Sedans aren’t as popular as they once were, with sales of SUVs taking their place. But the luxury market has kept sedans not just alive but thriving, with elegant style, modern technology, and your choice of blistering performance or surprising efficiency. If you’re in the market for a used midsize luxury car, this is a golden era, even on a relatively modest budget.
Here are 10 of the best used midsize luxury cars under $20,000.
1. 2015 Lexus ES
If you are looking for a car that puts comfort at the forefront but still packs a punch, the 2015 Lexus GS is a great choice. Dreamy ride quality and an ultra-quiet cabin make light work of long trips, and while the V6-powered GS 350 is a better fit for our budget, savvy shoppers with a hankering for speed may want to search for the GS 450h hybrid, with a total system output of 338 horsepower. See 2015 Lexus GS models for sale near you
2. 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is another example of just how good recent luxury sedans have become. As agile as it is comfortable, the 2015 E-Class also offers significant breadth of capability, with the V6 AWD E350 4Matic model making the most of our budget. Look for examples equipped with the Driver Assist package for essentials like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and other safety upgrades. See 2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models for sale near you
3. 2016 Acura TLX
Hailed when new for its excellent driving experience and advanced technology features, the 2016 Acura TLX remains a compelling luxury midsize sedan, especially for those who appreciate a thoughtful, well-executed design. On our budget, look for fully loaded examples with the 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and Acura’s Super Handling AWD. See 2016 Acura TLX models for sale near you
4. 2015 Lexus ES 300h
If the Lexus GS sounds good but you want a smaller, serene midsize luxury sedan, the 2015 Lexus ES 300h is probably more your style. Pairing a 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor, the ES hybrid scores a 40 mpg combined EPA rating yet offers all of the comfort, luxury, equipment, and safety you expect of a Lexus. See 2015 Lexus ES models for sale near you
5. 2016 Hyundai Genesis
If you’re less concerned with name recognition and cachet than with the features and affordability of your used luxury car, the 2016 Hyundai Genesis is what you’re after. The sedan that spawned a whole brand, the Genesis is where Hyundai’s venture into luxury began. See used Hyundai Genesis models for sale near you
6. 2015 BMW 5 Series
Effortless performance, handsome looks, and a brand that’s synonymous with modern German luxury give the 2015 BMW 5 Series a lot to recommend it, and that’s before you realize everything from an efficient turbocharged 4-cylinder to a 445-horsepower V8 engine is available on our budget. Better still as we head into winter is the availability of xDrive all-wheel drive. Whichever spec of 5 Series you choose, however, you’ll be driving an icon of modern luxury motoring. See 2015 BMW 5 Series models for sale near you
7. 2015 Audi A6
The 2015 Audi A6 is the unassuming, under-the-radar alternative to the BMW and Mercedes, but it’s no less luxurious; in fact, the A6’s finely finished interior sets the benchmark for the class. With your choice of 4-cylinder, V6, or diesel engines and standard quattro AWD on all but the base model, the A6 is ready for anything — including winter. See 2015 Audi A6 models for sale near you
8. 2015 Cadillac CTS
Classy style, strong performance, and solid materials and equipment helped keep the 2015 Cadillac CTS competitive with its foreign counterparts, and our budget affords us our choice of engines short of the rip-snorting CTS-V line. The best fit for our budget is likely the 3.6 VSport, offering a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 good for 420 horsepower. See 2015 Cadillac CTS models for sale near you
9. 2016 Infiniti Q70
Often overlooked in favor of the slightly smaller Q50, the now-discontinued 2016 Infiniti Q70 is nonetheless an interesting option, with a spacious rear seat, a nicely constructed interior, and a potent 330-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine driving the rear wheels by default (AWD is available). If you would prefer a hybrid, you may be able to squeeze the 360-horsepower, 31-mpg-combined Q70 Hybrid into our budget. See 2016 Infiniti Q70 models for sale near you
10. 2015 Volvo S80
Although it looks a bit staid in this group, the 2015 Volvo S80 is a classy choice, with a roomy interior, lots of safety features, and truly comfortable seats. If you’re after efficiency, front-drive T5 models equipped with the 240-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder get up to 37 mpg on the highway, while the speed-obsessed will appreciate the T6 model and its 300-horsepower turbocharged inline 6-cylinder with AWD. See 2015 Volvo S80 models for sale near you
