Best luxury cars for £30,000

When it was first launched, Audi described the A7 Sportback as ‘luxury travel with a new slant’, taking the standard drab saloon and turning it into something much more attractive and desirable. Sitting between the Audi A6 and A8, it rivals the Mercedes CLS among others and while the interior may now feel a little on the dated side, there are no question marks over the build quality and finish.

As you’d expect of a luxury Audi, the A7 Sportback is incredibly refined on the move and makes for an ideal long-distance car, with little road noise. Yet it still handles well for a big car, feeling much more nimble than an A8.

Most models at this budget are the 3.0 TDI which is strong and smooth, with the BiTDI version the one to look for. This has power upped to 320PS and feels suitably rapid. 

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This 7 Series is the longest car BMW has ever produced so it’s no surprise that it has acres of legroom in the back. Getting in the back of a 7 Series is like settling into your favourite armchair - if your favourite armchair is covered in leather and is surrounded by double-glazed glass that is. It is of course supremely comfortable, in no small part thanks to self-levelling air suspension that’s standard on all models.

While the back seats are the best place to be in the 7 Series, it’s still good to drive and while not up to the dynamic standards of other BMWs, this is still a car that will effortlessly cover miles in serene comfort.

There are plenty of 730d models around but we’d be tempted by the 740d and if fuel economy isn’t an issue, the 740i sounds superb. Just be prepared for most of them to be black or grey...

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The godfather of luxury limousines, the Mercedes S-Class sets the gold standard here that all other luxury cars aspire to. As well as unrivalled comfort, the S-Class offers everything from city-friendly PHEV power to thunderously fast AMG versions. It’s a car that looks equally at home waiting at airport arrivals as it does ferrying presidents and prime ministers around. After all, if it’s good enough for Angela Merkel…

What impresses the most with the S-Class is its all-round ability. On the one hand, it’s superbly cosseting and a wonderful car to be driven around in. Yet for the driver, it still handles remarkably well and is actually enjoyable to drive. The latest model is even fitted with ‘Magic Body Control’ that scans the road ahead and adjusts the suspension to make for the smoothest ride possible.

With £30,000 at your disposal, you can get an S 350d - the most popular model in the S-Class range and one that offers all the power you’ll need with decent economy too.

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With its bold design - that rear end is perhaps best described as ‘challenging’ - and sumptuous interior, the XJ is Jaguar’s take on the likes of the Mercedes S-Class. It may not be able to match the Mercedes in several areas, it can’t compete on space, quality and technology for example, but the XJ still appeals as something different from the usual suspects.

While Jaguar has improved the XJ over the years, taller drivers and those in the back will still find both head and legroom on the limited side, which is hardly great for a limousine like this. Where the XJ does shine is in the handling department. With well-weighted steering and good balance, the XJ performs well in corners with body roll kept well in check.

You should be able to find a two- or three-year-old example at this money with the 30d V6 diesel engine the most popular choice. R-Sport trim is the one to go for if you want your XJ to stand out.

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Since it was first launched almost 50 years ago, the Range Rover has carved out a niche as a luxury 4x4 that's just as happy on Kensington High Street as it is towing horse boxes across muddy fields. It's the ultimate car for the green welly brigade. This latest model may not be the newest kid on the block, but it still looks fresh with that unmistakable Range Rover profile.

The rear seat is a standard bench but if you want true luxury, look for a model with the optional Executive Class seating that gets two individual rear seats that recline further and have a massage function. 

There are plenty of models around at this budget so you can afford to be choosy. Vogue is the most common trim but look for an Autobiography that comes with a high specification of standard kit, while the best engine is the 4.4-litre diesel in the SDV8.

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With its distinctive looks and that Maserati badge on the front grille, the Quattroporte adds a bit of Italian flair to the usual luxury saloon. Don’t let the fact that Quattroporte simply means ‘four-door’ take the shine off what is a beautifully built car with a sumptuous cabin.

Yes it is available with a 3.0-litre diesel engine but we’d find it hard to resist the GTS model with its Ferrari-built 3.8-litre V8 engine that delivers 530PS along with a suitably sonorous exhaust note. It gives the Quattroporte effortlessly quick performance when needed, yet is happy at a gentle cruise. All models are fitted with adaptive dampers which makes for a fittingly forgiving and quiet ride.

The Quattroporte is a rare sight on UK roads and there are only a handful usually on the used market. You may have to be patient for the right car to come along, but it will be worth the wait.

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The announcement that Porsche was to build a big four-door saloon was met with more than a few question marks before the Panamera was launched in 2009. While the Cayenne had been a success for the German brand, many Porsche purists felt the Panamera was a step too far. While a budget of £30,000 won’t get you behind the wheel of the latest Porsche Panamera, launched in 2016, the previous model is within budget and still has plenty of appeal.

Although it's a big four-door saloon, the Panamera is unlike any other car this size. The handling and dynamic set-up will win over any sceptics with an agility and feel that belies its size. This is still a Porsche after all.

There’s a wide range of models available and for £30,000 we’d be tempted by an E-Hybrid S or the strong 3.0-litre diesel if you plan on covering big miles. 

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You may not immediately associate the Volkswagen brand with luxury, even less so since the demise of the dull Phaeton, but with it labels the Arteon as 'a sporting gran turismo' and with a high quality feel throughout, you could easily argue that this competes with more recognisable luxury cars. It’s certainly better styled than the Phaeton with a design-led sharp profile.

It may have a sleek look, but the Arteon is certainly very spacious, with huge reserves of rear legroom, a big boot and uber-comfortable seats. It's also refined and relaxing to drive. There’s more good news when it comes to equipment and technology with the Arteon generously kitted out as standard.

The high-spec and sport looking R Line model is available at this budget and while the 2.0 TDI may be the default choice, we’d be very tempted by a 2.0 TSI 272PS model. 

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Replacing the cumbersome and frankly, ugly 5 Series GT, the BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo is designed to set new levels of comfort, according to BMW. In effect it’s a large luxury hatch that sits between a 7 Series and a BMW X6 - and it’s hard to think of any obvious rivals. There are plenty of luxury features such as the optional electrically adjustable reclining rear seats which turns this into a proper limousine.

It’s family practical though with a large 610-litre boot - 50 litres more than a BMW 5 Series Touring - plus the obligatory electrical tailgate as standard. It also features some of BMW’s best engines too including the powerful 630d.

However, we’d be sorely tempted by a petrol 640i xDrive model at this budget. You can pick up a two-year-old example with below average miles on the clock. True, it will only do about 27mpg but just think of that wonderful noise...

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It shows you how far Volvo has come as a brand in recent years that it now genuinely competes with the likes of BMW and Mercedes when it comes to luxury cars. One area where it treads a different path is the interior. Volvo has created a Scandanavian-inspired minimalist cabin that is beautifully finished, high-quality and urbane. This is easily more than a match for Audi and Range Rover.

Refinement is a real forte of the XC90 and not only is it quiet, but it rides exceptionally well too, coping well over poorly surfaced roads. It's more than just a one trick pony though, as the Volvo also handles well. Considering this is a big SUV that weighs more than two tonnes, you can happily tackle tight corners with confidence. The front end has plenty of grip and body roll is kept reasonably well in check.

At this budget you’ll find three- and four-year-old models with below average miles - the D5 being the most popular around. 

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