Lexus launched with two models, the all-new, groundbreaking LS and the ES. Though many derided the latter as “just a Camry with a fancy badge,” and assumed it would go the way of the Chevrolet-based Cadillac Cimmaron, the ES has been a sales success, and for 2013 is entering its sixth generation. The new car is more closely related to the Toyota Avalon, which has been built on a stretched version of the Camry platform. Hoping to achieve the same, Lincoln based its MKZ on the Ford Fusion. For 2013 the upper-midsize Lincoln has also been redesigned. How do their prices compare to each other, competitors, and the cars on which they’re based?

 

Upper-Midsize Near-Luxury Sedans with leather, sunroof, nav, premium audio, 18-inch wheels

Model	Engine	Base Price	Adjustment	Net Price	Difference
Lexus ES 350	268hp 3.5L V6	46,450
Acura TL Advance	280hp 3.5L V6	42,730	+3,175	45,905	-545
Nissan Maxima SV	290hp 3.5L V6	39,810	+4,915	44,725	-1,725
Lincoln MKZ Reserve	300hp 3.7L V6	43,375	-1,385	41,990	-4,460
Buick LaCrosse	303hp 3.6L V6	37,435	+3,315	40,750	-5,700
Hyundai Azera (2012)	293hp 3.3L V6	36,875	+1,530	38,405	-8,045

 

What do these numbers tell us? First, that the Lexus is clearly the most expensive car in the bunch, even after adjusting for its additional features. (It partly has all of these additional features because Lexus forces you to order quite a few things you might not want to get those you do.) Second, only the new MKZ is as thoroughly equipped as the new ES. Though the Azera isn’t far off, the Acura, Buick, and Nissan aren’t quite playing in the same game. This is partly because they’re older designs, and so don’t have the latest and greatest tech, but also because the Buick and Nissan especially are more near-near-luxury than near-luxury.

How much do the fancy badges cost? Pricing hasn’t been released yet for the 2013 Toyota Avalon, so for now we’ll look only at the MKZ, this time with the 240-horsepower turbocharged four it shares with the Fusion:

 

MKZ vs. Fusion with leather, sunroof, nav, premium audio, 18-inch wheels

Model	Engine	Base Price	Adjustment	Net Price	Difference
Lincoln MKZ Reserve	240hp 2.0L I4 turbo	42,175
Ford Fusion Titanium	240hp 2.0L I4 turbo	32,685	+3,960	36,645	-5,530

 

So the Ford lists for nearly $10,000 less, but the Lincoln has additional features that reduce the gap to $5,530. Is the Lincoln’s additional luxury and one-year-longer warranty worth this?