Comfort, opulence, presence, performance and the latest technology. These are just some of things we expect a luxury car to deliver. A car that’s as good to drive as it is to be driven in.
The luxury car market is changing. Once upon a time, a luxury car meant a four-door saloon with acres of room in the back and the most relaxing experience this side of spending a long weekend at a luxury spa.
Today, a luxury car is just as likely to be an SUV such as a Range Rover or a Bentley Bentayga. These are listed in our guide to the best luxury SUVs. Here are the best ‘traditional’ luxury cars you can buy, with our choices presented in alphabetical order.
Audi A8
At £73,500, the Audi A8 is one of the ‘cheapest’ cars on our list. Not that many A8s will leave a showroom at that price – flagship models command a six-figure price tag, before you start perusing the options list.
You don’t need to splash out on a pricier model. Even the entry-level A8 Sport features the kind of equipment and technology that will delight the most demanding of gadget freaks. Petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions are available, along with a 4.0-litre V8 in the S8.
We said: ‘The Audi A8 offers luxury, space and performance in abundance, making for a genuine alternative to the (much pricier) Bentley Flying Spur. From the soft leather seats to the pillowy ride, this is an extremely comfortable way to travel.’
Bentley Flying Spur
Most luxury cars are best enjoyed in the sumptuous surroundings of the back seat. The advantage of the Bentley Flying Spur is that it’s just as great to drive. Give the chauffeur the weekend off.
Power is sourced from a magnificent 6.0-litre W12 engine producing a mighty 664lb ft of torque. It’s enough to propel this four-wheeled five-star hotel room to a top speed of 207mph. The Flying Spur V8 might have fewer cylinders, but it can still max out at 198mph.
We said: ‘The Bentley Flying Spur is a glorious way to travel, with acres of legroom, electric window blinds, even massaging armchair-style seats. With a talented driver at the wheel, we have no doubt that it could keep pace with a BMW M5. For a 2.4-tonne limousine, that’s an outstanding achievement.’
Read our Bentley Flying Spur review
BMW 7 Series
In the battle between the 7 Series and S-Class, the BMW has always been the luxury car of choice for keen drivers. It’s not as comfortable or opulent as the big Mercedes, but it can handle corners like a smaller BMW saloon.
That’s not to say that it’s uncomfortable. On the contrary, the air suspension helps to soothe away the worst of Britain’s pockmarked roads, turning a motorway schlep into something as relaxing as a foot massage. Petrol and diesel engines are available, along with a plug-in hybrid capable of delivering up to 36 miles of electric range.
We said: ‘The company’s flagship saloon is loaded with the kind of safety and driver-assistance tech that should filter down the hatchback or crossover you’ll be driving in a few years.’
Lexus LS
The Lexus LS is luxury, Japanese style. We’re denied access to the twin-turbocharged LS, so UK buyers have to ‘make do’ with a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid powertrain in the LS 500h. A V6 hybrid might seem inadequate in the company of eight- and 12-cylinder luxury cars, but as much as 36.6mpg is possible.
It’s a different kind of luxury. Lexus has focused on precision engineering, tight shut lines, rich materials and an opulent interior. A luxury that whispers, but never shouts. A luxury that adds reliability and efficiency to the mix.
We said: ‘Lexus might be throwing its weight behind an expanding range of SUVs, but the LS represents the pinnacle of its engineering and technical might.’
Maserati Quattroporte
We could have added a couple of additional Bentley models to the mix. Maybe mixed things up with a couple of luxury SUVs. Instead, take a look at the Maserati Quattroporte – arguably the most stylish luxury car you can buy.
It trades a little comfort for a more exhilarating drive, especially if you opt for the flagship Trofeo edition. This uses the same Ferrari-derived 3.8-litre V8 engine as the Levante Trofeo, but while the SUV boasts four-wheel-drive, the Quattroporte sends 580hp to the rear wheels.
It’ll reach a top speed of 203mph, hitting 62mph in just 4.5 seconds. Other versions are powered by a V6 engine, but all models feature a beautiful interior finished using premium materials. Prices range from £90,000 to £127,000.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Short of entering the world of Bentley or Rolls-Royce, no other four-door saloon does luxury quite like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. For generations, it has been accepted as the ‘best car in the world’ and a shop window for future technology.
The current S-Class is no exception. It’s based on an all-new platform and boasts next-generation infotainment and driver assistance tech. Prices start from around £80,000, with short- and long-wheelbase versions available.
We said: “Whether you’re relaxing in the back or at the wheel, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is one of the most comfortable and relaxing cars on sale. Few cars offer such a delightful blend of quality, sophistication and dazzling technology.”
Read our Mercedes-Benz S-Class review
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
In the same way that the Sandero Stepway is little more than a crossover version of the standard Dacia Sandero, one could argue that the Maybach S-Class is just an even more opulent version of the S-Class.
It’s much more than that. With a price tag of £183,500 before you’ve added a few options, this is an S-Class designed to rival a Rolls-Royce. The plushest materials, the largest alloy wheels (20-inch as standard) and some of the priciest option packs you can buy. Designo leather upholstery costs £13k – nearly enough for a couple of new Sanderos.
We said: ‘The Mercedes-Maybach S-Class – or S 650, to be more precise – is essentially the standard S-Class saloon with the lux-o-meter cranked to the max. Would Sir or Madam like a two-tone paint job for £13,000?’
Read our Mercedes-Maybach S-Class review
Porsche Panamera
With a starting price of £70,000, the Porsche Panamera is officially the cheapest option on our list of the best luxury cars. That’s just the beginning, because the flagship Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo maxes out at more than double that.
Yes, the Panamera is a hatchback – estate if you opt for the Sport Turismo – but this is as luxurious as a Porsche can get, short of choosing a Cayenne SUV. Some versions are as quick as a 911 Turbo, while others offer enough electric range to tackle the daily commute.
We said: ‘It’s expensive, especially with some must-have options, but the Panamera offers a rich ownership experience.’
Read our Porsche Panamera review
Rolls-Royce Ghost
The previous Ghost was the best-selling Rolls-Royce, so the new version has big shoes to fill. It feels like an evolution not a revolution, with its 6.75-litre V12 somehow managing to feel highly appropriate yet increasingly out of step with the modern world.
Don’t let the evolutionary styling and familiar engine fool you, because so much of the new Ghost is just that – new. Its aluminium spaceframe chassis, ‘double damper’ front suspension, rear-wheel steering and four-wheel-drive are just some of the highlights.
We said: ‘Unlike the Phantom, the Ghost is aimed at those who enjoy driving, not simply being driven. Its feathery steering offers tangible feedback, while the rear-wheel steering bolsters stability in faster corners.’
Read our Rolls-Royce Ghost review
Rolls-Royce Phantom
We make no apology for including a second Rolls-Royce on our list of the best luxury cars. The Phantom takes luxury to a higher plane – and we’re not just talking about the executive jet that will inevitably form part of the owner’s stable of transportation options.
Once again, power is sourced from a 6.75-litre V12 engine, but the difference here is that the ferocious power is more likely to be enjoyed by the chauffeur. This leaves the owner to relax in one of the most opulent and spacious interiors. Reclining rear seats are optional.
A price tag of £300,000 might seem extravagant and a little unnecessary in a post-Covid world, but the Rolls-Royce Phantom is still the true best car in the world.
Read our review of the previous Phantom
READ MORE:
Luxury dealer launches VIP London taxi
Exploring the history of the luxury SUV
Incredibly cheap luxury used cars for £2,000