13 Irresistible Luxury Cars That Tempt Even the Most Thrifty Shoppers
Luxury cars are supposed to alienate those who can’t or are unwilling to pay big money for them. At least, that’s how we’ve always perceived “luxury.” At the same time, some folks are ‘cheap’ regardless of their financial status.
Spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a car that serves the same primary purpose as a $30,000 model doesn’t make sense to such people. Financial expert Dave Ramsey recently published a list of the top ten cars driven by millionaires, and there was not a Ferrari or Rolls-Royce among them. Ramsey might have a point.
A 2022 survey by Experian Automotive found that 61% of rich people (with household incomes over $250,000) go for regular brands like Toyota, Ford, and Honda. It makes you wonder who buys the expensive cars, then. Those who can’t resist them, maybe? It shows enthusiasts, rich and poor — fuel the market for expensive, niche cars. It’s more about attraction than money.
Here are 13 luxury cars that are so compelling that even cheap people can’t stay away.
Cadillac CT4 – $34,595 (MSRP)
Starting under $35,000, the CT4 offers an irresistible blend of entry-level pricing, generous luxury helpings, and athletic handling. After the last major redesign in 2020 and minor updates since then, the CT4 received two slight changes for 2024. The updates include a new Midnight Sky Metallic paint and the Onyx Package, the latter unboxing dark trims such as a black spoiler, while the former comes at an extra $625.
As for the V high-performance variant, Cadillac rolled out four new hues, including Cyber Yellow Metallic, Coastal Blue Metallic, and the limited-edition Velocity Red and Black Diamond Tricoat. This comes as Cadillac celebrates the V Series’ 20th Anniversary, complete with special badging all over the car. The CT4 is due for a mid-cycle refresh for the 2025 model year.
2024 BMW 2 Series – $38,800 (MSRP)
They’re all gone — the compact coupes, that is. Except BMW. The Bimmer is currently the only one with a coupe in the compact luxury segment, with no competitor and the only option for shoppers drawn to this particular segment and class.
Yes, the latest 2-Series’ design is highly controversial, but there’s no argument against its intoxicating road manners, precise steering feedback, and powerful brakes. The only downer for enthusiasts is the deleted manual gearbox.
It shares the Toyota Supra’s 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine with 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the M240i variant benefits from a 382-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six.
2024 Lexus IS – $41,235
The IS is Lexus’ smallest sedan. For the 2024 model year, the IS300 base model can now benefit from the F Sport trim, and customers can even cherry-pick the design ingredients and leave out the mechanical upgrades.
The Lexus ES is roomier and boasts a similar price point as the IS, but the latter sits on an RWD chassis, which means plenty to enthusiasts. Lexus also rolled out a Blackout package for the IS350 this year.
The package unboxes matte black wheels, dark chrome trim, and black exterior mirrors. It also brings some extras in the Memory and F Sport Handling packages. The IS500 top model gains what Lexus calls a “Special Appearance” package.
The content includes matte black 19-inch split-spoke wheels, blue contrast stitching on the black faux leather interior, SmartAccess card key, blue contrast stitching on the black faux leather interior, and Blue Vector exterior finish.
2024 Acura TLX – $45,000
The KBB agrees that anyone in the market for a new compact luxury sedan should make the 2024 TLX one of their first ports of call before moving on to other options. That’s natural, considering a compelling 95% of TLX owners on KBB recommend the car. Apparently, the TLX impresses across mechanical, cosmetic, and technological fronts.
“We like the way it drives, the amount of equipment for the money, and the superb audio system — to list just a few high points,” the KBB confirms. For the 2024 model year, the TLX gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a larger 12.3-inch infotainment screen as standard equipment, and other tech and cosmetic updates such as new ADAS features and a revised front grille.
Audi A3 – $35,800 (MSRP)
Whatever you want from the subcompact luxury sedan class, from daily driving usability to track-day fun, Audi’s A3 has something for you. With the latest generation launching only two years ago, the A3 is still fresh and keeps getting fresher.
The 2024 model got minor but compelling updates, including the Black Optic package with a new 18-inch wheel design. It’s also updated with the marque’s HomeLink 3-button system that can be programmed to control garage doors, gates, and lights in your home. HomeLink supports up to three radio frequency codes for most current transmitters. It is an option in the Audi A3’s Convenience package.
2024 Mercedes-Benz GLA – $41,850
The GLA’s allure comes from the fact it is arguably the most prestigious in the subcompact luxury SUV segment as well as the cheapest new Merc SUV. While its roomier GLB sibling is a little more practical, the GLA compensates with a more attractive look.
The lavish interior is as irresistible as you’d expect from a Mercedes, and the turbo-4 engine’s performance feels punchy and adequate for the class. The 221 hp travels to the front or all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission with the assistance of a hybrid system.
The AMG version heats up the music with a 302-hp tuned turbo-4 paired with a 48-volt hybrid system. For our purpose here, the regular GLA is just fine, especially if you aren’t shy to prioritize form and luxury over function and visceral performance.
2022 Mercedes-Benz A-Class – From $24,000 (Used)
The A-Class left the U.S. after the 2022 model year, but the sedan’s prestigious looks bring it plenty of attention in the used car market. It looks more expensive than it actually is, with a manufacturer-suggested retail price ranging from $35,000 to $37,000 in 2022.
Their prices currently range from $23,995 in the used car market, with mileages as low as 3,092 to 65,729 miles. Although withdrawn from the U.S., the A-Class lives on in other markets because it is a small Merc with the cojones of an S-Class — modern and tech-rich. It uses a turbo 4-cylinder engine as the sole powerplant, producing 188 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque.
2024 Genesis G70 – $42,625
The G70 is far from a pushover in the compact luxury sedan class. It gets better with each model year and brings some notable updates in 2024. It has ditched the previous 252-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine in favor of a punchier 2.5-liter unit, producing 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. By comparison, the new Alfa Romeo Giulia is good for 280 hp, making it clear which one informed shoppers are likely to choose.
It gets better, though. The turbo-4 is for the entry-level G70. The 3.3T model carries over its 365-hp twin-turbo V6, making it almost as fit as the 382-hp M340i variant of the BMW 3 Series that costs roughly $10,000 more than the G70.
The G70 delivers swifter acceleration because it unleashes most of its power at low revs. It’s a good thing the model now comes standard with high-performance Brembo brakes, among other updates, like a separate climate control screen and frameless rearview mirror, for 2024.
Infiniti Q50 – $44,200 (MSRP)
It takes some serious nerve to keep running one generation for eleven good years and counting. Automakers typically roll out a new generation in half that time to stay competitive. Not the Infiniti Q50. We say it’s too confident in its elegant styling to think it can remain basically the same for over a decade. Admittedly, the Q50 still looks good, even if not exactly irresistible.
The main draw — as far as we can tell — is the entry-level Luxe trim. Everyone else tends to cash out on us by loading the higher trims with compelling features we can’t have with the base model, but the Q50 Luxe is different. It has almost everything the higher Sensory trim has to offer, with emphasis on ‘almost.’
Both trims share powertrains, with negligible extras like a paddle shifter and cabin air purifier as the only gains the Sensory has over the Luxe. The Luxe offers optional RWD and standard leather seats, a heated steering wheel, a 16-speaker Bose, and a 300-hp twin-turbo V6.
2024 Volvo S60 – $42,450 (MSRP)
Would we be wrong to say it neither looks the part nor possesses the oomph of supposed sports sedan rivals like the Genesis G70 and BMW 3 Series? That may be the case, but there’s no argument over the Volvo S60’s distinct Scandinavian aura. Its uncluttered, straightforward exterior complements the relaxing cabin with high-quality materials and superbly comfortable seats.
Speaking of sports sedans, the S60 uses what critics consider an underwhelming 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission as the standard powertrain, good for 247 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The power travels to the front or all four wheels, while the PHEV model turns up the heat considerably with 456 hp sent to all four wheels.
2025 Lexus NX – $41,765
The NX may not be the Optimus Prime for its class, but it has everything it’s supposed to have where they’re supposed to be. The ride is composed, the seats feel rich and comfortable, and customers can choose from four powertrains.
However, things get a lot more irresistible considering the purchase price and cost of ownership compared to competitors in the compact luxury SUV segment. Additionally, can you really do better than Lexus when it comes to reliable luxury?
Consumer review pages like Consumer Report are always full of praise for the NX, including multiple positions in KBB’s Most Trusted Luxury Brand awards.
2024 Buick Envision – $37,295 (MSRP)
The 2024 Buick Envision is a strong contender in the luxury C-SUV segment, with a refreshed logo and styling cues borrowed from the Wildcat EV concept. It now shares the mid-position in the marque’s all-SUV portfolio with the cheaper-priced Envista.
Tempted as ‘cheap’ people would be to go for the more affordable Envista, the Envision makes a stronger case with its more generous cabin and cargo volume. That’s because it isn’t hunched over like the Envista’s fastback design.
The new Envision brings a refreshed front fascia featuring slim, squinty headlights and a trapezoid grille design, blessing the 5-passenger compact luxury SUV with a more aggressive stare.
2024 Lincoln Corsair – $38,990 (MSRP)
The Corsair is a Lincoln, and a Lincoln is supposed to prioritize passenger comfort and safety in its mechanical and interior design. The new Corsair delivers on both fronts. As the KBB puts it, “The Corsair positively pampers the driver and passenger … [in] an eerily quiet cabin … [and] a remarkably smooth ride [quality].”
Still steaming hot and fresh from its 2023 makeover, the 2024 model remains the American marque’s bestseller as well as the smallest car in its portfolio. Considering its cutting-edge tech features, attractive design, and upscale cabin, it’s not surprising that Americans could not resist the Corsair’s relatively affordable under $40,000 starting price.
