Luxury sedans are often associated with high-end badges, extravagant interiors, and eye-watering price tags. But not every luxury car needs to shout its status from the rooftops. Some sedans blend high-end features, comfort, and performance into an understated package. Here are 21 sedans that deliver understated luxury while still keeping things classy.
Toyota Avalon
Toyota’s Avalon is the automotive equivalent of a tailored suit—sophisticated yet not flashy. Built on the TNGA-K platform (shared with the Lexus ES), it offered a smooth ride, a spacious interior, and premium features at a competitive price. Under the hood, the Avalon featured a 3.5L V6 engine (301 hp, 267 lb.-ft torque) or a 2.5L hybrid powertrain (215 hp combined) with 43+ mpg fuel efficiency. It also boasted advanced safety features via Toyota Safety Sense, a refined cabin with available leather upholstery, and an intuitive Entuned infotainment system. Plus, Toyota’s legendary reliability is the cherry on top.
Lexus ES
If the Avalon is a luxury car in disguise, the Lexus ES is its posher twin. Built on the TNGA-K platform, shared with the Toyota Avalon, the ES features a plush interior with available semi-aniline leather, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and Mark Levinson audio. Standard Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and emergency braking. And, with a starting price of $43,190, the ES remains an understated luxury choice with low ownership costs.
Acura TLX
The Acura TLX blends luxury and sport in a way that doesn’t scream for attention. The 2024 Acura TLX features a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 producing 272 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD) or Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The high-performance TLX Type S ups the ante with a 3.0L turbocharged V6, making 355 hp and 354 lb-ft, offering sportier handling and adaptive dampers. Plus, priced from $45,000, the TLX offers a balance of refinement and driving excitement, making it an underrated choice in the luxury sedan market.
Volvo S60
Volvo’s S60 is the automotive embodiment of a minimalist Swedish apartment—clean, elegant, and utterly comfortable. Inside, the S60 boasts a minimalist yet high-quality cabin with Nappa leather, open-pore wood trims, and a 9-inch Google-powered infotainment system. Safety is a hallmark, featuring Pilot Assist (semi-autonomous driving), blind-spot monitoring, and City Safety with automatic emergency braking. It even competes with the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, offering a unique blend of safety, sustainability, and Swedish sophistication.
Genesis G80
Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, continues to surprise with models like the G80. Its design follows the brand’s “Athletic Elegance” philosophy, characterized by a bold crest grille, signature two-line LED headlights, and a sleek fastback-like silhouette. The long hood and short overhangs create a stately yet dynamic stance, while the available 22-inch wheels add to its road presence. And, with a whisper-quiet cabin and more tech than you can shake a USB-C cable at, it’s a true competitor to German luxury sedans.
Buick LaCrosse
While Buick might not be at the top of luxury wish lists, the LaCrosse deserves more attention. It is smooth as silk on the road and offers a cushy ride and surprisingly upscale materials. Internationally, Buick continued refining the LaCrosse for China, where it remains a popular executive sedan. The 2023 model even features a refreshed design with sleek LED lighting, a digital cockpit, and an even more premium feel. Plus, Buick’s reputation for keeping things comfortable is well-earned.
Audi A6
Audi’s A6 has always been the quiet intellectual in the luxury sedan segment. Audi emphasizes aerodynamics, with a 0.24 drag coefficient (Cd) for improved efficiency. The interior showcases a minimalist approach, featuring high-quality materials like Valcona leather, open-pore wood, and brushed aluminum. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, dual-touchscreen MMI system, and customizable ambient lighting elevate its futuristic appeal. It’s a perfect choice for those who want refinement without ostentation.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Not as flashy as its S-Class sibling but nearly as luxurious, the E-Class strikes the perfect balance between high-end refinement and everyday usability. Inside, it continues the theme of understated luxury with premium materials like Nappa leather, real wood, and brushed metal accents. The cockpit features the MBUX infotainment system, housed in dual 12.3-inch screens that seamlessly integrate technology with a minimalist layout. The design perfectly balances elegance, cutting-edge tech, and a performance-oriented edge.
BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series has long been the choice of executives who prefer luxury served with driving dynamics. First launched in 1972, the 5 Series has been BMW’s answer to the need for sporty driving dynamics and premium amenities. Available in multiple configurations, including rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive (xDrive), the 5 Series has various engine options, from efficient four-cylinders to powerful turbocharged inline-six and V8 engines. All in all, it delivers a premium experience without screaming about it.
Cadillac CT5
Cadillac’s CT5 may not grab headlines like its Escalade sibling, but it’s a worthy luxury contender. Released in 2020 as a successor to the CTS, the CT5 is built on GM’s Alpha platform, the same architecture underpinning the Chevrolet Camaro. It also offers a choice of two powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 producing 237 horsepower and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 335 horsepower in the sportier V-Series trim. Further, the CT5 combines sharp handling with a smooth ride, thanks to Magnetic Ride Control, Cadillac’s adaptive suspension system. The CT5 provides a refined, performance-driven alternative in the luxury sedan market.
Lincoln MKZ
Before Lincoln went full-on SUV mode, it had the MKZ—a sedan that quietly delivered luxury in an elegant, restrained package. The MKZ was a strong contender in its segment, providing excellent value compared to its German and Japanese rivals. However, it was discontinued in 2020 as part of Lincoln’s shift focus toward SUVs.
Infiniti Q50
The Infiniti Q50—Nissan’s luxury brainchild—first hit the streets in 2013, replacing the G37 because Infiniti decided numbers were overrated. Tech-wise, Infiniti stuffed it with Direct Adaptive Steering, meaning it can steer without a physical connection—like Wi-Fi, but for wheels. The cabin also screams business casual luxury, with leather, dual touchscreens, and an optional Bose audio system that makes even traffic jams enjoyable. And, despite its quirks (cough, confusing infotainment, cough), the Q50 remains a solid underdog in the luxury-sedan brawl. Want a Lexus IS or BMW 3 Series alternative? This might just be your spicy misfit.
Hyundai Azera
Another discontinued gem, the Hyundai Azera, was an elegant sedan that offered full-size luxury without the badge snobbery. Under the hood, it packed V6 engines, from a humble 2.7L to a punchy 3.8L, giving it enough oomph to make highway merging a non-event. Inside, you got leather, tech goodies, and a smooth ride that could lull a toddler to sleep. It was essentially Hyundai’s attempt at convincing the world, “Yes, we do luxury, too.” And for a while, it worked—until Genesis stole the limelight. Still, the Azera remains a classy, underappreciated gem.
Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon is like a Passat that went to finishing school. The interior? It is plush, spacious, and packed with tech, including a digital cockpit that makes analog dials feel ancient. The Arteon also features a cavernous hatchback trunk—because style shouldn’t mean sacrificing practicality. Unfortunately, slow sales led to Volkswagen announcing its discontinuation by 2024 (RIP, beautiful beast). But hey, if you want a car that turns heads without shouting for attention like an Audi, the Arteon remains a hidden gem.
Mazda6 Signature
The Mazda6 Signature is like a luxury car snuck into the mainstream party without paying VIP prices. Under the hood, it flexes a 2.5L turbocharged engine, pushing 250 hp (on premium fuel, because it’s fancy) and 320 lb.-ft of torque. The 6-speed automatic transmission is smooth but old-school, like a grandpa who still gets around just fine. Sadly, Mazda killed the Mazda6 in 2021 (RIP) in the U.S. But if you find one, cherish it—it’s one of the last midsize sedans that made driving fun.
Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 may be aging, but it still delivers a big-car luxury experience at an affordable price. It’s a muscle car in a tuxedo with trims like the 300C, featuring a 5.7L HEMI V8 and the SRT-8 (now extinct) packing 425 hp. Even the base Pentastar V6 pushes 292 hp, proving that luxury can still have some punch. Sadly, though, 2023 marks its farewell tour. Chrysler is pulling the plug, but not before unleashing a 6.4L 300C with 485 hp, a last hurrah for the land yacht.
Kia Cadenza
The Kia Cadenza was a full-size sedan produced from 2010 to 2021. It was Kia’s answer to the question, “Can affordable cars feel expensive?”—and the answer was a resounding “Almost!” The cabin was shockingly posh for a Kia, featuring Nappa leather, a Harman Kardon sound system, and more tech than a spaceship (well, almost). But, despite its good looks and features, Americans still ran back to their SUVs, leading to the Cadenza’s tragic 2021 exit.
Subaru Legacy Touring XT
A luxury sedan with all-wheel drive for all-weather confidence? The Subaru Legacy Touring XT delivers precisely that. Inside, it’s all about comfort and tech: a huge 11.6-inch touchscreen, plush leather seats, and enough cargo space to fit your existential crises (or a weekend’s worth of camping gear). Safety? Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist is like having a paranoid co-pilot who’s always watching. Plus, fuel economy sits at 24 mpg combined, which isn’t Tesla-good but solid for an AWD turbo wagon.
Jaguar XF
The Jaguar XF is like that posh British uncle who drinks Earl Grey but can still throw a mean punch. Launched in 2007, it replaced the forgettable S-Type and brought some much-needed swagger to Jaguar’s lineup. Powered by engines ranging from a polite 2.0L diesel to a supercharged 5.0L V8 beast (because why not?), the XF balances luxury with unexpected agility—think James Bond in a tailored suit doing parkour.
Peugeot 508
The Peugeot 508 delivers a French take on understated luxury for those outside North America. The i-Cockpit dashboard—tiny steering wheel, futuristic dials—feels like a spaceship, minus the NASA budget. Adaptive suspension makes it floaty yet firm, while the frameless windows scream, “I’m sportier than I look. “The PSE (Peugeot Sport Engineered) version even cranks out 360 hp, meaning your French baguette might arrive home slightly faster than expected. A stylish rebel among cookie-cutter sedans, the 508 proves you don’t need an Audi badge to turn heads.
Honda Accord Touring
Yes, a Honda Accord made the list! Under the hood, it flexes a turbocharged 2.0L engine (252 hp) or a hybrid variant for tree-huggers. The adaptive suspension smooths out potholes like a butler fluffing your pillow, while ventilated leather seats keep you from sweating through your morning commute. Gas mileage? It has a solid 44 mpg (hybrid), so you won’t have to sell a kidney for fuel. The bottom line is that Accord Touring is a luxury without snobbery.
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