Is there such a thing as an affordable luxury car? The answer to that is a resounding yes. We have a pleasant selection of luxury cars you can buy new for the price of an average sedan. Take the 2023 Acura Integra, for example.
It doesn’t match the sophistication of a Bentley Flying Spur or Rolls-Royce Ghost but offers an enhanced luxury experience exemplified by a standard power moonroof, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leatherette-trimmed front seating providing comfortable support and contoured side bolstering for aggressive cornering. Yes, Acura would not sacrifice its renowned performance on the altar of luxury.
Other members of the top ten luxury cars include Porsche Panamera, BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class, Bentley Continental GT, and the Mercedes-Benz EQS, among others. Among these, statistics show Mercedes-Benz is the no 1 luxury car brand by global popularity as well as the most valuable luxury car brand by sales volume. Luckily, we have two Mercedes models on this list of affordable luxury cars. Luxury cars are typically too expensive and impractical for most people, but there are luxury models at the same price point as non-luxury cars. Let’s check them out.
10 2023 Lexus IS – Starting MSRP: $40,985
You already know that Acura is to Honda what Lexus is to Toyota; they’re both companies’ luxury brands. In comparison, Lexus offers more luxury, and Acura outperforms Lexus. You can always take that to the bank.
As usual, the 2023 Lexus IS model offers high levels of comfort and luxury, but also takes it a notch further with an available performance V8 powerplant. The base engine is just so-so, performance-wise. Should we say it again? The Lexus IS is gorgeous inside and out, even though it suffers from a cramped rear cabin like the Acura TLX.
9 2023 Genesis G70 – Starting MSRP: $40,525
The 2023 Genesis G70 is so well-equipped with a long list of standard advanced safety and tech features you can only get as options on its competitors that you might just leave the dealership feeling like you’ve just robbed Hyundai of a few thousand dollars.
The G70 offers a satisfying mix of ride comfort and agile handling, supported by an optional fast-accelerating twin-turbo V6 engine. The negatives are few, namely; the cramped rear seats and subpar standard 4-cylinder engine. Ultimately, this sport sedan is Hyundai’s resounding answer to the BMW 3 Series. It can be a comfortable luxury sedan when you want and a growling wild animal when pushed hard.
8 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA – Starting MSRP: $40,500
As the 2023 CLA demonstrates, just because it’s got the three-pointed star on the front grille doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. The world’s most expensive car is a Rolls-Royce, with just three examples worth $28 million each. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA, on the other hand, only costs $40,500 to get started, and that money brings you an ample dose of the prestige only Mercedes knows how to offer.
The rear seat is tight, and the infotainment system is a bit tricky, but the exterior and interior exude sophistication. Mercedes packed the coupe-like sedan with advanced technology. There’s the high-performance AMG version too.
7 2023 Acura TLX – Starting MSRP: $39,850
With a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $39,850, the 2023 Acura TLX is an affordable luxury car offering strong performance and a nicely appointed interior to justify the sleek exterior styling.
Although that luxury experience dwindles in the smaller rear seats, and the infotainment is not as user-friendly as some drivers would like, the TLX is undoubtedly an attractive and comfortable sport sedan with bucket-loads of premium experience at a more affordable price than the competition.
6 2023 Cadillac CT5 – Starting MSRP: $39,590
With a starting price under $40,000, the CT5 is a compelling choice for shoppers who appreciate maximum bang for every buck. In comparison, the cheapest trims of the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series (both rivals of the Cadillac CT5) start at over $50,000.
The 2023 CT5 demonstrates that just because it’s affordable doesn’t mean it offers less. It packs a large assemblage of standard amenities, such as blind spot monitoring, in-car Wi-Fi, and satellite radio. The interior is not as spacious as its rivals, and the trunk is rather small, but the CT5 is hands-down one of the least expensive luxury cars in its class.
5 2023 BMW 2 Series – Starting MSRP: $38,795
Mostly, automakers offer you luxury on the one hand and performance on the other, and bid you choose one at the expense of the other. But what if you want both in one package?
The 2023 BMW 2 Series offers just that. It’s the athlete among brand lineups of entry-level luxury sedans and coupes. Meaning, there’s a bit of sacrifice – the ride quality isn’t as smooth as you’d expect from a typical luxury car, but you get sharper handling in exchange.
4 2023 Audi A3 – Starting MSRP: $36,495
Like the Acura TLX, the 2023 Audi A3 is a leading luxury sedan that wouldn’t relinquish its hold on impressive driving manners. Many safety features are optional, and the trunk is small, but it counters that with a mild-hybrid powertrain that provides excellent fuel economy.
If your bucket list includes a fun-to-drive luxury sedan, the A3 should be perfect for you. The 5-seat Audi A3 is a few inches longer than the A-Class Mercedes-Benz and roughly the same size as the BMW 230i.
3 2023 Cadillac CT4 – Starting MSRP: $35,790
The CT4 is the smallest Cadillac, which makes it the perfect option for shoppers looking for a luxurious but compact car. It provides seating for five, although rear passengers won’t have as much room as front passengers.
The focus of the CT4 is admittedly more on performance and efficiency than luxury, ensuring that with two available turbocharged mills mated to an RWD drivetrain. Although you can get started with around $36,000, the Premium Luxury trim is the most popular and starts at $40,690.
2 2022 Mercedes‑Benz A‑Class – Starting MSRP: $35,000
Like the Cadillac CT4, the A-Class is the smallest Mercedes car. It’s also the least expensive Mercedes-Benz, but the average Joe will never know it by the looks of the car’s interior. It’s the smallest Merc, so the small trunk and snugly accommodations are no surprise.
However, the car is stylish inside and out. Even the average Joe knows better than to compare it to mainstream sedans. The 2023 A-Class is not the smoothest riding Mercedes, but it offers agile handling, and you can spice things up with the AMG 35 version.
1 2023 Acura Integra – Starting MSRP: $32,495
Here is the one and only compact luxury car offering a blend of liftback body style and 6-speed manual transmission. Made the connection yet?
The body style means ample front and rear passenger space, and the 6-speed manual gearbox means an engaging driving experience. Admittedly, the 6-speed manual gearbox is only available with the top-of-the-line trim, but it’s worth it. It shares underpinning with the Honda Civic Si, meaning, a well-balanced fun-to-drive chassis.
Sources: TrueCar
