Luxury cars don’t always have to come with sky-high ownership costs. In 2025, the used market is full of premium models that balance comfort, advanced features, and standout styling with proven reliability and strong value retention.
From sleek sedans to spacious SUVs, many luxury vehicles now offer the prestige and performance of high-end brands without the steep new-car price tag. The right used pick can deliver leather-lined cabins, advanced tech, and refined driving dynamics for less than you’d expect.
These value-focused luxury cars prove you can enjoy upscale motoring without overspending, making them smart buys for drivers who want both reliability and sophistication.
In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information for vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, CarEdge, and Consumer Reports to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Models are ranked based on their reliability, from lowest to highest scores.
10
2021 Cadillac CT5
Reliability Score: 80/100
The CT5 is Cadillac’s compact luxury car, going up against the likes of the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. While it may not be the most outright luxurious options, it has a ton of character and its optional twin-turbo V-6 is a ton of fun. You can pick up a 2020 CT5 for an average price of $31,844.
Reliability And Maintenance
Cadillac is quietly one of the most reliable American brands there is, benefiting from years of tried and tested engineering at General Motors. While general reliability is good, there have been some serious recalls issued for this model, so make sure that they’ve been seen to before you drive one off the lot.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,819 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 4
- Worst CT5 Year To Buy Used: N/A
9
2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Reliability Score: 81/100
If you’re looking for something that oozes sophistication and is loaded with modern tech features, then Mercedes is the way to go. Thanks to some pretty heavy initial depreciation, you can get a C-Class that is less than five years old for an average price of $29,950. That’s nothing considering the level of luxury you get.
Reliability and Maintenance
Mercedes-Benz is a brand that doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to reliability. Some models stand out, though, including the C-Class. However, be aware that you’re in for hefty maintenance bills, and you aren’t going to want to skimp on any of them because that is when you start running into problems.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $739 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 7
- Worst C-Class Year To Buy Used: 2008
8
2018 Audi A6
Reliability Score: 82/100
Getting a mid-size luxury car, even one from a previous generation, for an average price of $19,499 is already a pretty attractive proposition. The A6 is a premium sedan that pretty perfectly walks the line between grown-up styling and engaging driving dynamics, offering the best of both worlds.
Reliability And Maintenance
Reliability and Audi are not synonymous, with the brand’s track record working against it in most cases. However, certain powertrain and model combinations work out better than others, with the 2018 A6 being a pretty sturdy model.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $913 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $10,015 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 2
- Worst A6 Year To Buy Used: 2019
7
2021 BMW 3-Series
Reliability Score: 82/100
It has always been said that the perfect premium sports sedan is the 3-Series, and we couldn’t agree more. While everyone has their preferences over which generation is best, we think that you get a pretty good deal with the 2021 model year. It isn’t too old and can still be had at a bargain, with an average list price of $29,465.
Reliability and Maintenance
Where some still think of BMW as an unreliable brand plagued by oil leaks and the like, modern BMWs are actually among the most reliable cars you can buy according to reliability studies. Just note that taking care of these sedans is a costly affair, with CarEdge estimating its ten-year maintenance costs to be $4,369 above average for its segment.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $748 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $14,159 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 8
- Worst 3-Series Year To Buy Used: 2011
6
2020 Volvo S60
Reliability Score: 84/100
Volvo is a luxury brand that often gets overlooked, with the perception being that they are somewhat boring. While they might not be the sportiest options, they feature luxury and technology that is on par, if not better, than most rivals. A 2020 S60 can be had for an average price of $22,644.
Reliability and Maintenance
One of Volvo’s biggest areas of focus is quality. To the Swedish brand, something built well is luxurious. Hence, the S60 is easily among the most reliable vehicles in its class. Some owners do report that you should look out for transmission issues when buying used, so be sure to test drive your model thoroughly.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $750 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 5
- Worst S60 Year To Buy Used: 2012
5
2018 Audi A4
Reliability Score: 85/100
The A4 sits sandwiched between the BMW 3-Series and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. The BMW is the more playful and engaging sedan and the C-Class is more luxurious. For those looking for a happy medium, the A4 is the way to go. You can get a 2018 model for an average price of $17,786.
Reliability and Maintenance
Owners of the 2018 A4 have a lot of good things to say about the sedan, with the general consensus being that they are built to last. However, Audi is a brand that requires pretty vigilant maintenance if you want it to remain reliable.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $739 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,649 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 4
- Worst A4 Year To Buy Used: 2007
4
2021 BMW 4-Series
Reliability Score: 87/100
The 4-Series is the most popular non-SUV model in BMW’s lineup, and it’s not hard to see why. It takes the proven formula of the 3-Series and expands on it, coming as either a coupe or a sleek four-door fastback. They are a little more expensive that 3-Series sedans though, with the average 2021 4-Series listing at around $35,047.
Reliability and Maintenance
As mentioned earlier, BMW has come a long way when it comes to reliability, and modern models compete with the most sturdy vehicles on the road. While data regarding maintenance costs of the 4-Series is hard to come by, you can expect it to be pretty similar to the 3-Series considering they share most of their mechanical components.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 5
- Worst 4-Series Year To Buy Used: 2015
3
2022 Genesis G80
Reliability Score: 87/100
Genesis burst on to the scene, launching their first model back in 2019. Since then, we can say that they pretty easily compete with top brands, at least in terms of luxury and quality, while being much more affordable. The G80 is the sweet spot in our minds, and a 2022 currently lists at around $35,184.
Reliability and Maintenance
While many seem to have a grudge against Korean cars, data suggests that over the long term they experience fairly few issues on average. Genesis benefits from the corporate power of Hyundai, meaning that most of their mechanical components have spent years on the market in other cars.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,679 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 3
- Worst G80 Year To Buy Used: N/A
2
2021 Lexus ES
Reliability Score: 87/10
It’s no surprise to find a Lexus this high up on this list, with the brand being praised as one of the most reliable out there and their value being undeniable. The ES may not be nearly as fun or sporty as other mid-size luxury sedans, but it is packed with luxury and comfort features. At an average price of $32,447, the 2021 model is a bargain, especially knowing they depreciate fairly slowly.
Reliability and Maintenance
According to a number of studies, Lexus is the most reliable car brand that you can buy today. They have even surpassed their mainstream sibling, Toyota. The ES benefits from this, ranking as one of the most reliable sedans on the road.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $468 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,945 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 1
- Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2007
1
2022 Lexus IS
Reliability Score: 92/100
Smaller and lighter than the ES, the IS is by far the more popular car. This compact sedan is better able to compete with sportier rivals, with a great range of powertrains and the option of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. At the same time, it delivers the plush accommodations that Lexus is known for. They hold their value well, with a used 2022 IS 350 costing an average of $37,137.
Reliability and Maintenance
Lexus’ reliability is undeniable, and the IS represents the best they have to offer, with multiple model years ranking among the most reliable vehicles ever built. Alongside peace of mind when it comes to longevity, Lexus also offers the most affordable maintenance costs of any luxury brand.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $543 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,901 (CarEdge)
- Recalls: 0
- Worst IS Year To Buy Used: 2006
