Bagging the biggest, most luxurious vehicle for your money is actually a lot easier and cheaper than you might think. With careful selection, few of your top spendthrift friends will ever guess you’ve shopped further down the premium food chain.
We’ve all done it, researching new car listings for the most extravagant interiors stuffed with the finest materials and highest levels of equipment that automakers have at their disposal to draw buyers away from the competition. New is definitely better, but don’t be too quick to rule out an older showroom model from last season. The changes can be so subtle that no one will ever tell the difference, and with newer machines, incoming dealers are more eager to offer deep discounts.
As the old saying goes, “the taste of champagne, the money of lemonade,” here are some of the more affordable luxury cars for ballers on a tight budget.
9 Genesis G80
Kicking off under $ 50,000, the Genesis G80 has all the class and appeal of a Bentley sedan, right down to the winged logo atop the grille. Occasional coincidence or something more deliberate, you’d be hard pressed to find the same level of quality of fit and finish that the Genesis G80 offerings.
At the lower end of the G80 range, budget-conscious socialites will have to suffer a few tradeoffs; the G80 starts with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine generating a consistently respectable 300 hp.
The tradeoff, however, is well worth it, with premium leather interior trim and soft-touch finishes adorning every surface, complemented by a minimal number of buttons topped with an eye-catching 14.5-inch infotainment center.
8 Audi Q4 E-Tron Q50
Audi’s long-awaited e-tron series has finally arrived, bringing with it an astonishing combination of high-tech luxury and affordable prices starting at just $ 45,000. The mid-range Q50 is where the smart money is, a dual-electric motor setup that generates 295bhp and a claimed range of 250 miles between charges.
Considering the importance of electric vehicles, we’re not entirely surprised that Audi has gone all out with the Q4, as crisp, crisp lines suggest a much higher price tag. However, it’s inside that the wow factor shines through. Think of the Q4 as Audi’s showcase for technology, quality and innovation, where almost everything is powered by a sleek array of tactile surfaces.
seven Jaguar XF P250
Jaguar’s current model lineup in recent years has been severely phased out, as the fiercely fast XJ sedan vanished, as did the high-performance XE, leaving a single sedan offering in the form of a revised XF. So much the better that this mid-size luxury sedan still has all the qualities of a real Jaguar, then. Rhythm, grace and style for as little as $ 46,000.
There are worrying absentees. Six-cylinder engines give way to turbocharged four-cylinder engines, but once on the move, the 246bhp P250 model is more than fast enough.
Inside, Jaguar has long removed the old wood look, with the switches and gauges reduced to a minimum, augmented by an in-house designed Pivi Pro infotainment system that adds a touch of modern and sleek sophistication.
6 Lexus ES 350
Budget luxury sedans don’t get much cheaper than that without sacrificing badge appeal. Even going for the higher ES 350h is cheaper than most of the plush rides we’ve reviewed so far. In other good news, Lexus has resisted the tendency to place more emphasis on sportiness in keeping with the brand’s image.
Hybrid powertrains and all-wheel drive add weight without providing much horsepower gains. Greening gives 215 hp against 203 hp for the standard ES 350 with a time of 0 to 100 km / h in 7.3 seconds.
Inside, nothing is held back, as Lexus has pushed the boat in terms of build quality and technology, beautifully wrapped in wood, leather and aluminum.
5 BMW 5 Series
No mention of luxury cars would be complete without at least one BMW, with the current 5 Series occupying the brand’s midsize sedan segment, offering a wide range of trim levels to suit most budgets. When we say the most, it should be borne in mind that anything that has the famous propeller badge on its nose doesn’t always offer the same value for money, as the base 530i starts at $ 55,000. before adding any extras.
Is this a reassuringly priced sedan or just an overpriced four-door, four-seater? We’re on the fence with this one. The base trim levels will give you a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 248 hp at pressure, sixty of which takes 5.7 seconds.
Behind the wheel are all the toys and tech you could possibly need, all finished to BMW’s high standards. Don’t look at the option list or the next model.
4 Mercedes E Class
Everything we have already said about the BMW 5 Series also applies here. Starting prices are roughly in the same range at $ 56,000, and will only go one way once you start adding the extras. The base-specification E350s also use a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing almost the same output of 255bhp, resulting in a 0-60mph time of 6.1 seconds.
Inside, it’s a whole different story, with BMW leaning on a subtle sporty feel and Mercedes going for the wow factor. The E-Class, without a doubt, has one of the most eye-catching luxury interiors on this side of a Bentley. Even the most demanding ball player would be amazed at the opulence, fit and finish.
3 Volvo S90
Despite building some of the safest, best-appointed, and most luxuriously trimmed cars, Volvo is often overlooked, which, given slightly less money than its German rivals, buyers are getting their money’s worth. .
In this company, one of the most unique transmissions, a 2.0-liter inline-four, is not only turbocharged, but also uses a 295bhp supercharger that promises a sprint to 60mph in 6.7 seconds.
Impressive engineering aside, it’s the interior where the S90 deserves more credit. Modern design meets real wood and leather, brushed metal accents make the cockpit a truly luxurious experience and, without relying too much on a multitude of screens and switchgears, a more serene place as well.
2 Cadillac CT5
Following a string of high-end brands from Europe and Asia that have delivered on the luxury side, provided you can live with less capable models, the Cadillac is a welcome change. Even the mighty CT5-V sitting at the top of the lineup is cheaper than BMW or Mercedes, however, we’d be more than happy with the Premium Luxury trim and offset the savings of $ 12,000.
First, the performance figures: A 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine produces 335 hp with a drive going to the rear wheels via a nice 10-speed automatic transmission. At first glance, a real bargain. Inside it’s a modern mix of technology and luxury, only let down by shoddy materials in the same areas.
1 Maserati Ghibli
The basement luxury is packed with Italian flair, luxury, and enough wow factor to stand out from the crowd. With low mileage, used examples go for pennies on the dollar; even the most budget conscious would be foolish not to at least think twice.
We’re going to be honest here, Maserati has lost a lot of value in the first year; beyond that, the depreciation is less severe. Under the hood you get a raucous 345-horsepower twin-turbo V6, which cranks up to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.
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