by Jaguar Land Rover, under their Jaguar marque. The successor to the X-Type, it was designed by Ian Callum and launched at the October 2014 Paris Motor Show. Production started in April 2015.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo Giulia is the name of three not directly related models by the Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo. The first is a line of sporty four-door compact executive cars produced from 1962 to 1978, the second is an updated, mainly up-engined Spider, Sprint and Sprint Speciale Giuliettas, and the third Giulia is a compact executive car unveiled in 2015.

Alfa Romeo 156

Alfa Romeo 156

The Alfa Romeo 156 is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer Alfa Romeo. It was introduced at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show as the replacement for the Alfa Romeo 155. The 156 received a positive reception and in the following year went on to win the 1998 European Car of the Year award. The 156 saloon was discontinued in Europe late in 2005, while the Q4 Crosswagon continued in production until the end of 2007.

Alfa Romeo 159

Alfa Romeo 159

The Alfa Romeo 159 is a compact executive car manufactured and marketed by Alfa Romeo between 2004 and 2011. Introduced at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, as a replacement for the 156, the 159 used the GM/Fiat Premium platform, shared with the Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider as well as the Kamal and Visconti concept cars.

Alfa Romeo Giulia (952)

Alfa Romeo Giulia (952)

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a compact executive car produced by the Italian automobile manufacturer Alfa Romeo. It was unveiled in June 2015, with market launch scheduled for February 2016, and it is the first saloon offered by Alfa Romeo after the production of the 159 ended in 2011. The Giulia is also the first mass-market Alfa Romeo vehicle in over two decades to use a longitudinal rear-wheel drive platform, since the 75 which was discontinued in 1992. The Giulia was second in 2017 European Car of the Year voting and was named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 2018. In 2018, Giulia was awarded the Compasso d'Oro industrial design award.

Lancia Beta

Lancia Beta

The Lancia Beta was an entry-level luxury car produced by Italian car manufacturer Lancia from 1972 to 1984. It was the first new model introduced by Lancia after it had been taken over by Fiat in 1969.

Subcompact executive cars

Subcompact executive cars, also called premium compacts, is the category of the smallest premium cars. It is part of the C-segment in the European car classification. Examples include the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and CLA-Class, Audi A3, Volvo S40, BMW 1 Series, and 2 Series. Premium compacts compete with well-equipped mid-size cars, and highly optioned premium compact cars can have pricing and features that overlaps with compact executive cars.

Discover more about Subcompact executive cars related topics

C-segment

C-segment

The C-segment is the 3rd category of the European segments for passenger cars and is described as "medium cars". It is equivalent to the Euro NCAP "small family car" size class, and the compact car category in the United States.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a compact car produced by the German automobile manufacturer Mercedes-Benz as the brand's entry-level vehicle. The first generation was introduced in 1997, the second generation (W169) in late 2004 and the third generation (W176) in 2012. The fourth generation model (W177), which was launched in 2018, marked the first time the A-Class was offered in the United States and Canada. This fourth generation A-Class is also the first to be offered both as a hatchback (W177) and sedan (V177).

Audi A3

Audi A3

The Audi A3 is a subcompact executive/small family car (C-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi AG since September 1996, currently in its fourth generation.

Volvo S40

Volvo S40

The Volvo S40 is a series of compact and mid-size automobiles marketed and produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1995 to 2012, offered as a more mainstream alternative to the Volvo S60 to compete in a lower pricing bracket. The S40 was more or less positioned against premium-leaning small family cars like the Volkswagen Jetta as well as some mass-market large family cars.

BMW 1 Series

BMW 1 Series

The BMW 1 Series is a range of subcompact executive cars (C-segment) manufactured by BMW since 2004. It is the successor to the BMW 3 Series Compact and is currently in its third generation. Positioned as the entry level model in BMW range of products, the first generation was produced in hatchback, coupé and convertible body styles.

BMW 2 Series

BMW 2 Series

The BMW 2 Series is a range of subcompact executive cars (C-segment) manufactured by BMW since 2014. The 2 Series was created when BMW spun-off the 2-door models of the BMW 1 Series into a separate series.

Source: "Compact executive car", Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, (2023, March 19th), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_executive_car.

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See also
References
  1. ^ "Best executive cars 2021". What Car?. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Executive Cars: Europe". statista.com. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  3. ^ Jacobs, Andrew James (2016). The new domestic automakers in the United States and Canada: history, impacts, and prospects. Lexington Books. pp. 160, 169–170, 331, 412. ISBN 9780739188262.
  4. ^ "A 505HP Cadillac ATS-V May Be on the Horizon". motor1.com. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  5. ^ "2020 Cadillac CT5 Sedan Will Replace ATS, CTS, XTS". autoevolution.com. 30 July 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  6. ^ "2018 Cadillac ATS Sedan Review, Trims, Specs and Price". carbuzz.com. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  7. ^ "The 50 Worst Cars of All Time – TIME".
  8. ^ Bremner, Richard (4 March 2019). "Wolves in sheep's clothing: the Q cars". autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  9. ^ "Icon of icons: Autocar Awards Readers' Champion – BMW 3 Series". Autocar. Retrieved 12 July 2019. But it set the template. Other cars might have made the market for what would eventually be known as the compact executive saloon. One was Alfa Romeo's 1962 Giulia saloon, another the 1971 Triumph Dolomite, but their makers failed to fully capitalise, leaving BMW to develop the compact, sporty two-door saloon that was the E21 3 Series of 1975.
  10. ^ a b "Jaguar X-Type Model Description, History and Parts Information". Jagbits. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Jaguar X-type Facelift". 16 July 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  12. ^ Foskett, Robert (2013). Alfa Romeo 916 GTV and Spider: The Complete Story. Crowood. ISBN 9781847975331. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  13. ^ a b Lee, Daryl (11 May 2018). "Car Review: Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce is quite easily the best handling executive saloon". Singapore: Robb Report. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  14. ^ "Compact Executives". autoexpress.co.uk. 11 June 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2021. Let battle commence. Up for grabs is the title of world's best compact executive car – an award BMW's 3-Series has made its own since the launch of the current fifth generation in 2005. [...] Waiting in the wings to snap up buyers with an eye for style, value and individuality is the Alfa Romeo 159 2.4 JTD.
  15. ^ "As the final Lancia Lybra rolls out of the Mirafiori factory this month after a six-year stint, we pay tribute to this excellent, yet underrated, bearer of the famous shield". italiaspeed.com. 20 June 2005. Retrieved 28 February 2019. The Lybra's death brings to an end, at least temporarily, Lancia's offerings in the compact executive class, a line which stretches back from the Lybra to the Dedra, Prisma, Beta and Flavia/2000.
  16. ^ Car: The Definitive Visual History of the Automobile. DK Publishing. 2011. p. 15. ISBN 9780756689384. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  17. ^ Pattni, Vijay (11 March 2014). "A brief history of the Mercedes C-Class". topgear.com. BBC. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  18. ^ Crouch, Jonathan (1 April 2009). "Mercedes-Benz C-Class (1993–2000) used car review". rac.co.uk. RAC Motoring Services. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  19. ^ "10 of the best compact executive cars". RAC Motoring Services. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 11 February 2017.
  20. ^ Jonathan Lopez: A Swedish challenger for the German titan, 28 June 2018, retrieved 21 March 2019
  21. ^ Jordan Katsianis: New Volvo V60 estate aims its crosshairs at compact executive rivals, 22 February 2018, retrieved 21 March 2019
  22. ^ "Detailed specs review of 1989 Eunos 300 2000DOHC offered since October 1989 for Japan". automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  23. ^ "Car Reviews: Lexus IS200 Sport – The AA". theaa.com. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  24. ^ "Lexus IS200". autoexpress.co.uk. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  25. ^ "10 of the best compact executive cars". raccars.co.uk. RAC Motoring Services. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 3 March 2019. The Infiniti Q50 is a forgotten compact executive contender. It's Nissan's successful upmarket brand taking on Europe with a dedicated compact saloon model, and there are several attractions such as a high-quality interior and gadget-packed cockpit. Another non-obvious choice.
  26. ^ "The History and Evolution of the Acura TLX". moneyinc.com. 12 December 2018.
  27. ^ "Acura's 2018 TLX a bargain of an entry-level luxury sedan". boston.com. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  28. ^ "We drove a $54,000 Audi A4 and a $46,000 Acura TLX to see which luxury sedan we liked better — here's the verdict". businessinsider.com.au. 12 April 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  29. ^ Jonathan Crouch (10 October 2005). "Mazda Xedos 6 (1992–1999) used car review". raccars.co.uk. RAC Motoring Services. Retrieved 2 March 2019. The Xedos 6 was the car that launched the Xedos (pronounced 'ker-see-dos') brand back in 1992, Mazda's attempt to break into the BMW, Mercedes and Audi-dominated compact executive saloon sector.

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