When choosing cars, people look for different things. Some will take anything they can find, provided that it can get them from point A to B. Others look for the fastest sports cars that they can use to obliterate other vehicles either on the road or the track. Then there are those who seek the sophistication, opulence, and sense of occasion that only super-luxury sedans can provide.
The luxury sedan class has seen massive growth over the past few decades, driven by huge demand from rich executives that prefer to be chauffeured around as they go from meeting to meeting, making multi-million dollar deals. In turn, various automakers have churned out some of the finest super-luxury sedans that take every commute to the next level. The following are ten of the best.
10 BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe
BMW ticked all the boxes of what makes a fantastic luxury sedan when they made the 8 Series Gran Coupe. Everything about the car screams luxury, from the elegant cockpit to the spacious rear seating area with the most comfortable seats in any car.
The 8 Series Gran Coupe is also one of the most powerful sedans thanks to a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that pushes 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with an xDrive all-wheel-drive system and eight-speed automatic transmission, making the 8 Series Gran Coupe one of the best luxury sedans to drive.
9 Cadillac CT6
With Cadillac focusing more on making crossovers, the CT6 has become the shining beacon of its portfolio's luxury sedan side. The top-line CT6 comes with a host of high-end features, including Cadillac's incredible semi-autonomous Super Cruise control, a 34-speaker Bose Panaray sound system, and super comfortable seats with more than 15 massage functions.
Under the hood, the CT6 replaces the 3.5-liter V6 found in its predecessor with a massive 4.2-liter twin-turbo Blackwing V8 producing 500 horsepower and 574 pound-feet of torque. This power is channeled to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
8 Rolls-Royce Phantom
Ever since Rolls-Royce introduced the Phantom in 2003, it has continued to set standards that other luxury sedan manufacturers struggle to keep up with. For starters, the interior feels like a 5-star hotel with its sumptuous leather perfectly complemented by glass, wood, lambswool, and beautiful artwork.
The rear seating area, or 'Privacy Suite,' is the epitome of luxury thanks to a completely isolated cabin that provides maximum privacy and 22-way adjustable seats, not to mention the Phantom's iconic celestial canopy that looks like a faraway galaxy. For those who don't want to sit in the back, the Phantom is also fun to drive, thanks to a hearty V12.
7 Audi A8
In a hectic world, the Audi A8 can be the haven that shuts out all the hustle and bustle of life and lets its occupants, whether driver or passenger, have a moment of pure comfort, tranquility, and luxury. The latest version of the A8 comes with a host of technological features, including an all-new infotainment system with a dual-screen setup, virtual cockpit instrumentation, and advanced driver assistance systems.
Under the A8's hood is a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 engine with a mild-hybrid system producing 453 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with a Quattro all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing the A8 to hit 62 mph in 4.4 seconds.
6 BMW 540
The BMW 5 Series is an executive sedan manufactured by BMW since 1972 to take on luxury sedans from Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The 5 Series is BMW's second most successful model after the 3 Series, having sold more than 5 million cars.
The seventh-generation BMW 540 combines luxury, excellent driving mechanics, and comfortable space to give the driver or passengers an experience like no other. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine paired with the AWD BMW iDrive system.
5 Porsche Panamera
The Panamera has been viewed by many enthusiasts as the Porsche of the luxury sedan segment since its introduction a decade ago. This car is the perfect balance between luxury and driving excellence and always ensures a fun and comfortable ride, whether driving or sitting in the roomy back.
The base Panamera comes with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that pumps out 453 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed gearbox and an all-wheel-drive system. The Panamera Turbo is even more powerful with 550 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque.
4 BMW 650
Although not quite as popular as the 5 Series, the 6 Series is another line of luxury sedans from BMW that has continued to perform well since its introduction in 1976. The latest BMW 650 belongs to the fourth generation of the 6 Series and is perfect for anyone looking for a tourer with a luxury touch.
This classically-styled four-door sedan comes with a turbocharged V8 engine and is available either with standard rear-wheel-drive or with BMW's iDrive all-wheel-drive system for when the road gets slippery. The 650 also has a host of clever tech features, including a full-color HUD system, heated seats, a power moonroof, and adaptive cruise control.
3 Genesis G90
When Hyundai launched the Genesis brand, its main goal was to produce a new line of luxury vehicles to take on its European rivals. A decade later, the Genesis G90 luxury sedan is already doing that thanks to a beautiful design, state-of-the-art components, and a more friendly price than its European equivalents.
Buyers can choose between a 3.3-liter V8 or a 5.0-liter V8, but both engines deliver great performance and are paired with a capable all-wheel-drive system. At the base level, the G90 comes with multiple standard features usually optional in other cars, including heated seats, a full suite of driver assistance systems, a multi-angle rearview camera, and tri-zone automatic climate control.
2 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The name that comes to most people's minds when they think of a luxury sedan is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The S-Class has remained the spiritual leader of the luxury sedan brigade since its introduction despite many trying to dethrone it. The S-Class exterior is gorgeous and instantly recognizable across the globe, but the interior is where Mercedes takes things to the next level.
Soft leather everywhere, superb build quality, Drive Dynamic Multicontour seats, and two 12.3-inch screens make the S-Class cabin a truly wonderful place to be. The icing on the cake is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 463 horsepower.
1 BMW 750
Offering impressive size and comfort, the BMW 750 sets a high bar for what full-size luxury sedans should be. The BMW 750 has a gorgeous design that showcases precise lines, elegant details, and a dramatic exterior.
Everything is first class in the sedan, from the lavish lounge to the luxurious leather upholstery customized to every customer's needs. The 750 also showcases some of the best technologies that BMW has been working on for years, including the latest driver monitoring and assistance systems, a breathtaking vista, and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant that lets occupants control various functions with their voice.