For those looking for luxury badges on a budget, the cheapest luxury cars remain an attractive group. It’s cheaper than an SUV, but as great as an entry-level SUV from major luxury brands.
Many well-known brands offer these entry-level luxury sedans for far less than the average new car sells, and some of these cheap luxury brand models offer authentic luxury. Some are just cash-in that relies on badges, but there are a few that offer truly luxurious comfort, technology and performance at a reasonable price.
These are the 10 most affordable luxury cars to buy in 2025.
1. AcuraIntegra -$34,195
The cheapest luxury car with solid margin is the 2025 Acura Integra, and thanks to the Honda Civic Bones, it’s not comfortable enough, if not solidly built and comfortable, but it controls it. Are there enough citizens to cross-shops with entry-level Audi and BMW? With our ratings and testing, it’s more than that and absolute. The Integra’s 200-horsepower base engine performs less than the cars on this list, but is much more practical thanks to the large trunk area of the hatchback. It doesn’t lack overall comfort, its fuel economy is huge, and its driving dynamics are fun.
Read the full Acura Integra review from experts
2. CadillacCT4 Luxury Sedan – $36,490
Very few flashy cars available for under $40,000, and are less than worth it. The 2025 Cadillac CT4 spans that line. The handling and chassis dynamics are excellent even for base cars with no performance improvements that allow for even greater range availability. Almost anywhere in the range, the Cadillac is significantly cheaper than its rivals. The CT4 is the cheapest RWD luxury car you can actually get. However, the rear seats and trucks are breachy, and the base engine doesn’t stir the soul like its competitors.
Read the experts’ complete Cadillac CT4 review
3. AudiA3 40 Premium Sedan – $39,495
Although it is expensive for a subcompact car, the 2025 Audi A3 is currently the third cheapest luxury car currently available in the US. The cabins are tightly and still isolated, and are relatively noisy on the highways, as they are not as isolated as the larger, more expensive, Audis interiors. Also, the trunk is small and the regular A3 is not particularly fun to drive. This is the purpose of the more expensive S3 performance model.
Read the full Audi A3 review from experts
4. BMW228i Grand Cup – $40.775
As the cheapest car in the BMW lineup, the 2025 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has a truly impressive rise, including a segment-destructing amount of interior space and excellent powertrain options (it’s the 228i’s turbo 4), but its potentially harsh ride doesn’t help the credibility of a luxury car. If the 2025 update deals with it, we need to check for ourselves. Overall, the rest of the BMW lineup will make the Gran Coupe a bit redundant. Those looking for fun will choose the 2-door 2-series coupe, while those looking for practicality will simply get an X1 SUV for almost the same price.
Read the experts’ full BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe review
5. Lexus IS300 Sedan – $41,360
The 2025 Lexus looks good despite years of it being there. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine on the entry-level IS300 model is fine, but the up-level IS350’s 311-hp V-6 is more interesting (and the IS500’s V-8 even more). Of course, these are the models spend more money. All models slump the general lack of rear seats and refinement when compared to competition. It also uses Lexus’ malignant touchpad operation infotainment system, rather than the newer, clearer touchscreen setup found in the newer Lexus models.
Our experts’ complete Lexus is a review
6. BMW230I Coupe – $40.375
Confusingly, under the two series banners there are technically two complete BMWs. By chance, a very slightly more expensive model with two doors is simply called a coupe, not one of the cheapest BMWs, but the lightest and smallest sporty coupe in the company’s lineup. The Base 2 Series Coupe has a great front engine, rear drive dynamics and excellent powertrain, with the main complaint being the lack of standard driver assist features such as the Adaptive Cruise. Additionally, for cars with two doors and less sporting intentions, you can get a 4-door Gran Coupe, a front-wheel drive vehicle that shares a platform with the BMW X1 and Mini Cooper Countryman, with hundreds of dollars reduced.
Read the experts’ complete BMW 2 Series Coupe Review
7. LexusES350-$ 43,215
The Lexus ES is a surprise attendee on this list and a must-see if you’re looking for a luxurious sedan that’s way bigger than anything else in this price range. Unlike all the other luxury cars on this list, which fall into the entry-level subcompact and compact size class, the ES is a large vehicle, a kind of plus-sized medium sedan. At the most affordable price, the ES comes with a smooth and powerful V-6 engine (ES350 Guise), but a much more efficient hybrid (ES300H) is available for around $1000. The ES350 is a truly luxurious machine, located in a quiet cabin, coset ride and all the high-end materials, with the scale you’d expect from an executive sedan. Soon, the ES will be replaced by a new generation model that is only available as the 2026 Hybrid ES350H or the all-electric ES350E or ES500E, and this 2025 ES350 offers a last chance for the six-cylinder ES.
Read our experts’ full Lexus ES reviews
8. GENESISG70 2.5T RWD Standard – $43,850
Beautiful design and dynamic calm make it a simple recommendation for those who don’t attach the 2025 Genesis G70 to the gorgeous badges of Europe. The G70 negatives are more exciting to watch driving than most of its competition, and are more relevant to practicality than passion. The trunk doesn’t provide much space and fuel economy (21/29 mpg city/highway for base four-cylinder models) is at best mid-range. But for those who are more interested in the way luxury cars get excited, the powerful 300-horsepower turbocharged I-4 does the trick.
Read the Experts’ Complete Genesis G70 Review
9. VOLVOS60- $43,795
Meet the only Swedish person on this list, Volvo’s handsome S60 sedan. This four-door competes in a compact, luxurious sedan segment with things like the Lexus, BMW’s 3 Series, among others. This makes it more useful in size than some of the smaller subcompacts on this list, but it’s not as spacious as the Lexus Big ES350. All S60s come with Volvo’s aura of safety and a comprehensive list of actual safety equipment, plus a modest, almost elegant styling inside and outside. The entry-level S60 gets a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with mild hybridization.
Check out our expert review of Full Volvo S60
10. Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD – $44,130
Recently, I discovered that getting all the biggest variants of EVs is not a need to include the 2025 Tesla Model 3. This refreshed Highland model improves dynamics and target improvements, but range and performance are similar to the original figures already excellent. Optional (and expensive) fully automated driving capabilities remain unreliable, the lack of instrument clusters remains a bad idea, and Tesla continues to overestimate its range. When cruising at 70 mph on an entry-level single motor, long-range model 3, I managed only 211 miles on charge. The charging speed is very reasonable, and the supercharger can replenish the 118 miles range at 184 miles in 15 or 30 minutes. Given the CEO’s polarized turn in government, if you can see past the current issues of the brand, the Model 3 remains a premium long-range EV full of premium long-range EVs sold at mainstream prices and aspects of de facto competitors such as Hyundai’s IONIQ 6.
Read the experts’ complete Tesla Model 3 review
Cheapest luxury cars to buy in 2025
- 2025 Acura Integra – $34,195
- 2025 Cadillac CT4- $36,490
- 2025 Audi A3- $39,495
- 2025 BMW 2 Series Grand Cup – $40.775
- 2025 Lexus IS300- $41,610
- 2025 BMW 230I Coupe – $42.375
- 2025 Lexus ES350- $43,215
- 2025 Genesis G70- $43,850
- 2025 Volvo S60- $43,795
- 2025 Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD – $44,130
Photo by Ryan Lugo, manufacturer, manufacturer
