The Best Luxury Car Brand Is No Longer From Mercedes or BMW
While BMW and Mercedes-Benz may be the most popular luxury brands in 2023, they may not be the best options overall. Sure, both of these luxury car brands remain in the top 10, but two surprising contenders offer better overall experiences. So which luxury car brands are the best in 2023? Porsche and Genesis take the top spots, but for vastly different reasons.
Porsche takes the top spot as the best luxury car brand
While Porsche is known for its sports cars and convertibles, the German luxury brand offers an excellent range of four-door models these days. With the Panamera sedan, Porsche has found a great balance of practicality and performance, offering five seats and 17 cubic feet of cargo space.
The all-electric Taycan has taken the brand to new heights as well, entering the market at a high price but thrilling customers along the way. With anywhere from 402 horsepower in the base model, to 150 ponies in the Taycan Turbo S, this Porsche EV delivers at every level. In short, anyone who could afford to put a Taycan in the driveway had a positive experience, citing premium comfort and mind-bending performance.
Porsche’s best luxury car brand status comes with assistance from its SUVs, as both the Macan and Cayenne rate highly for customer satisfaction. The Macan is one of the few crossovers that sports car enthusiasts seem to enjoy, thanks to direct handling and a punchy turbocharged powertrain. Even the base models make 261 horsepower, while the Macan S features a twin-turbo V6 churning out 375 horses and 383 pound-feet of torque.
Meanwhile, the larger Cayenne provides a premium driving experience complete with high-class comfort and respectable cargo area. The Cayenne isn’t as spacious as similar luxury SUVs, but the top-tier build quality and materials help make up the difference. Even so, 27 cubic feet of rear cargo space and 60 cubes with the rear seats folded flat make the Cayenne a great grand tourer.
Genesis sits just behind Porsche as the best luxury car brand in 2023
Taking on more storied competition and winning isn’t an easy task, but Genesis has bested all but one brand in customer satisfaction rankings. A trio of luxury sedans offer high-level comfort and a wealth of standard features. From the base G70 to the executive G90, the Genesis sedan lineup offers an excellent value for money.
That G90 exudes everything you want in a luxury sedan. Heated and ventilated seats in both the front and rear outboard positions means that, whether you’re driving or riding, luxury isn’t in question. Better yet, impeccable sound isolation rivals even the Mercedes S-Class, and makes Genesis a contender.
Then there’s the G70. Sporting an available 3.3-liter turbocharged V6, the smallest Genesis sedan is good for up to 365 horsepower. And let’s not forget, Nappa leather upholstery, a truly premium exterior, and sport suspension put this thing in the running with the BMW M340i.
The GV70 and GV80 SUVs offer similar experiences for SUV buyers, providing a top-tier experience for a surprising price. The GV70 kicks off at just over $44,000, making it the best-value luxury SUV in the game.
Mercedes-Benz sits fourth overall
Mercedes-Benz still ranks high in U.S. News luxury car brand rankings, though fourth isn’t something the brand will be happy with. The truth is, high prices and closer competition give luxury car buyers plenty of other options in 2023.
Electric powertrains and in-car technology have narrowed the gap between premium brands, so Mercedes-Benz may have to work a bit harder to reclaim a podium spot.
BMW falls to seventh
It wasn’t that long ago that BMW was near the top of the luxury heap, but the brand is going through an identity crisis at the moment. Historically, driver engagement was a BMW signature, but it is churning out more luxury-focused models than ever.
However, minus the new 7 Series, the new BMW lineup doesn’t stand out in either arena, and premium car buyers can find better value with other options in 2023. Performance enthusiasts still love the driving experience of M Performance models, but the unfortunate design of these modern models make them hard to truly love.
Porsche and Genesis are surprising choices
While Porsche is generally thought of as a performance brand and Genesis are the new kids on the block, both deliver premium drives for luxury buyers. That said, with so many premium brands fighting for the top spot, it’s a good time to be shopping for a luxury car.
