Top 10 Luxury Cars With Affordable Maintenance Costs

Luxury cars are appealing. There’s something enjoyable about driving a vehicle that’s more comfortable, better equipped, more powerful, and adorned with a prestigious logo. And in the second-hand car market, it’s possible to get your hands on some rather impressive luxury machines at a decent price point. Blame that on their rapid depreciation from when they were new. But luxury cars also come with one dreaded reality: their maintenance costs. As the old saying goes, if you can’t afford a new luxury car, you definitely cannot afford one secondhand.

But luxury cars don’t always need to be a hassle to own. Some models out there have turned out to be rather reliable and relatively affordable to keep alive. In some cases, some older luxury cars could even end up costing less on maintenance than some new, mainstream models. To help you out while you shop around, I came up with a list of ten solid second-hand luxury cars that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to own.

10

Buick Regal (2018-2020)

A Solid German Sedan Hiding In Plain Sight

Although Buick isn’t exactly a luxury brand, leaning more into the premium sphere of things, it does offer some of the amenities and refinement of a luxury car at a considerably more attainable price point. One of the more underrated models sold by the automaker was the short-lived Regal, or more precisely, the sixth-generation model sold in North America from 2018 to 2020.

What’s interesting about that Regal is that, one, it looked rather great, and two, it was actually a rebadged Opel. This gave the car a unique, European/German-like look and feel, allowing it to distinguish itself from the rest of the Buick lineup. The car also felt young and fresh, everything the Buick badge was not known for in the past, and it helped breathe new life into the brand. The Regal didn’t survive long here simply because GM eventually got rid of its European Opel division.

And since sedan sales were already doing poorly in America, Buick ended up pulling the plug on the car too soon. But the lineup was very interesting. It not only included a rather capable, high-performance GS model, but also a lifted wagon called the TourX. The Regal sedan was also a sportback, allowing it to be rather practical, and the car’s reliability rating is actually quite excellent. Maintenance costs are also frankly decent since the car’s powerplants were mostly existing carry-overs from GM’s parts catalog.

9

Acura ILX (2019-2022)

The Luxed Up Honda Civic Si

Like Buick, Acura is more of a premium brand than a full-on luxury automaker. But it still offers some great products that can give its owners all the benefits of luxury car ownership without many of the downsides. If you’re in the market for something a little sportier, but with a more upscale look and feel, then the Acura ILX, especially starting with the 2019 facelift to the end of its run in 2022, is a worthy contender in the second-hand car market. What’s great about Acuras is that they carry with them Honda’s tried and true reliability record. In the ILX’s case, it’s essentially a Honda Civic Si dressed up to look more expensive. It’s also better appointed inside, and comes standard with more creature comforts, like leather seats and an upgraded sound system.

However, what truly shines here is the old Si’s formidable, naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder VTEC engine. It’s a simple engine, but also a super solid and reliable one, and a unit that offers plenty of aftermarket support at a rather affordable price point. Even the ILX’s dual-clutch automatic transmission is relatively maintenance-free. This is a bulletproof, reliable premium sport compact that looks good, drives great, and won’t cost you much to own.

8

Infiniti Q50 (2014-2024)

A Deeply Underrated Luxury Sedan

Although Infiniti discontinued the Q50 in 2024 due to poor sales, it remains, to this day, one of the more reliable and cheap to maintain luxury sedans in its respective segment. On top of being a rather solid machine, the Q50 has often been dubbed as being a ‘baby Nissan GT-R‘ from the way it is set up and how it performs. At the end of its production run, in 2024, the Q50 was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, an engine shared with the Z sports car. It pumped out a healthy 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

But if you opted for a Red Sport 400 model, those numbers were cranked up to 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet. Thanks to all-wheel-drive, the Q50 was among one of the quickest luxury sedans in its class. And since they remain somewhat unpopular, you can grab a decent second-hand example with low mileage at a relatively affordable price point.

7

Acura TLX (2021-2025)

Much More Than A Glorified Honda Accord

Although the Acura TLX rides on the same general architecture as the Honda Accord and even borrows its turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, it’s a completely different animal. For starters, it’s a much more upscale offering, looking much more distinguished thanks to its unique design and equipped with a more luxury-minded interior. Its ELS premium audio system is also one of the most underrated audible experiences in the auto industry. The TLX comes standard with Acura’s famed Super Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system, something you cannot get with the Accord. There’s also a pretty rad, high-performance Type S model. But since it’s a Honda hiding in luxury car form, the TLX is a super-reliable sedan, and one that remains cheap to run, too.

Its four-cylinder engine, derived from the Honda Civic Type R, is rock-solid, easy to work on, and well documented by mechanics. Its 10-speed automatic transmission is now something familiar at Honda and Acura, with very few reliability issues documented. And since it’s a sedan, a category of vehicle that has lost popularity in recent years, it’s possible to find a very clean example on the second-hand market at a decent price point.

6

Acura RLX (2014-2020)

NSX Bones In A Comfortable Luxury Sedan

Like the TLX, the larger RLX carries with it the expected reliability and low running costs we normally associate with Honda products. While never as polished or luxurious as a BMW 5 Series, the RLX does offer a rather high-end ownership experience. It’s super well put together, immensely comfortable, and the maintenance costs won’t cost you more than a Honda Accord. What’s particularly interesting about this large luxury sedan is that the hardware underneath it served as the basis for the second-generation Acura NSX supercar.

Essentially, the NSX’s hybrid drivetrain, but inverted, the rear electric motors act as a way to enhance the car’s performance and athleticism in the corners, creating torque vectoring in the process. It’s one of those unassuming luxury sedans that punches well above its weight, and delivers a quiet ride in the process. Definitely a car worth looking for.

5

Lexus LS (2018-Present)

A Mercedes S-Class Without The S-Class Maintenance

The Lexus LS is now well-known in the luxury car universe, and since its introduction to the world, it aims to offer the luxury levels of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, without the expensive repair and maintenance. The current model is by far one of the most underrated large luxury sedans currently on sale. While buyers in this segment — typically CEOs who prefer being driven rather than driving themselves — typically flock towards either an S-Class, a BMW 7 Series, or an Audi A8, the Lexus LS remains a worthy contender in this space. Since it’s so misunderstood and not all that popular, second-hand, early production examples are starting to become rather attainable.

The LS’s powerplant is a well-documented twin-turbocharged V-6 that now powers the Toyota Tundra, and the attention to detail in this fat limousine is worth mentioning. Chances are, your LS will run flawlessly past 200,000 miles, with very little required maintenance.

4

Genesis G80 (2021-Present)

A Rather Easy To Own Luxury Sedan

While it’s easy to associate low maintenance costs and reliability with Japanese automakers, Hyundai and, by extension, its Genesis luxury division, have been proving to be rather solid and affordable to own in the long run.

Sure, Hyundai did have a few bad apples, but on the Genesis side, the twin-turbocharged, 3.3-liter V-6 that powers most of its models has so far had a solid track record. The G80 sedan, powered by that engine, remains one of the more overlooked luxury offerings in this space. Oh, and there’s even a full electric version that’s honestly quite capable.

It looks fantastic, rides like a Bentley, and, since Genesis includes an all-inclusive maintenance program when these cars are purchased new, chances are second-hand examples have been very well maintained, further improving their chances of remaining trouble-free over time. Plus, since the G80 remains an underdog in this realm, a car that folks often forget about, it’s possible to find a good, solid example on the used car market at a good price.

3

Genesis G90 (2023-Present)

The Korean Alternative To The Lexus LS

If the Lexus LS is the Japanese equivalent of a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, then the Genesis G90 is its South Korean alternative. While the second-generation model is still rather expensive, the G90 remains much more affordable than anything comparable from Lexus, Audi, BMW, or Mercedes-Benz. And what a stunning luxury sedan this is, one that comes with its own bespoke styling, its own definition of luxury, and a powerplant that, honestly, hasn’t had many faults so far.

The G90 is also fitted with all sorts of neat luxury features, like remote rear closing doors or the ability to move your car around using only your key fob. Its running costs remain relatively low considering the car you’re getting and, like the G80, chances are its former owner kept a strict maintenance plan in check thanks to the automaker’s included maintenance programs.

2

Lexus ES (2019-2025)

A Better, More Luxurious Toyota Camry

Like Acura, Lexus is an appealing brand in the luxury segment due to its ties with Toyota. On paper, its products feel like a no-brainer: all the benefits of a luxury car with the solid reliability and low running costs of a Toyota. What’s not to like?

Although Lexus vehicles have never managed to grab the same level of brand recognition or performance merits as their German rivals, they remain interesting for someone looking to keep their maintenance bills low. The ES midsize sedan, essentially a luxed-up Toyota Camry, is arguably the most pragmatic luxury car on sale. It’s hyper smooth, comfortable, vault quiet, and oh-so well put together. Its powerplants are essentially the same as a Camry’s.

Easy to repair, with plenty of available parts. There was even a hybrid model, which will further lower your running costs. And since the car’s target demographic when new was more mature buyers, chances are a second-hand example was very well maintained. When well taken care of, the Lexus ES will last just as long as a Camry.

1

Lexus LC (2018-Present)

The Aston Martin Experience Without The Headaches

Ever want an expensive British grand tourer like an Aston Martin or a Jaguar, but never dared to commit because you were afraid of their poor reliability and high maintenance costs? What if you could have it all in a car that doesn’t cost more to maintain than a Toyota Camry? The Lexus LC is that car, and it comes with concept car styling as an added bonus.

This here is what I like to call a rare unicorn in the automotive industry. While it’ll never outrun its European rivals on the Nürburgring, or even win many 0–60 MPH times, the LC is by far one of the more unique luxury grand tourers currently on sale. It’s also much more affordable than anything comparable, and it comes with the expected craftsmanship, build quality, and reliability we expect from Lexus vehicles.

Its naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 is simple and well documented. And its ten-speed automatic transmission is now being used in a wide range of different models at Toyota and Lexus. Whether you opt for a coupe or a convertible, the Lexus LC is the luxury sports coupe that you can own while focusing your money elsewhere.