Luxury cars have become all the rage of late. Once only driven by the rich and famous, many have become more affordable for the everyday guy who wants to drive something that stands out. Luxury car brands have changed with the times too. They have evolved to cater to all manner of car lovers.
These brands are building cars that our revhead grandfathers could only imagine existed back in their day. From sports cars to SUVs, modern cars are incorporating new technology to create vehicles offering the ultimate driving experience. As well as sophisticated engines and luxurious interiors, many of these cars are also electric, ushering in a whole new era of automobiles.
Luxury car brands offer an exhilarating driving experience of the highest performance while making you feel like you are driving around in style. With the global vehicle industry set to hit $665 billion by 2027, it seems there is no stopping the heights luxury cars will reach.
So, if you are thinking about getting in on the market, here are 15 of the best luxury car brands you can choose from.
1. BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke, more commonly known as BMW, is one of the leaders when it comes to luxury car brands. Originally founded as a manufacturer of aircraft engines in 1916, the company soon turned its attention to automobiles. This turned out to be a very good decision.
For over 100 years the German company has been at the forefront of luxurious and advanced motoring. One of the best-known carmakers in the world, BMW produces a range of different vehicles, such as sedans, wagons, SUVs, and hatchbacks, for all types of people. When it comes to power you can’t look past the M3 or M4 models, while the selection of BMW i models cater to those wanting a hybrid. The BMW X3 is also a great SUV for anyone who likes ultra luxury cars to go off-road driving in.
2. Land Rover
Nothing says prestige like Land Rover. The British luxury car brand is all about luxurious SUVs that not only look incredible but are high performance. While the classic box shape is no longer favored, the new models are still top-notch and have a European flair to them.
Not content with just creating off-road 4x4s (the Defender) or mid-sized SUVs for soccer moms (the Discovery), Land Rover is also developing new technologies for their models. This includes a new air purification air conditioning system unlike anything else on the market. And, like all good luxury car brands, Land Rover plans to go electric, gearing up to release its first hybrid car in 2024.
3. Porsche
The Porsche 911 is arguably the most famous sports car in the world. The flagship of the company has been front and center since it came off the production line in 1964. Although the original two-door model was last sold in 1989, there has been a further seven variations of the popular car released over the years, with the most recent being the 992 that debuted in 2019.
Besides the 911, Porsche has a great range of models, including the sporty Boxster and SUV crossover the Macan. Lately, Porsche has been focusing its attention on producing a high-quality electric car, with the Taycan rivaling Elon Musk’s Tesla when it comes to sleek-looking electric cars worth investing in. Porsche is easily one of the top luxury car brands on the market.
4. Aston Martin
When it comes to British luxury car brands, they don’t get more legendary than Aston Martin. While first known for producing grand touring cars in the 50s and 60s, it was the company’s association with the James Bond franchise that made it a global name. The Aston Martin DB5 first shows up in the classic Bond flick Goldfinger and instantly became an iconic movie vehicle. It has featured in eight Bond films (Goldfinger, Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time To Die), with the exposure helping boost the carmaker’s sales.
While the DB5 is no longer in production, its most recent predecessor, the DB11, is a fantastic automobile with an aerodynamic body capable of producing 600 horsepower. Aston Martin is also producing the Valkyrie in collaboration with Red Bull Racing. This limited hybrid supercar comes with a 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 engine, which just so happens to be the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine ever fitted to a production road car.
5. Mercedes-Benz
If there is one thing the Germans know how to do well it’s build cars. Especially luxury cars. Take Mercedes-Benz for instance. This company deals especially in the luxury car market and was rightly the number one selling automobile manufacturer of luxury cars in 2018. The company sold a whopping 2.3 million cars that year. There is a host of contemporary models on offer from Mercedes, from the box-shaped luxury G-Class (also known as the G-Wagon) to the AMG GT sports car with its 4.0-liter turbo engine V8.
Mercedes-Benz has also dipped its feet into the electric vehicle market with its EQ range. These electric-powered cars are available as sedans, SUVs, and even a mini-van. While they might not be gas guzzlers, this doesn’t mean Mercedes has cut back on the luxury amenities. These cars contain all the gadgets and exquisite leather interiors of other models.
