Top 10 best luxury cars to buy 2023
Indulge yourself with our list of the most luxurious cars on sale today
Some car companies perceive luxury as being ostentatious, loud and large, but here at Auto Express we know that true luxury cars are made from the finest materials, feature the latest on-board technology, and deliver the most refined experience for passengers. In previous decades the luxury car segment has been synonymous with saloons (or limousines), but these days there’s an increasing choice of premium SUVs on sale, too, meaning the competition for the title of ‘best luxury car’ has never been tougher.
The main factor when evaluating luxury cars is exactly how much luxury you get for your money. The best luxury models come with plush seats covered in soft leather, while even rear seat passengers can expect electric adjustment, massage options, and maybe even a recline function. There will be legroom to spare and the kind of in-car entertainment that used to be the preserve of first-class transatlantic flights, with high-end audio and visual systems that can be tailored to any requirement.
Luxury cars are not purely for rich buyers to flaunt their wealth either, as they play a key part in signposting which new technology might feature on your family hatchback in 10 years time. Cars like the Mercedes S-Class have introduced features such as double glazed windows, noise-cancelling systems, autonomous driver aids and remote parking into standard everyday cars.
So, which models are the top dogs in the luxury car sector today? We've rounded up our top 10 favourites here...
Top 10 best luxury cars 2023
- Bentley Flying Spur
- Range Rover
- Mercedes S-Class
- BMW 7 Series
- Rolls Royce Ghost
- Bentley Continental GT
- Rolls Royce Phantom
- Porsche Panamera
- Bentley Bentayga
- Mercedes EQS
1. Bentley Flying Spur
Luxury and performance are qualities synonymous with Bentley motor cars, and the Flying Spur is the brand's ‘small’ four-door limousine. It uses an extended version of the Continental GT coupe’s platform, and comes with the choice of a V6 plug-in hybrid, a 4.0-litre V8, or a 6.0-litre W12 engine. No matter which engine you choose, this two-tonne-plus saloon delivers a sub-five second 0-62mph time. Naturally, the W12 offers the highest top speed at 207mph.
The Flying Spur offers majestic levels of refinement and it's so well insulated and refined that even the roar of the twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12 engine is merely an underlying soundtrack.
As with all Bentleys, the Flying Spur is beautifully finished inside with the finest wood and leather trim, so occupants can be carried in supreme comfort at high speeds. Bentley’s Mulliner customisation programme also means you can have your Flying Spur specified to your every whim.
2. Range Rover
The new fifth-generation Range Rover somehow manages to improve on the old model by offering up a wider range of powertrains, increased comfort and impressive on-board technology. As ever, the Range Rover is just as capable on a cross-continent motorway journey as it is ploughing through a muddy field and while it’s bigger than ever, it's also surprisingly nimble.
With the extra height the Range Rover has over its rivals, it feels truly massive in the back and the standard-fit air suspension on the new model, that lowers the car to aid access, is a helpful touch considering it’s so tall. Although there’s a twin-turbocharged V8 option, for true serenity the plug-in hybrid variant can run in silent electric-only mode for up to 70 miles.
3. Mercedes S-Class
The long-serving S-Class still offers one of the most refined and relaxing driving experiences on sale. Vibrations through the pedals and steering wheel are non-existent, and even at motorway speeds you won’t hear any wind or tyre roar.
You float along, unaware of the imperfections in the road surface, as the Mercedes simply soaks up the lumps and bumps as if they were never there to begin with. Add to this engines so quiet you will regularly be convinced the start/stop system has cut in and a silky smooth nine-speed automatic gearbox, and you have the ultimate luxury combination.
The S 500 4MATIC version uses a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol engine, producing 429bhp - which is good enough to propel it from 0-62mph in 4.9s. Even the 282bhp S 350 diesel is capable of a decent 6.4s sprint time, and a 155mph maximum speed.
There is no surprise that the long-wheelbase model is all about the rear seat, which comes with enough legroom to kick back and watch other road users drive past in their lesser vehicles. Should even that be too stressful, the seats come with heating and massaging features to take comfort up another notch.
4. BMW 7 Series
The exterior design of the new 7 Series might not be to everyone’s taste, but where a luxury car needs to deliver is on the inside and mainly in the back seats. Of course, up front there’s the impressive 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch curved display nabbed from the iX but in the rear a whopping 31.3-inch screen awaits, folding down from the headlining. It’s also possible to spec a 36-speaker, 1,965-watt Bowers & Wilkins Diamond sound system.
There’s much more to the latest 7 Series than just technology. BMW’s Merino leather features as standard in the cabin and is available in five different colours. Alternatively, you can choose the leather-like ‘Veganza’ trim as a no-cost option. There’s even a BMW Individual option made from a Merino leather and cashmere combination.
For those seeking a quiet powertrain, the all-electric i7 will be a blessing with its 388-mile maximum range, but upcoming plug-in hybrid versions of the 7 Series should be highly refined too. Both PHEV offerings come with a 197bhp electric motor combined with an inline-six turbocharged petrol engine. The 750e xDrive offers 486bhp and 700Nm of torque, which should be enough to make overtaking lesser cars a doddle, but if you want to embarrass sports cars in your luxury limo, the 760e xDrive packs 563bhp and 800Nm.
5. Rolls-Royce Ghost
When it comes to luxury and refinement, the new Rolls Royce Ghost delivers in spades. There are only two parts carried over from the previous model - the Spirit of Ecstasy that sits atop the bonnet, and the umbrellas hidden within the doors.
The Ghost is based on Rolls-Royce’s latest aluminium chassis that it calls its ‘architecture of luxury’. It’s new to the Ghost, but can also be found beneath the Cullinan SUV, flagship Phantom and even the all-electric Spectre.
Although perhaps a little less conspicuous than its Phantom sibling, the Ghost is still five-metres long and 2.5-tonnes in weight, so it could hardly be called understated. You shouldn’t have to worry about merging from slip roads, its 6.75-litre V12 petrol engine produces 563bhp, which allows a 0-62mph time of 4.8s and a 155mph top speed.
6. Bentley Continental GT
The Bentley Continental GT may be built on Porsche Panamera underpinnings but that is in no way a bad thing as both cars feature in this top ten list. The only two-door on our list, this is a luxury ‘grand touring’ coupe that will not break a sweat when being driven across continents – hence the name. Power is plentiful too, with the choice of either a 525bhp V8 or 626bhp W12 engine.
The interior is a treat for anyone lucky enough to sit inside, with inspiration taken from the wings of the Bentley badge. The dashboard, for example, ‘wings’ majestically out from the central console, before continuing into the door trims, circling the occupants with a ring of wood and leather.
Along with the lavish design, the cabin features an array of technology including bang-up-to-date infotainment and safety systems. There's also a bundle of new chassis tech that helps give the Continental GT its great driver feeling on the road.
As with the Flying Spur and Bentayga, Bentley also updated the Continental GT’s trim level range to include the Azure model, which add a suite of driver assistance features, air purifiers and 22-way front seat adjustment.
7. Rolls-Royce Phantom
There’s no doubt that the Phantom is an incredible car. It's powered by a 6.75-litre V12 petrol engine, which produces 563bhp and a satisfying 900Nm of torque. This allows you to plant your right foot and accelerate from a standstill to 62mph in 5.3 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155mph.
The price is suitably large to go with the Rolls’ grand dimensions and 21- or 22-inch wheels, as the least you can expect to pay is north of £300,000. So much as look at the options list and you will find that figure heading beyond the £400,000 mark.
On the road it is unbelievably quiet and comfortable – as you would expect – but should you find yourself in the driver's seat, you will have a mixture of features to make sure you enjoy your time there. Firstly, there is four-wheel steering to aid in low-speed manoeuvres and high-speed stability, then there is the air suspension and active roll management to prevent unwanted lurching of the body through the corners – all of which make this enormous car a lot easier to keep under control.
8. Porsche Panamera
The current Panamera has been around since 2016, but a facelift in 2021 kept it feeling as fresh as ever. With an estate “Sport Turismo” version now available, your dog can savour the luxury too.
Like the Porsche 911, the Panamera is a masterclass in evolution ahead of revolution when it comes to its development. While it hasn't been around anywhere near as long, it's clear that the latest Panamera is a logical progression from its predecessor.
Thankfully, that means it looks more appealing than the original. The lines have been smoothed out, yet the 911 styling cues remain, while the driving experience has been enhanced to boost its range of ability.
It's just as driver-focused as before, so it's a pleasure to drive quickly, and it has performance by the bucketload, but the air-suspension can be switched to comfort mode at the press of a button to keep back-seat occupants comfortable and unruffled.
As before, there are standard and S models, rear and four-wheel drive is available, and there are also E-Hybrid, Turbo, Turbo S, and GTS models to choose from. Whatever model you choose, the Panamera will be able to conquer long journeys with ease.
9. Bentley Bentayga
The Bentayga may be criticised for driving a bit like a top-spec Audi Q7, but it is still an incredibly well polished car that puts in a strong claim to be one of the most luxurious SUVs on the market. The British marque went big with its first attempt at an SUV with the First Edition models released at launch costing well over £200,000.
To ensure that the Bentayga is up to standard when behind the wheel, it is based on the same MLB architecture in which the Q7 and Porsche Cayenne are built upon. Should you wish to take advantage of Bentley’s most potent powertrain for the SUV, you can opt for a 6.0-litre W12 that pumps out 626bhp and 900Nm of torque.
The launch of the Bentyaga EWB (short for ‘Extended Wheelbase’) added 180mm to the SUV’s length, which all came behind the B-pillar for the benefit of rear passengers. Bentley’s “Airline Seat Specification” is much more comfortable than it sounds with it able to make tiny adjustments in the seat to support your posture and keep rear passengers relaxed.
10. Mercedes EQS
The Mercedes S-Class has long been seen by many as a staple of luxury cars, so when the all-electric EQS was first announced, all eyes were on it to see if it could deliver the same high standards into a new market. This pressure was only increased with the arrival of newcomer EV rivals like the Lucid Air.
Fortunately for Mercedes, it really has managed to deliver on these great expectations. The EQS meets all of the luxury car essentials – it’s spacious, stylish, comfortable, and absolutely loaded with tech. Although many of the top features are optional extras, the EQS can be specced with a large range of features such as a Burmester surround sound system, active ambient lighting, remote parking, massaging seats, and even the brand’s Air Balance system, which features an air ioniser and diffuses fragrances around the cabin.
The EQS doesn’t just impress on the luxury front, either, as it boasts brilliant battery range. Thanks to a huge 107.8kWh battery and aerodynamic design.
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