Best Luxury Sedans of 2022

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, Tesla, 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-$30k price bracket. From best to worst, in our opinion, here are the rankings of the best luxury sedans of 2022.

BuzzScore
Design
Performance
MPG
Interior
Infotainment
Reliability
Safety
Value
#1
2022 Genesis G80
9.5
BuzzScore
N/A
Design
N/A
Performance
N/A
MPG
N/A
Interior
N/A
Infotainment
N/A
Reliability
N/A
Safety
N/A
Value
#2
2020 Tesla Model S Performance
9.5
BuzzScore
N/A
Design
N/A
Performance
N/A
MPG
N/A
Interior
N/A
Infotainment
N/A
Reliability
N/A
Safety
N/A
Value
#3
2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo
9.5
BuzzScore
10
Design
10
Performance
10
MPG
10
Interior
9
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
7
Value
#4
2022 Porsche Taycan
9.3
BuzzScore
10
Design
10
Performance
8
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#5
2022 Volvo S60
9.1
BuzzScore
10
Design
8
Performance
9
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
7
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#6
2022 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45
9.1
BuzzScore
10
Design
10
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
7
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#7
2022 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
9.1
BuzzScore
10
Design
9
Performance
7
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
8
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#8
2022 Audi e-tron GT
9.1
BuzzScore
9
Design
10
Performance
8
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#9
2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan
9.1
BuzzScore
8
Design
9
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
8
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value
#10
2022 Mercedes-Maybach S
9.1
BuzzScore
9
Design
9
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
8
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#11
2022 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35
9
BuzzScore
10
Design
9
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
7
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#12
2022 BMW i4
#12
BMW i4
9
BuzzScore
8
Design
9
Performance
9
MPG
9
Interior
9
Infotainment
9
Reliability
9
Safety
10
Value
#13
2022 Audi A7 Hybrid
9
BuzzScore
10
Design
8
Performance
9
MPG
10
Interior
9
Infotainment
8
Reliability
9
Safety
9
Value
#14
2022 Genesis G70
8.9
BuzzScore
N/A
Design
N/A
Performance
N/A
MPG
N/A
Interior
N/A
Infotainment
N/A
Reliability
N/A
Safety
N/A
Value
#15
2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Sedan
8.9
BuzzScore
9
Design
9
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
7
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value
#16
2022 Lexus LS
#16
Lexus LS
8.9
BuzzScore
8
Design
8
Performance
8
MPG
9
Interior
8
Infotainment
10
Reliability
10
Safety
10
Value
#17
2022 Audi RS5 Sportback
8.9
BuzzScore
10
Design
10
Performance
7
MPG
10
Interior
9
Infotainment
8
Reliability
9
Safety
8
Value
#18
2021 Audi A8
#18
Audi A8
8.9
BuzzScore
7
Design
8
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#19
2021 Audi A8 Hybrid
8.9
BuzzScore
7
Design
8
Performance
8
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
9
Reliability
10
Safety
9
Value
#20
2020 Mercedes-AMG S63 Sedan
8.9
BuzzScore
8
Design
10
Performance
7
MPG
10
Interior
10
Infotainment
8
Reliability
10
Safety
8
Value

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 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. Some of the boldest new sedans include the Rolls-Royce Phantom or Bentley Continental - real head-turners. 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 or Alcantara leather 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 opulent cruisers. 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
  • Featureful, luxurious interiors
  • Powerful and smooth engines
  • Extremely comfortable ride
  • Membership to an exclusive club

Cons

  • High price tags bar the gates
  • Often more fun in the back than behind the wheel
  • Commodious trunks are rare

FAQs

What is the most reliable luxury sedan?

The top luxury sedan is not always the most reliable. Since they are so finely crafted, they can sometimes fall to pieces for the most ridiculous reason. However, with main mainstream brands branching out into the luxury segment, they are bringing their reputations for reliability with them. This means that models from Lexus and Genesis, the premium divisions of Toyota and Hyundai, are among the most dependable.

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. While it may be the smallest in the stable, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is actually not that hard to get your hands on, starting at around $34k. Volvo’s S60 is slightly pricier at nearly $40k, while the Audi A3 will only cost you north of $33k, too.
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