Best Used Luxury Cars: Ballin’ on a Budget
These lightly used luxury vehicles from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and others return substantial bang for the buck.
One of the soundest pieces of advice we give to shoppers looking for a new luxury sedan is to consider used. A preowned car that’s only one or two years old is still relatively fresh but has already taken the deprecation hit every new vehicle faces. The high levels of comfort, convenience, performance, and status luxury sedans offer can be had for less money if you’re OK with some miles on the odometer. The real challenge might be where to start looking, and for that, our answer is the vetted newish vehicles we’ve collected here.
About MotorTrend's methodology: We consider many of the same factors in our new-car rankings system. An above-average J.D. Power quality and reliability rating is a plus. Any vehicle we recommend must have earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick award or NHTSA overall five-star safety rating and have some used-car inventory with under 80,000 miles (the upper limit on many automaker CPO programs).
2023 Audi A3 – Subcompact Sedan
Pros: This A3 boasts a sharp-looking exterior and modern, high-tech cabin with standard 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, 10.3-inch driver display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A 12.3-inch driver screen is also available. The car’s powertrain is strong and smooth, and its ride is mostly settled.
Cons: The Audi A3 doesn’t come with as many standard driver assist and active safety features as some competitors. Bigger passengers might feel cramped in the small interior. Too much road noise enters the cabin at speed.
2023 Audi A3 – Subcompact Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $21,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick+
- Fuel Economy: 28/38 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 422 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 6.4 seconds
2023 Audi A6 – Midsize Sedan
Pros: Almost everything about the Audi A6 exudes quality, from its high-end interior to its abundance of technology, to its library-quiet ride. The car is quick and confident, and it comes with a huge gas tank for impressive driving range.
Cons: Equipping larger wheels results in noticeable road noise inside. The A6 might be too plain-looking for a luxury car.
2023 Audi A6 – Midsize Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $27,500
- Safety Ratings: IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 24/31 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 521 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 5.8 seconds (mfr est)
2021-2022 BMW 3 Series – Compact Sedan
Pros: The 3 BMW Series lineup offers a selection of strong gas and hybrid powertrains. Every model also features accurate, agile handling. Trunk capacity is generous. All 2022 variants are standard with a 12.3-inch driver display.
Cons: Few driver assist features are standard. Interior styling from this era of 3 Series is somewhat uninspired. Around town, the M Sport’s suspension is on the stiff side.
2021-2022 BMW 3 Series – Compact Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $17,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 26/36 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 468 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 5.5 seconds
2022-2023 BMW 5 Series – Midsize Sedan
Pros: Every variant is decently quick, but the 530e plug-in hybrid also delivers impressive efficiency. The 5 BMW Series offers plenty of space for cargo and passengers. Interior materials are premium, and ride comfort is excellent.
Cons: There’s virtually no feedback through any control, so the driving experience is largely anodyne. Styling takes zero risks. Starting with the 2022 model, BMW stopped offering a wireless charger, Wi-Fi hot spot, and remote start.
2022-2023 BMW 5 Series – Midsize Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $25,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick+
- Fuel Economy: 25/33 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 504 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 4.6 seconds
2022-2023 Genesis G70 – Compact Sedan
Pros: Every Genesis G70 features athletic handling, and the sport sedan’s V-6 is strong. We’re also fans of the car’s beautiful interior, with its lovely design and upscale materials. This Genesis is an excellent feature-per-dollar value.
Cons: Neither powertrain is all that efficient, and the base turbo-four engine feels underpowered. Cargo capacity is limited.
2022-2023 Genesis G70 – Compact Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $21,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick+
- Fuel Economy: 21/31 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 379-395 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 6.2 seconds
2022-2023 Genesis G80 – Midsize Sedan
Pros: We dig the Genesis G80’s capacious, distinctly styled, and high-quality cabin, as well as its large trunk. The luxury sedan boasts an impressive set of standard features, including a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. Its comprehensive safety suite helps make it a compelling value, not to mention one of the best used luxury cars in a competitive set.
Cons: Driving dynamics are somewhat unrefined for a luxury vehicle, both the car’s coarse powertrains and unsettled suspension. As a brand, Genesis still doesn’t have the cachet of other luxury automakers.
2022-2023 Genesis G80 – Midsize Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $31,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 22-23/32 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 447 miles
- 0-60 MPH Acceleration: 5.9 seconds
2021-2022 Lexus IS – Compact Sedan
Pros: Lexus IS driving dynamics strike a balance between athleticism and comfort. For 2022, Lexus brought back a V-8 model in the IS500. Strong safety ratings cement its status as one of the best used luxury cars on the market.
Cons: Rivals are quicker. Second-row legroom is tight. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system is awkward, but luckily the screen is also touch sensitive. F Sport models aren’t especially sporty.
2021-2022 Lexus IS – Compact Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $26,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 21/31 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 435 miles
- 0–60 MPH Acceleration: 7.0 seconds
2021-2023 Lexus ES – Midsize Sedan
Pros: The Lexus ES comes with plenty of space for people and things. Seating is comfortable, and cabin materials and build quality are top notch. For the best fuel economy, the ES300h hybrid returns impressive numbers.
Cons: An infotainment touchscreen interface doesn’t arrive in the ES until the 2022 model year—both the 2021 and 2022 ES still come with a center console touchpad. Road noise fouls the cabin in F Sport guise. On the other models, the suspension feels floaty driving over distressed road surfaces.
2021-2023 Lexus ES – Midsize Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $25,500
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+/Top Safety Pick, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 22/32 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 413 miles
- 0–60 mph Acceleration: 5.9 seconds*
*Same generation 2019 model
2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Compact Sedan
Pros: Great straight-line speed and commendable efficiency help make the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class one of the best used luxury cars you can buy. The C-Class also boasts upscale interior design and build quality, like a mini S-Class. Heated front seats and a 12.3-inch driver display became standard with this model year.
Cons: Ride quality with the sport suspension is on the rigid side, and at-limit handling is compromised by the cars’ always-on stability control. Convertible models come with a small trunk.
2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class – Compact Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $19,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 23/35 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 470 miles
- 0–60 mph Acceleration: 5.5 seconds*
*Same generation 2019 model
2022-2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Midsize Sedan
Pros: These Mercedes-Benz E-Class models are offered with strong powertrains and an available super-smooth air suspension. Cabins balance old-school comfort with modern amenities. Like the current-gen model, this one also won MotorTrend’s Car of the Year award.
Cons: Back seats are small relative to some competitors. Some driver assist features that have since become standard—like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist—are not yet standard on these variants.
2022-2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class – Midsize Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $34,000
- Safety Ratings: IIHS 2022 Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA five stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 23/31 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 452 miles
- 0–60 mph Acceleration: 4.6 seconds (E450 sedan)
Best Used Luxury Cars
- 2021–2022 BMW 3 Series
- 2022–2023 BMW 5 Series
- 2022–2023 Genesis G70
- 2022–2023 Genesis G80
- 2021–2022 Lexus IS
- 2021–2023 Lexus ES
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- 2022–2023 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Best Used Luxury Cars From 2024
Buying lightly used continues to be one of the smartest ways to circumvent new car depreciation. This is especially true if you happen to be shopping for a luxury sedan—elevated levels of comfort, convenience, performance, and status can be had for less money if you don't mind buying something with a few miles on the odometer. The real question might be where to start your search, and for that our answer is the vetted vehicles here in our list of the best used luxury cars.
About MotorTrend's methodology: We consider many of the same factors in our new car rankings system,starting with value. The experts at IntelliChoiceconduct extensive research to assess long-term value on 3- to 5-year-old vehicles, which means our picks start at the 2020 model year. IntelliChoice considers resale value, the cost of insurance, maintenance costs, fuel costs, and more. We prioritize models receiving a Good or Excellent IntelliChoice used car value rating. An average or above J.D. Powerquality and reliability rating is also a plus. Any vehicle we recommend must have earned an IIHSTop Safety Pick award or NHTSAoverall five-star safety rating and have some used car inventory with under 80,000 miles (the upper limit on many automaker CPO programs).
2022 Genesis G80: Midsize Sedan
Pros: The G80 delivers a luxury experience that matches cars costing thousands more. Interior material quality is excellent, and its back seat is among the most comfortable and spacious in the segment. Great standard feature content is another plus, such as its 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen and generous set of driver assist features.
Cons: Its handling lacks the sophistication of German rivals—it's both less comfortable and less agile than the BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Rough and unrefined turbo-four and twin-turbo V-6 powertrains compromise driving dynamics, too.
2022 Genesis G80: Midsize Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $36,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good to Excellent
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 23/32 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 447 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 5.2 seconds
2021-2022 Lexus ES: Midsize Sedan
Pros: The ES also provides a capacious passenger compartment with exquisite soft and hard materials, and build quality is good. The ES300h hybrid returns impressive efficiency, but regardless of trim, comfortable seats are part of the deal. The all-wheel-drive ES250 was new for 2021.
Cons: Its infotainment system uses a touchpad interface that's proven to be mostly a pain to use. Noise entering the cabin increases in F Sport trim, which isn't all that sporty, and on the other models the suspension feels floaty driving over fatigued pavement.
2021-2022 Lexus ES: Midsize Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $27,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good to Excellent
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 22/32 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 413 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 5.9 seconds
2022 Genesis G70: Compact Sedan
Pros: The 2022 G70 is a refreshed, better-looking version of the 2019 G70 that won MotorTrend's Car of the Year. Thanks to an agile chassis, it's a hoot to drive, especially when equipped with the lineup's torquey, great-sounding V-6. Its upscale cabin boasts a 10.3-inch touchscreen, high-end materials, and sophisticated design.
Cons: Although it's one of the best used luxury cars, fuel economy and trunk capacity trail competitors. We wish the 8.0-inch gauge cluster screen was configurable like others in the class. The turbo-four powertrain could use a slightly peppier tune (which is to say, with 252 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque it feels slow).
2022 Genesis G70: Compact Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $25,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Good
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick+
- Fuel Economy: 21/31 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 379 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 4.5 seconds
2020 Volvo S60: Compact Sedan
Pros: With a standard panoramic roof, rain-sensing wipers, and a fully digital instrument cluster, even the S60 base model is well-equipped. Every 2020 S60 also rides on a soft, well-controlled suspension. We love its distinctly Volvo exterior styling.
Cons: There's a perplexing lack of standard active safety tech, which you wouldn't think would come from Volvo. Space on the 9.0-inch central touchscreen seems like it could be used better, and some common controls are buried in the interface. It isn't quick unless equipped with the unpredictably behaving twin-charged T8 plug-in hybrid powertrain.
2020 Volvo S60: Compact Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $21,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Excellent
- Safety Ratings: IIHS Top Safety Pick, NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 23/34 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 392 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 4.5 seconds
2020 Acura TLX: Compact Sedan
Pros: The 2020 TLX is offered with two capable powertrains, a 206-hp 2.4-liter inline-four or a 290-hp 3.5-liter V-6. With the six-cylinder engine, it's offered in either FWD or AWD; TLX models with the smaller engine only come with FWD. All are fun to drive. Features-per-dollar value has always been a TLX strength, with standard equipment such as ambient interior lighting, LED headlights, and adaptive cruise control.
Cons: Its interior styling seems dated, especially with the lineup's standard dual-screen infotainment system in the center stack. (A redesigned TLX hit dealerships for for 2021 with a more conventional 10.2-inch display.) Brake fade during spirited driving undercuts the sedan's athleticism.
2020 Acura TLX: Compact Sedan Specifications
- Approximate Price: From $19,000
- IntelliChoice Value Rating: Excellent
- Safety Ratings: NHTSA 5 Stars overall
- Fuel Economy: 23/33 mpg city/highway
- Driving Range: 464 miles
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: 6.0 seconds
Best Used Luxury Cars From 2024
- 2021-2022 Lexus ES
- 2020 Volvo S60
My dad was a do-it-yourselfer, which is where my interest in cars began. To save money, he used to service his own vehicles, and I often got sent to the garage to hold a flashlight or fetch a tool for him while he was on his back under a car. Those formative experiences activated and fostered a curiosity in Japanese automobiles because that’s all my Mexican immigrant folks owned then. For as far back as I can remember, my family always had Hondas and Toyotas. There was a Mazda and a Subaru in there, too, a Datsun as well. My dad loved their fuel efficiency and build quality, so that’s how he spent and still chooses to spend his vehicle budget. Then, like a lot of young men in Southern California, fast modified cars entered the picture in my late teens and early 20s. Back then my best bud and I occasionally got into inadvisable high-speed shenanigans in his Honda. Coincidentally, that same dear friend got me my first job in publishing, where I wrote and copy edited for action sports lifestyle magazines. It was my first “real job” post college, and it gave me the experience to move just a couple years later to Auto Sound & Security magazine, my first gig in the car enthusiast space. From there, I was extremely fortunate to land staff positions at some highly regarded tuner media brands: Honda Tuning, UrbanRacer.com, and Super Street. I see myself as a Honda guy, and that’s mostly what I’ve owned, though not that many—I’ve had one each Civic, Accord, and, currently, an Acura RSX Type S. I also had a fourth-gen Toyota pickup when I met my wife, with its bulletproof single-cam 22R inline-four, way before the brand started calling its trucks Tacoma and Tundra. I’m seriously in lust with the motorsport of drifting, partly because it reminds me of my boarding and BMX days, partly because it’s uncorked vehicle performance, and partly because it has Japanese roots. I’ve never been much of a car modifier, but my DC5 is lowered, has a few bolt-ons, and the ECU is re-flashed. I love being behind the wheel of most vehicles, whether that’s road tripping or circuit flogging, although a lifetime exposed to traffic in the greater L.A. area has dulled that passion some. And unlike my dear ol’ dad, I am not a DIYer, because frankly I break everything I touch.
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