2018 Tesla Model S
Average Price Paid: $53,794 - $88,800 | USN Overall Score: 9.2/10
Among the highest-rated luxury large cars, the 2018 Tesla Model S has some of the most bleeding-edge tech you can get in a vehicle– except for smartphone integration, which is crucially missing. Ranked number one on our 2018 luxury large car list, the Model S is known for its excellent driving range, speedy acceleration, confident handling, spacious seats and storage, and standard all-wheel drive. As an all-electric vehicle, you won’t have to pay for gas, either.
Although the Model S hasn’t been ranked for reliability by J.D. Power, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it an overall five out of five stars. As for safety features, it comes standard with parking sensors, front and rear cameras, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. Higher trim levels include even more features, such as Tesla’s Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system.
2015 Lexus GS
Average Price Paid: $23,572 - $27,806 | USN Overall Score: 9.0/10
With 306 horsepower, the 2015 Lexus GS offers an upscale interior, agile handling, and excellent safety and reliability scores. These factors make it a great choice for a used car.
The 2015 Lexus GS topped the charts on our list of 2015 luxury midsize cars. It also ranks first in our ranking of used luxury midsize cars $25K and up, and was given the highest J.D. Power predicted reliability rating of five out of five. It also received a perfect U.S. News safety score.
2018 Mercedes-Benz GT
Average Price Paid: $105,900 - $170,000 | USN Overall Score: 8.9/10
If you’re in the market for a used luxury sports car, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GT is a great choice thanks to its strong engines, luxe cabin, and fun driving experience. The GT comes with numerous advanced safety features, such as a rearview camera, parking sensors, forward collision warning with brake assist, and adaptive LED headlights. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been given a J.D. Power reliability rating.
Twin-turbo V8 engines power the 2018 GT, offering up to 577 horsepower. Additional upscale features include ventilated seats and a panoramic sunroof, which are big pluses if you find the right used model.
2016 Lexus GS Hybrid
Average Price Paid: $36,126 | USN Overall Score: 8.8/10
The 338-horsepower 2016 Lexus GS Hybrid has a perfect reliability rating from J.D. Power, as well as a perfect safety score from U.S. News. Standard safety features include a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert.
The 2016 GS provides a smooth ride, solid handling, speedy acceleration, a spacious cabin, and great fuel efficiency. These helped it take the number one spot on our list of 2016 luxury midsize cars. It also won our 2016 Best Hybrid Car for Families award.
2015 Lexus RX 350
Average Price Paid: $21,807 - $25,365 | USN Overall Score: 8.8/10
Known for its airy interior, cushy ride, and large cargo area, the 2015 Lexus RX 350 is the last model year of its kind before a 2016 redesign. This means used deals can be quite reasonable. The 2015 RX’s excellent predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power pairs nicely with a 9.3 out of 10 safety score from U.S. News.
With seating for five passengers and a 270-horsepower engine, the RX 350 is ranked first on our list of 2015 luxury midsize SUVs, and won both our 2015 Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for the Money and 2015 Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for Families awards.
2018 Tesla Model 3
Average Price Paid: $45,500 - $59,000 | USN Overall Score: 8.8/10
The 2018 Tesla Model 3 is a great choice for its spacious seats and roomy trunk, speedy acceleration, athletic handling, and excellent EV range.
While J.D. Power hasn’t given the 2018 Model 3 a reliability rating, it did earn the highest rating of Superior for front crash prevention from the IIHS, and a five out of five star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. All-wheel-drive versions were not frontal-crash tested, and therefore didn’t receive a rating from the organization. Safety features – such as a rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and parking sensors – come standard.
2016 BMW X1
Average Price Paid: $19,867 | USN Overall Score: 8.7/10
Fully redesigned for 2016, the BMW X1 ranks at the top of its class for its spacious cabin, sporty handling, powerful turbo engines, and high safety and reliability scores. The 2016 X1 won both our 2016 Best Luxury Subcompact SUV for the Money and 2016 Best Luxury Subcompact SUV Families awards. It is also top-ranked on our list of 2016 luxury subcompact SUVs and list of used luxury subcompact SUVs under $30K, thanks for its reliability and strong crash safety ratings.
2018 BMW 5 Series
Average Price Paid: $33,980 - $52,905 | USN Overall Score: 8.7/10
While critics say prices are high for the class, the 2018 BMW 5 Series offers so many luxurious features that some drivers likely won’t mind paying the premium. Aside from its high reliability rating, it also earned a perfect safety rating from U.S. News.
The 2018 5 Series has a high-end interior, comfortable seats, plenty of storage space, and a choice of five powertrains. It earned the vaunted Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS, scoring the highest ratings in all six crash tests. Its safety and reliability, along with its huge list of features, helped land the 2018 5 Series a number one spot on our list of 2018 luxury midsize cars.
2017 Genesis G90
Average Price Paid: $38,564 - $40,986 | USN Overall Score: 8.6/10
A finalist for our 2017 Best Luxury Large Car for Families award, the 2017 Genesis G90 earned a perfect safety from U.S. News. It has not received a reliability rating from J.D. Power
The G90 has numerous standard features, excellent handling, and powerful engines offering between 365 and 420 horsepower depending on which powertrain you come across. The 2017 model was all-new upon its release, replacing the Hyundai Equus – although the G90’s downsides include subpar fuel efficiency and a smaller trunk than rivals.
2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia
Average Price Paid: $29,000 - $60,000 | USN Overall Score: 8.6/10
Among the best luxury small cars on the market, the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia feels like a true sports car. The Italian sedan offers powerful engines, excellent brakes, precise handling and steering, and high safety scores. In fact, it earned a perfect safety score from U.S. News, with standard safety features including a rear camera, parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also named the 2017 Giulia a Top Safety Pick+, which is the organization’s highest accolade. One of the few downsides is a tight seating arrangement in the second row.
The 2017 model was all-new, making it a great used car choice today. The 2017 Giulia is ranked first among 2017 luxury small cars, and second among 2017 used luxury small cars $20K and up.
2017 Genesis G80
Average Price Paid: $25,221 - $32,878 | USN Overall Score: 8.6/10
Known to be a great used luxury midsize car, the 2017 Genesis G80 offers a quiet and upscale interior along with a comfortable ride. Although its fuel efficiency is less than impressive, the G80 sports strong V6 and V8 engines, as well as perfect safety rating from U.S. News. Its safety features include a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with brake assist, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, and lane keep assist.
The G80 was named a 2017 Top Safety Pick+ list by the IIHS, earning the top score in all areas tested. The NHTSA also gave the G80 a perfect five-star overall score.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If you like one of the reliable models on this list, feel free to visit our used car rankings for further research.
Explore our used car listings to find all the best offers on used vehicles in your area. If you’re looking for a used car, be sure to explore certified pre-owned vehicles as well.
11 Best Used Luxury Cars for 2021
- 2018 Tesla Model S: Average Price Paid: $53,794 - $88,800 | USN Overall Score: 9.2/10
- 2015 Lexus GS: Average Price Paid: $23,572 - $27,806 | USN Overall Score: 9.0/10
- 2018 Mercedes-Benz GT: Average Price Paid: $105,900 - $170,000 | USN Overall Score: 8.9/10
- 2016 Lexus GS Hybrid: Average Price Paid: $36,126 | USN Overall Score: 8.8/10
- 2015 Lexus RX 350: Average Price Paid: $21,807 - $25,365 | USN Overall Score: 8.8/10
- 2018 Tesla Model 3: Average Price Paid: $45,500 - $59,000 | USN Overall Score: 8.8/10
- 2016 BMW X1: Average Price Paid: $19,867 | USN Overall Score: 8.7/10
- 2018 BMW 5 Series: Average Price Paid: $33,980 - $52,905 | USN Overall Score: 8.7/10
- 2017 Genesis G90: Average Price Paid: $38,564 - $40,986 | USN Overall Score: 8.6/10
- 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia: Average Price Paid: $29,000 - $60,000 | USN Overall Score: 8.6/10
- 2017 Genesis G80: Average Price Paid: $25,221 - $32,878 | USN Overall Score: 8.6/10
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The Best Used Luxury Cars on the Market Right Now
If you’re a budget-savvy person who wants an upscale car – and doesn’t mind if it’s a few years old – you can save a load of cash and still pick up the luxury vehicle of your dreams. Luxury cars depreciate faster than others, especially as model years end and new vehicles arrive on dealer lots. This means luxury vehicles can be resold for as low as half their original values, potentially saving you over $10,000.
For example, when the 2018 Tesla Model S was new, its retail price started at $78,000 – but now, drivers who are buying it used can get it for as low as around $57,500. Other vehicles like the 2015 Lexus RX 350, which had a base price of $41,700 when new, can now be found for as low as around $22,000.
This article focuses on vehicles built from 2015 to 2018 to help you find the best prices for fairly recent models. Prices on used cars can vary locally, and depend on the vehicle’s condition and mileage.
Scroll through our list of used luxury vehicles that can save you a pretty penny in the new year – all while giving you the upscale features your heart desires.