23/02/2025 · 7 months ago

Best Luxury Sedans | 2025 Luxury Sedans Rated | CarBuzz

Like any premium vehicle, a luxury sedan must never put a single toe, or wheel, out of line. Competition is viciously fierce with hard-hitting names like Porsche, Volvo, Lexus, and the German triumvirate - Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi - all trying to muscle their way to the top spot. Still, there are more premium vehicles out there than you might think, and while top-tier interiors, plenty of standard features, and impressive capabilities are staples in the segment, high price tags are not. Quite a few of these desirable cars slot in the mid-$40k price bracket. Here are the rankings of the best luxury sedans of 2025.

Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.

Porsche Taycan

2025 Porsche Taycan Rear Angle

2025 Porsche Taycan
Base MSRP  $99,400
Engine  Electric
Horsepower  402 hp

The first luxury sedan on our list is the Porsche Taycan. It's a smooth, quiet, fast, and luxurious ride that can be equipped for some real speed—if you want to spend some extra money. The base Taycan starts at $99,400, but that price doubles at the high end of the range. For the base model, the Taycan has rear-wheel drive and makes 402 horsepower, can reach an estimated range of 274 miles, and accelerate to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The Taycan does all this while maintaining Porsche's luxurious standards with high-quality materials and plenty of available gadgets.

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

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2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
Base MSRP  $95,595
Engine  6.2L Supercharged V8 Gas
Horsepower  668 hp

Possibly the best luxury sedan on the market today for its combination of power, performance, and luxury, the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is near the top of our list. The main draw to this car, for most people, is its insane powertrain. Under the hood of the CT5-V Blackwing is a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that makes 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, it's capable of driving over 200 miles per hour and sprinting from 0-60 in about 3.4 seconds. If those specs aren't what you're looking for, though, it's still a luxurious Cadillac with plenty of features, like a 33-inch digital gauge cluster and infotainment system.

The surprising softness is complemented by talkative steering that feels natural and not overly assisted. It gives feedback to the driver, which is more than could be said for the steering in most modern cars. Then there's the manual transmission, which delivers a satisfying feeling every time you change gear. Unfortunately, you don't have to change gears very frequently because there's simply so much torque.

- Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz

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Genesis G80

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2025 Genesis G80
Base MSRP  $57,100
Engine  2.5L Turbo I4 | 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6
Horsepower  300 hp (2.5L) | 375 hp (3.5L)

Another top luxury sedan is the Genesis G80. For its $57,100 base price, the G80 is packed full of nice luxury features. The base model, the G80 2.5T AWD, explains itself in the name; under the hood is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, making it one of the most powerful four-cylinders you can buy. If you want more power from a larger engine, then choose the 3.5T Sport Advanced, or 3.5T Sport Prestige trims. Those are the two most expensive versions of the G80, for $69,600 and $77k, respectively. Powering them is a 3.5-liter turbocharged six-cylinder that makes 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque.

The G80 is first and foremost a luxury car, and it delivers on that expectation when you sit behind the wheel. The ride is smooth and unfussy with responsive handling - it's not a true sports sedan, but it feels confident and self-assured.

- Nicole Wakelin, CarBuzz

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Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan in Obsidian Black

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan
Base MSRP  $104,400
Base Trim Horsepower  355 hp
Engine  electric

Of course, we can't have a list of luxury cars without mentioning a few models from Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan is at the top of the lineup for German luxury, so this flagship starts at $104,400 for the base EQS 450+ model. The 450+ is rear-wheel drive with a single electric motor that makes 355 horsepower and 419 lb-ft of torque. While the Porsche Taycan has about 274 miles of range, the base model EQS sedan can reach an estimated 390 miles. As for luxury features, this Mercedes-Benz has heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats among a host of other items. As expected, the EQS has a soft ride and a quiet interior.

Standard Airmatic Air Suspension with an Adaptive Dampening System delivers a cushy ride, though the EQS is prone to some odd secondary rebound, meaning it bounces back from a bump, then takes a moment to fully settle. Even with the larger 21-inch wheels, the suspension does a commendable job soaking up imperfections and softening them to a barely recognizable degree.

- Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

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2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Base MSRP  $44,400
Engine  2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Horsepower  221 hp

The CLA-Class is one of the cheapest new Mercs on sale. While the CLA has a sloped roof in the back, leading some to call it a coupe, it still has four doors and competes with other small luxury sedans in its class, such as the Audi A3. The base model CLA 250 starts at $44,400, and it's powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 221 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. With front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, it's good for 0-60 in about 6.3 seconds. Some key luxury features include remote start capability through a mobile app, and optional heated seats and a heated steering wheel.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 35

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2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 35
Base MSRP  $56,100
Engine  2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Horsepower  302 hp

If the standard CLA-Class isn't enough fun for you, then take a look at the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35. AMG takes the already luxurious CLA, and gives it more power and sportier styling. Under the hood of this AMG is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid that makes a combined 302 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are standard. With this combination, the AMG CLA 35 is good for a zero to sixty time of 4.8 seconds. As for some standard luxury features, this Mercedes has heated front seats and heated side mirrors. Some optional features include a heated steering wheel, leather upholstery, and red seat belts, among other cosmetic changes.

Cadillac CT5

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2025 Cadillac CT5
Base MSRP  $47,595
Engine  2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Horsepower  237 hp

While it's no Lexus, one of the most reliable luxury sedans on this list is the Cadillac CT5. JD Power gave the 2025 model a reliability score of 86 out of 100, which is the same score they gave to the latest Toyota Camry, for comparison. Powering the base model is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. As the least expensive version of the CT5 starts at $47,595, which is a significant increase over last year's model, you can still expect some nice luxury features and high-end materials. Some highlights include a dual-pane sunroof, leather seats, and plenty of standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and driver attention assist.

Cadillac CT5-V

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2025 Cadillac CT5-V
Engine  3.0L Turbo V6 Gas
Horsepower  360 hp
Base MSRP  $56,995

The Cadillac CT5-V is a more powerful version of the CT5, but not as powerful as the CT5-V Blackwing that we mentioned above. Since it meets in the middle of the lineup, its price starts at $56,995. Powering this version of Cadillac's midsize luxury sedan is a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that makes 360 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. Inside the car, you'll find most of the same luxury items, like leather seats, a 33-inch digital gauge cluster and infotainment system, and ambient lighting, but the CT5-V gets some upgrades over the standard version. This one comes with Brembo brakes, a quad-tip exhaust, and launch control.

In fact, we believe it is among the most quietly underrated vehicles in its segment. The chassis is athletic and talkative without compromising one iota of comfort, and the steering is natural with near perfect weighting and responsiveness. If you want a stellar daily driver that can hustle quickly down a back road, this is it.

- Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz

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BMW 3 Series Sedan

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2025 BMW 3 Series Sedan
Base MSRP  $45,950
Base Trim Engine  2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged mild-hybrid
Base Trim Horsepower  255 hp

There are a few versions of the BMW 3 Series sedan to choose from, but all of them deliver the traditionally luxurious experience you're looking for—some of them are just a bit faster than others. The base model, rear-wheel-drive 330i starts at $45,950 while the M340i starts at $60,200, and it goes up quickly from there, if you decide to reach into the M3 models (reviewed separately). The base model is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. If you want a faster, more powerful experience, then look at the M340i or above. The 3 Series handles brilliantly and is highly refined, but some versions have a slightly firmer ride than other luxury sedans.

Audi A6

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2025 Audi A6
Base MSRP  $58,100
Engine  2.0L turbocharged I-4, 3.0L turbocharged V6
Horsepower  261-335 hp

The Audi A6 has always been a staple in Audi's modern lineup for its practical size, powerful engines, understated design, and sense of luxury. The 2025 model starts at a base price of $58,100, and is still full of the same modern features as last year, but with newer rivals like the Mercedes-benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series, it's getting tougher for the current A6. Powering the A6 is either a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 261 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque, or a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that makes 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The V6 model needs just over five seconds to hit 60 mph.

Best of the Rest

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2025 Lexus ES
Base MSRP  $42,040
Engine  2.5L I4, 3.5L V6
Horsepower  203 hp (2.5L), 302 hp (3.5L)

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2025 BMW i5
Base MSRP  $70,100
Base Trim Engine  EV
Base Trim Horsepower  389 HP

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2025 Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45
Base MSRP  $67,050
Engine  2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas
Horsepower  416 hp

Characteristics Of A Luxury Sedan

Premium vehicles need to do a lot of things right in order to stay competitive. This can create a little homology between the different brands and models, with plenty of shared traits. These are the qualities that define the luxury segment and set these cars apart from their more mainstream contemporaries:

  • Appearance: The first thing you see with these vehicles is their sophisticated and handsome styling. Some can seem a little nondescript or bland, but they are generally among the best-looking sedan models out there. Large wheels, aggressive grilles, sophisticated LED headlights, and bespoke hood ornaments are quite common in the segment. For the most part, luxury sedans will be four-door models.
  • Opulence: The interior of these vehicles is usually just as appealing as, if not more so than, the exterior. Leather seats are almost always assured, or at least high-quality synthetic substitutes. Nappa leather and other high-end finishes aren't uncommon. The door panels and dash are usually lined in soft-touch materials and trimmed with genuine wood or metals.
  • Performance: While not to be confused with many of the speedsters on the road, high-end vehicles need to have a certain degree of power under the hood, often in the form of a V6 or V8 engine. Since these cars usually have a very high weight, their high power outputs are primarily to ensure effortless cruising on the highway, but some brands, such as BMW and Audi, like to add a little fire to their luxury recipe. Many come with AWD to compound this sense of effortlessness in bad weather and inspire confidence with some extra traction.
  • Technology: You’ll almost always find the latest gadgets in the cabin of a luxury sedan, both up front and in the rear. High-definition touchscreens, digital instrument clusters, and loads of driver-assistance features are all par for the course. The layout is almost as important as the options, as form should always match function in a premium vehicle.
  • Price: While not exclusively true, most luxury cars are priced well above the average. In this regard, it is true that you get what you pay for. If you want the best, then expect it to cost you an arm or a leg, or both. Still, there are some relatively cheap ways to enter the premium segment.

What To Consider Before Buying A Luxury Sedan

Not everyone can afford to get behind the wheel of one of these top luxury sedans. Buying a new car is always a big move, but spending up to six figures can be particularly daunting. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that you know what you’re getting into. To help make it slightly easier for you, here is a list of the pros and cons when shopping in this segment:

Pros

  • Sophisticated good looks
  • Feature-packed, luxurious interiors
  • Powerful and smooth engines
  • Extremely comfortable ride
  • Membership to an exclusive club

Cons

  • High price tags
  • Often more fun in the back than behind the wheel
  • Less practical than SUVs

What is the most reliable luxury sedan?

Models from Lexus and Genesis, the premium divisions of Toyota and Hyundai, are among the most dependable luxury sedans you can buy, with consistently high reliability ratings.

What are the top premium brands?

Perhaps the most internationally recognized names in the 4-door luxury market are Mercedes-Benz and BMW, with Audi not too far behind. Within the states, Buick and Lincoln hold a certain degree of acclaim. But, when it comes to over-the-top opulence, it is hard to beat Rolls-Royce or Bentley.

Are there any affordable upscale sedans?

Surprisingly, quite a few manufacturers of exclusive vehicles offer a fair number of relatively cheap options. This bunch includes the Audi A3 and Mercedes CLA.

Sources: Porsche, Cadillac, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi

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