If there's one company that leads the way in super-luxury cars, it has to be Rolls-Royce. They cater for all aspects of the market, from driver-focused cars such as the Wraith to the stately Cullinan SUV. They've been at the top of the game for decades, but that doesn't mean that there aren't other options out there. In fact, the opposite is true, there's more than most car fans might think.
Across the globe, luxury manufacturers have been developing their own vehicles that can compete with Rolls-Royce's range, and in some aspects, even outdo it. There's something for everyone, from handcrafted luxury convertibles to discreet but refined sedans. As long as the buyer has a big enough wallet, of course. Let's take a look at 8 of the best luxury cars that prove not every billionaire has to be chauffeured around in a Rolls-Royce.
8 Mercedes-Maybach S Class
Maybach have a rich history as a brand, and one that parent company Mercedes attempted to cash in on when they launched the standalone 57 and 62 models in 2002. Unfortunately for the company, those cars weren't strong sellers, thanks in part to their close resemblance to the Mercedes S Class they were based on.
After axing the standalone Maybachs, Mercedes replaced them with the much better Maybach S Class. It takes the winning formula of the luxury limo and adds more of everything. The S650 sedan starts at a little over $200,000, but it's surely a price worth paying for those with deep enough pockets.
7 Bentley Mulsanne
Bentley are known best for their classic British luxury sedans, and the Mulsanne is perhaps the most pure expression of that ethos. From 2016, the company also offered an extended wheelbase version of the car for any buyers who wanted something even more lavish than a standard model.
Despite its huge size and heavy curb weight, the Mulsanne is surprisingly brisk off the line. It can get to 60 mph in a little over 5 seconds, although that's not really the point of a car like this. Instead, the focus is on wafting old-school luxury, which the Bentley provides in spades.
6 Aurus Senat
Most car fans won't have heard of this limousine, but in fact it serves as the personal car for Russian President Vladimir Putin. It's designed as Russia's answer to a Rolls, and as such it has the same level of craftsmanship and refinement.
Very few people outside of the Russian elite have ever got the chance to ride in one of these. But, given that Putin is an immensely rich man with the means to get whatever mode of transport he wants, it's safe to say the Senat is just as good as anything that Rolls-Royce have to offer.
5 Toyota Century
Toyota have been quietly churning out their exclusive Century since 1967, but many car fans outside of Japan will have never heard of it even today. That's largely by design, as the car serves as the antithesis to most modern, lavish luxury vehicles.
Instead, it's focus is on discreet comfort, using the finest materials and hand-building every vehicle to ensure a flawless finish. It's mostly popular with Japanese state officials and the country's most wealthy businessmen, although a few examples have made their way over to the Americas.
4 Honqi L5
The L5 takes the crown as China's most expensive domestic car, costing close to $760,000. Honqi is the oldest automaker in China, and has a long history of making limousines and luxury cars. The L5 serves as a retro-styled re-interpretation of those models, but comes complete with everything a modern-day oligarch could want.
There are actually three variants of this car made: one is strictly for state officials, one is for military parades and one is the civilian version. Given it's exorbitant price tag and imposing nature, it's often used by the ultra-wealthy of China to demonstrate their patriotism and national pride.
3 Bentley Mulliner Bacalar
Those who prefer their luxury with two doors and no roof would do well to consider this Mulliner Bacalar. It's based on a Continental GT but has been given a complete overhaul by Bentley's Mulliner subdivision to ensure it can compete with the most luxurious cars around.
Bentley also offer a full set of options for personalization, so each buyer can spec every aspect of their car to their tastes. It's a masterclass in modern coachbuilding and it also happens to be one of the best looking super-luxury cars too.
2 Mercedes-Maybach G650 Landaulet
The Mercedes-Benz G Class has been a luxury SUV for a while now, thanks in part to its popularity with wealthy families at the start of the 2000s. The company's Maybach division decided that the standard truck wasn't special enough, and in 2017 made a limited run of these open-top Landaulet variants.
Just 99 units were made, and all were quickly sold upon the G-Wagen's announcement. As with most cars of this level of luxury, the focus is on the rear seats of the car. Those seats come with everything from a hot-stone massage feature to insulated thermal cup holders. It's over-the-top, yes, but it's cool.
1 Land Rover Range Rover LWB SV Autobiography
The largest and most luxurious Range Rover ever, the SV Autobiography is an exclusive project from Land Rover's Special Vehicle Operations team. One key focus on the model is technology, and as such it comes with studio-quality audio systems and a TV tuner, among many other things.
A standout feature of the Range Rover is how good it is off-road, despite its luxury nature. It may not look like it, but this huge land yacht is capable of conquering most terrain short of a rock trail, as several reviewers have attested. It's also available with a range of engines, with the most powerful being a supercharged 543 hp V8.