Luxury Car Brands

In 2020 alone, the global luxury car market valued at $410 billion.

There was a time when luxury cars were not as cool and certainly not as fast. But with the changing times, luxury cars have become synonymous with fast and stylish design. They are so exclusive that not even money can buy you a supercar unless you have credibility.

If you think luxury cars stop with BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz, think again. There’s a whole new world out there that is extravagant, powerful, and equipped with all the latest technology.

Our article brings to you the world’s best luxury cars, sports cars, ultra-luxury cars, their price, specifications, and many more.

What Makes a Luxury Car?

The luxury car provides its patrons (and driver) with an increased level of comfort and specifications not seen in your run-of-the-mill vehicles, not to mention the hefty price tag. Apart from that, they are also smooth to drive, powerful, attractive, high-quality, pleasing to the senses, and lots of space.

It is pretty easy to identify luxury brands; Not only because they are luxurious but also look and feel good.

Luxury cars are produced with high-end interior materials, engines, transmission, sound systems, and telematics put together with great care. They also have better quality body parts made of aluminum or carbon fiber instead of steel. They are also packed with more amenities and safety features when compared to lower-end cars.

First Luxury Car

The very first luxury car is the 1958 Ford Thunderbird.

Though luxury coupes have been running a few decades before the launch of the Thunderbird, it is said to have started a new genre, “The personal Car.” The car was redesigned from a two-seater to a four-seater. These changes brought emphasis to comfort and luxury, which increased the sales and made it a huge success. The success story continued for eleven generations up until 2005.

Having said that, the oldest luxury car brand, on the other hand, is Mercedes-Benz, launched in 1886.

Most Expensive Cars

Only a few selective brands manufacture the most expensive cars. They are the rarest and the fastest cars on the planet.

The most expensive car in the world is the Pagani Zonda HP Barchetta which debuted for the first time in 2018, and only three cars have been made since then. The price tag was a whopping $17.5 million.

Rolls-Royce Sweptail – $13 Million: Though not officially confirmed, rumors have it as the world’s most expensive car and took more than four years to develop.

Bugatti La Voiture Noire – $12.5 million: La Voiture Noire is a modern interpretation of its founder Jean Bugatti’s personal Type 57 SC Atlantic and is a one-off production.

Bugatti Centodieci – $9 million: Built to celebrate Bugatti’s 110 anniversary, this ultra-luxury car is pretty rare, with just ten cars made.

Mercedes-Maybach Exelero– $8 Million: Built in 2004, it was commissioned by Fulda to test one of its tires. The luxury car is a one-off with a top speed of 218 miles per hour.

Bugatti Divo – $5.8 Million: Quite similar to the Chiron, the Divo boasts of aerodynamic setup technology, making it 8 seconds faster. Again the luxury car is quite rare, with just 40 cars being made.

Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita – $4.8 Million: With a proprietary Diamond Weave finish exterior, Koenigsegg manufactured just three cars before discontinuing the series.

Lamborghini Veneno – $4.5 Million: Available in both convertible and coupe versions, the manufacturer built just 14 cars between 2014 and 2015.

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ – $3.9 Million: A road-going version of the infamous Chiron, the car has a maximum speed of 300 miles per hour. Since they are limited to just 30 units, the ultra-luxury car is quite rare.

Lamborghini Sian – $3.6 million: With 819 horsepower, this is Lamborgini’s most powerful car ever. It uses a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and is the brand’s first electrified luxury car.

Pagani Huayra Roadster BC – $3.5 Million: With 800 horsepower and AMG-sourced twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12, the luxury car is rare, with just 40 cars in production.

Cheapest Luxury Car

The cheapest luxury car in the market currently is Acura ILX at $25,900. Though it has a good safety score, it doesn’t leave much to desire with low-quality interiors, complex handling, cabin noise, etc.

However, it has a good fuel economy, but then again, the engine is largely underpowered.

Luxury Car with the Cheapest Maintenance

All cars require regular maintenance, be it the good-old Toyota or the Mercedes. Ignoring the maintenance leads to expensive repairs down the line. The cost depends on the make and model of the vehicle, mileage, and few other factors.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class, one of the popular high-end luxury cars, surprisingly has a lower maintenance cost due to its reliability. Moreover, their maintenance package covers three years or up to 48,280 km and can bring down the price by at least 30%.

Affordable Luxury Cars

Though a luxury car seems attractive, it is often not affordable for the ordinary person. However, most luxury brands have expanded their line up to include cheap vehicles too.

Here are a few inexpensive luxury cars, all under $35,000.

2019 BMW X1 – $34,950

With a spacious cabin, 6.5-inch touchscreen, precise steering, and power liftgate, the X1 is one of the best entry-level SUVs in the market today.

The 228 horsepower, eight-speed automatic transmission, and turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine set it apart from its competitors.

2020 AUDI Q3 – $34,700

With 184-horsepower and a four-cylinder engine, Q3 has quite a comprehensive list of luxurious features, including a panoramic moonroof, an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, smartphone connectivity, 10-speaker audio system, and leather upholstery.

2020 Volvo XC40 – $33,700

The XC40 comes in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel-drive variants with 187 horsepower for the former and 248 horsepower for the latter.

On the inside, it has many luxury points like the leather upholstery and 9-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity which essentially replaced many physical controls.

2020 Acura TLX – $33,000

It is one of the most affordable luxury sedans in the market currently. For the low base price, it comes with a ton of safety features, including a surround-view camera parking system, forward-collision warning, lane assist, automatic emergency braking, and road departure mitigation, to name a few.

On the other hand, the bland interiors, underpowered engine, cabinet noise, etc., make it unappealing.

2019 Buick LaCrosse – $29,570

With a spacious interior, comfortable ride, excellent fuel economy, power-adjustable front seats, rear parking sensors, and dual-zone climate control, LaCrosse has all the characteristics of a luxury car.

Best Luxury Car Brands and Their Manufacturers

The best luxury car brands and their manufacturers ranked by popularity:

• BMW – The German luxury car brand was first established back in 1916 as an aircraft engine manufacturer. It became an automobile manufacturer in 1928 and is now the leading luxury car brand in the world.
• Mercedes Benz – Founded in 1926, the car brand is the luxury car division of the German car manufacturer The Daimler Group.
• Audi – With roots in Bavaria, Germany, Audi first came into existence in 1932. It is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volkswagen.
• Tesla – A very late addition to the list, Tesla has its origins in California, United States. Founded in 2006, the brand currently manufactures electric cars.
• Porsche – The luxury car brand began in 1931 and had its roots in Germany. It is owned by Volkswagen but operates as an independent entity.
• Lexus – Founded in 1989, Lexus is the only Japanese manufacturer on this list. Though owned by Toyota, it operates on its own.
• Volvo – Owned by the Swedish vehicle manufacturer Geely, the brand was founded in 1926.
• Lamborghini – Established in 1963, the Italian luxury car manufacturer Lamborghini is currently owned by Audi.
• Ferrari – Founded in 1947, the Italian car brand Ferrari remains one of the independent supercar brands. The first car was Ferrari 125 sportscar which one the 1947 Rome Grand Prix.
• Land Rover – First established in 1978, Land Rover is a subsidiary of India’s Tata Motors.
• Jaguar – The British luxury car company was first founded in 1922 but is currently owned by Tata Motors from India.
• Cadillac – Cadillac is a division of the American automotive car manufacturer General Motors and was first established in 1902.
• Rolls-Royce – The British luxury vehicle was established in 1904 and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW.
• Maserati – The Maserati brother founded the company in 1914 in Bologna, Italy. It is now under the ownership of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
• Bugatti – Now owned by the Volkswagen Group, Bugatti has its origins in France when it was founded in 1909.
• Aston Martin – Established in 1913, Aston Martin is an independent luxury sports car manufacturer based in the United Kingdom.
• Bentley – Currently owned by Volkswagen, it has its origins in the UK.

Best Luxury SUVs for 2022

Apart from luxury and comfort, luxury SUVs are built to navigate the hardest of the terrains and also tow some serious gear.

Here are the best luxury SUV options available for 2021 and their amenities:

• Genesis GV80 – Mid-size luxury SUV with a standout design, luxury, smooth ride, and European style handling
• BMW X7 – Better fuel economy for a luxury vehicle, comfortable, Active Body Control suspension system
• Mercedes-Benz GLS – MBUX infotainment system, E-Active Body Control suspension
• Infiniti QX80 – Off-road capability, quiet cabin, luxurious styling
• Land Rover Range Rover – Over-the-top luxurious interior options, spacious, executive seating experience, off-road ability including through water
• Cadillac Escalade – Curved OLED display, lavish interiors, air suspension
• Lexus LX – Stylish interior, heavy, powerful, off-road capability
• Lincoln Navigator – Powerful engine – twin-turbo V6, family-friendly storage spaces, advanced driver-assistance safety technology
• Audi Q7 – Four, six, and eight-cylinder models, solid build quality
• GMC Yukon – Spacious and comfortable, balanced and insulated ride

Best Luxury Electric Vehicles of 2021

Electric cars are the future of the automobile industry. Following Tesla, many more luxury car brands have added electric vehicles to their lineup.

Here are the top 10 luxury electric cars taking the world by storm in 2021 and their battery range:

• Tesla Model Y – 300 miles
• Mercedes-Benz EQC – 259 miles
• Jaguar I-Pace – 220 miles
• Tesla Model 3 – 263 miles
• Tesla Model X – 360 miles
• Tesla Model S – 400 miles
• Audi e-tron Quattro– 222 miles
• Porsche Taycan – 200 miles
• BMW ix3 – 285 miles
• Ford Mustang Mach-E – 300 miles

Best Luxury Sports Cars

Luxury sports cars are the pinnacle of the automobile industry. They are fast, powerful, luxurious interiors, stylish, and of course, handsome. They come with either a hardtop, convertible top, or one-piece removable panel.

Here are the best luxury sports cars and one reason why they are the best.

Ford Mustang: Accelerates from 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds; Safety features include blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, automatic high beams, and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

Porsche 911: Accelatrates from 0-60 mph in about 3.8 seconds for Carrera, Carrera4, and Targa 4, 2.9 seconds for Carrera S, Carrera 4s, and Targa 4s, 2.7 seconds for Turbo, and 2.3 seconds for Turbo S; Specifications include leather upholstery, adaptive sport seats, dual-clutch transmission, sublime handling, and exceptional handling

BMW Z4: Safety features include driving assistance, track handling, land departure warning, blindspot monitoring, pedestrian detection, remote start, and automatic parking.

Mercedes-AMG GT: Accelerates from 0-62 in 4 sec for the auto coupe and auto roadster, 3.70 seconds for auto roadster c, auto coupe edition 50, and auto roadster edition 50 and 3.80 seconds for auto coupe s; Specifications include AMG ride control, electronic differential lock, Nappa leather upholstery, heated sports seats, Mercedes-Benz Comand infotainment system, and climate control.

Audi TT RS: Accelerates to 0-62 mph in 3.5 sec; Specifications include Audi’s 12.3in Virtual Cockpit display, retractable rear spoiler, xenon headlights, keyless go, DAB radio, passive sports suspension, lane assist, and automatic LED lights

Jaguar F-Type: Accelerates to 0-62 in 3.70 seconds; Safety features include traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane assist, traffic sign recognition, rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, automated emergency braking, and forward-collision warning.

Best Ultra-Luxury Cars

Ultra-luxury cars are opulence and sophistication in one car. Moreover, they are large with a hefty price tag.

Here are the top 5 ultra-luxury cars of all times:

Rolls-Royce Phantom: As much as it is a statement of wealth, it is also quite comfortable and utter joy and pleasure to ride. It is also tranquil, smooth despite the latest run-flat tire technology.

Rolls-Royce Ghost: More agile than the Phantom, the Ghost is meant for the more experienced driver. With luxurious interiors and ambiance, the ultra-luxury car is opulent inside and out.

Bentley Flying Spur: Flying spur is Bentley’s entry-level limousine with opulent interiors, eye-catching design, and leather upholstery. It accelerates from 0-62 mph in just about 4 seconds with a top speed of 200 mph.

Mercedes-Maybach S-Class: While it may not be in the same class as the Phantom, Ghost, or even the Flying Spur, it is universally respected and is the favorite to many. Though packed with a 603bhp twin-turbocharged petrol V12, it is barely audible with good leg space.

Range Rover SVAutobiography: SVAutobiography is an ultra-luxury SUV with a petrol v8, diesel v8, and four-cylinder petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain variants. It is a four-seater with lounge rear seats with a sliding panoramic roof.

Conclusion

A luxury car comes with various benefits. They have the latest safety gear, technology, improvements, not to mention the warranty, which is typically more than a standard car.

But what many do not realize is the rapid depreciation. Brand new cars can reduce a third of their value in just 2-3 years alone. And if you are using a loan, you might end up paying more than what the car is worth.

Used cars are a welcome alternative for the ordinary person. By two, three years, the luxury cars still have a more useful life but come at a much-reduced price. If maintained carefully, they can last as long as 200,000 miles.

The drawback with used cars is that you do not have your choice of models. Since top brands like Lamborghini and Ferrari prefer to buy back specific variants rather than have them in the used-car market to preserve their exclusivity.

For over 45 years, Little Germany is a certified Service Center that specializes in full service and repair services for German-made cars. Contact Little Germany for all your auto repair needs (After-Hours form).