If you appreciate the finer things in life, it’s hard to resist the allure of a luxury car. And while electrification is transforming the automotive landscape, the luxury car market continues to thrive. New technologies have allowed manufacturers to combine performance, refinement and cutting-edge features like never before.
Exactly what counts as a luxury car is a continuing debate. Some prioritise supreme comfort, while others focus on brand prestige, advanced tech or outright performance. But all luxury cars offer an elevate driving experience that goes beyond the everyday.
A new luxury car comes with a high price tag, but buying used can be a very smart way to enjoy the same prestige and refinement for much less. Someone else has already had to deal with the steep initial depreciuation, which means you can enjoy high-end motoring at a far more accessible price.
Buying a luxury car is about more than just getting from A to B. It could be the fulfilment of a dream, a reward or hard work, or a desire to enjoy motoring in its finest form. Luxury cars are often packed with features designed to make every journey feel special, from advanced soundproofing to massage seats and high-end infotainment systems.
There's a wide variety of used luxury cars available. Maybe you're after a smooth and silent saloon like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, or a grand touring coupe like the Bentley Continental GT, or a big SUV crammed with every extra available, such as a Range Rover – there's a luxury car out there that fits the bill.
There's no shortage of choice in the luxury car market. If it's craftsmanship and heritage you're after, the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Phantom, and Bentley’s Mulsanne hard to beat. They're built to exceptional, opulent standards.
If a Mulsanne is out of the budget, Bentley’s Continental GT might be more realistic, as older versions of this coupe can be surprisingly affordable to buy – although the operating costs won’t be so cheap.
Other sporty options include just about anything from Porsche, including top-end 911s and the Cayenne SUV. SUVs like the Range Rover, the Bentley Bentayga, and the Rolls-Royce Cullinan blend plush cabins with go-anywhere ability, as do the Mercedes-Benz GLS and its electric equivalent, the EQS SUV. Those are inspired by the classic S-Class limousine, which is also highly recommended, as are its German rivals – the Audi A8 and the BMW 7 Series.
If you want electric power without compromising on luxury, consider the relatively affordable and sporty Jaguar I-Pace and the Porsche Taycan, as well as the BMW iX SUV and the i7, which is essentially an electric 7 Series.
As with any high-end vehicle, condition and service history are critical. A well-maintained luxury carshould come with a full record of its servicing and repairs, so be way of any examples with gaps in their history or signs of neglect, because repairs can be very pricey.
Think carefully about how a potential purchase fits into your life. Is this going to be a daily driver or just a weekend indulgence? Some luxury cars prioritise comfort while others offer sharper handling and performance.
Don't forget to budget for ongoing running costs, which can be considerbaly higher than more mainstream cars –while the purchase price deteriorates, the maintenance and repair costs generally don’t.
If you're not sure if a used luxury car is quite right for you, we've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.
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