Across North America, luxury vehicles are seeing something of a renaissance. The sportier, more function-driven looks and options that dominated the automotive industry in the early 21st century are slowly giving way to high-end design with a more classic aesthetic and deluxe packaging, and customers are responding.

According to the most recent data, Canadians are buying luxury vehicles in unprecedented numbers: as of last year, luxury car sales account for 11 percent of new vehicle sales in Canada, and represent nearly 60 percent of the increase in overall new car sales. Many industry watchers attribute the growth in this market to a new appreciation on the part of middle and upper class Canadians for the value and comfort that luxury brands represent, and note that this movement is in line with the growing success of premium brands across sectors. Just as high fashion boutiques are making inroads across the …