Manufacturers design luxury vehicles to be more comfortable than lower-priced alternatives. Whether it’s a sedan, SUV or truck, a luxury vehicle typically offers superior safety features and performance. While you would think the higher price tag should mean a more durable engine and longer life on the road, this logic doesn’t hold true in all models.
Maintaining a Luxury Vehicle
Today’s vehicles are expected to hit the 100,000-mile mark before showing signs of major wear and tear, and when it comes to luxury vehicles, their high-end components and technology can help keep them out of the mechanic’s shop. You can extend the life of your luxury vehicle by following regular maintenance practices like checking your tire pressure and air filter. Furthermore, periodically cleaning the interior and exterior will maintain the vehicle’s aesthetic values. When you perform regular maintenance tasks, you’ll also notice when something, like an unusual noise or vibration, isn’t right.
Every vehicle, regardless of price, needs regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotations. To make your “luxury” investment more affordable over time, you should choose a model that is fuel-efficient or electric, offers multiple safety features and retains its value through reliable performance. Here are some luxury models that are easy to maintain.
Kia K900
Kia redesigned the K900 for the 2019 model. It is a spacious luxury sedan with several standard features and an intuitive infotainment system. Its standard powertrain creates about 311 horsepower and comes as a standard all-wheel drive model for the 2017 model. Higher trims run in 5.0L V8 that makes 420 horsepower.
The EPA numbers for Kia K900 are not impressive, but Kia parts and maintenance are affordable. EPA rated the 2017 K900 at 17 mpg for city and 25 mpg for highway driving with the base engine.
Porsche Cayman
Porsche cars are easy to fuel and maintain. However, individual parts can be expensive. The Cayman is a refined sports car. Its base engine is a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that results in 300 horsepower. The Cayman S has a more powerful engine that makes 450 horses while the GT4 has 365 horsepower.
Inside, Porsche Cayman has a refined interior with all the basic features one needs for comfort and luxury. It offers Apple CarPlay and Bose sound system among others. Its mid-engine design gives it enough cabin and cargo space.
Porsche Boxster
The Boxster is like a convertible Cayman. It is a car that combines the comfort of an open-top sports car with the high performance of Porsche cars. If the car breaks a major part, it will cost you more to replace it, but besides that, routine maintenance is affordable. This comfortable roadster is fun to drive.
Its front and rear trunks are not so accommodating, but they are big enough to carry enough bags for a weekend getaway. The Boxster is a car for short commutes and not grand tours. The 2.0L and 2.5L engines are affordable to maintain and can give up to 300 horsepower and up to 365 horsepower, respectively. The base engine offers 21/28 mpg city/highway fuel economy.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been in production since 1993, and it maintains luxury status up to today. Its available engines are relatively small – 1.8-liter and 2.0-liter engines that are easy to maintain. The C-class features an Italian design studio interior with artful blends of modern high technology and a classic design.
It has perfect placement for driver sightlines, and the seats are adjustable in several ways to make the driver and the passengers comfortable. Each C-Class features a Mercedes COMAND infotainment system that is highly intuitive. There is adequate room for passengers, and all seats provide excellent comfort and support.
Lexus ES
The ES sedan offers a comfortable ride and has a roomy cabin and roomy trunk. This sedan focuses on luxury, but it doesn’t have an engine upgrade. Its 302-horsepower engine, however, offers sufficient acceleration when you need it to.
The ES has the advanced Lexus Safety System+ with features such as lane departure warning, automatic high beams, forward collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control among others. Lexus offers the Premier and Luxury packages that make the car even more appealing for people who need comfort. There are also several optional features, such as a navigation system. The 2018 ES 350 offers 21/30 mpg city/highway driving.
Lexus RC
Lexus has one of the most reliable and cost-effective models. The automaker has links with the parent company, Toyota, which is popular for its affordable vehicles. RC comes with a long list of standard features and a bold styling. Its cabin looks and feels upscale to stand up to its luxury status.
The base engine creates about 241 horsepower while optional engines can yield up to 473 horsepower. The V8 engine, the most powerful, is only available for the RC F model. If you need performance in a car, go for the RC F model.
Buick Cascada
Buick Cascada is not a popular luxury vehicle as Buick hasn’t done enough to promote its cars. However, this niche vehicle has comfortable front and rear seats. These seats adjust in different ways to meet the needs of the driver and the passengers. It has enough legroom and headroom now that it is a convertible.
The last Cascada came in 2019, and then Buick halted production of this convertible car. For many years, Buick has not upgraded the Cascada, and this gives it a classic look and feel. It may offer poor fuel economy, but it takes less to maintain this car and buy replacement parts.
BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is one of the most reliable vehicles on the market today. It offers a posh and quiet cabin, fitted with top-of-the-range materials. Its infotainment system is intuitive, and the seats are comfortable. The car offers smooth handling and comes with five different powertrains.
The 2019 model offers a long list of standard features, and so do other models before it. If you do not have a problem paying above average, the BMW 5 Series will meet your luxury needs without breaking your bank in maintenance.
Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3 is affordable to maintain as it is a fully electric car. The Model 3 sets the standard for electric vehicles and comes at an affordable price for a luxury vehicle. If you charge the car overnight, you get up to a range of 310 miles, which is much more than what other electric vehicles offer.
The Model 3 is also a performance vehicle and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and has a top speed of 140 mph. It has a minimalist design with a large central touchscreen display. Most of the controls are on that large touchscreen, making the car easy to operate. Tesla has so many charging stations throughout the US, making it easier for car owners to charge their cars.
Volvo S60
The S60 T6 features a 2.0L turbocharged and supercharged engine that has 302 horsepower and 295 horsepower, respectively. It has a long list of standard features, and you can get even more features with the Safety package that adds collision mitigation and warning system and lane departure warning.
The car balances comfort and great handling. It also has excellent safety scores while its extended wheelbase ensures there is extra legroom. S60 doesn’t offer the most impressive fuel economy, but it is affordable to maintain and highly reliable. Parts are also not expensive.
Among the luxury models, Lexus might be the most affordable to maintain, thanks to the affordable cost of parts and the impressive fuel economy.
