Luxury does not always require a hefty price tag or a prestigious British marque. We've determined that purchasing a luxurious vehicle with opulent extras for only $50,000 or so is actually feasible. That is significantly less than the current $65,000 average for a luxury car and just slightly more than the cost of a new car these days.
Naturally, the prestige and superior materials and workmanship that come with names like Rolls Royce or Bentley and our price restriction won't be available to you. However, a comfy Mercedes and an Audi are in the mix, along with well-appointed models from relatively new brands in luxury wheels, most notably Kia and Genesis.
Of course, if you add upgrades and optional features like larger engines and even finer interiors, our picks can cost you thousands of dollars more than $50,000. However, if you resist such temptations, you can still have a car that pampers you and performs admirably for not much more than the price of any normal large cars.
In fact, we started our investigation with automobiles that may reach $75,000 in price. However, after carefully examining the options from the perspectives of value, safety, performance, and other factors, we came to the conclusion that automobiles that cost thousands less can provide most or all of what is available for our maximum budget, including a sumptuous experience.
Here are the top five luxury cars you can purchase for under $50,000 along with descriptions of what makes each one special. The trim level we evaluated—the one we felt offered the best value for the money—has its specifications displayed below each assessment.
Our Picks for Best Luxury Cars
- Genesis G70 — Best Overall and Best Value
- Kia Stinger — Best for Handling
- Genesis G80 — Best for Features
- Audi A5 — Best for Safety
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class — Best for Technology
Reviews of the Best Luxury Cars
Best Value and Overall: G70 Genesis
PROS
- Low in price and cost of ownership
- Excellent build quality
CONS
- Limited rear-seat passenger space
The Genesis G70 has a starting price of little under $40,000, but don't let that deceive you about the quality of the vehicle. The Korean import, which was created by the same engineers that worked on the BMW 3 Series, offers a strong performance as well as a gorgeous interior that is filled with high-end materials including soft leatherette upholstery.
With a 252-horsepower engine, the G70 provides a secure ride. The G70 has a swift acceleration, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds, which is quicker than the Audi A5 but not as quick as the Kia Stinger on this list. A 10.25-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, and a comprehensive list of safety features are standard on all versions.
- Price $39,400
- Mileage 21/31 mpg
- Power 252 hp
- More specs and model details
Best for Handling: Kia Stinger
PROS
- Quick acceleration, even for a luxury car
- Handles especially well
CONS
- The least fuel-efficient of this group
The 300-horsepower step-up Kia Stinger GT2 model, which costs just over $50,000, delivers speed and agile handling on par with vehicles costing twice as much. The GT2 trim's rear-wheel variant, with its remarkable 368 horsepower and lightning-quick acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, offers track-ready performance.
In addition to a long list of other standard safety features, the GT2 offers heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, Nappa leather trim, a surround-view monitor, and front park distance warning. A 10.25-inch touch screen and wireless phone charging are included.
The Stinger's interior does not, however, radiate the same elegance as competing luxury sedans, despite its contemporary design and high-end equipment. This car should be purchased more for its performance than for a comfortable ride.
- Price $51,890
- Mileage 18 / 25 mpg
- Power 300 hp
- More specs and model details
Best for Features: Genesis G80
PROS
- Luxury at an affordable price
- Large touch screen
CONS
- Ride lacks sportiness
The Genesis G80 mid-size sedan has a huge 14.5-inch touch screen that is larger than any other vehicle in its class. It also has heated front seats and a cozy interior with piano black gloss and leatherette upholstery. Blind-spot collision avoidance assistance, intelligent speed limit assistance, and smart cruise control with stop-and-go are just a few of the numerous safety features available.
The G80 smartly parks itself using the available remote smart parking assist at the touch of a button. The G80 combines cloud-based technology to recall seating, comfort, and navigation to customize your driving experience. When you get into the automobile, these settings start to take effect immediately.
The G80 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds thanks to its 300 horsepower engine. Despite feeling less athletic than competing luxury sedans like the Kia Stinger, the car feels nimble around curves.
- Price $50,000
- Mileage 22/32 mpg
- Power 300 hp
- More specs and model details
Best for Safety: Audi A5
PROS
- Strong safety ratings
- Rich in safety equipment
CONS
- Limited cargo space
Both safety and performance qualities are available with the Audi A5. The sports vehicle was named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and it also received good grades for its headlights, which are essential for visibility at night. Even the cheapest Premium grade of this fast sedan, which starts at just under $45,000, has lane departure warning, a top-view camera system, and adaptive cruise control.
The A5 cabin offers conveniences like heated front seats and leather upholstery, but it lacks the soft design and high-end features you'd expect from a luxury car, like heated seats. Depending on the layout, the car can hold four or five passengers. The majority of passengers will have enough capacity in the interior, but there isn't as much trunk space as rival vehicles.
- Price $44,600
- Mileage 24/33 mpg
- Power 201 hp
- More specs and model details
Best for Technology: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
PROS
- Ample tech features
- Fine fuel economy
CONS
- Many driver assistance features are optional
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 combines traditional elegance with cutting-edge technology, with prices starting slightly under $45,000. Every model, even the entry-level one, includes a wireless 11.9-inch touch screen modeled after an iPad as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Online audio streaming, wireless device charging, and in-car Wi-Fi are optional. The voice assistant on the C300 is user-friendly and constantly picks up new skills from voice requests to improve utility and user experience. The technology in the car enables you to personalize your experience with hundreds of settings, including playlists and seat configurations, that can be made in-car or over the phone. To access these, simply touch the fingerprint scanner on the dashboard.
While the C300 offers a long list of optional safety measures, including active speed limit help and a surround vision system, many of these components are standard in competing luxury sedans.
- Price $44,850
- Mileage 25/36 mpg
- Power 255 hp
- More specs and model details
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