Buy This Not That: The Hottest Luxury Cars, and Sensible (but Luxe) Alternatives
We are asked all the time: What car should I buy? Of course, the questioner wants the speed of a Lamborghini, the luxury of a Mercedes and the modern elegance of a Lexus. But when she looks at the prices of the luxury cars she’s considering, sticker shock sets in.
Luckily, when you break down the features and options, you’ll find that there are a variety of automakers that step up to the plate with most everything she wants and needs, delivered with style, power and practicality. And in a lower price range that make them a viable alternative to a luxury car. Here are some of our top favorite comparisons: Luxury cars and their well-priced alternatives.
THIS: 2024 Lexus RX, Starting At $49,950
The Lexus RX is a modern and upscale compact SUV. Textured fabric, rich ambient lighting and open-pore wood pull you into its ravishing interior. The RX, which was redesigned a couple of years ago, features a new multimedia system that is modern and easy to use, and it comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a multitude of safety features such as adaptive cruise control.
The RX 350 gets a moderate 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. While the standard engine is a turbocharged 4 cylinder that generates 275 HP, you have to upgrade to the 500h F Sport to get 366 HP, but it comes with a price increase too: $64,100.
THAT: 2024 Mazda CX-50, Starting At $30,300
This SUV spans the spectrum from adventure to elegant, with engine options that run from fine to fun. The 2024 Mazda CX-50 base model carries a 4-cylinder 187 HP engine that ks known for perky performance, agile handling and a fuel economy of 24/30 (city/highway). Or, upgrade to the 2.5L turbo that puts out 256 HP for a starting price of $38,000.
In any trim, the interior is premium. Enjoy ventilated and supportive leather seats, plus a full suite of safety features that come standard. Upgraded trims offer a Bose audio system, head up display and traffic jam assist.
THIS: 2024 Mercedes-Benz S Class Luxury Cars, Starting At $128,150
The S class is the flagship of Mercedes, and is the ultimate in luxury cars. Loaded with features to stylize, comfort and entertain your ride, the 2024 S500 and S580 define luxury. A turbocharged 6-cylinder 429 HP engine launches the S500 from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, while the 496 HP V-8 in the S580 takes only 3.9 seconds.
The leather-lined interior is even roomier than previous models, and technology takes the forefront. Standard safety and driver assistance features are outstanding. The multimedia system includes a giant center touchscreen, and the head-up display provides navigation cues using augmented reality. Thoughtful touches like standard wireless charging, LED interior lighting, and voice-command functions elevate the experience even higher — but that’s not all. Add on massage and heating elements to the rear seats for extra pampering!
THAT: 2024 Genesis G90, Starting At $89,200
When it comes to the best full-size luxury cars, the Genesis G90 delivers an incredible number of features and technology for the price, and compared to many others, is drastically less expensive. The standard twin-turbo V-6 engine with 375 HP can get this car from 0-60 in only 5.1 seconds. However, the G90 still provides a smooth and serene ride with its active noise cancellation feature.
The front seats spoil you with Nappa leather, heating and ventilation, and even a massage function. While the G90 comes standard with many of the same safety and tech features as the Mercedes-Benz S Class, from a reclining rear seat with foot rest to an onboard fragrance diffuser that provides a variety of scents to match your vibe.
This: Lamborghini Huracán, Starting at $278,000
The Lamborghini Huracán is the stuff of dreams. And, it’s for drivers who want a pilot-like experience driving a world-class car that has more unique features and controls than USB ports and cup holders. Powered by a V10 engine that generates 602 HP, it has several drive modes: Strada, Sport and Corso, each louder than the last. What it brings in power it lacks in space, though; you’d better plan on shipping your shopping haul because there’s not much room in the boot for it.
THAT: 2025 Chevrolet Corvette, Starting At $70,000
The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray goes from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds with its V-8 490 HP engine. It comes close to the Huracán in speed and edgy design with modestly more cargo space and better fuel economy.
This high-performing Corvette comes with a 12.0″ reconfigurable gauge display and large multimedia touchscreen. Important standard safety features include emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane-keeping assist.
And with that extra $200,000 you’ll save? Buy a place at the beach you can drive to every weekend!
THIS: 2025 BMW X7, Starting At $83,500
The BMW X7 lavishes you with its stylish and comfortable cabin. Relax into power-adjustable seats under a panoramic sunroof, and enjoy four-zone climate control. Its standard 6-cylinder 375 HP engine provides a balanced (and surprisingly sporty) ride with a fuel economy of 21 mpg city/25 mpg highway.
Experience wildly futuristic technology with the Driver Assistance Professional Package, which now includes hands-free driving and an eye-activated lane change feature. The only shortfall of the X7 may be its lack of cargo space, with only 12.8 cubic feet behind the third row.
THAT: 2024 Mazda CX-90, Starting At $37,845
The Mazda CX-90 is a charming and sophisticated SUV that packs a little more room for passengers and cargo (14.9 cubic feet behind the third row) than the BMW X7. Easy-to-use technology, standard safety features and engaging performance make the CX-90 an excellent choice for families.
A turbocharged 6-cylinder engine with 280 HP gives this SUV a responsive and refined ride perfect for every-day outings. And even its top of the line Turbo S Premium Plus model, which delivers 340 HP, will save significant money; it’s priced starting about $56,000.
THIS: 2024 Lexus ES, Starting At $43,190
The Lexus ES is among the most stylish and comfortable luxury cars, packed with all the standard safety and tech features you need. It’s high quality materials and peaceful cabin provide a serene driving experience. The ES also has great legroom and 17.0 cubic feet of trunk space. The cherry on top of all these posh features is the great fuel efficiency—22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
However, the 4-cylinder 203 HP engine that comes standard on the lowest trim, ES250, is sluggish. The ES250 goes from 0-60 in 8.1 seconds, proving this leisurely sedan lacks the power and pep for a more thrilling drive. Other trims showed similar performance, except for the gas-only ES350. Its V-6 302 HP engine launched the sedan from 0-60 in only 6.1 seconds.
THAT: 2025 Toyota Crown, Starting At $41,440
Fortunately, the 2025 Toyota Crown packs a more powerful punch while still checking off all the boxes of a Lexus ES. A 4-cylinder 236 HP engine comes standard in the lower trims, powering the Crown from 0-60 in 7.2 seconds (The Platinum trim cuts it down to an outstanding 5.1 seconds). Plus, this sedan gets 42 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.
While the Crown’s exterior has a fiercer face, its well-appointed interior is considered as luxurious as a Lexus. Plush leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a touchscreen multimedia system, and a variety of driver assistance features position you for a ride that is both high-quality and fun.
THIS: 2025 Rolls Royce Cullinan Starting At $392,000
The Rolls Royce Cullinan is an extravagantly lavish full-size luxury SUV. Its eye-catching exterior and 23″ wheels give it a large presence, with an even roomier interior. High quality wood trim, leather and lambs-wool carpeting ensure superior comfort whether you’re driving or watching a movie on the passenger seat screens.
A quiet but mighty twin-turbo V-12 engine produces 563 HP to effortlessly propel the Cullinan down the road. Along with all the standard safety features, it can even adjust the vehicle’s air suspension automatically to soften the drive even more.
THAT: 2025 Infiniti QX80, Starting At $82,450
For a fraction of the cost, the 2025 Infiniti QX80 is a sleek and modern take on the imposing, boxy and bold attitude of the Cullinan. Similarly, the dramatic dashboard is filled with screens that serve as a gauge cluster and multimedia system. Experience three rows of comfort with upgraded trims that add on massage functions (first and second row) and heated seats (every row).
While not quite as powerful as the Cullinan, a twin-turbo V-6 450 HP engine transports the QX80 at a brisk pace. Infrared technology inside the quiet cabin informs the vehicle when to crank up the AC. The interior ambient lighting even has 64 color options to choose from.
THIS: 2024 Toyota GR Supra, Starting At $46,440
The Toyota GR Supra is fast and fashionable with an interior made of high-quality materials and BMW parts. In its tight driver cockpit, experience the Supra’s sharp handling and the incredible acceleration of the standard turbocharged 4-cylinder 255 HP engine. Shoot from 0-60 in only 4.7 seconds
This performance sports car contains an 8.8″ multimedia display and a host of driver-assistance features to keep you safe and entertained.
THAT: 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata RF, Starting At $37,010
Feel effortlessly thrilled behind the wheel in this playful yet striking drop-top. The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata is among the best, and most affordable, sports cars. This miniscule Miata can go from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds powered by a 4-cylinder 181 HP engine. It also gets marginally better fuel economy than the Supra, reaching 26 mpg city/35 mpg highway.
It has all the same standard safety features as the Supra — and more — such as adaptive cruise-control, automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. Even the multimedia display is the same size, with practical controls and tech features such as Apple CarPlay and, unlike the Supra, Android Auto.
THIS: 2025 Lamborghini Urus, Starting At $245,000
The Lamborghini Urus has all the flash and sportiness of a Lamborghini with all the practicality of a mid-size luxury SUV. Its standard twin-turbo V-8 engine with 657 HP can launch the Urus from 0-60 in only 3.1 seconds. The Plug-In Hybrid version packs even more power.
Enjoy thrilling speed, spacious seating and great cargo space all in one. A multimedia system with crisp graphics and reconfigurable gauges allows you to customize your drive. Aside from the standard safety features, you can even add on night vision and self-parking assist. Video: See what’s new in the Lamborghini Urus SE
THAT: 2025 Porsche Cayenne, Starting At $86,695
From the wide grill to its long, slender body the 2025 Porsche Cayenne, which is built on the same platform as the Urus, is the perfect alternative . But how do the interior design and performance capabilities compare? The base-level turbocharged V-6 engine delivers 348 HP that will take the Cayenne from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. The GTS model increases power to 493 HP and the price to $125,000. Either way, the ride is athletic and refined with the added safety of forward-collision warning, parking sensors and a host of other features.
The interior has more cargo space than the Urus and is fully customizable from the trim and seatbelt colors to the surface materials. The multimedia system and digital driver display run off up to three screens, including one that allows the front seat passenger to stream video. The Premium package offers a whole host of options to pamper your ride such as massage seats and Bose surround-sound.
Video: Our weekend with the Porsche Cayenne
It’s nice that if you want to spend a hundred grand, or several, on a car, you can. But if you want luxury details, top new technology and modern design, you can get it for far less. Aren’t you glad you asked?
Categorized:Car Buying
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