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Best luxury cars 2026 – tested, rated and the ones to avoid
A luxury car should have sumptuous materials, ride comfort worthy of a magic carpet, and a super-smooth engine. Here's our run-down of the top 10, and the one we'd avoid
Darren Moss
Updated: 17 September 2026
If you've done well enough in the game of life to be considering a luxury car, then the range of options in front of you has never been larger – whether your taste is more for the traditional liousine, or for the newer wave of capable and comfortable SUVs. And while lots of attributes go into making the ultimate luxury car, the ones which our data tells us is most important to luxury car buyers are comfort and refinement. That means top-notch materials used inside, the kind of seats you can sink into after a long day, and quiet cruising manners which will let you while away the motorway miles.
Finding the best luxury cars is a hard task, but it's one which our experienced team of road testers is more than up to. They've spent countless hours at the wheel of every luxury car on the market, testing them across hundreds of miles, both on public roads and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track. You can find more about how we test and rate cars in our separate feature.
Here we reveal the 10 best luxury cars on sale today – and the one we'd avoid. Plus, we can help you buy or lease a luxury car; just follow the links to find out more.
The best luxury cars to buy now – and how to get the best deal
Make and modelList price fromRatingPCP dealsLeasing dealsBMW X7£93,2805Best PCP dealsBest leasing dealsBMW i7£104,2305Best PCP dealsBest leasing dealsAudi Q7£81,6654Best PCP dealsBest leasing dealsRange Rover Sport£77,6204Best PCP dealsBest leasing dealsRange Rover£107,5304Best PCP dealsBest leasing deals
The best luxury cars for you
The BMW X7 is our reigning champion in this market, because it combines the family friendly practicality of an SUV with the kind of luxury you'd normally expect to find in a purpose-built limousine. You'll love driving it, and your family will love being in it.
If a more traditional luxury limousine is more your bag, then consider the BMW i7. This electric luxury limousine is great to drive or be driven in, and can even be had with a cinema-style rear screen which is great for watching films on the go.
The old Audi Q7 consistently ranked among our favourite cars in this market, and while we're yet to drive the new model in the UK, the early signs have been extremely positive.
The 2026 What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now
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BMW X7
Best buy: 3.0 40i MHT M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 5.8 sec
MPG/range: 29.1 mpg
C02 emissions: 220 g/km
Seats: 7
Boot: 300 litres
Insurance group: 50E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Supremely quiet and comfortable
- Incredibly spacious and practical
- Fabulous interior quality
Weaknesses
- There are cheaper alternatives
- Looks won’t be to all tastes
- No plug-in hybrid or electric option
You might be expecting to see a traditional luxury limousine at the top of this list rather than an SUV – but give us a moment to explain, and we think you'll agree that the BMW X7 deserves its place as our reigning Luxury Car of the Year.
For one thing, it is one of the most comfortable cars around – whether you're driving it yourself, or are lucky enough to be being driven in one. If it's the former, then you'll enjoy the smooth and powerful progress offered by our recommended 40i petrol engine. It'll dispatch the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.8sec, yet shouldn't be ruinous to run.
Or if you're sat in the rear seats with a chaeuffeur up front, you'll appreciate the palatial leg and head room on offer, even if you're well North of six feet tall. You'll also enjoy that everything inside the X7 feels built to last, and that it's fit to bursting with the latest technology. To find another car to match the X7 inside, you'll need to spend a lot more on a Bentley Bentayga.
Downsides? Well, the X7 isn't exactly cheap to buy, and there aren't any plug-in hybrid or electric options to attract green-minded buyers, but all things considered we think the X7 is deserving of its title as the ultimate luxury car.
“The BMW X7's Ultimate Pack brings all the necessary kit to make the car a home away from home when I’m behind the wheel, including four-wheel steering, five-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth BMW X7 review
New car deals
Best price from £83,290
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £83,290
RRP from: £93,280
Nearly new deals
From £69,699
Leasing deals
From £1,192
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
BMW X7
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £1,191.50 Initial payment £14,298.00
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£14,543 total upfront (£14,298 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
BMW i7
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Stunning interior
- Optional 8k cinema screen
- Extremely comfy for all occupants
Weaknesses
- Range isn’t as spectacular
- Desirable options add £££s to price
- Not the fastest to charge
Electric cars can make excellent luxury cars, and the i7 is one example of the pairing working very well. It has a lavish, tech-filled interior, very hushed driving manners and an impressive official range of up to 387 miles (depending on the spec).
For those who are being driven, it offers an enormous 31in 8K touchscreen, which lowers from the headlining at the touch of a button, and two supremely comfortable rear lounge seats that have a massage function.
In terms of the space available to you, it's worth noting that the i7 is an absolutely vast car – it's longer from nose to tail than an Audi A8. And that length translates to acres of rear leg room. Indeed, even if you're sitting behind a very tall driver, you'll be able to recline in comfort. As for boot space, the i7 has a respectable 500 litres of space, so airport trips shouldn't be a problem.
If you prefer to drive, the i7 is a good proposition, too. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds, which is faster than most versions of the Mercedes EQS – although not as insanely quick as any Tesla Model S. Its real-world range of around 300 miles is a little lower than those rivals, though.
“The i7 is the kind of limo that lends itself to being chauffeur driven, and that ’s why much of its enormous, 5.4-metrelong body has gone into providing VIPs in the back with acres of real estate.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth BMW i7 review
New car deals
Best price from £103,456
Nearly new deals
From £69,000
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Audi Q7
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Comfortable ride
- Lots of standard equipment
- Big boot – even with third row in place
Weaknesses
- Limited engine options at launch
- Third row seats are tight for adults
- Some interior materials are disappointing
Our first taste of the new Audi Q7 abroad has left us quietly impressed by the latest generation of this luxury SUV.
Unlike the route taken by many rivals, the sole engine option at launch is a 3.0-litre V6 diesel. But before you think Audi has gone back in time, that engine does come with mild hybrid assistance to help make the most of your fuel. And a pure petrol and at least one plug-in hybrid will join the line-up in 2027.
In the UK, every Q7 will come with adaptive air suspension as standard, which means the ride should be extremely comfortable. Indeed, our early tests have revealed a car that's every bit as comfortable as a BMW X7, and even plusher than a Land Rover Defender.
The X7's automatic gearbox is a little quicker to swap cogs than the setup in the Audi, but like that car you get paddles behind the steering wheel if you want to take control yourself.
The interior of the latest Q7 represents a bit of a return to form for Audi, with materials which feel properly worthy of the price point and plenty of the latest technology. And while the X7 places you higher up inside the car, giving you a commanding view over the road ahead, it's still easy enough to see out of the Audi.
On paper, the Q7's boot is larger than that of the X7 with its third row of seats in place. Fold them away and you'll have a truly cavernous opening, albeit one which is smaller than the X7's opening. Still, we dare say that your holiday luggage isn't likely to be a problem.
"It’s great that the Q7 has isofix on six of its seven seats, because it makes it genuinely useful for families." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth Audi Q7 review
New car deals
Best price from £68,366
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £68,366
RRP from: £81,665
Nearly new deals
From £54,100
Leasing deals
From £780
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Audi Q7
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £780.03 Initial payment £9,360.36
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£9,605 total upfront (£9,360 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Range Rover Sport
Best buy: 3.0 D300 MHEV Dynamic SE Auto 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 0 sec
MPG/range: 38.8 mpg
C02 emissions: 191 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 0 litres
Insurance group: 48E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Offers many ‘big’ Range Rover qualities for less
- Incredible off-road and comfy on-road
- PHEVs’ fantastic electric range
Weaknesses
- There are cheaper luxury SUVs
- Rivals are sharper to drive
- No seven-seat option
The Range Rover Sport shows that you don't need to go for a brand's halo product to get the superior luxury car experience. It offers a lot of what we like about the full-size Range Rover, but at a much more affordable price. That means you get a commanding view of the road, a luxurious interior, a cosseting ride and impressive off-road ability.
It also handles better than its larger sibling, although it’s not quite as sporty as a BMW X5 or Porsche Cayenne.
Our favourite model, the D300, has plenty of power and feels more comfortasble hauling a fully laden Range Rover Sport than the entry-level D250 mild hybrid. Indeed, the D300's 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine will haul it up to 62mph in 6.6sec.You can also opt for a V8 petrol engine, but your running costs become significantly higher. And there are two PHEVs to choose from, with both being able to officially cover up to 72 miles on a charge, making them a boon for company car drivers.
Whichever version you go for, we'd team it with SE trim, which adds some attractive styling touches to the comprehensive entry-level S version, which comes with keyless entry, two-zone climate control, a plush leather interior and adaptive cruise control.
As for space, we doubt even the most prolific shopper would come close to filling the Range Rover Sport's cavernous boot. Plus, if you go for a PHEV model, you don't lose any of that space to the battery – and that's a rarity.
“A standout feature of the Range Rover Sport is the way it lets you look HGV drivers in the eye and see over the top of pretty much any other type of vehicle on the road.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor
Read our in-depth Range Rover Sport review
New car deals
Best price from £73,169
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £73,169
RRP from: £77,620
Nearly new deals
From £67,999
Leasing deals
From £877
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Range Rover Sport
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £876.90 Initial payment £10,522.80
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£10,768 total upfront (£10,523 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Range Rover
Best buy: 3.0 D300 MHEV SE Auto 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 0 sec
MPG/range: 38.2 mpg
C02 emissions: 194 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 1050 litres
Insurance group: 50E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Fabulous driving position
- Fantastic off-road ability
- Useful seven-seat versatility
Weaknesses
- Very expensive
- Reliability is a concern
- More physical controls for the infotainment would be preferable
The Range Rover needs no introduction, and this fifth-generation model takes all the elements from the previous model and enhances them.
As before, it has a road presence few cars can equal, but now it gets an upmarket interior with improved technology and a largely comfortable ride. It's become more versatile too, with two lengths available – standard and long-wheelbase (LWB), which allows you to have seven seats.
The diesel versions make most sense for private buyers. Although our top choice, the entry-level D300, is the slowest model in the line-up, it dispatches the 0-62mph dash in a respectable 6.9sec.
As with the Range Rover Sport above, you can also opt for petrol and plug-in hybrid power, with the latter choice being worth looking at if you're a company car driver – the official 75-mile electric-only range is one of the largest around.
And as you'd expect, the boot is simply cavernous. And we like that the Range Rover's split tailgate can easily become a seat, which is handy for when you need to change your footwear or simply enjoy the view.
The only cause for concern is Land Rover's reliability record, which is historically among the worst of any car brand. That being said, the previous-generation Range Rover was actually the third-most reliable luxury car according to the results of our annual Reliability Survey. The latest version, however, was too new to be featured.
“Climbing into the Range Rover's driver’s seat after a long day is like slipping into your favourite armchair. It’s supportive, covered in top-quality leather and heats up quickly.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our in-depth Range Rover review
New car deals
Best price from £98,431
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £98,431
RRP from: £107,530
Nearly new deals
From £91,600
Leasing deals
From £1,262
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Range Rover
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £1,261.80 Initial payment £15,141.60
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£15,387 total upfront (£15,142 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Bentley Bentayga
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Beautiful hand-finished interior
- Effortless performance
- Impressive infotainment system
Weaknesses
- Gearbox can be laggy around town
- High running costs
- Average boot space
Bentley is exceptionally good at producing beautifully built luxury cars that are also great to drive, and with the Bentayga – its first SUV – that continues. It has a great sense of occasion, brilliant refinement and impressive levels of comfort and performance.
You’d be hard-pushed to spot it, but the Bentayga uses the same underpinnings as the Audi Q7, and under the bonnet you'll find that model’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine or the tech-laden V6 plug-in hybrid engine.
That’s where the similarities end, though. The Bentley has a hand-finished interior, and a large infotainment screen that comes loaded with useful features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, real-time navigation and an embedded SIM.
“The Bentley Bentayga S’s freer-flowing sports exhaust does a fantastic job of transforming the character of the V8 engine.” – John Howell, Deputy Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Bentley Bentayga review
New car deals
Best price from £181,365
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £267,115
RRP from: £181,365
Nearly new deals
From £205,000
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BMW iX
Best buy: 45 100.6kWh Sport Auto xDrive 5dr (11kW Charger)
0-62 mph: 5.1 sec
Range: 374 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 500 litres
Insurance group: 50A
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- One of the quietest cars we’ve ever tested
- Spacious and luxurious interior
- Great infotainment system
Weaknesses
- Air suspension only standard on top-spec M70
- Fiddly air-con controls
- Questionable reliability record
If you like travelling in as much silence as possible, you'll be right at home in the BMW iX. Not only is it seriously comfortable inside, with high-quality materials and an infotainment system that's easy to get along with, but thanks to a combination of electric power and sound-deadening materials, it's also impressively quiet. Indeed, you can practically whisper your conversations as you drive along.
It's the entry-level xDrive45 version which we think makes the most sense, but don't think that means lacklustre performance. Instead, it can reach 62mph in 5.1 seconds, while a recent facelift has increased the size of the battery to 94.8Wh (usable capacity), bringing an official range of 374 miles – only a few less than the Mercedes EQE SUV can manage, and more than enough for most journeys.
While you can't order the iX as a seven-seater, that means there's more space available for your second-row passengers, who won't complain even if you have to sit three abreast on the rear seats.
“While there's lots to like about the BMW iX, I will admit to being disappointed by its boot. Not only is it not very big, but the electric tailgate doesn't open very high, so taller people might have to duck down to look inside it.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth BMW iX review
New car deals
Best price from £66,495
Nearly new deals
From £55,450
Leasing deals
From £845
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
BMW iX
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £845.32 Initial payment £10,143.84
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£10,389 total upfront (£10,144 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Mercedes S-Class
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance
Strengths
- Fantastic plug-in hybrid version
- Ride is mostly very comfortable
- Loads of space, especially in the rear
Weaknesses
- Overly reliant on fiddly touch-sensitive controls
- Entry-level diesel isn't as smooth as Audi A8’s
- Mercedes' reliability record isn't the best
Not only is the Mercedes S-Class packed to the rafters with technology, but it’s also a comfortable and exceedingly well-appointed luxury saloon, and one of the best for rear seat passengers.
The standard air suspension makes it ride more gracefully than a BMW 7 Series, although it’s not quite as adept at wiping out the thuds from potholes as an Audi A8.
The S-Class’s interior is certain to impress, too. All versions come with a giant portrait-orientated touchscreen infotainment system, heated front and rear seats, four-zone climate control, eight USB-C ports to keep all of your devices topped up, and a removable 7.0in tablet in the rear armrest.
The S580e plug-in hybrid is our favourite S-Class model because it has a substantial real-world electric range of up to 63 miles and it qualifies for low benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax. We'd also go for the stretched L version, which is standard from AMG Line Premium trim upwards, because it gets you a tad more room inside.
“The Mercedes S-Class makes use of driver profiles to store all your preferences. These are recalled via facial or fingerprint recognition when you get in.” – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Mercedes S-Class review
New car deals
Best price from £100,440
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £98,155
RRP from: £100,440
Nearly new deals
From £97,500
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Audi A8
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Extremely comfortable ride
- Spacious interior and boot
- Class-leading interior quality
Weaknesses
- Expensive to run in terms of depreciation
- Plug-in hybrid has a shorter electric range than the S-Class
- Dim-witted automatic gearbox
The A8’s blend of performance, comfort and serenity are wedded to a beautifully built, practical and well-equipped interior. In fact, by a whisker, it beats its chief rival the Mercedes S-Class, which shows just how good it is to drive and be driven in.
Like the BMW 7 Series, the S-Class and the Range Rover, the A8 can be had in standard-wheelbase form (ideal if you’re a private buyer looking for the ultimate luxury saloon) or as a stretched, long-wheelbase L model, which provides even more leg room for those sitting in the back. We prefer the A8 L.
Whether you’re sitting in the back or front seats, you can’t fail to notice the sumptuous fit and finish of the A8’s interior. It may not be as flashy or tech-laden as some alternatives here, but it certainly is the most well-heeled.
“Screen-based climate controls, like those in the Audi A8, look swish but are tricky to use on the move.” – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
Read our in-depth Audi A8 review
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New car deals
Best price from £84,250
Nearly new deals
From £52,950
And the luxury car to avoid...
Mercedes G-Class
You might associate the G-Class with luxury, but while the interior feels very well made, plenty of rivals are better to drive and more practical
Read our review
How we choose the best luxury cars
Our luxury-car assessments cover dozens of different tests, but our list here places particular emphasis on the factors most important to buyers of these kinds of cars. To do this, we weight our criteria using data from the 20,000-plus car owners who complete our annual reader survey.
In the latest annual What Car? reader survey, luxury car owners told us the three most important factors are:
Interior quality – a key attribute for 86% of luxury car buyers
So we rate two areas: perceived quality and build quality, and both must be exceptional given the £100,000 price tags some luxury cars attract. To gain top marks for perceived quality, a luxury car interior must be trimmed in the finest materials and finished with a plethora of soft-touch trim. All the controls and switches also need to feel solid and sturdy, and have a nice action when used.
Ride comfort – a key attribute for 69% of luxury car buyers
To find out if a luxury car will waft you along in total serenity, we test all models on a variety of surfaces and at a range of different speeds. And we don’t just assess the ride comfort of one version of a car; rather, we test as many as possible so we can determine the most comfortable versions, and whether it's worth splashing out on optional suspension systems.
Smoothness / quietness – a key attribute for 67% of luxury car buyers
We use a sound level meter to measure the decibels generated when a car is travelling at 30mph and 70mph. Our systems measure all kinds of noise, including wind, tyres, road and either the engine or electric motor. The lower the readings, the higher our scoring.
Our full testing regime covers dozens of different areas, so we only recommend the very best models on sale. Our how we test cars features explains this in more detail.
FAQs
Which cars are considered luxury models?
Luxury cars were traditionally large saloons that sat at the top of a car brand's range in terms of price and equipment, such as the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class. However, spurred on by the success of the Range Rover, which many view as the first luxury SUV, other brands have followed suit and introduced similarly premium vehicles, including the Audi Q7, BMW X7, and Mercedes G-Class. And there are plenty of pure electric luxury cars around, too, including the Audi Q8 e-tron, and BMW iX.
Which luxury car is most luxurious?
The most luxurious luxury car is the Rolls Royce Cullinan. It has a wonderful mix of traditional and modern design elements, with huge slabs of wood and expertly stitched, soft leather, as well as a BMW-sourced infotainment system that sets the standard for usability. The Bentley Bentayga isn't far behind, clad in the softest leather and wood veneer, with aluminium air vents and delicate stitching around the dashboard.
What are the luxury car brands?
These days, there are many different luxury car brands to choose from, including Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes and Volvo. There are several brands that are even more luxurious, too, including Bentley, Porsche and Rolls-Royce, but you'll need very deep pockets to put one of their models on your shopping list. Don't discount the likes of Lexus, either, especially if reliability is your top concern.
What is the most reliable luxury car?
The Lexus RX (2016-2022) was the top-rated luxury car in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey, which takes into account the real-world experiences of car owners.
Our data reveals that hardly any RX models went wrong over the past year, and of those which did, the issues were mostly minor which meant the cars could still be driven. Even better, all the models which did need repairs were sorted within a day, and Lexus covered all costs.
That experience is typical of the Japanese brand, which has consistently ranked among the most reliable car brands in our surveys.
The second most popular luxury car according to our data is the latest BMW X5, with a reliability score of 96.4%, followed by the 2014-2022 Range Rover Sport, with a rating of 95.3%.
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