Economic uncertainty has many consumers seeking out overall value in new vehicles.

The Audi Q7 tops recent luxury SUV winners from Mercedes and BMW, as Audi finishes 1-2 in the luxury multi-function segment with the A3 and A4/S4 Avant.

The Audi Q7 earned recognition as the best luxury SUV and the Audi A3 claimed the top ranking among luxury multi-function vehicles in the just-released 2008 Total Value Index(R) produced by the consumer research firm Strategic Vision.

The annual Total Value Index brings together what consumers say about their vehicles (in terms of expected reliability, expected fuel economy, price paid and expected resale value) with various ownership measures calculated by Strategic Vision.

In determining the 2008 Index scores, the San Diego-based research firm found clear evidence that consumers are looking for the best pricing along with quality cues that would indicate a vehicle’s long-term value.

“These results reinforce the market’s shift toward experiences Audi offers in terms of performance and technology, luxurious features and efficiency,” said Audi of America Inc. Executive Vice President Johan de Nysschen. “We believe the long-term value of owning Audi models will be a difference maker as these economic times lead consumers to rethink their luxury-vehicle options.”

Strategic Vision noted that consumers are giving greater scrutiny to their vehicles, which it said opens up opportunities. “When economic conditions become more favorable, the manufacturers who have focused their efforts in enhancing product quality and communicating messages of trustworthy products and overall value will be in a position to regain, and even take over new, market share,” said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision’s automotive division.

Source: Audi of America, Inc.

If you ever want to know what the hottest luxury cars are, just closely watch what the celebrities drive.

Why does the one of the world’s greatest athletes drive a Buick? Like Tiger Woods, the Buick Enclave is approachable, down-to-earth, yet something the rest of the pack keeps chasing.

The Buick people say the 2009 Enclave CXL is a combination of style and grace with elegance and precision. Before I got into this seven-passenger, four-door crossover, I walked around it, observing its size, shape and how the body lines swept from front to rear.

The headlamps have similarity to the eyes of a human; in fact they even turn sideward to illuminate the area in turning (adaptive headlights). The entire headlight assembly sparkles, giving a hint of a personality that’s inviting. It makes you want to get inside.

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