Luxury sedans age in a very specific way. The badge stays shiny, the interiors usually hold up, and the original sticker price quietly evaporates somewhere around the third owner. That’s good news if you like real leather, solid chassis tuning, and cabins designed by people who care deeply about buttons.
This list isn’t about flashy cars with depreciation horror stories. These are used luxury sedans that still feel expensive long after their prices have come back down to earth. Strong powertrains, credible tech, and road presence that suggest a much larger monthly payment than reality.
Models are listed in ascending order based on the average used price, from the lowest to the highest.
2014-2018 BMW 3 Series
Average Used Price Range: $7,500 – $18,000
The BMW 3 Series has always been the default answer to “What should a luxury sedan drive like?” Even in base form, it delivers balanced handling, precise steering, and an overall composure that people tend to love. The 2014-2018 year range tends to be a decent run of more reliable cars, according to CarGurus polling. Cars from this year’s range on the used market are surprisingly affordable. BMW isn’t really known for its long-term reliability, so it’s common to see some used examples for cheap.
Most newer examples feature turbocharged four-cylinder engines producing between 255 and 382 horsepower, depending on trim, paired with an eight-speed automatic that remains one of the best in the business. Used examples from this range have a litany of engine options, which can make prices fluctuate. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with xDrive all-wheel drive widely available. Ride quality stays fairly luxe without sacrificing feedback. Inside, the materials age well enough, the layout is straightforward, and the cabin still feels purpose-built rather than decorative. This is particularly true of the F30 and earlier models. The 3 Series always managed to feel expensive, even if outdated, making the 3 Series a classic used luxury choice.
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2009–2016 Audi A4
Average Used Price Range: $10,000-$20,000
The 2009–2016 Audi A4 marks a turning point for the model, thanks to the introduction of the fourth-generation B8 platform. Compared to the outgoing B7, the A4 grew in size, offering more interior space and a stronger road presence that helped it better compete with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. A revised turbocharged 2.0-liter engine brought more usable power and torque, while the redesigned interior elevated the A4’s reputation for clean design and premium feel.
Early B8 models did suffer from growing reliability pains, but things noticeably improved by 2014. That model year earned a 3/5 reliability score from Consumer Reports, a major step up from the much lower-rated 2011 and 2013 versions. Engine-related complaints dropped significantly, making 2014 the first year of the generation that could be considered a safer bet for long-term ownership. The real sweet spot came in 2015 and 2016. Both years received 4/5 reliability ratings from Consumer Reports, with dramatically fewer owner complaints across major categories. By the final year of the B8 generation, the Audi A4 had shed most of its earlier issues, delivering a well-rounded compact luxury sedan that blends performance, comfort, and dependability in a way earlier models simply couldn’t.
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2016-2019 Cadillac CTS
Average Used Price Range: $11,000–$20,000
The Cadillac CTS was General Motors proving a point. It was engineered to compete directly with German sport sedans, and its attack was thinly veiled. Even today, used CTS models feel athletic, confident, and genuinely premium. While the whole run was pretty popular, the 2016-2019 range is some of the better models for price versus value.
Engine options range from turbocharged four-cylinders to naturally aspirated and twin-turbo V6s producing up to 420 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available. Chassis tuning remains one of the CTS’s strongest assets. As with many on this list, price can skew wildly depending on year, trim, and features. The CTS-V models with the big motors, manual transmission, and low miles can fetch a kingly sum. The interior won’t wow everyone, but it feels solid and purposeful. On the road, the CTS hides its depreciation better than most, delivering a driving experience that still feels expensive.
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10 Best Luxury Sedans To Keep On Your Shortlist
These 10 luxury sedans blend performance, comfort, and cutting-edge tech, making them top contenders for your shortlist.
2016-2018 Audi A6
Average Used Price Range: $11,000–$24,000
The Audi A6 is a classic nameplate for folks looking for something executive-level with a touch of sportiness without much ostentation. It’s fancy, tech-forward, and exceptionally well-built. Used examples from this period still feel modern, capable, and super impressive.
For this year range, models feature either a turbocharged four-cylinder or supercharged six-cylinder engine producing 252 and 340 horsepower, respectively, paired with smooth automatic transmissions and Quattro all-wheel drive. Inside, the A6 showcases Audi’s best traits. Clean interfaces, solid materials, and excellent fit and finish make it feel expensive well into its second or third ownership cycle.
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2019-2022 Acura TLX
Average Used Price Range: $14,000-$23,000
The Acura TLX occupies an interesting middle ground between sport sedan and executive commuter. It doesn’t chase German rivals directly, and that restraint works in its favor on the used market. You get performance credibility without maintenance anxiety. There’s a cultural softness to the TLX. Unlike many others on this list, the TLX doesn’t project “sports car” in the parking lot. It’s super sensible and subtle.
The second-generation TLX had engine options ranging from a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder making around 272 horsepower to a 355-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 in Type S trims. Front-wheel drive is standard, with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive available and genuinely effective. The TLX interior is well-built, comfortable, and focused on durability over flash. It still feels upscale years later, and the driving experience holds together better than many rivals once mileage climbs. Quiet competence is its luxury language.
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2019–2022 Volvo S90
Average Used Price Range: $17,000–$30,000
The Volvo S90 is an excellent example of Scandinavian design translated into automotive form. Clean lines, minimalism, and an emphasis on safety and comfort define the experience. On the used market, it becomes a remarkable value. Not to mention the very long history that Volvo carries as one of the safest, most trusted carmakers around. That reputation carries real value.
Powertrains include a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, making 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, as well as plug-in hybrid variants producing up to 400 horsepower. All-wheel drive is common, and ride quality leans toward refined rather than sporty. The interior remains one of the best in the segment. Volvo may not be super exciting anymore, but its interior is full of natural materials, thoughtful design, and a calming atmosphere. The S90 will feel luxurious long after depreciation sets in.
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13 Used Sedans That Deliver Luxury And Reliability On A Budget
Can you spend a little and enjoy a lot in your next car? You can if it’s one of these reliable used sedans that feel more premium than their price.
2013-2018 Lexus ES 300h
Average Used Price Range: $20,000–$30,000
The Lexus ES 300h is not interested in drama, and that’s exactly why it works so well as a used luxury sedan. It prioritizes comfort, efficiency, and longevity over performance, and the result is a car that ages exceptionally well. This is Lexus’ milieu. This is why Lexus, more than many other luxury brands, holds value so well.
The hybrid powertrain for the sixth-generation combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total output of around 200 horsepower. Real-world fuel economy often exceeds 40 mpg, which feels downright unreal for a midsize luxury sedan making that much power. Inside, the ES 300h delivers excellent material quality, supportive seating, and a quiet cabin that still feels serene years later. It’s a Lexus. It’s a luxury for people who value quiet commuting.
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2017-2018 Lincoln Continental
Average Used Price Range: $20,000–$27,000
The final-generation Lincoln Continental is an underrated luxury sedan that leans fully into comfort and legacy. It doesn’t pretend to be sporty. Instead, it doubles and triples down on luxury. The Continental has a long legacy to live up to, and the 2017–2018 models have hit the threshold of being old enough to drop in price but still be modern enough to be a smart buy.
The engine options are a 3.7-liter V6 that makes 305 horsepower, but further down the options sheet, buyers can get a 335-horsepower twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 and a 400-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter, paired with an automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available on higher trims. Inside, the Continental feels like a monument to luxury. Soft materials, wide seats, a legendary nameplate, and restrained design make it feel far pricier than its used-market reality. It’s a luxury sedan for people who value ease over edge.
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2017-2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Average Used Price Range: $27,000—$34,000
The C-Class delivered Mercedes design and prestige in a compact package. Even base models feel like scaled-down S-Classes, and that visual gravitas doesn’t fade with age. On the used market, it’s an accessible entry point into the brand. The 2017-2019 year range is where the value and reliability overlap the best.
Turbocharged four-cylinder engines dominate the lineup, producing between 255 and 385 horsepower in most trims. However, AMG units got monster V8s ready to eat cities. Those, of course, don’t really apply to the theme we got going here. At any rate, across the lineup, rear-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive options. The interior is where the C-Class shows its value best. Ambient lighting, upscale materials, and elegant design cues continue to feel premium long after the warranty ends. It’s a car that still looks expensive pulling up to the function.
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10 Reliable Luxury Sedans Under $20,000
If you want to be a baller, these 10 used luxury sedans will get their driver where they need to go and look good doing it.
2022-2024 Genesis G80
Average Used Price Range: $31,000–$36,000
The Genesis G80 may be the best example of a luxury sedan that hides its budget price tag, even when new. On the used market, it becomes borderline absurd value for money. It’s got the look, the performance, the reliability, and, of course, the luxury.
Engine options include turbocharged four-cylinders and V6s producing up to 375 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available. Ride quality is smooth, quiet, and unmistakably fancy pants. Sorry to get so technical there, but Genesis is every bit as much of a luxury car brand as many others, but we’ve yet to allow them amongst BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes. The interior is where the G80 truly shines. Genesis came correct with the materials, design, and build quality to rival far more expensive sedans. It feels like a flagship car wearing a midrange price, which makes it one of the smartest used luxury buys available.
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