Recommend A "Touring" Sedan

[olds]

What cars should I be looking at?
Something for long drives across country.
Used is fine, 2012 and up
Budget; 50k

Wants:
American or Japanese, no European
AWD
Plush ride
Quiet interior
Seats 5
Heated/cooled seats
Dual A/C
Large trunk
4 door

TIA

 

[Crono]

A new 2015 (or a 2014, depending on how it's equipped) Cadillac CTS is what I would get with that budget and requirements.

It doesn't look like it has a large trunk, though.

 

[jlee]

You might be able to snag a 2012 CTS-V for 50k, but it's not AWD.

 

[boomerang]

Buick Lacrosse would be a good bang for your buck but know that I am partial to GM products being a retiree. I had two of them on lease back to back. Easily the quietest cars I have ever had and I'm driving a 2014 CTS right now that is not anywhere near as quiet and doesn't ride nearly as well.

Trim level will be important to get Dual A/C depending on what year you're looking at although your price range will allow for you to get a new one. AWD may be tough to find depending on your area of the country especially if you're buying used. If you're still in California, I'm assuming you're in snow country so that will probably help.

When the CTS lease is up I will probably go back to Buick, certainly not re-upping with Cadillac. Cadillac has moved in a direction that doesn't suit me at my age. I like quiet, plush and compliant.

If you go new, it's a great time right now as they're clearing out the 2015 models before the 2016's arrive.

Just checked their website, up to $6K off.

 

[xBiffx]

Hyundai Genesis
Ford Taurus SHO

 

[JulesMaximus]

Lexus GS350 is very comfortable and quiet. No AWD though. Honestly, if that is a requirement your choices are going to be somewhat limited.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

A classic Cadillac. You can find a restored DeVille for 30 k and add all the electronic toys for less than 20 k.

 

[Wuzup101]

New: Chevy SS (not AWD but nicely loaded at 50k new) or Genesis Sedan (AWD avaliable with the 3.8 which is in your budget). Maybe a SHO

How set are you on AWD? Agree with Jules, AWD is going to limit you in this class. GS350 would be a good option as he says.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Chrysler 300 3.6L V6 AWD - 292HP & 16 cu/ft trunk

Cadillac XTS 3.6L V6 AWD - 305HP & 18cu/ft trunk - you can get the available V-Sport twin turbo V6 with 420HP as well

Lincoln MKZ 3.7L V6 AWD - 300HP & 15.4 cu/ft trunk



The MKZ is a better choice over the larger MKS as it is on a much newer platform. I would not purchase any of these new as the depreciation is massive in the first 2yrs of ownership and then levels off.

 

[HitAnyKey]

Toyota Avalon or Toyota Camry Hybrid are two excellent highway cruisers well below your budget limit. With the difference you can have quite a few road trips paid for.

 

[k3n]

A new 2015 (or a 2014, depending on how it's equipped) Cadillac CTS is what I would get with that budget and requirements.

It doesn't look like it has a large trunk, though.

Unfortunately the previous generation didn't have enough headroom in the back seats.

 

[Crono]

Unfortunately the previous generation didn't have enough headroom in the back seats.

Yeah, I didn't realize the XTS had available AWD, too, so actually that's what I'd recommend to olds over the CTS if he values space.

Toyota Avalon or Toyota Camry Hybrid are two excellent highway cruisers well below your budget limit. With the difference you can have quite a few road trips paid for.

I'd add the 2016 Ford Fusion (AWD) to that list. A little over 30k for a new one in highest trim option (Titanium) with heated/cooled seats as an option, and it meets most (if not all) of the other specs specified by the OP (quiet ride, 5 seats, decent cargo capacity with 16 cubic feet, dual AC). Probably not as luxurious a ride as some of the other vehicles mentioned so far, but good value.

 

[KentState]

Would you consider something like a Subaru Outback? I know it's not a sedan, but does a lot of what you want for 37k loaded for a new one. Also look at the Honda Crosstour used.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Hmm, $50k, doesn't seem to be interested in horsepower, mainly looking for nice interior and features, and no European cars.

Lexus would be my first bet. Infiniti, Acura, Cadillac, Buick, and Lincoln would also be worth a look, but Lexus would definitely be at the top of my list.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

I'd add the Ford Fusion AWD to that list. A little over 30k for a new one with heated/cooled seats as an option, and it meets most of the other specs specified by the OP. Probably not as luxurious a ride as some of the other vehicles mentioned so far, but good value.

Looks like you can not get the 3.7L V6 in the MKZ with AWD - you have to go with the 2.0L Turbo

A nice example - http://www.offleaseonly.com/used-car/lincoln-mkz-awd-3ln6l2j91dr819966.htm

 

[Fenixgoon]

Infiniti Q/M cars? also G37 sedan.

Q40 - starts @ 33k
Q50 - starts @ 37k
Q70 - starts @ 50k

 

[XavierMace]

Lexus GS350 is very comfortable and quiet. No AWD though. Honestly, if that is a requirement your choices are going to be somewhat limited.

GS350 was available with AWD. It's just less common. Right now I see 2 AWD 2013's in my area for $33k.

 

[evident]

Lexus GS350 is very comfortable and quiet. No AWD though. Honestly, if that is a requirement your choices are going to be somewhat limited.

+1
GS350 comes in AWD. You can't buy a GS350 (or IS for that matter) in the northeast that ISN"T equipped with AWD. Lexus distributes their AWD models to northern areas, which is why i had to go all the way down to VA to even find a RWD IS.

 

[Demo24]

Hyundai Genesis
Ford Taurus SHO

+1 on the SHO, supposed to be very comfy and quiet.

 

[jlee]

+1 on the SHO, supposed to be very comfy and quiet.

My old PD has them (well, the SHO-ified Interceptor). They're quick, too.

 

[exar333]

New: Chevy SS (not AWD but nicely loaded at 50k new) or Genesis Sedan (AWD avaliable with the 3.8 which is in your budget). Maybe a SHO

How set are you on AWD? Agree with Jules, AWD is going to limit you in this class. GS350 would be a good option as he says.

This! Rode in one a few weeks ago and it was very capable.

Another option is a gently-used CTS-V.

Neither are AWD, but check all the other boxes.

 

[soulcougher73]

Loaded Subaru Outback, or since you said sedan specifically the Subaru Legacy.

 

[A5]

I didn't check for cooled seats, but a quick search of non-Euro + luxury sedan + AWD gave me 3 recurring hits:

Infiniti Q50
Cadillac CTS
Lexus LS460 (Used models for sub-$50k, obviously)

Edit:
Lincoln MKZ, too

 

[desy]

I'd get a Avalon cause I'm an introvert
http://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/toyota_avalon_2015

 

[vi edit]

Would definitely give a used LS460 a heavy consideration given req's. Those things are like bank vaults inside.