13 Cars to Make You Look Wealthy When You’re on a Budget
Big, expensive, and luxurious cars might be out of reach for many of us, leaving us looking into the dealership window, dreaming of what we can’t have. However, some affordable vehicles can make us look just as rich as if we owned a Rolls-Royce or Maybach.
These cars bring a certain level of sophistication and styling that can fool others into thinking we are more prosperous than we are. These can range from big SUVs to four-door sedans and even sports cars.
Our list has 13 affordable cars that can make anybody look rich. We’ve chosen the vehicles based on their looks, the level of luxury inside, and the price they are available for on both the new and used markets.
Acura ILX
You probably wouldn’t think an Acura could make it onto this list, but the 2022 Acura ILX is one of the most affordable luxury cars on the market. With a starting price of just over $26,000, you get features such as heated front seats, a power moonroof, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rearview camera, and Bluetooth streaming.
Not only that, but the sedan’s design makes it look more expensive than it is. The exterior of the ILX is beautifully sculpted, and Acura’s diamond-pentagon grille is one of the sedan’s critical features. The jewel-eye headlights give the ILX quite the sporty look, and it is easily one of the best sedans available in the United States.
2024 Acura Integra
Acura brought the Integra name back two years ago, and since then, the new Integra has been a solid sales success. Even more impressive is that the base model of the Integra starts at just $31,800 while looking like a sedan that could easily sell for $40,000.
It might be a Honda Civic underneath, but that puts it in good stead with superb handling and excellent engine choices. The base powertrain is the 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing 200-hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. If you opt for the sportier Type S, you will find a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine under the hood producing 320-hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Cadillac CT4
Cadillac is no stranger to luxury vehicles; nowhere is this more evident than with the current Cadillac CT4. The American manufacturer describes it as a “luxury small sedan,” and its base price of $36,390 makes it a desirable option.
Cadillac doesn’t skimp on features, either. Under the hood, you get a 2.7-liter dual-volute turbocharged engine, providing up to 310-hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to Super Cruise, the eight-inch infotainment screen with Bluetooth, and a full-color heads-up display, there is a whole host of technology inside. There is even the option for a Bose 14-speaker surround sound system.
Tesla Model S
Tesla has become increasingly popular over the years, and one of its staple products is the Model S. The first model was launched in 2016, and while the base price is a little high at $66,490, you can find it cheaper at dealerships.
For your money, you will find one of the cleanest and most impressive interiors of any electric car and one of the best infotainment screens in the industry, with a crystal-clear display. The Tesla luxury doesn’t end there, as there is now the option to add their Full Self-Driving Capability to the Model S, but you will have to pay an additional $8,000 for the privilege.
2024 Audi A3
Audi has long been a critical player in the luxury sedan market, and that is not different with the brilliant 2024 A3. The current starting price of $35,800 makes it an obvious choice for many, and that is before you take a deeper dive into what it has to offer.
Under the hood of the 2024 A3, you will find a turbocharged inline-four engine producing 201-hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Audi says this is good enough for a 0-60 mph time of just 6.6 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph. The A3 provides very stable handling, and inside the cabin, it has a clear HUD and infotainment screen, as well as one that also has buttons to make it easier to operate.
2024 BMW 228i Gran Coupe
It is little surprising to see a BMW on this list, but the current 228i Gran Coupe is easily one of the German manufacturer’s best current offerings. A starting price of $38,400 makes it a very appealing purchase, and it is by far one of the most handsome BMWs on the market to look at.
The 228i Gran Coupe isn’t just about head-turning looks. Inside, the Gran Coupe comes standard with sports seats and ergonomic bolsters for extra support and comfort. A panoramic moonroof is available for even more natural light, and the M Sport suspension and steering make the Gran Coupe an absolute joy in the corners.
2023 Nissan Maxima
With a starting price of $38,340, the 2023 Nissan Maxima is another attractive option for an affordable luxury car. The 3.5-liter V6 engine provides 300-hp and a smooth and powerful ride that you would expect from a luxury Nissan.
However, the Maxima really shines on the inside. Diamond-stiched leather seats and wood accents hint at the sedan’s quality and luxury. Heated rear seats are available, and the cockpit is very ergonomic with the driver in mind. Naturally, the Maxima comes with the expected features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus it even comes with a power rear sunshade and WiFi connectivity.
Genesis G70
Although the asking price of $42,000 might be high, the Genesis G70 is one of the most impressive luxury sedans on the market. The interior, in particular, is where the G70 comes into its own, with its two-tone stitched leather seats and stunning aluminum accents throughout the cabin.
Step outside, and the G70 also has a gorgeous exterior. Its long hood and short overhangs give it a very sporty look. It is a little surprising that the G70 looks so good, as the parent company Hyundai has come up with winners such as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6. The base turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine is also impressive, producing 300-hp and 311 lb-ft of torque.
Volvo S60
You might think of Volvo as the producer of safe but tame vehicles, not luxury sedans that can make us look ridiculously rich. The Volvo S60 might change that mindset, with it not only having one of Volvo’s cleanest and sharpest modern designs but also being full of technology and premium materials inside the cabin.
Volvo has kept the cabin minimalistic, but it works well. It features premium leather, woodgrain accents, and very lovely soft-touch plastics. Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system is also very user-friendly and controlled via the nine-inch touchscreen. The 247-hp mild-hybrid powertrain is very economical. All this will set you back $42,450 for the base model.
2024 Lexus IS300 Sedan
It might surprise you to learn that you can buy a Lexus without paying a high price. That is the case with the 2024 IS300 sedan, which Toyota’s luxury division currently offers at a $41,235 MSRP. Lexus allows for much customization at that price, with various interior, exterior, and wheel designs available.
The base engine offered is a turbocharged inline-four with 241 hp. The base model has a gorgeous exterior and a very well-thought-out cabin. Compared to more modern Lexus offerings, it is lacking, but it still provides all the luxury you would expect from a contemporary, premium sedan. For less than $45,000, you can’t go wrong.
Acura RDX
Luxury SUVs can be costly. You only have to look at the Bentley Bentayga, which starts at over $200,000. But if you want a luxury SUV for a much more affordable price, look no further than the Acura RDX. You can pick up the base model RDX for $44,350, a much more respectable figure.
The base RDX has a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder aluminum-alloy engine under the hood, producing 272-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Alongside that power, you get excellent features such as the panoramic moonroof, power-adjustable seats, heated seats, and a steering wheel. The bonus of all-wheel drive means you could take your luxurious RDX off-the-beaten-track for some off-roading fun.
2024 BMW 230i Coupe
BMW has more than one luxury machine in its arsenal, with the 2024 230i Coupe another excellent offering. It currently starts at $38,800 and is powered by BMW’s 2.0-liter TwinPower turbocharged inline-four engine, which produces 255-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
Immense power is only one of the luxuries BMW offers. Like the Gran Coupe, the 230i has a panoramic moonroof and supportive sports seats. If you want extra flair, BMW offers the 230i with the M Sport Package, which adds a new aerodynamic kit, M Sport Suspension, an M steering wheel, and exclusive Shadowline exterior trim.
Volvo XC40
Volvo’s two entries on this list show how much luxury the Swedish manufacturer is pushing. The XC40 SUV has one of the most spacious cabins in the Volvo range, with its textile upholstery and unique “urban grid” design. Volvo has even gone to the trouble of wrapping the steering wheel in charcoal.
The XC50 retails at $40,500, a fraction less than the Acura RDX. For your $40k, you get a 247-hp mild-hybrid powertrain with a combined fuel economy of 26 MPG and enough acceleration to push the SUV from 0-60 mph in just 6.1 seconds.
