10 Best Luxury Car Brands of 2018

These High-End Manufacturers Have the Best Vehicles According to U.S. News Rankings

Take a scroll through the list of brands we review; there are a lot. Some are now defunct but hold an important place in the archives, while others are fairly new. It would be a lot for anyone to keep track of, but fortunately, you don’t have to.

Our new vehicle rankings keep you up to date on the best options in every class, and our annual Best Vehicle Brand Awards are a great overview of the manufacturers that most deserve your attention.

The Best Vehicle Brand Awards consider the factors that are most important to you, so you can find out which manufacturers provide the highest-quality vehicles.

Brand ratings are based on the U.S. News Best Cars overall vehicle scores, which are compiled based on safety and reliability data, as well as driving impressions from expert automotive critics.

After you read our Best Luxury Brands overview, be sure to check out our slideshows for the Best Car Brands, SUV Brands, and Truck Brands. Here are the luxury brands you should consider if you are planning to go upmarket with your next new vehicle.

• Read the 2018 Porsche Cayman Full Review
• See 2018 Porsche Cayman Photos
• See Luxury Sports Cars Rankings

10) Jaguar

Average Overall Score: 8.18/10

Jaguar is an old brand with a storied past, yet its modern sedan, coupe, and convertible designs hold their own, with elegance and athleticism. Jaguar’s higher-end models, the F-Type and XJ, are available with V8 engines, which helps them stand out in a crowded field of turbo-fours and V6s, and interior quality is generally excellent.

Like most luxury performance car makers, Jaguar has recently entered the performance crossover market with the F-Pace compact SUV.

• Read the 2018 Jaguar XJ Full Review
• See 2018 Jaguar XJ Photos
• See Super Luxury Cars Rankings

9) Alfa Romeo

Average Overall Score: 8.2/10

The Alfa Romeo lineup currently consists of a convertible sports car (the 4C), a luxury small car (the Giulia) and a luxury compact SUV (the Stelvio), the two latter of which were added to the lineup just this year. The brand is small, but its vehicles are head-turners, with sophisticated Italian styling and a range of high-performance engines.

Alfa Romeo doesn’t have the greatest reputation for reliability, but its cars are fun to drive and an interesting alternative to other luxury models.

• Read the 2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Full Review
• See 2017 Alfa Romeo 4C Photos
• See Luxury Sports Cars Rankings

7) Cadillac (tie)

Average Overall Score: 8.3/10

Cadillac is the only American nameplate to earn a spot on our list of the best luxury car brands, and the honor is well-deserved. Cadillac has spent the past couple of years revamping its outdated lineup, adding more stylish sedans and crossovers to the mix, including the ATS, CTS, CT6, and XT5.

These models generally rank respectably in their classes and are good options for a family-oriented luxury vehicle. Performance enthusiasts should check out the V lineup of coupes and sedans for a more exciting experience.

• Read the 2018 Cadillac CT6 Full Review
• See 2018 Cadillac CT6 Photos
• See Luxury Large Cars Rankings

7) Volvo (tie)

Average Overall Score: 8.35/10

Volvo’s stylish yet simple design graces a lineup of sedans (like the S60 and S90), SUVs (like the XC60 and XC90), and wagons (like the V60 and V90), and the brand enjoys a long-running reputation for having some of the safest vehicles on the road. Most of Volvo’s models were redesigned recently and feature the latest infotainment and automated driving technology.

Not only does Volvo excel in crash testing; the company is one of the leaders in developing new active safety technology.

Volvo’s Polestar performance arm just got spun off as its own brand, which should result in some pretty interesting new models in the near future.

• Read the 2018 Volvo S90 Full Review
• See 2018 Volvo S90 Photos
• See Luxury Midsize Cars Rankings

6) Lexus

Average Overall Score: 8.56/10

Buyers who are shopping for a luxury vehicle with a more practical approach should consider the Lexus brand. Lexus is Toyota’s upscale nameplate, and as such, Lexus vehicles offer many of the same advantages as Toyota. They are one of the more reliable brands in the luxury class, with generally solid dependability ratings across the board. It would be a mistake to dismiss Lexus’ performance potential, however, considering the inclusion of sports cars such as the RC F in the brand’s portfolio.

Other models in Lexus’ vast lineup include the IS, ES, GS, and LS sedans, the LC coupe, and the NX, RX, GX, and LX SUVs. A number of those models are available in hybrid trims.

• Read the 2018 Lexus RC Full Review
• See 2018 Lexus RC Photos
• See Luxury Small Cars Rankings

5) Mercedes-Benz

Average Overall Score: 8.57/10

Mercedes-Benz is another luxury brand that was among the first to capitalize on the SUV craze, and the current model lineup includes several high-end family haulers and high-performance variants, including the GLA, GLC, GLE, GLS, and stout G-Wagen.

Mercedes is also a go-to luxury brand for luxury sedans and convertibles that offer upscale accommodations complemented by gripping performance. Example include the CLA, C-Class, E-Class, CLS, and S-Class.

Turbocharged engines are a common amenity across the Mercedes lineup, and its AMG performance division offers options that are simply thrilling, including the SLC43 roadster, the twin-turbo V12 SL65, and the 469-horsepower GT.

• Read the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Full Review
• See 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Photos
• See Super Luxury Cars Rankings

4) BMW

Average Overall Score: 8.63/10

BMW is another of the German car brands that excels at making luxurious vehicles that are also fun to drive. The brand built its reputation on a line of sporty sedans and coupes, including the 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, and 7 Series, but its extensive SUV range is arguably more popular. BMW’s crossover lineup includes the X1, X3, X4, X5, and X6.

It’s easy to find a BMW that suits most buyers’ needs, from a comfortable small car like the 3 Series to a well-equipped, all-wheel drive SUV like the X5 that can fit the whole family. The BMW brand also offers distinctive styling that is easily recognizable, plenty of high-end features, and a crowd-pleasing engine lineup. 

• Read the 2018 BMW 4-Series Full Review
• See 2018 BMW 4-Series Photos
• See Luxury Small Cars Rankings

3) Audi

Average Overall Score: 8.68/10

With an expansive model lineup and a range of potent engines, Audi is an excellent brand for a buyer who wants style, performance, and luxury in equal measure. No matter what you’re looking for, Audi probably has it. Sedans (such as the A3, A4, A5 Sportback, A6, A7, and A8), coupes (like the A5 Coupe), and SUVs (like the Q3, Q5, and Q7) come in a full range of sizes; other options include convertibles (like the A5 Cabriolet and TT Roadster), wagons (like the A4 Allroad), and even a couple bona fide sports cars (like the TT Coupe and R8). Most models are available in high-performance variants, for even more prestige and power.

Audi’s interiors are known for combining elegance with a sporty touch, paired with impressive tech features such as the new Virtual Cockpit customizable digital display.

In the coming years, we’ll see new models from the recently launched Audi Sport line to complement the brand’s more mainstream offerings.

• Read the 2018 Audi A4 Full Review
• See 2018 Audi A4 Photos
• See Luxury Small Cars Rankings

2) Genesis

Average Overall Score: 9/10

Genesis currently offers just two models, the G80 (a luxury midsize sedan) and the G90 (a luxury large sedan), but this Hyundai offshoot impressed critics right out of the gate.

Genesis initially billed itself as an affordable alternative to pricey European brands, but the cars stand on their own, even without that disclaimer. These sedans have executive-quality interiors, smooth performance, and enough standard features to satisfy most buyers.

The value is certainly there, but value is far from the only reason to consider a Genesis. Soon, we’ll see a smaller sedan entry and an SUV as the brand builds out a more comprehensive product line.

• Read the 2018 Genesis G80 Full Review
• See 2018 Genesis G80 Photos
• See Luxury Midsize Cars Rankings

1) Porsche

Average Overall Score: 9.1/10

Historically, Porsche stakes its reputation on its portfolio of high-end sports cars, and there are plenty of those available. The 911, Boxster, and Cayman are among the most recognizable sports cars on the market, and there are tons of customization options to make one your own.

Yet, the brand is more of a household name than ever before, as Porsche continues to broaden its appeal with vehicles like the Macan compact SUV and Panamera large sedan. These models offer a combination of Porsche’s performance capabilities, cutting-edge technology, and high-class craftsmanship.

If you have the means, Porsche is a great choice for a luxury car. It is even a legitimately good brand for families, thanks to its capable and comfortable vehicles and reputation for reliability.

• Read the 2018 Porsche Boxster Full Review
• See 2018 Porsche Boxster Photos
• See Luxury Sports Cars Rankings

More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

If you’re shopping for a new vehicle from one of our best luxury car brands, your next step is to check out our new car rankings to see what models are available and how they stack up.

If you are ready to buy your next new vehicle, be sure to use our U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership in your area with the best prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of $3,279 off their new car purchase.