The luxury car market is growing exponentially, with tons of options available today in a wide price bandwidth. While you can get a luxury badged car for as low as $35,000 – or even under $35,000 – they might be too low a starting point to enjoy the luxuries of the segment. But that is the great thing about having so many options; you can pick the price point that you want to start at and go from there.
So, we've raised the bar a little and compiled a list of the 15 best luxury cars you can get for under $70,000. We have chosen to exclude some of the low-end luxury cars, such as the 2023 Tesla Model 3, which has a suggested starting price tag of $39,990, and the Lexus IS which starts out at $40,985, simply because they are on the lower end of the luxury car spectrum.
That is not to say that they are not great cars because if you are in the market for an affordable luxury car, they should definitely be on the top of your list. For now, though, we have only given room for some of the more plush models on the market.
Updated May 5, 2023: Since this list was originally written, there have been a few changes to the luxury car scene. Instead of writing a new piece, we have decided to update this one by changing the outdated information and by adding a few more fresh choices for you to review. Enjoy!
1 2023 Audi A7: $69,200
The A7 is a very unconventional vehicle, but it still doesn't draw a lot of polarizing opinions. While it has a sporty-cred to it, it is pretty darn luxurious, too, on the inside. Stuff like three-zone climate control, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, etc., are offered on every trim. The dual touchscreen systems are pleasing to the eye but are clearly form over function because even the littlest of things are controlled by the screens.
The Audi A7 is a luxury sportback (hatchback) powered by a 3.0-liter, turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 335 horses and 369 pound-feet of torque. It is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and a Quattro all-wheel-drive system. The 2022 Audi A7 starts at $69,200.
2 2023 Audi RS3: $61,995
The Audi RS3 is a luxury sport sedan that has one of the most unique sounding engines in its class, which is, of course, to be expected since it is not a typical engine. The 2.5L engine under the hood is a five-cylinder engine that produces up to 401 horsepower. It is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and is grounded by an all-wheel drive system.
The interior is full of luxury, starting with the digital dashboard, heads-up display, seven drive settings, and as much tech as you would expect from a car made in 2023. The 2023 Audi RS3 has a starting price tag of $61,995.
3 2023 Volvo S90: $58,095
The Scandinavian design philosophy is pleasing to the eyes and will not offend anyone. The company's flagship sedan, the S90, is no exception. It comes with premium materials like genuine leather, open-pore wood, etc., which give plush vibes. The tech features on offer are second-to-none as well. The Volvo S90 luxury sedan has a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric setup supporting it.
It makes 295 ponies and 310 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic gearbox powers all four wheels. The plug-in hybrid models also feature the same engine but with a supercharger that increases the power output to 400 horses and 472 pound-feet of torque. The Volvo S90 starts at $58,095.
4 2023 Audi A6: $ 57,995
The 2023 Audi A6 mid-sized luxury sedan comes with the choice of two engines; the 261 horsepower turbocharged 2.0L or the 3.0L V-6 that can push out up to 335 horses. Both are connected to a hybrid powertrain that runs through an all-wheel drive system connected to a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Inside the A6, you will find soft leather seats, wood and metal trim on the dash and doors, your choice of various drive modes, and a 10.1-inch infotainment screen to conduct all the technological adjustments and checks you need to complete. The 2023 Audi A6 starts at $57,995 and goes up from there.
5 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan: $57,900
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz E Class Sedan cabin is dripping in leather, wood, and aluminum. It comes with two 12.3-inch screens on the dash, one serving as the driver's display, and the other is a touchscreen infotainment system. You also get dual-zone automatic climate control, a sunroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with heating options, and so on.
The E-Class comes with two engine options - a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mill that puts out 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.0-liter, turbocharged straight-six engine that makes 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of twist. Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The rear wheels are powered as standard on the four-pot mill, whereas all wheels are driven with the straight-six option. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class starts at $57,900.
6 2023 BMW i4: $57,100
The i4 is the first all-electric gran coupe from the house of BMW. On the inside, it has a rich cabin with materials like leather upholstery and wood trim. It has a massive 14.9-inch touchscreen conjoined with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and occupies more than half the dash. The i4 is offered in two trims – eDrive40 and M50. The eDrive40 has a single motor with 335 horses and 317 pound-feet of torque.
The eDrive40 draws power from an 83.9 kWh battery pack that's good for up to 301 miles of range. The M50, on the other hand, makes 536 horses and 586 pound-feet of torque from its dual-motor setup. It features the same battery, but given the extra performance, it delivers only up to 270 miles of range, which is understandable. The 2023 BMW i4 eDrive50 starts at $57,100, whereas the 2023 BMW i4 M50 starts at $68,700.
7 2023 BMW 5 Series: $56,995
The bold looks, the spacious cabin, and the plethora of tech features all bind well to make the BMW 5 Series a serious contender when talking about luxury cars. It boasts a 12.3-inch touchscreen system on the center console that can also be controlled using an iDrive rotary knob and voice commands. The core models can be had with either a 2.0-liter, twin-turbo four-pot engine or a 3.0-liter, twin-turbo inline-six mill.
The electrified models feature a four-pot engine with an integrated electric motor. The M550i and the M5 have a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine under the hood. All the models except for the M550i and the M5 are priced under $70,000, which satisfies this list's criteria. The 2023 BMW 5 Series sedan starts at $56,995.
8 2023 Audi S4: $53,895
The 2023 Audi S4 may look like an average luxury sedan, but it has been sport-tuned at the factory to give the driver a little more bang for the buck. The engine under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that pumps out 349 horsepower.
The all-wheel-drive system is engaged through an eight-speed automatic transmission which is so smooth that it virtually eliminates the need to shift manually. Inside the S4, you will find diamond-stitched massaging sports seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and trimmed with top-end materials. The 2023 Audi S4 sedan starts out at $53,895.
9 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge: $52,345
The 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge is a plug-in luxury sedan that has stuck by its roots. It is a safe car with a limit on high-end speed, offers no sport driving mode, and looks like a family car, but it can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just over 4 seconds.
The engine under the hood, a 2.0L inline-four, combined with the rear electric motor, makes a combined horsepower of 455. The interior is full of family niceties such as wool-blend seats, crystal gear shifter, panoramic roof, built-in air purifier, and driver assistance options expected in all new models on the market today. The 2023 Volvo S60 Recharge starts at $52,345.
10 2023 Cadillac CT5-V: $50,995
On the outside, this sport sedan looks boxy but features aggressive styling. On the inside, it features genuine leather, wood, and even carbon fiber elements. A ten-inch center touchscreen display, a fully digital instrument console, and a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel are at your disposal. The CT5-V is the sporty trim of the standard CT5 and the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 under the hood.
This engine delivers 360 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels via a ten-speed automatic transmission. There is a limited-slip diff to maintain maximum stability while you go berserk on the throttle pedal. The chassis stability has been improved now with the adaptive suspension. The 2023 Cadillac CT5-V starts at $50,995.
11 2023 Genesis G80: $51,125
Currently in its second generation, the 2023 Genesis G80's cabin is its highlight. There's ample use of premium material all around, including leather trim on the dash, the door panels, etc. It features a 14.5-inch touchscreen system, a 12.3-inch 3D driver gauge, and a panoramic sunroof, amongst other things. The Genesis G80 can be had with either a 2.5-liter, turbocharged four-pot engine or a twin-turbocharged V-6 that displaces 3.5 liters.
The smaller mill makes 300 horses and 311 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic gearbox routes power to either the rear or all four wheels. The V-6 engine puts out 375 horses and 391 pound-feet of twist. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic and an all-wheel-drive system as standard. The G80 starts at $51,125 and is one of the best luxury midsize sedans you can buy for its value today.
12 2024 BMW 4 Series: $48,595
The 2024 BMW 4 Series Coupe may seem a little out of place on this list, considering it is next year's model, but since it came up as an excellent luxury car under $70,000, here it is. The 4 Series coupe offers all the luxurious amenities you want from BMW, such as a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, iDrive 8 software, voice-command functionality, a toggle shifter in the center console, leather seats, and black trim.
Under the hood, you will find one of two engines, the 255 horsepower 2.0L turbocharged inline-four or the turbocharged 3.0L hybrid V-6 that pushes out a combined horsepower of 382. The base level 2024 BMW 4 Series will be priced at $48,595.
13 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia: $44,280
Not the most popular choice, but the Alfa Romeo Giulia deserves a spot here. The cabin layout is made of high-quality materials. Things like an analog-digital instrument console and a small 8.8-inch touchscreen system make it look a little dated. However, what it loses here, it gains in the engine department.
Most of the range powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, it puts out 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission drives either the rear wheels or all four wheels. The 2023 base model Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint RWD starts at $44,280, making it one of the cheapest offerings on this list.
14 2023 Lexus RC: $45,820
To spice up this list, we also decided to throw in a two-door coupe, and one of our top picks was the Lexus RC (radical coupe.) The mighty spindle grille aside, the RC is absolutely drool-worthy. You must still bear with an analog gauge setup and a small seven-inch infotainment center. It is offered with two engine options.
One is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine which puts out 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and the other is a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V-6 that makes 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. As with most other combinations like this, the lesser powered mill powers the rear wheels as standard, with AWD optional, whereas the bigger engine comes with AWD as standard. The 2022 Lexus RC starts at $45,820.
15 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: $44,850
The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class compact sedan offers a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that pumps out 255 horsepower and averages 5.3 seconds from a standstill to 60 miles per hour. The C-Class four-cylinder is also enhanced by a hybrid motor that offers up to 20 more horsepower, making this model year faster than the previous ones.
Rear-wheel drive is standard, with AWD systems being an option, all connected together through a nine-speed automatic gearbox. The interior is basically the same as the sedan's larger siblings, offering digital gauges, touch-sensitive controls, and all the tech you could ever need. The 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sports sedan starts at $44,850, while the coupe has a base price tag of $49,550.
FAQ
Q: Which luxury car is most reliable?
The Genesis G80 is the most reliable luxury car according to usnews
Q: What is the best luxury car to buy?
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the best luxury car to buy.
Q: Which is the No 1 luxury car?
Porsche Panamera is the No.1 luxury car.
Q: What are the top 10 most luxurious cars?
1. Rolls-Royce Phantom
2. Rolls-Royce Ghost
3. Bentley Flying Spur
4. Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
5. Bentley Mulsanne
6. Rolls-Royce Cullinan
7. Alpina B7
8. Aston Martin Vantage
9. Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography
10. Mercedes-AMG S 65
Q: Which luxury car is the cheapest to maintain?
The Lexus ES 350 is the cheapest to maintain.
Q: What are the best luxury cars to lease?
1. 2021 Porsche Taycan - $999 per month for 36 months
2. 2022 Volvo S60 - $355 per month for 36 months
3. 2022 Volvo XC90 - $709 per month for 36 months
Q: What are the best luxury cars for seniors?
1. Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce
2. BMW 3 Series
3. Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class
Q: What is the best luxury car for the money?
The Genesis G80 is the best luxury car for the money.
Q: What is the best luxury car brand?
Mercedes-Maybach is the best luxury car brand.