The luxury segment has been very competitive for the past few years, with many automakers releasing luxurious sedans and SUVs. However, some car companies fail to realize that luxury isn't all about making beautiful, large, and loud vehicles. Top-tier German brands like Audi, Mercedes, and BMW realized this issue a while back, and since then, they've been making top-class cars.
The best luxury cars often combine the smooth-riding features of large cars with the agility of small vehicles. That means they offer great comfort in front and back seats, excellent drivability, and good performance. Also, they provide the latest infotainment and safety systems.
That said, here are the ten luxury cars that totally blew us away in 2022.
10 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is at the top of the luxury midsize car rankings. It has a handsome exterior design, and its interior is quite stunning. Also, it's fun to drive, but it's not quite athletic like a sports sedan.
The E-Class offers several powerful engines, including turbocharged four and six-cylinder options. Its ride quality is amazing, and few midsize cars can rival it. The cabin is quiet and spacious, with comfortable seats and plenty of tech features.
9 Lexus ES Hybrid
The Lexus ES is an excellent midsize hybrid sedan with good fuel economy. The vehicle's interior is spacious and well-appointed, with plenty of headroom and legroom. Also, there's a good-size gap between the front passengers and door panels that creates a feeling of space.
In comparison to its European rivals, the ES handles well and focuses on comfort and serenity. But, a top-tier sedan like the Audi A6 offers better handling and comfort. However, many owners and critics can agree that the ES is one of the best all-around performers.
8 Porsche Cayenne
The 2022 Porsche Cayenne is one of the best midsize SUVs with a beautiful interior and fantastic performance. It has an impressive cabin, and Porsche allows their clients to customize it. Also, the sport package allows the SUV to handle itself well on twisting roads.
This amazing SUV has an array of mighty engines and a dialled-in suspension. It's fast and agile, yet it maintains a comfortable ride that doesn't disrupt the cabin. Inside, it's modern and elegant, with premium materials, cozy seats, and many tech features.
7 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
Thanks to its spacious interior and potent engine, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE ranks at the top in the midsize SUV segment. It has a sumptuous cabin with roomy seating and cargo space, and its infotainment system is easy to use.
Besides having a luxurious interior, the GLE can handle rough terrain and sharp bumps. Also, it feels planted and composed when navigating turns. Additionally, it's available with a wide range of engines, from a four-cylinder to a pair of inline-sixes.
6 Genesis G80
The Genesis G80 is a top-class sedan that's well-rounded and reasonably priced. The vehicle has a rich interior with luxury touches, plenty of seating space, and an advanced infotainment system. Genesis G80's acceleration is quick and the company claims it can reach 60 mph in 6.3 seconds.
The G80 has three potent powertrains, including an all-electric option. The G80's handling is top-tier and can tackle twisting roads without stress. Also, there's minimal wind and road noise when the car is speeding on the highway. Additionally, the cabin has roomy seating and plenty of standard features to keep you entertained.
5 BMW X5
The BMW X5 is a beautiful SUV with a lineup of powerful engines and standard features. It has a balanced ride and handling and a high-end interior with a large cargo area. This vehicle delivers an incredible performance that puts some non-SUV sports cars to shame.
The BMW X5 is an all-rounder SUV that can serve first-time SUV clients and SUV enthusiasts. The base engine is suitably powerful and responsive enough for the daily commute. Also, the vehicle comes packed with awesome technology features, and the driving aids make the driver's work easier.
4 Volvo S90
The Volvo S90 is a high-quality midsize sedan that's stylish, refined, and safe. It has an upscale interior with roomy seats and plenty of head and legroom. Also, it has many driver-assistance techs and an excellent audio system.
The car's handling is top-tier, and Volvo upgraded the suspension and fixed the problem that older models had. The car can now take on sharp bumps and potholes without disrupting the cabin. Also, it's calm and composed on twisting roads.
3 Lincoln Nautilus
When Lincoln made the Nautilus, their only mission was to make it as comfortable as possible. This upscale SUV offers enormous space for passengers and cargo and features an advanced infotainment system. Since its debut in 2019, the Nautilus has been heading to the top of the midsize luxury segment.
The SUV feels confident on the road, with fast acceleration and great handling. Compared to its competitors, its cabin is quiet and well-built.
2 Genesis GV80
Even though the Genesis GV80 is a newcomer to the luxury SUV market, it can still rival many SUVs. It has a rich interior and good engine performance, making it one of the best models in 2022. It's comfortable to drive and surprisingly athletic, and its turbocharged engine supplies plenty of power while still returning decent gas mileage.
Under the hood, an Inline 4-cylinder produces 300 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Genesis claims that this engine allows the GV80 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.15 seconds. Besides its potent engine, the SUV delivers a decent performance. The brakes are responsive, and the handling is smooth.
1 Audi A6
The Audi A6 has always been a top-tier sedan, but this 2022 model took things to another level. It has potent engine options, composed handling, and a spacious cabin. The car offers balanced driving dynamics, and its suspension makes driving easier on rough terrain.
Apart from having a high-class interior, the A6 infotainment system is among the best in the market. Also, Audi added a configurable instrument cluster that gives the A6 a futuristic look. The cluster helps put maps as well as vehicle and engine speed data right where they're needed.
Sources: Audi, Genesis, Volvo, Edmunds, Consumer Reports