What's Considered a Luxury Car?

January 31, 2020
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Looking for a new vehicle means you have to take a lot of time and effort to determine which make and model is the right one for you. But when you are in the car market, it's not hard for you to encounter the word "luxury". But what is a luxury car, really? And what's considered a luxury car? In this post, we are going to dissect what brands are considered luxury vehicles. Also, we are going to answer the question, "are there any used luxury vehicles available?"


What's Considered A Luxury Car?


You may not have an inkling yet what considered a luxury car, but I am sure you've heard names such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. But nowadays, luxury is not just about the brand, it's about the features. 


Luxury, according to Merriam-Webster, means a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort: a rich environment. With that definition, luxury is all about making your senses captured, and it's what every luxury car is after. All luxury cars are made from quality materials, from the body down to the leather seats. 


Some companies try to market their products as a luxury. Still, it's hard to reach that level unless 1.) it has a name that's tied to luxury, and 2.) the company can guarantee their products are made from the finest quality materials. When it comes to vehicles, however, there are no defined types. A luxury car can be a sedan, as well as it can be a hatchback, a crossover, or even a minivan.


Many drivers believe that not all luxury cars come with a hefty price tag. It sounds tricky, but drivers say that a luxury vehicle depends on them whether they find a car luxurious or not. In short, it's all in the "eyes of the beholder". All drivers, however, would agree that the vehicle features below are some of the factors that make a car "luxurious":


  • State-of-the-art Entertainment System
  • (to some extent) Bluetooth technology
  • Accurate driver safety features
  • Heated seats and steering wheel

In conclusion, there is not a single factor of feature that brands a vehicle a "luxury" one. But what's considered a luxury car depends on what a driver thinks would make his or her driving more comfortable than typical.




Most Popular Luxury Cars in the USA


According to a report by The Zebra, luxury cars make up 18% of the total car sales in the US in 2019. Below are six car brands, makes, and models, that many Americans consider as luxury cars. They're on this list due to the number of sales they've had for the past few years, but they are arranged in no particular order.


Tesla Model 3


Perhaps the neophyte car model in this list (but definitely to watch out for, especially for its competition), is Tesla Model 3. Model 3 surpassed every other luxury car brand last year, selling a whopping 122,853 units. Elon Musks's car company definitely took advantage of using technology to enhance every driving experience. Aside from being a full-electric four-door sedan, the Tesla Model 3 also boasts of enviable range, up-to-date infotainment and navigation systems, and spacious legroom.


Toyota Lexus ES


Lexus ES, unlike Tesla Model 3, is nothing new to this luxury vehicle game. But its popularity and reliability hasn't waned a single bit. It's perhaps the comfort it brings for both drivers and passengers. The Lexus ES revamped last year with a more aspiring aesthetics as well as more responsive dynamics. The best part about this luxury vehicle is that its not as expensive as people may think. No wonder it sold more than 48,492 last year.


BMW 3 Series


The name BMW is synonymous with luxury for a very long time now. But among its luxury lines, the BMW 3 Series is proven to be the most popular for Americans. This series boasts of sporty exterior, fuel efficiency, power steering features, and interior comfort, among others. The BMW 3 Series comes as either a sedan, a 5-door GT, or Sport Wagon, and you can choose from a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.


Audi A4


Audi A4 consistently updates to suit more drivers year after year. Changes were made last year so that it can cater to the rising trend of small luxury cars. Although its highly popular Ultra trim is no longer available, you can still count on the Audi A4 with its powerful engine paired with its spacious and stylish interior. So if you want a luxury car minus the bulk, the Audi A4 is a solid choice.


Acura TLX


Considered as an entry-level, the Acura TLX is an enjoyable luxury vehicle that's popular in the US - proven by its more than 30,000 units sold last year. Its sporty look is matched with its reliable and efficient engine, even at high mileage. It comes with a spacious backseat, making it ideal for a family of more than two. And the best part is that it's a luxury car that's not as highly-priced.


Mercedes-Benz E-Class


Of course, Mercedes-Benz is a classic luxury car brand. But its E-Class is proven to be the most prevalent. The E Class comes in either convertible, coupe, station wagon, or sedan. The 2017 edition of the E-Class provides updated safety features while keeping its standard features available. Though the Mercedes-Benz E-Class comes with a lot of disadvantages (low fuel efficiency and limited space to name two), its performance and luxurious design are what most drivers are after.




Are There Any Used Luxury Cars Available?


To keep the answer short - yes, there are. And it's advantageous if you go for a used luxury vehicle, especially if you're on a tight budget but don't want to sacrifice on luxury and style. If you're in the hunt for a car and still uncertain whether to go for an ordinary or luxury, here are three reasons why you should go for the latter.


Quality


We can't stress quality enough - in fact, it has become borderline redundant. But when it comes to luxury cars, you can never go wrong with their quality - and that is a fact. All luxury cars provide features way beyond what's expected of them - from the seats down to its engine performance. And because everything is quality, luxury cars are expected to live longer than the rest. To put, you're going to have a long-lasting vehicle that always adds style points wherever you go.


What Depreciation?


A non-luxury car depreciates up to 30% right within a year. Two years and beyond down the road, the car loses 50% of its value. This is not the same case with luxury cars. Since most luxury vehicles have a higher price, their value doesn't go down fast, not like their non-luxury counterparts. When you purchase a used luxury vehicle, even with its used status, you're still driving a car with a high value - a value that's going to stay that way for a while.


More Advanced Features


Luxury car companies are always one step ahead when it comes to features and tech. For their units to get sold faster, they offer better, more advanced specifications which, as much as possible, are not available with other cars at the moment. This only means that even when you get a used luxury vehicle with that's a few years old, you'd be able to take advantage of these innovations.


Well-Taken Care Of


It's safe to assume that most luxury car owners don't buy luxury cars and not take care of it. If you've noticed, big purchases such as houses and jewelry are always handled with care. It goes the same with used luxury cars; most owners are cautious when it comes to operating a prized possession. So when you go for a used luxury vehicle, you can expect that it's still in top shape. To be safe, you can get a pre-inspected vehicle from a reputable used car dealer.


At the end of the day, what's considered a luxury car is not just about the price tag or the name. The common denominator are performance and quality. If you're looking for a specific used car, click on the link to check our inventory.


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