Best Affordable Luxury Cars for 2023

Over the last few years it seems that luxury cars have fallen to the wayside in favor of eco-friendly hybrids and utilitarian SUVs.

Fortunately, there are still automakers that are creating beautiful luxury sedans and coupes with an eye for comfort and relaxation that other types of vehicles just don’t have. Many of them are even making affordable versions of these cars that might otherwise be out of reach for the average car buyer.

By understanding what affordable luxury vehicles are available on the market and what they have to offer, you can find one that will serve you well for many years.

Here’s a look at our picks for the top affordable luxury cars on the market in 2023:

1. 2023 Acura Integra – $32,495

With the discontinuation of the Acura ILX, the Acura Integra takes up the role of the most affordable offering in the luxury brand’s lineup and the most affordable luxury car on the market.

For the low entry price, the Integra is equipped with 10.2-inch digital gauges and a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system including wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. An eight-speaker sound system is standard as well. Seating is comfortable for all passengers and leatherette upholstery and heated front seats are standard.

Base model Integras come with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 200 horsepower. The same powerplant is used in the Honda Civic Si. That engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and front-wheel drive. EPA estimated fuel economy is 30 miles per gallon in the city and 37 on the highway.

Acura includes a nice suite of safety features like automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Browse 2023 Acura Integra listings here.

2. 2023 Cadillac CT4 – $35,790

Cadillac’s smallest new car offers stately exterior styling and fun driving dynamics. Despite its sporty nature, the suspension of the CT4 soaks up road imperfections with minimal jostling. The back seat room is on the small side for most adults, and even front-seat passengers may find the space snug. A standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay ready.

Entry-level CT4s are powered by a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder making 237 horsepower paired with an eight-speed automatic. The CT4 is rear-wheel drive, making it more exciting to drive than rivals around the $35k mark.

The little Cadillac gets decent fuel economy with EPA estimated ratings of 23 MPG city and 34 highway. Standard safety features are good, but not class-leading, with lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking included.

Browse 2023 Cadillac CT4 listings here.

3. 2023 Audi A3 – $36,495

Audi’s entry-level luxury sedan offers engaging steering, good fuel efficiency, and plenty of standard features for an affordable price. A large 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and standard 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster are both standard and include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The seating is tight but comfortable for four adults. A standard panoramic sunroof keeps the interior feeling airy.

All A3 models are equipped with a 201-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with a mild hybrid system. A seven-speed automatic transmission handles shifting and drives the front wheels. That powertrain achieves EPA estimated fuel mileage of 29 MPG in the city and 38 on the highway. Standard features are thin when it comes to driver assistance with automatic emergency braking included, but not lane-keeping assist or adaptive cruise control.

Browse 2023 Audi A3 listings here.

4. 2023 BMW 2 Series – $39,195

If you can get over the polarizing looks of the BMW 230i, it has a lot to offer at under $40k. The 2-series is a Coupe, meaning rear seat access and space are limited. A standard 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and is paired with a 10-speaker sound system. A rotary knob next to the shifter aids in navigating the system, and there are enough physical buttons for key features, making it intuitive to operate. The BMW 230i offers sports car-level thrills and moderate luxury for a great price.

A standard turbocharged 2.0-liter engine packs 255 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly and sends power to the rear wheels. The EPA estimates 26 mpg city and 35 mpg on the highway for the 230i. Standard drive assistance tech includes front and rear parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Adaptive cruise control is not included.

Browse 2023 BMW 2 Series listings here.

5. 2023 Cadillac CT5 – $39,590

In base trim, the Cadillac CT5 offers the looks of a sports sedan but doesn’t deliver driving thrills. With chassis tuning engineered to deliver a smooth ride, the base model CT5 lacks the precision that makes sportier trim levels stand out. Interior materials in the low-spec model also share too much in common with rental cars from its corporate cousins at Chevrolet. Rear seats are less spacious than competitors in the class. A 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard and has one of the best user interfaces in the class. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included.

The standard engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 237 horsepower. A 10-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. Fuel economy is acceptable, with EPA expected ratings of 23 MPG in the city and 33 on the highway. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, however, SuperCruise with hands-free driving is not available on the base model.

Browse 2023 Cadillac CT5 listings here.

6. 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA – $40,400

The A-Class was discontinued for the United States following the 2022 model year, so the CLA is now the most entry-level Benz available. The base model CLA 250 Coupe is actually a sedan, though it does have a sleek shape. The interior boasts premium materials that live up to the Mercedes-Benz name. The CLA has learned a lot from the Mercedes S-Class, albeit in a much more affordable package. Front seat comfort is excellent, but headroom may be an issue for taller rear-seat passengers. A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment is standard and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Power is provided by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 221 horsepower. A standard seven-speed dual-clutch transmission drives the front wheels. Fuel mileage is EPA estimated at 25 city MPG and 36 highway. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, Attention Assist, and emergency call service. It may be worth waiting for the 2024 model year, which includes more standard equipment and a mild hybrid system for better low-end power and economy, though full details are not yet available.

Browse 2023 Mercedes-Benz CLA listings here.

7. 2023 Genesis G70 – $40,525

The Genesis brand is built upon offering more luxury at a lower price than competing vehicles, and the G70 continues that legacy. Interior materials and build quality are second to none dollar for dollar. A standard 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Leatherette upholstery covers the seats and some of the interior trim for a premium feel. Heated front seats and steering wheel are also included equipment.

The standard engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 252 horsepower, driving the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is estimated at 22 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. Standard safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. A 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty is tops in the class.

Browse 2023 Genesis G70 listings here.

8. 2023 Lexus IS – $40,985

The Lexus IS is a sporty-looking, but ultimately practical luxury sedan. The interior is well-designed and feels premium. An 8.0-inch touchscreen is included equipment and comes with Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and Apple CarPlay. Duel-zone automatic climate control, leatherette upholstery, and power front seats are standard equipment. The Lexus interior certainly hides its Toyota roots, but buyers should expect great build quality combined with good long-term reliability.

The standard powertrain is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 241 horsepower, eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifter, and rear-wheel drive. Fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon in the city and 31 MPG on the highway is average for the class. Lexus includes a nice array of safety tech with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist, which are all standard on the base trim.

Browse 2023 Lexus IS listings here.

9. 2023 Audi A4 – $41,395

The Audi A4 is a good all-around luxury car with simple sophisticated styling and a ride that balances comfort and engagement. Front and rear-seat passenger space is comfortable and roomy for the class. Materials are premium and the interior is well-thought-out. Leather seating is standard. The standard 10.1-inch infotainment system includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as voice controls.

In base 40 TSFI trim, the Audi A4 is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a mild hybrid system making 201 horsepower. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard as is all-wheel drive. The A4 is the first car on this list to offer standard AWD, so it may be a great alternative to those considering a luxury SUV or crossover due to a wintery climate. EPA estimated fuel economy is 24 miles per gallon in the city and 33 on the highway, very good for an AWD vehicle in this class. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning.

Browse 2023 Audi A4 listings here.

10. 2023 Volvo S60 – $42,395

The Volvo S60 has the sleek modern design you would expect from the Swedish brand, with an immaculately curated interior and handsome exterior styling. In base Core trim, standard features like a panoramic moonroof, dual-zone climate control, leatherette upholstery, and comfortable front seats make the cabin a nice place to be. The standard infotainment consists of a 9.0-inch touchscreen using a Google user interface. Apple CarPlay is also included.

The entry-level engine is a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with a mild hybrid system making 247 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard and drives the front wheels. The estimated fuel economy is 26 miles per gallon in the city and 35 MPG on the highway. Volvo has a reputation for safety and does not disappoint, with standard automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist.

Browse 2023 Volvo S60 listings here.

11. 2023 Infiniti Q50 – $43,675

With the gorgeous Infiniti Q60 coupe discontinued for the 2023 model year, its sedan sibling slides into this spot. The sedan is still attractive but doesn’t stand out in the class. The interior design and materials fall far behind even less expensive competitors like the Genesis G70, even with standard leather upholstery. Front seat legroom is near the top in the class, and rear seat room is average for the segment. A dual-touchscreen infotainment system offers some unique tricks but is less intuitive than most of the competition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.

The base engine is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 300 horsepower and a seven-speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. Despite the powerful base engine, the Q50 is more of a comfortable cruiser than a sports sedan. Reviewers noted a lack of feedback from the steering wheel. The estimated fuel economy is 20 miles per gallon in the city and 29 MPG on the highway. Standard driver assistance technology includes automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.

Browse 2023 Infiniti Q50 listings here.

12. 2023 Tesla Model 3 – $44,630 (currently)

Buyers interested in all-electric luxury will find the lowest point of entry in the Model 3. The Model three has a driving range to compete with more modern electric competition, power and speed to challenge sports cars, and enough amenities to slot into the luxury class. The interior features a 15.0-inch touchscreen that handles both infotainment and gauge cluster duties.

That screen also controls things like air vents, mirror adjustment, and sound system volume. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available. Without an upcharge the Model 3 is available in exactly one color, white. A massive glass roof makes the interior feel spacious, vegan leather is standard, and the climate control system can precondition the interior in colder weather. Power adjustable front seats and heated front and rear seats are also included.

In base trim, the Tesla Model 3 drives the rear wheels via a single electric motor. Zero to 60 comes in just 5.8 seconds, and the EPA estimated range is 272 miles on a single charge. Charging at one of Tesla’s Superchargers tops up the battery to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. Standard safety and driver assistance features include automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Browse 2023 Tesla Model 3 listings here.