What Is a Luxury Car?

In today’s world, the term “luxury car” covers a wide range of models and brands. These include everything from sleek sports cars to spacious family sedans and SUVs. Luxury cars tend to cost more than traditional models, and the manufacturer’s reputation plays a role as well. If you’re shopping for a luxury vehicle, you’ll want to consider what features are most important.

Many of the luxury car manufacturers focus on high-end interior materials and a comfortable, isolating ride. They also offer an impressive array of advanced safety features, including forward collision warnings, lane departure alerts and even automated emergency braking. These features may not only protect the driver and passengers, but they can also make driving on busy highways much safer.

A luxury car’s performance is another key factor. These vehicles often boast more powerful engines and a wider variety of drive modes than non-luxury models, which means they’re more responsive when you hit the accelerator or need to slow down on a highway. Moreover, the top-notch materials and engineering that go into luxury cars often result in better fuel economy ratings than non-luxury vehicles.

There’s no set price threshold that defines a luxury car, but most brands tend to be priced higher than the average car. This extra cost can add up over time, especially if you’re considering buying a luxury car that comes with many standard features you may not need. Additionally, luxury vehicles are usually depreciating assets, and they’ll generally need more expensive parts and maintenance than other models.

If you’re in the market for a new or used luxury vehicle, take some time to look at the carmaker’s reputation and history. Most upscale vehicles have a long track record of excellence, which can help them hold their value over the long term. Moreover, these vehicles typically earn excellent safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as well as strong customer satisfaction scores.

The luxury brand name is a major selling point for many buyers. These cars are marketed as status symbols that give drivers a sense of prestige and wealth. They’re also usually designed with comfort in mind, focusing on the front and rear seats and the cabin’s overall noise and vibration reduction.

Some of the most recognizable luxury vehicle names are Audi, Cadillac, BMW, Lexus, Lincoln and Mercedes-Benz. These brands have built their reputations by using a combination of marketing, design and manufacturing to create a perception that their vehicles are a cut above the rest. If you’re looking to spend more than $50,000 on a luxury car, it’s worth researching these brands to find the model that suits your needs. Fortunately, Carfax has a comprehensive listing of luxury cars and models for sale, which can help you decide which option is right for you. Each model in our listings comes with a free Carfax Vehicle History Report.