Luxury cars are expensive and prestigious, often considered the best vehicles on the road – but only some luxury cars can take the title of top make or model. Here are the best of 2017:
Top Small or Compact Luxury Car of 2017
Winner: Audi A4
Audi has done a phenomenal job of ascending to the top of the smaller luxury car category in recent years. This top-spot of this class of cars was once the exclusive domain of the BMW 3-Series, but Audi has managed to create a car platform that has almost unanimously won the small luxury class for the past few years.
The A4 combines comfort, with its surprisingly roomy interior, and a number of excellent safety and entertainment features with the kind of thrilling performance you would expect from a German luxury car. Reviewers found little to nothing to complain about when it came to the A4, and for good reason: this car is as solidly built as any car in the 2017 model year.
Pros:
- Plush and comfortable interior
- Excellent leg space for the class
- Smooth ride
- Agile handling and great acceleration
- Suitably upscale interior
Cons:
- Some features are not as well developed as rivals
- The transmission can be temperamental
Honorable Mention: BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class, Lexus IS
Top Mid-Size Luxury Car of 2017
Winner: Cadillac CTS
For the second straight year, the Cadillac CTS has scaled the mountain and taken the top spot as the best luxury mid-size sedan. Though the top of this class is often occupied by the Mercedes E-Class, anyone interested in a genuine luxury car is likely to gravitate towards the CTS and its extraordinary array of available options.
The CTS’s options are what truly sets it apart. Prices scale steeply to get a CTS fully loaded, but if you did get this car follow through, you’d end up with over a 600hp monster that can take down genuine sports cars. This car has a great interior and utilizes high quality materials, with safety features and entertainment features that are in line with its competition. The CTS shines when compared to other luxury cars in its category.
Pros:
- Fun to drive
- Comfortable interior
- Smooth ride
- Premium interior materials
- Cutting edge interior technology
- Upgraded to exceptional performance
Cons:
- “Standard” engine is sub-par
- Base model is lackluster
- Interior room not as great as competitors
- Average to below average fuel mileage
Honorable Mention: Mercedes E-Class, Volvo S90, Audi A6, Lexus GS
Top Large Luxury Car of 2017
Winner: Mercedes S-Class
When it comes to the largest luxury cars, every car brand makes an excellent car, but the Mercedes Benz S-Class came out as the very best large luxury car on the market. Mercedes is among the industry leading car makers, and it should not be a surprise that the S-Class has earned the marquee brand more acclaim for the 2017 model year.
The S-Class provides an astounding degree of tech features. At higher levels, the safety and entertainment features outshine the competition. Car reviewers raved about the lush ride and smooth driving sensation, paired with surprisingly agile handling and a very powerful engine. This car also offers exceptional comfort for every passenger, with tremendous leg space in the rear for any passengers riding in the back.
Pros:
- Astoundingly smooth ride quality
- Powerful available engine options
- Excellent rear seat comfort and quality
- Stunning degree of technology features
Cons:
- AMG branding required for exceptional performance
- Infotainment system is too complex for some
Honorable Mention: BMW 7-Series, Audi A8, Lexus LS
Top Premium Luxury Car of 2017
Winner: Bentley Continental GT
At the absolute highest levels of luxury vehicles, there are only two or three brands that even compete: Bentley and Rolls Royce. Mercedes does offer a Mercedes-Maybach offering, which is well within the range of these vehicles, but Bentley and Rolls Royce are the brands that are easily identifiable as short limos.
At this level, all the vehicles are practically built to order and designed to the highest specifications of design quality. In short, there are no bad options when it comes to cars in this category.
Even if all of the cars are considered to be elite in their own right, the Bentley GT came up as the best of the bunch, a coupe with enough space for anyone in the back and enough luxury for everyone in the vehicle. The Continental GT features an interior closer to a work of art than anything traditional, with the highest quality materials being put to use. The Continental GT comes with a number of available engine options, scaling up to 582hp with all-wheel drive compatibility.
Pros:
- Supple ride
- Best interior materials on the market
- Stirring performance
- Among the most prestigious of the high-end brands
Cons:
- Only offered as a coupe
- Extremely expensive
Honorable Mention: Rolls Royce Wraith, Mercedes-Maybach
Conclusion
Assuming you can afford any of these cars, of course, there are few wrong answers in this list. Any of these cars would likely fill you with pride to be seen driving around in them.
Use this list and check your credit report, and then buy with confidence; these cars are the best in the market for the year, and after you determine which car best suits your needs, the choice should be easy.
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