2016 Tesla Model S
MSRP: 70,000 (Details Below)
With one of the highest scores on our site, the Tesla Model S is U.S. News’ top rated large luxury car. This electric car is revolutionary. It can combine supercar acceleration, as in zero to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds for the performance version, with a comfortable, quiet ride and highly competent handling. The Model S also banishes range anxiety, which afflicts the drivers of lesser electric cars that need recharging every 60 to 80 miles. Top versions of the Tesla Model S can go just below 300 miles on a single charge. As an added benefit, Tesla’s network of Supercharger Stations can recharge the batteries quickly, making longer trips along routes with this service practical.
2016 Tesla Model S
The interior of the Tesla Model S can dazzle, but it can also disappoint. The large central control screen is a technological marvel, able to control a wide range of functions with just a touch.
The standard interior seats five, while seven-passenger seating is an option with jump seats in the trunk. Here, there may be some disappointment. Rear seat space can be tight for taller adults and the front and rear seats are not as comfortable as those in some competitors. Still, the cabin is dramatically styled and practical, thanks to the hatchback body and split and folding rear seat.
2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
MSRP: $96,600 (Details Below)
In the U.S. News evaluation, the 2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class earned the highest score among super luxury cars. Among its strengths are exceptionally comfortable seating in the front and rear, highly refined and powerful drivetrains, and what might be the best ride of any automobile available today. Add the latest safety features, and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is simply the best super luxury car offered.
2017 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The interior is elegant, flawlessly assembled, and incredibly comfortable. It remains whisper quiet at high speeds. Standard features include the COMAND infotainment system – expect to spend a little time mastering its capabilities – with navigation and Bluetooth connectivity functions. Options include an upgraded audio system, a built-in Wi-Fi hot spot, and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system. There is even a massage option for the front and rear seats.
2017 Audi A4
MSRP: $34,900 (Details Below)
The Audi A4 sedan shows that luxury motoring is not priced out of the reach of all but the super rich. With a starting price of $34,900, which is in line with the average price paid for all new cars today, the A4 delivers a solid mix of performance and comfort. It’s the highest ranked vehicle in the latest U.S News evaluation of small luxury cars, is fun, easy to drive, and easy on your wallet.
2017 Audi A4
The Audi A4 features a well-designed interior that bristles with high-tech features. Standard are Audi’s MMI infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Two USB ports are also standard. Options include an upgraded audio system, Audi Connect with a Wi-Fi hot spot, navigation, and an upgraded MMI touch knob with handwriting recognition. As a final bonus, rear seat room is more generous than in many direct competitors.
2017 Porsche Panamera
MSRP: $100,950 (Details Below)
A combination of razor sharp handling and powerful yet refined drivetrains has helped to propel the Porsche Panamera into second place in the U.S. News evaluation of super luxury cars. Power options for this five-door hatchback include a base turbocharged V6 engine, a more powerful twin-turbocharged V6, a plug-in E-Hybrid that shows fuel efficiency is not incompatible with driving fun, and several V8s, including the 570-horsepower motor in the Turbo S.
2017 Porsche Panamera
Unlike most luxury cars, the Panamera’s cabin is designed to carry four people, not five. The interior is beautifully designed and assembled with care, using premium materials. High tech features, such as a standard navigation system, are numerous. However, rear seat comfort trails the competition. While the two back seats boast roomy measurements, they are mounted low and the window line is high. This can promote a feeling of confinement in some passengers.
2017 Audi A7
MSRP: $68,600 (Details Below)
Among luxury large cars, the hatchback Audi A7 stands out. Engines are powerful, the handling is predictable, and the hatchback body means the A7 has lots of luggage room. A supercharged V6 engine is standard, as are an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. V8 power is offered in the S7 and RS7 versions. Sleek styling and a comfortable ride add to the A7’s appeal.
2017 Audi A7
Audi, a company that has long been noted for its exceptional interiors, did not skimp when designing the A7. Front seats are roomy and comfortable, and the rear seats boast ample legroom. Headroom in the back, however, is diminished by the sloping roofline. Standard features include a 14-speaker Bose audio system and four-zone automatic climate control. The MMI infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
MSRP: $52,150 (Details Below)
The completely redesigned 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan shares first place honors in the U.S. News ranking of midsize luxury cars with the Audi A6, Cadillac CTS, and Lexus GS Hybrid. Each earned a numerical score of 8.9 out of 10. As for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, credit for its first-place finish should be given to its smooth ride, good power from either the standard turbocharged four-cylinder or optional V6 engines, and beautifully balanced handling. These qualities make the new E-Class enjoyable to drive.
Active safety features enable the E-Class to stick to the speed limit while staying within its lane with minimal input from the driver. It can even change lanes for the driver, however, these systems should be used as a safety net. They are not meant to be the primary means of vehicle control.
2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The interior of the new E-Class is so nicely designed that it feels like a downsized S-Class sedan. Materials and assembly are top notch. Standard features include an infotainment system with a 12.3-inch screen, a navigation system, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Voice recognition is also standard.
2017 Audi A6
MSRP: $47,600 (Details Below)
The Audi A6 leverages its potent engines, a taut suspension that produces crisp handling, and what has been called a near-perfect synergy of performance and luxury into a tied first place finish among midsize luxury cars. The A6 is a driver’s car. It is roomy, but feels smaller than it is when you get behind the wheel. It is nearly perfect at carving a precise path over curvy stretches of pavement. The standard four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 252 horsepower. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard. Optional all-wheel drive comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
2017 Audi A6
High tech, high comfort, and high quality are all appropriate descriptions of the Audi A6’s interior. The design is handsome and the materials used are first rate. Four large adults will find the car comfortable, though there is room for five with three riding in the backseat. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are standard. Audi’s MMI infotainment system is standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available upgrades.
2017 Cadillac CTS
MSRP: $45,995 (Details Below)
As one of the four cars tied for first place in the U.S. News evaluation of midsize luxury cars, the Cadillac CTS stands out for its sharp handling, powerful engines, and uniquely attractive design. It is one of the most dynamic cars in its class. While the base engine has been accused of coming up a little short in refinement when compared to comparable engines in competitors, the optional 335-horsepower V6 and twin-turbocharged 420-horsepower V6 get high grades. The eight-speed automatic transmission also works well. Cadillac offers the CTS with rear- or optional all-wheel drive.
2017 Cadillac CTS
The passenger cabin features premium materials and advanced technology. Granted, the standard upholstery is leatherette, with real leather as an option, but even in standard trim the interior earns high grades for the quality of materials and assembly. Large adults will find the front seats roomy and supportive, but they will judge the rear seat, with its limited leg and headroom, tight. High tech features that come with Cadillac’s CUE infotainment system include a Wi-Fi hot spot, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately the CUE system falls short when it comes to user friendliness.
2017 BMW 4 Series
MSRP: $41,950 (Details Below)
Luxury motoring does not require that you select a four-door sedan. The BMW 4 Series combines a highly placed finish in the U.S. News evaluation of luxury small cars with a handsome and sporty two-door coupe or convertible body that seats four. Or, if you prefer, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is a five-passenger, five-door hatchback. Turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines are offered along with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard with all-wheel drive available as an option. The engines have ample power while the chassis delivers spot-on athletic handling.
2017 BMW 4 Series
As is the BMW tradition, the interior focuses on the driver with controls that are easy to reach and instruments that are easily read. The front seats are comfortable. The rear seats in the coupe and convertible are tight for adults. Standard features include push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth and USB connectivity options, and an infotainment system that requires more steps than should be necessary to control some functions.
2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia
MSRP: $37,995 (Details Below)
The new Alfa Romeo Giulia is finally here. For Alfa enthusiasts, the wait for this model has gone on for years. Fortunately, this new small luxury sports sedan rewards their patience with its highly competitive standard 280-horsepower engine and sharp handling highlighted by precise steering and strong brakes. For buyers who judge the base engine lacking in power, the Giulia Quadrifoglio, with its twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter 505-horsepower V6, is also offered. It is capable of reaching 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 191 mph. Either model should be considered a sports car in family sedan garb.
2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Giulia is a driver’s car, a fact that the interior reinforces with its driver-centric layout. Leather is standard, even in the base model, and while the interior looks inviting, some front seat passengers may find the base model’s seat padding and short bottom cushions less than ideal. Access to the back seat is complicated by the large wheel wells and, once that obstacle has been overcome, adults will find room tight. All of this fades in importance, however, once the car is driven. This is really a five-passenger sports car.
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These Are the Best Luxury Cars on the Market Right Now
Why do people buy luxury cars instead of lesser – and less costly – alternatives? Among the many reasons first-time buyers cite are the comfort, style, performance, advanced technology, safety, and prestige that luxury cars provide. However, there are other reasons to own a luxury car that may not be immediately apparent.
Prime among these is the attention that luxury automakers lavish on the details. Then, there is the dealership experience. Luxury car dealers know they have to pamper their customers. As for the service departments at luxury car dealerships, you can expect comfortable lounges with free snacks and beverages, quiet work areas, Internet access, and loaner cars.
Still, it is the luxury car itself that ultimately determines customer satisfaction. And some luxury cars are better than others. Here are the 10 best, based on evaluations done by U.S. News & World Report. Take a look to see how the model you might be interested in fares.