It might sound like a contradiction to say that a luxurious car can be unreliable, but it can happen.
Some cars look amazing but are not so focused on durability and performance, so you should be wary of this before you shell out big bucks for a new set of wheels.
What makes some luxury cars unreliable? The thing about luxury cars is that they usually come with all the frills, which means that more can go wrong with them.
If you want a luxury car, what you don’t want is to have to spend more money to fix it later – faults can be expensive to repair.
So, with that in mind, let’s see what are the most reliable luxury cars to purchase.
If you’d like to see a graphical breakdown of the luxury cars, we got you covered:
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Which Luxury Cars Are The Best?
#1 Mercedes E-Class (2009 to 2016)
The Mercedes E-Class is all about making your daily travels so much more comfortable and enjoyable.
When it comes to how reliable these cars are, only 14 percent of E-Class owners have reported that they had steering and exhaust problems (via What Car).
All the repairs were done under warranty, which is good to know. In addition to that, Mercedes is regarded as having a better reputation than other luxury carmakers.
With the Mercedes E-Class 2016 model, you’ll get to enjoy lots of safe technology, a spacious cabin, and excellent fuel efficiency.
In a J.D. Power survey, this Mercedes model achieved a score of 80 out of 100 for quality and reliability (via J.D. Power)!
#2 BMW 5 Series (2017 and later)
This car is popular and works well. Only 17 percent of owners of the latest 5 Series model experienced problems, which were usually with the bodywork, followed by the engine and the car’s electrical systems (via What Car).
However, over three-quarters of car owners were still able to drive the car.
The 2017 model specifically, it’s packed with great features, such as loads of cargo space, modern technology, and a fuel-efficient engine.
However, it has not yet been rated on J.D. Power. So, let’s look at the rating for the 2021 model in this series. It scored 77 out of 100 for quality and reliability.
The 2018 and 2019 models both scored higher, coming in at 79 out of 100, but they scored 84 and 83 respectively when it came to reliability, which is amazing.
Generally, the BMW 5 Series as a range of luxury cars comes in third in the Top 10 Consumer Rated Sedan category (via J.D. Power).
#3 Kia K900 (2019)
If you’re looking for a luxury sedan, one of your best bets is to buy the Kia K900. It not only offers features you’ll find standard on many luxury cars but it’s also got a user-friendly infotainment system.
There’s a spacious cabin and you’ll enjoy robust 365 horsepower with the powertrain. It boasts excellent handling, to make driving it feel smooth.
Featuring updates from the previous K900 model, this car has a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 (via U.S. News).
However, the Kia K900 has been discontinued in the U.S., so it’s worth noting that buying a used car also provides you with good reliability as it achieved the seventh spot in the Used Luxury Cars $30K And Up list (via U.S. News).
Kia has lots of tech and safety features and a powerful engine to deliver excellent performance, so you won’t be disappointed.
#4 Lexus ES 300h (2020)
Not only does this luxury hybrid car look amazing with its sophisticated and spacious cabin, but it has some nice features to make driving feel more luxurious.
These include supportive seats, a large trunk, a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, three USB ports, and an infotainment system.
It also scores high points when it comes to its reliability. Driving it feels smooth, thanks to its excellent suspension that absorbs impact on the road so that you feel comfortable no matter what roads you’re traveling on.
The car scored 79 out of 100 for reliability from J.D. Power, a test that measures how many design flaws, malfunctions, and defects were experienced by car owners, and it takes into account every element of the car, from the infotainment system to the engine.
With such a high rating, fewer problems are reported by consumers, guaranteeing you of quality. (via J.D. Power).
#5 Volvo S60 T8 (2020)
One of the things you might worry about with this car is its petrol-electric system. It’s complicated but it’s been used in a variety of the brand’s models with no major problems being reported.
The Volvo S60 T8 is built like a bullet, sure to give you loads of reliability on the road. In independent Euro NCAP crash tests, the car earned five-star results and a 96-percent score for adult occupant protection (via Driving Electric).
The car allows you to make use of excellent safety features, such as driver alertness and lane-keeping assistance. There’s also the “Intellisafe Pro” package.
This is an adaptive cruise control feature that ensures you will always be at a safe distance from other cars in front of you.
#6 Jaguar E-Pace (2021)
The Jaguar E-Pace is right up there with the most reliable luxury cars on the market. It achieved a score of 82 out of 100 by J.D. Power for quality and reliability.
When it came to the driving experience of this car, it scored even better – 92 out of 100. It also comes in at number one on the Top 10 Consumer Rated SUVs list (via J.D. Power), beating Lexus, Volvo, BMW, and other top-rated luxury cars.
This car has been reviewed as being one of the best handling cars in its class as well as the most beautiful (via Top Gear).
It’s said to be even better than the F-Pace by the same brand as it boasts more expensive finishes. It’s been excellently designed and built and offers tons of space for avid travelers.
#7 Genesis G80 (2019)
The Genesis G80 stands out in the crowd as a result of how it provides you with the same features of its rival brands but at a better price.
While it doesn’t have outlandish or eye-catching designs when you see it, it’s focused on being minimalist and classic – the epitome of sophistication.
It’s got the modern tech, such as in the form of its touchscreen infotainment, and it was called one of the best cars when its safety features were studied.
Driving it feels superb as it handles curves and impacts well while making your ride feel much more comfortable.
When it comes to its reliability, you’re sure to be impressed. It scores 87 out of 100 for quality and reliability and has come in fifth on the Top 10 Consumer Rated Sedans list (via J.D. Power).
Some Of The Least Reliable Luxury Cars
In case you’re wondering what some of the least reliable luxury cars are, here are two that you should avoid.
#1 Tesla Model 3 (2020)
If you’re new to electric cars, the Tesla Model 3 might seem to be one worth splurging your hard-earned cash on because it will go the distance to save you money.
It’s the company’s affordable answer to cars such as the Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. It has an underfloor battery pack that gives the car its accelerative power and once the car is charged it’s good to go for at least 250 miles.
It feels really luxurious, thanks to how everything is controlled via a central screen.
However, Tesla has some reliability issues that have come up over the last few years, to the point where the 2020 J.D Power Initial Quality Survey (via Green Car Reports) named Tesla the worst out of 32 car brands due to building quality issues.
Even more alarming than that, Tesla was said to have 205 problems per 100 vehicles, which made it score the highest for unreliability out of the car brands that were studied.
#2 Alfa Romeo Giulia (2020)
Although it looks like it provides oodles of style, the Alfa Romeo Giulia has left a lot to be desired when it comes to performance.
Yes, it does seem to rival sports cars when it comes to its handling, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark when it comes to important features, such as ergonomics, interior quality, and reliability.
While it hasn’t been rated for its reliability, Alfa has had reliability issues in the past, which isn’t helped by the fact that its car parts are unique to the brand and these vehicles are expensive to maintain.
The Alfa Romeo Giulia only has a 13 percent chance of not needing repairs within a three-year period, which is quite alarming (via Motor Biscuit). Some common problems people have experienced with it include the car’s fuel system and interior electronics.
What To Look For In A Luxury Car
Ready to purchase a luxury car with all the comfort, frills, and performance? Here are some things you should consider.
- Check the car’s warranty. Some car manufacturers will offer extended coverage when it comes to the car’s components, such as the powertrain, and they’ll also offer features like rust protection.
- Check its residual value. This matters because it will give you information pertaining to the car’s value, durability, and reliability. You can check the car’s residual value via Kelley Blue Book.
- Ask around. It’s worth your time and money to ask around about the car, whether from loved ones or friends who have purchased a luxury car, or by shopping around at different showrooms.
- Get hands-on experience. When checking out luxury cars at showrooms, make sure you take test drives of the cars that appeal to you. This will help you make the best choice.
- Think about how often you’ll use the car. This is an important thing to consider before buying a luxury car. It will help you figure out what features are most important to you and choose a car that meets those needs.
Related Questions
Are there luxury cars with a manual transmission?
Luxury cars don’t usually have manual transmissions in place. You’re more likely to find these on sporty or small models, so that’s something to bear in mind if you’re a fan of a manual transmission.
What is J.D. Power?
J.D. Power is an influential consumer analysis company and is usually associated with the automotive industry. However, it also does research in other industries, such as healthcare and insurance.
Is it a good idea to buy a used luxury car?
You can find good deals on used luxury cars, as a result of how they’re cheap because they depreciate quickly. However, they cost a lot of money to maintain and run.
Conclusion
You’re doing well for yourself and want your car to reflect that. If you’re interested in purchasing a luxury car, you must consider which are the best and worst models when it comes to reliability.
After all, those glam features and modern tech that are on board shouldn’t be compromised by a lack of performance. In this article, we’ve featured some of the best luxury cars on the market, as well as a few you should leave in the showroom.
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