The luxury car market has contracted and expanded with the economy for many decades, characterized by dozens of brands that have come and gone. Automakers such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz are part of an elite group of marques that have been a part of this desirable market all through its upturns and downturns. These popular badges have raked enormous profits from the market, regardless of how far their models venture from the core principles that endear car enthusiasts to the brands.
The BMW 5 Series is a popular executive car that overshadowed all its competitors in the 80s and 90s, despite numerous efforts to undercut its market shares with affordable and non-conforming alternatives. As a result, classic car enthusiasts today are spoiled for choice when choosing classic executive cars that were otherwise overlooked in the previous decades.
10 Alfa Romeo 90
The Alfa Romeo 90 was produced between 1984 and 1987. It is one of the many great beauties created by Bertone. The 90 incorporated the larger Alfa 6’s engine and utilized the Alfetta’s chassis and rear-mounted axle. This model is easily distinguished by a small chin spoiler that seemed to help cool the engine above a certain speed.
The Alfa Romeo 90 is available with five engine variants; 1,996cc or 2,492cc fuel-injected Alfa Romeo V6 engines, 1,779cc or 1,962cc Alfa Romeo Twin Can engines, and a 2,393cc VM Motori turbodiesel variant. The Alfa Romeo 90 features electrically adjustable seats, electric front windows, and a unique U-shaped parking brake lever.
9 Acura Legend
Acura introduced the flagship Legend model alongside the compact Integra hatchback, both sold as Honda in other markets outside North America. The mid-sized Legend was relatively big by Honda standards, measuring a foot longer and an inch and a half wider than the contemporary Accord model. In essence, the Legend is available as a two-door coupe and four-door sedan.
The first generation sedan model boasts a 2.5-liter C25A V6 engine that generates 151bhp, while the coupe variant has a 2.7-liter C27A engine that provides 161bhp. The Legend prides itself on being the first production Honda model to offer a V6 engine. The engine is paired to either a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.
8 Mazda Xedos 9
The Mazda Xedos 9 was built with the same size as the BMW 5 Series, marketed as the Eunos 800 in Japan and Australia, and as the Mazda Millenia for the US market. The Xedos 9 featured in the European market between 1993 and 2002 was based on the same Mazda T platform utilized in all the other export variants.
The Mazda Xedos 9 is available in three engine variants; the 2.0-liter KF-DE V6 capable of 140bhp, the 2.3-liter KJ-ZEM Miller cycle V6 that generates 210bhp, and the 2.5-liter KL-DE V6 variant that churns 170bhp. The 2.5-liter and the 2.0-liter engine variants are coupled to a five-speed manual transmission, and a 4-speed automatic is available as an option for all three engine variants.
7 Volvo 900 series
Volvo built the 900 Series range of executive cars to replace the older 700 series. Although the 900 series is derived from the 700 series, it features a redesigned rear styling popular with saloon models. The 900 series comprises the 960 and the 940, the last rear-wheel-drive cars that Volvo built.
The 900 Series boasts a wide range of engine variants equipped in the numerous export versions marketed in the foreign markets outside Sweden. These variants include a 2.0-liter B200E/F/K inline-four, 2.0-liter B204E/F DOHC inline-four, 2.0-liter turbo B200ET/FT inline-four, 2.0-liter turbo B204FT/GT DOHC inline-four, 2.3-liter B230E/F inline-four, 2.3-liter B234F DOHC inline-four, 2.3-liter turbo B230ET/FK/FT inline-four, 2.4-liter Volkswagen D24 diesel inline-six, and the 2.4-liter Volkswagen D24T/TIC TD inline-six variant.
6 Lexus LS
Toyota’s luxury division, Lexus, built the full-size luxury LS sedan as its flagship model, debuting as the LS400 in January 1989. Aiming to surpass rival European and American flagship sedans, Lexus targeted overall top speed, aerodynamics, cabin quietness, and fuel efficiency as the strong suits for the LS model. The LS featured independent double-wishbone suspension, power-adjustable shoulder seat belts, automatic tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, SRS airbag, electrochromic rear-view mirror, power-adjustable seats, and sandwich steel body panels.
The LS packs a 4.0-liter 32-valve 1UZ-FE V8 capable of 250bhp and 260lb-ft peak torque. The engine is mated with a four-speed automatic transmission equipped with ECT-i electronically controlled shifts, a rear differential, and a super-flow torque converter. The LS accelerates from 0-60mph in 8.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155mph.
5 Audi Fox
The Audi Fox was the export version of the Audi 80, intended for the Australian and North American markets. The Fox features the B1 platform used in the Volkswagen Passat models. The car is available as a two-door or a four-door sedan, a worthy rival for the Ford Taunus and Opel Ascona. The vehicle features coil springs, telescopic dampers, MacPherson strut front suspension, and a C -section beam rear axle.
Under the hood, the Audi Fox provides three options; 1.3-liter, 1.5-liter, and 1.6-liter SOHC inline-four gasoline engines. The 1.3-liter has 54bhp ZA and 59bhp ZF variants, the 1.5-liter offers 74bhp ZB and 84bhp ZC options 1.6-liter offers 99bhp. All the engines are paired to either a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission.
4 Rover 800
Austin Rover Group and Honda collaborated to develop the 800 executive car to succeed the Rover SD1. Marketed as the Sterling in the United States, the 800 series shares the same chassis design, core structure, and floorpan as the corresponding Honda Legend model. The agreement entailed V6 gasoline engines, chassis design, and automatic and manual transmissions from Honda, while British Leyland provided electrical systems and 4-cylinder gasoline engines.
The 800 series include the 820, 825, 827, Sterling, and Vitesse badges available with several 2.0-liter, 2.5-liter, and 2.7-liter engine variants. These engines are paired to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The original Rover 800 was one of the most popular full-sized executive cars in the British market.
3 Peugeot 605
Peugeot built the 605 in an attempt to replace the slow-selling 604 models. Based on the same platform as the Citroën XM, the 605’s most vital points also include a luxurious interior, high equipment levels, a smooth ride, and exceptional handling. Despite the minimal upgrades, the 605 struggled outside France since its exterior appearance and design were similar to the smaller 405 models, and the interior featured an uninspired dashboard design.
During its lifetime, the Peugeot 605 succeeded in offering a variety of engine variants. These engines included eight 2.0-liter and 3.0-liter gasoline engine variants and three 2.1-liter and 2.5-liter diesel engine options. The V6 versions mostly feature automatic transmissions, while the turbodiesel engine variants boasted manual transmissions.
2 Audi 100
The Audi 100 was built across four generations, with a two-door and a four-door model available in the first and second generations. The C1 age is the most popular classic 100 era, and it spawned several variants. These variants include a two-door saloon, a four-door saloon, and the Coupe S that resembled the Austin Martin DBS that featured similar louvers behind the rear side window and an identical-shaped rear light cluster.
The Audi 100 features a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine initially available in a base model churning 79bhp, the 100S offering 89bhp, the 100LS providing 99bhp, while the coupe version boasts a 1.9-liter engine that develops 113bhp. The engines are coupled to a 4-speed manual all-synchromesh transmission and an optional automatic transmission.
1 Lexus 250ES
The 259ES debuted alongside the flagship LS400 in Lexus’ 1989 debut lineup. The 250ES profile is based on the Camry Vista with the exact overall dimensions and general body style as the other Toyota counterparts. However, the Lexus 250ES features a more prominent grille, chrome trim, bigger taillights, distinct wheel designs, frameless windows, leather seats, genuine interior wood trims, a driver’s SRS airbag, anti-lock brakes, and one-touch power windows.
The Lexus 250ES is powered by a 2.5-liter 2VZ-FE V6 engine that develops 156bhp. The engine is paired to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed A540E automatic transmission. Since the 250ES had a relatively short production run, the model is rare in the current market.