The idea of luxury cars – vehicles to be driven in as much as drive – is one that goes back to a time before cars had engines. Still, over the decades, centuries even, the guiding concepts shot through today’s leather-lined limos aren't a far cry from those earliest luxury carriages of a horse-drawn variety. It's about being comfortable, being cool and being seen but also now, about technology and connectivity. Let's break down the best luxury cars available in 2023.
The best luxury cars to buy in 2023
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Rolls-Royce Phantom
As a brand Rolls-Royce is top of the pile, as it always has been. Even at this level there is a hierarchy though and, while any Rolls-Royce is a benchmark for luxury, some are even more imposing than others. BMW ownership has been a great boost for the brand and 7 Series foundations for the Ghost, Wraith and Dawn offer relative economies of scale. But even they have to play second fiddle to the mighty Phantom, its physical stature such that it towers over every other car on the road, SUVs included. The fact the last one we tested had a price tag of over £400,000 – a quarter of that accounted for by customisation options – which offers a sense of the league in which the Phantom operates. One of its very own, even four years on from its debut.
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Bentley Bentayga EWB
The Bentley Bentayga was all but abhorred by car enthusiasts when it came out six years ago, which means absolutely nothing. Its outstanding performance, polarising yet imperious looks, sumptuous cabin and high tech equipment levels. Yet even for the general audience, the Bentayga has grown more acceptable over its years, as a nice facelift and new versions to add dimensions to the Bentayga’s breadth of capability have come along, yet-more difficult-to-love rivals have joined the fray, making the big Bentley look quite appealing. Now as well, there’s the Extended Wheel Base version, intended to take over at least in part, where the Mulsanne left off. It can sense whether you needed heated or cooled and even automatically adjust your seat for postural health. Now that’s luxury.
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Mercedes-Maybach S680 4Matic
Every brand has a ‘ceiling’, even Mercedes-Benz. Accordingly, in the early 2000s it revived Maybach, the long-dormant German luxury brand known for its imperious limousines of the ‘20s and ‘30s. The modern Maybach launched to huge fanfare (and expense) but quickly faltered, the badge absorbed back into Mercedes and now used to distinguish ultra-luxurious concepts and special editions, including a super exclusive, GLS-based SUV. For the S-Class version, two-tone paint is a clear visual signifier while a 20cm wheelbase stretch releases even more space inside and puts the occupants behind the rear pillars for increased privacy. The 610PS (449kW) V12 engine is suitably imposing while trim, fixtures and fittings are all upgraded and the £200,000+ asking price is best considered a starting point for further indulgence.
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Range Rover SV
Range Rover arguably invented the concept of SUVs as luxury cars in the first place and is now watching the rest of the industry – Rolls-Royce included – belatedly wake up to the fact. No Range Rover is lacking in creature comforts but, recognising there were customers who demanded more, the Special Vehicle Operations department created the SV, with further upgrades to trim and materials and huge scope for further personalisation. Pricing is fluid when it comes to such a personal choice, but expect to be shelling out over £150,000 to cater to your individual tastes. Particularly luxurious is the SV Signature Suite spec, which is exclusive to Long Wheel Base cars and swaps the rear three-seat bench for two individual airline-style seats for "the ultimate passenger experience". With a new BMW-sourced 530PS (390kW) twin-turbo V8, it’s not short on performance either, even compared to the old Range Rover SVA Dynamic.
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Audi A8
For all its strengths Audi has a credibility gap to cross before it can operate at the S-Class level. Mercedes’ long-practised trick is to offer the appropriate gravitas for the rich and powerful to travel and get business done, without attracting attention as you might in a Bentley or Rolls. There is no lack of ambition or quality in the A8 to move in the same circles and its sleek modernism fits brand values while contrasting with the ruched chintz of establishment rivals. In typical style Audi has seized on marketing as its way in, chauffeur-driven A8s as much a fixture of London streets as Prius Ubers and there to make sure the right people are papped in the right places with an Audi as the backdrop.
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BMW i7
The BMW 7 Series is one of the longest-standing luxury car institutions going, with the new car marking the seventh generation for Bavaria’s beastly limo. Yet now it undergoes perhaps the most radical change in its history, trading a V12 for a giant battery and electric motors. Yes, the BMW i7 takes the 7 Series into the electric age. Powered by two motors producing 543PS (399kW) it should be just as potent as its 12-cylinder forebears and with a range of 300 miles, it should have no issues ferrying European members of the G7 between their summits. By and large the 7 Series has always been a bit of a looker when it comes to big luxury saloons, with a couple of hiccups. The i7, it’s fair to say, is one of them, with the weird new grille-heavy corporate schnoz and blocky rear end, there’s definitely something of the 7’s effortless style that’s missing here.
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Volvo S90
The luxury market is a conservative one. Enter Volvo, with disruptive ambitions to move upmarket and – specifically – build products to suit the tastes of its Chinese owners. Saloons still carry status there and Volvo’s modern design language translates well, managing to be imposing without straying into vulgarity or caricature. The S90 is a big car too, scaled up on Volvo’s latest architecture and sharing much with the S60 and XC60 and XC90 SUVs. It’s also virtuous, the hybrid Twin Engine powertrain less sophisticated than those in German rivals but efficient, powerful and effective. Inside it feels as cool and fresh as any modern Volvo, albeit with more luxurious finish and distinctive detailing like the Swedish flag upholstery tags and Orrefors crystal gear selector on the posh Inscription version.
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Toyota Century
Lexus may be Toyota’s premium brand but its most luxurious car carries its own name. Launched in 1967 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of founder Sakichi Toyoda’s birth, the original Century lasted three decades before replacement in 1997 with an all-new, V12-powered version. Two decades on a new Century has now launched, V8 hybrid powered and priced at Mercedes-Maybach levels. Favoured by royalty, politicians, business leaders and Yakuza alike, the Century combines a Japanese sense of modesty with obsessional engineering and hand-finished craftsmanship, up to and including paint polished to a degree you can discreetly check your reflection in it without appearing vain. Suffice to say, if you see a black Century gliding by the occupant is a boss of some kind, the combination of exclusivity (Toyota builds just 600 a year) and humble badge adding to the Century’s mystique.
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