What is luxury? We all know it when we see it, but we don’t all see the same thing. The one thing we can all see, and generally use to define luxury car brands, is the badge on the hood. Luxury car builders rely heavily on how their brand is perceived by the public.
That’s not to say that luxury car brands don’t deserve the reputation. They generally produce high-quality vehicles and have a history of reliability. But the brand still plays a major role. For example, would you consider Kia a luxury brand? If you define luxury as high quality and reliability, the Cadenza sedan fits that description. It excels in performance, handling, and comes standard with many luxury features like heated leather seats and navigation. But Kia is known for building economy cars, which makes it difficult to be taken seriously as a luxury brand.
Toyota, Nissan, and Honda realized their success in the economy class would hurt their chances in the luxury market, so Lexus, Infiniti, and Acura were born. All three of those brands are some of the most popular, and hottest selling, luxury cars available today.
So, when we list out “Top Luxury Car Brands,” keep in mind we are trying to focus on on the high quality aspects, and not the brand name alone.
With that said, we’ll start off with an iconic name.
A couple of decades ago Jaguar was having its problems, but as this legendary luxury car brand moves through the 21 century it is cranking out sedan, coupe, and convertible designs that personify elegance and performance. The F-Type coupe or convertible is one of the few in its class still offering a V8. In this instance a 495 horsepower naturally aspirated monster. Sleek lines, a cabin dripping in luxury, the F Type (and there are 35 permutations of the model) has become one of Jaguar’s sales stars.
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The XJ competes in the super luxury class, and while it has a trio of impressive engines to choose from, and niceties like footrests and fold down table, it doesn’t have the élan of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Porsche Panamera.
A relative newcomer to the American market, this FCA owned brand fields a sports convertible (4C), a small luxury sedan (Guilia), and a luxury compact SUV (Stelvio). If you believe the omnipresent TV ads, they only come in an incredibly seductive red.
The Alfa Romeo’s sophisticated styling, high-performance engines, leather interior, and handling all define these rides as having racing DNA. The top-end Guilia trim (Quadrifoglio) is a masterful mix of performance, technology, and unabashed decadent comfort.
The only American brand to make the list, Cadillac is making a move on a number of luxury niches with its revamped lineup including the ATS, CTS, CT6, and XT5. Sporting some of the most advanced autonomous technology, and a long history of providing exceptional creature comforts, the Caddilac line is the luxury car for the family.
If you want something a little more exciting (okay, a lot more exciting), check out the V lineup. It’s akin to the AMG treatment given to select Mercedes Benz models. For example, the Cadillac ATS-V coupe has a top speed of 189 mph and a zero to sixty time of 3.8 seconds. Hot!
This brand is a cross between upscale features and Toyota reliability. It’s generally agreed that Lexus is one of the best values in the luxury market, but don’t let that practical side fool you. They have a ton of models including IS, GS, ES and LS sedans, the LC coupe, and cover the SUV market with the NX, RX, GX, LX and new compact UX.
But don’t forget the RC F luxury sports coupe. With 468 horses, an eight-speed shiftable automatic, and a sound coming out of the exhaust that will put a grin on your face, the RC F packages luxury with performance.
You knew the Germans were coming. If you are a die-hard SUV fan, Mercedes-Benz has you covered with upscale family hauling elegance including the GLA, GLC, GLE, GLS, and for you traditionalists, the G-Wagen.
But for everyone else, Mercedes-Benz is recognized for exceptional styling, engineering, advanced technology, and slathering of leather everywhere in the cabins of their sedans and coupes. Hey, if they are good enough for heads of state, they’re good enough for you, right?
And then there’s AMG. Turbocharged engines are common across the Mercedes lineup. But its AMG performance division offers options that are simply thrilling. Check them out in the SLC43 roadster, twin-turbo V12 SL65, and the 469-horsepower GT.
BMW is another brand that was built on solid engineering. A crowd pleasing array of engines, sophisticated interiors, and enough models to appeal to anyone looking for an upscale, fun-to-drive ride. BMW initially came to America as a compact. Over the decades it has kept the small car, but added a line of larger coupes, sedans, and crossovers. These include the 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, and super luxury 7 Series.
Crossovers actually represent a large chunk of BMW sales. The net result is there is something for everyone from a small car like the 2 Series to a well-equipped, all-wheel drive SUV like the X5 that can fit the whole family.
Is there no stopping the Germans? This time it’s Ingolstadt, Bavaria. That’s where Audi engineers upscale rides for drivers wanting performance, and luxury in equal measure. No matter what you’re looking for—sedans, coupes, SUVs, or cabriolets (luxury talk for convertible), or sports cars—Audi has one. There are no fewer than 14 models available. You can look forward to more coming from the recently launched Audi Sport line.
Audi follows the same formula for success as the other Germans. They are passionate about quality build and performance, and they offer enough products to meet the needs for every client.
Genesis was initially launched as the top tier Hyundai model in 2008. It didn’t take long for the Korean car maker to copy their Japanese competitors and spin off Genesis as its own “affordable” luxury sedan in 2013. Don’t think that affordability is the major draw. The two models available both have executive-style interiors, but the G90 is the legitimate luxury ride. With a 420-hp 5.0-liter V-8 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, and rear or all-wheel drive, the G90 holds its own performance-wise.
The G90 has an elegant, first-class cabin packed with features. There are very few options available because almost every extra feature Genesis has comes standard.
Guess what country builds these babies. Porsche, of course, built its reputation as a premiere sports car. The iconic 911, feisty Boxster roadster, and hot Cayman are the luxury sports cars in America. But like its German brethren, Porsche could not be satisfied with dominating a single niche. They created the Macan compact SUV, and the Panamera large sedan. Of course, the new additions come with the same cutting-edge technology, and high-class craftsmanship. Porsche is on its way to becoming the new luxury ride for families.
So now that you have a list of the best luxury car brands, you can rush out and get a second mortgage to go shopping with confidence.
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