The Best Luxury Cars

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is the ultimate luxury car for the discerning driver, whether that is yourself or a chauffeur. An extravagant symbol of wealth and status, the Phantom also delivers where it counts, proving to be a true joy to drive and an even greater pleasure to be driven in. The ride is ultra-smooth and quiet and the cabin is immensely comfortable and, of course, of the very highest quality. Simply put, there is no other car that matches the level of luxury found in the Phantom. It is the pinnacle of the Rolls-Royce range and like nothing else. Of course, the exclusive brand carries a price tag to match, but if that is not an issue, then the only question remains: do you want a gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy mascot or solid silver?

A leader in the luxury saloon market, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class certainly comes incredibly close to achieving its initial brief: to be the best car in the world. Designed to be supremely quiet and immeasurably comfortable, the ride quality even manages to give the Rolls-Royce Phantom a run for its money and at a fraction of the cost. Furthermore, the S-Class is dignified without being showy and all the more refined for it. Inside, the spacious cabin offers an outstanding level of luxury, and for the driver, it comes with a host of semi-autonomous driving features to aid in the enjoyment and comfort of the driving experience, such as active cruise control, Remote Parking Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, and Active Speed Limit Assist. It also comes with a 12.3 inch infotainment screen and Mercedes’ Comand Online system as standard, and as an optional extra, a rear seat entertainment system is also available.

There are few cars that successfully merge genuine off-road capabilities with a high-level of luxury and fewer still that meet those standards like a Range Rover. It is no surprise that the car is a favourite amongst the British royal family and a hit with chauffeurs transporting VIPs. Now in its fourth generation, the car projects a strong and sturdy image commanding the road with excellent visibility and an assured driving position. Inside, the spacious interior exudes genuine luxury and an incredible finish, providing a smooth, serene, and comfortable ride that is quiet and highly enjoyable. Range Rovers also come with a high-tech infotainment system and a wealth of optional extras to seriously increase the levels of luxury, from innovative driver aids for a more refined driving experience, to executive seating with wider, deeper cushioning and two rear LCD screens for entertaining passengers. With undeniable build quality, the Range Rover SUV is the ultimate car for on and off-road luxury.

The Bentley Bentayga is a super-SUV with probably the most luxurious interior of any SUV on the market. Offering mighty performance behind a refined, yet glamorous exterior, the Bentley Bentayga focuses just as much on the driver’s experience, as it does for those in the passenger seat. And it delivers where it counts for both. It is incredibly fast and responsive to drive and, for passengers, it is every bit as smooth and comfortable as you’d expect from a luxury vehicle. Furthermore, you can tailor the car to suit your needs and lifestyle, with an extensive range of options to alter the interior, upholstery, and trim, providing the kind of ride experience a luxury vehicle of this standard requires.

An excellent alternative to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the Audi A8 saloon stands its own ground against rivals, with innovative features and cutting-edge technology designed to make the ride experience more refined and enjoyable. The flagship model sports the Audi Drive Select dynamic handling system, which allows you to switch between smooth and elegant driving characteristics and, when desired, more sporty handling – perfect for establishing the kind of ride to suit your needs. The understated design of the A8 embodies a self-assured and sophisticated style, one that is confident and suave. Inside, choose from wood, aluminium, and Valcona leather dash inlays and enjoy temperature controlled seats and a host of other luxurious features. Additionally, the Audi A8 is ready to take luxury motoring into the future, promising one of the most capable and high-tech autonomous driving systems on the market.

Jaguar’s ultimate luxury saloon, the XJ enjoys futuristic styling and a striking appearance. Whilst the model may lack the incredibly high-levels of interior quality compared to other vehicles on this list, the Jaguar XJ more than makes up for it with its driveability. In fact, the XJ is arguably one of the best luxury saloons to drive, standing in a class all of its own. Of course, the Jaguar badge is a symbol of luxury and refinement in itself and behind those sleek and sporty lines the car provides a very comfortable cabin for both short and long distance journeys. With precise steering and agile handling, the XJ brings a lot of fun to the drive experience, an important element for those in the main seat.

Like the Jaguar XJ, the BMW 7-Series focuses just as much on the driver’s experience as it does on the passengers comfort. With a slightly firmer ride, the 7-Series is fun to drive, refined, and packed with impressive technology. The interior is wonderfully plush too, with luxurious Nappa, or optional Merino, leather seats and high-tech extras such as rear massage seats and full HD entertainment touchscreens. With Parking Assistance Plus as standard and other high-tech options to add-on, the BMW 7-Series strikes the perfect balance, providing a car that is without doubt agile, nimble, and enjoyable to drive and, importantly, equally elegant to be driven in.

For a luxury car with a more sporting edge and pedigree, the Porsche Panamera ticks all the right boxes. The latest version has carved its own space with stylish new looks that stay true to Porsche’s roots, enjoying the brand’s unmistakable and inimitable styling. Yet the Porsche DNA injected into the luxury saloon goes further than mere looks; the Panamera offers the kind of precision, power, and exceptional handling that you’d expect from the prestigious marque. The interior, which comes with an extensive range of personalisation options, has a refined sporty quality that doesn’t hold back on refinement, offering further extras such as four-zone climate control and a suave colour touchscreen for rear passengers. It has a luxurious ride experience, whether as a driver or passenger, and comes with an impressive selection of driver assistance systems for added ease and comfort whilst driving.

Effectively the car that launched electric vehicles back into the spotlight, the Tesla Model S proved to the world that EVs can be every bit as luxurious, stylish, fast, and reliable as their petrol and diesel counterparts. With incredible performance and impressive battery range, the Model S does things only an EV can: from its near silent running and extremely quiet cabin, to the instant power and lightning fast acceleration delivered by the all-electric powertrain. The car has both feet firmly in the future and comes packed with cutting-edge technology, including sophisticated door handles that extend and retract into the body of the car when in close proximity to the key and autopilot features, such as automatic parking and changing lanes at the tap of the turn signal. It also comes with a 17 inch touchscreen for the driver and handy massive cargo spaces. The luxurious interior enjoys the kind of finish you’d expect from a high-quality marque, providing a smooth and comfortable ride too. Altogether, the Tesla Model S is a refined and futuristic experience for passengers and drivers alike.

Whilst popular around the world, Lexus is something of a niche choice on the British car market, so if you are looking for a luxury saloon that has an air of difference about it this could be the model for you. It has a sleek and refined exterior and, inside, the comfortable interior matches the luxurious design. As standard, the Lexus LS comes equipped with smooth leather upholstery throughout for a refined cabin and enjoys adjustable and heated seats for added comfort. It also comes with the impressive 12.3 inch Lexus Premium Navigation system and a wealth of safety tech to make driving easier and more relaxing, from pre-collision lane and road assist warnings, to cruise control, and automatic high beams. Higher specifications add greater luxury, such as shiatsu massage seats and a Mark Levinson surround sound system for full concert immersion. The Lexus LS 500h also enjoys a self-charging hybrid powertrain, combining a large 3.5 litre petrol engine with an advanced electric motor for greater acceleration and efficiency.