Best luxury cars 2026 – tested, rated and the ones to avoid
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 model | List price from | Rating | PCP deals | Leasing deals |
| BMW X7 | £93,160 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| BMW i7 | £101,865 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| BMW X5 | £75,700 | 4 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Audi Q7 | £70,665 | 4 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Range Rover Sport | £76,350 | 4 | Best PCP deals | Best 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.
Want something a bit smaller? It's another BMW which is a top choice, this time it's the BMW X5. It costs less than the X7 above, yet features many of the same creature comforts. Plus, it can be had with plug-in hybrid power, which is a potential boon for business drivers.
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Our pick: 3.0 40i MHT M Sport Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
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
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: £77,490
RRP from: £93,280
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
3.0 40d MHT Excellence SUV 5dr Diesel Hybrid Auto xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) (352 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £1,118.30 |
| Initial payment | £13,419.60 |
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
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Strengths
- Stunning interior
- Impressive optional 8K cinema screen
- Extremely comfy for all occupants
Weaknesses
- Desirable options are very expensive
- Boot has a comparatively small opening
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.
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
Strengths
- Fantastic plug-in hybrid version
- Great to drive
- The PHEV's good electric range
Weaknesses
- You can't have seven seats with the PHEV version
- Third-row seating costs extra in the non-PHEV versions
- There are more spacious and practical rivals
Yes, the X5 is the third BMW to feature on this list so far, which shows you that the German brand really knows how to make a great luxury car. And as you'd hope, the X5 takes much of what we love about the larger BMW X7 and translates it into a smaller package which fits on the driveways of most homes.
While you can order your X5 with diesel power, we think the plug-in hybrid xDrive50e is the one to go for whether you're a company car driver or a private buyer. This combines a punchy 3.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor and battery, producing a combined 482bhp and giving you plenty of pull from a standing start – indeed, this X5 will reach 60mph in less time than a Range Rover Sport or Volvo XC90.
Performance is only half the story, though, because choosing the plug-in hybrid X5 also brings an electric-only range of 62 miles according to the official WLTP tests. And while you're unlikely to see that figure in real-world conditions, it could still be enough for your commute.
A couple of tall adults will be perfectly comfortable on the rear bench, and while the middle seat is raised, there should still be enough head room for a third passenger to relax.
“It's a shame that going for plug-in hybrid power removes the ability to turn the X5 into a seven-seater. If you want to do that, you'll need to look at the Volvo XC90 instead.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our in-depth BMW X5 review
Strengths
- Smooth and powerful engines
- Pillowy ride in Sport and S line trims
- Superb interior quality
Weaknesses
- Lack of physical buttons for infotainment system
- Third-row space is better in the BMW X7
- Some safety equipment optional
The Q7 has been one of our favourite luxury SUVs since the original version went on sale in 2006. Instead of resting on its laurels, the latest Q7 is a great all-rounder, offering a supremely comfortable ride and excellent agility for such an enormous SUV.
Air suspension comes as standard on all versions of the Q7, so ride quality is good across the board, but if you want to waft along with the most relaxing ride opt for a Sport or S Line version. Indeed, it's the latter which we recommend.
The Q7’s interior is one of the roomiest and plushest of any luxury car, and there is plenty of space for adults to stretch out. It has slightly more leg room than a BMW X5 or Land Rover Discovery and virtually matches that of the Volvo XC90. All Q7s also come with seven seats as standard, but the ones in the BMW X7 are a little more comfy – especially for third-row passengers.
“Even with the leather-wrapped dashboard, flat-bottomed steering wheel and Alcantara roof lining that comes with range-topping Vorsprung spec, the Q7 still looks a bit conservative inside.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Audi Q7 review
Our pick: 3.0 D300 MHEV Dynamic SE Auto 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
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 the best luxury car isn't necessarily the most expensive. 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, is the more affordable of the two diesel options on offer, but it has plenty of power. Its 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine will haul it up to 62mph in 6.6sec.
And we'd go for Dynamic SE trim, which adds some attractive styling touches to the comprehensive entry-level SE version, which comes with keyless entry, two-zone climate control, a plush leather interior and adaptive cruise control.
“A standout feature of the 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
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: £74,469
RRP from: £77,620
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
3.0 D250 MHEV S SUV 5dr Diesel Auto 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) (250 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £901.22 |
| Initial payment | £10,814.64 |
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
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Our pick: 3.0 D300 MHEV SE Auto 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
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.
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 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
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: £99,995
RRP from: £107,530
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
3.0 D300 MHEV SE SUV 5dr Diesel Auto 4WD Euro 6 (s/s) (300 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 6000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £1,277.41 |
| Initial payment | £15,328.92 |
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
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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
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: £238,825
RRP from: £176,390
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
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: £66,495
RRP from: £75,405
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
45 100.6kWh Sport SUV 5dr Electric Auto xDrive (11kW Charger) (408 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £809.51 |
| Initial payment | £9,714.12 |
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
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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 S-Class makes use of driver profiles to store all your preferences. These are recalled via facial or fingerprint recognition when you get in.” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video
Read our in-depth Mercedes S-Class review
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: £99,155
RRP from: £100,440
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 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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