The savvy car buyer always gets more for less, and if you’re in the market for a luxury car you might be surprised with the range of cars you can get for less than £10k.
If running costs are less of an issue than finding a car with lavish levels of kit, these 10 comfortable cruisers fit the bill perfectly.
Few cars come close in so successfully combining that holy trinity of luxury motoring – style, lavish quality and understated yet insistent performance – as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Life in the palatial, sumptuous cabin really is the car’s selling point. Featuring exquisite materials, double-glazing and a sense of engineering quality you rarely find elsewhere.
Additionally, the S-Class has always been a test-bed for cutting edge technology, so whatever trim level you plump for you’ll not be disappointed. Possessing plenty of torque, the best engine is actually the entry-level 3-litre diesel V6. Running costs are high, and the diesel mitigates this somewhat.
Additionally, the S-Class has always been a test-bed for cutting edge technology, so whatever trim level you plump for you’ll not be disappointed. Possessing plenty of torque, the best engine is actually the entry-level 3-litre diesel V6. Running costs are high, and the diesel mitigates this somewhat.
| Used price range: | £5,850 – £37,925 |
| Fuel economy: | 19 – 45 mpg |
| Pick of the range: | S320 CDI |
Desirable. Superbly built. Opulent. These are but a trio of the many complimentary words that can be used to describe Land Rover’s accomplishment with the modern Range Rover.
A true icon, the Range Rover sets the benchmark for the do-everything motor; at home wafting majestically around town as it is being punished off-road with a bootload of dog and wellies.
Astonishingly it does all this with almost unparalleled levels of luxury featuring a cabin filled with exquisite materials, a comfortable ride and a level of class seldom seen on the road. Kit is generous across the trim levels, with the 3.6-litre V8 diesel leading the pack in terms of performance and efficiency. Let down only by high running costs, the Rangey is still one to beat.
A true icon, the Range Rover sets the benchmark for the do-everything motor; at home wafting majestically around town as it is being punished off-road with a bootload of dog and wellies.
Astonishingly it does all this with almost unparalleled levels of luxury featuring a cabin filled with exquisite materials, a comfortable ride and a level of class seldom seen on the road. Kit is generous across the trim levels, with the 3.6-litre V8 diesel leading the pack in terms of performance and efficiency. Let down only by high running costs, the Rangey is still one to beat.
| Used price range: | £2,350 – £39,430 |
| Fuel economy: | 17 – 30 mpg |
| Pick of the range: | 3.6 TD V8 HSE |
Developed alongside the Porsche Cayenne, the Volkswagen Touareg has plenty going for it in the luxury motoring stakes. It is loaded with competent off-road hardware, and offers a far more refined, family friendly ride in comparison to the sportier Porsche.
Cabin trimmings and switchgear are borrowed from VW stablemate the Phaeton, making it a pleasant and luxurious environment. There’s technology aplenty at the lower trim levels, including 17-inch alloys and a multifunction infotainment suite.
At the top end, the Altitude trim gains cosmetic upgrades and a sports exhaust. Under the bonnet, there are plenty of VW’s superb diesels to choose from including a monstrously powerful 5-litre V10 with huge pulling power. However, the entry level 2.5-litre TDI is both more than adequate and available well within the £10,000 budget.
Cabin trimmings and switchgear are borrowed from VW stablemate the Phaeton, making it a pleasant and luxurious environment. There’s technology aplenty at the lower trim levels, including 17-inch alloys and a multifunction infotainment suite.
At the top end, the Altitude trim gains cosmetic upgrades and a sports exhaust. Under the bonnet, there are plenty of VW’s superb diesels to choose from including a monstrously powerful 5-litre V10 with huge pulling power. However, the entry level 2.5-litre TDI is both more than adequate and available well within the £10,000 budget.
| Used price range: | £1,950 – £15,975 |
| Fuel economy: | 19 – 34 mpg |
| Pick of the range: | 2.5 TDi SE |
Despite never shifting the numbers Mercedes and BMW managed with their executive limousines, the Audi A8 is no slouch when it comes to the luxury car market.
With a sumptuous cabin, gadgetry galore and smooth powertrains the A8 is a force to be reckoned with, and one is easily available for less than £10,000. Audi raided the technology bin for the A8, and it’s certainly far from out of date offering stop-start tech, radar cruise control, climate control and plenty of connectivity. The long wheel base version gives you ample legroom and the 500-litre boot accommodates plenty of luggage.
With a sumptuous cabin, gadgetry galore and smooth powertrains the A8 is a force to be reckoned with, and one is easily available for less than £10,000. Audi raided the technology bin for the A8, and it’s certainly far from out of date offering stop-start tech, radar cruise control, climate control and plenty of connectivity. The long wheel base version gives you ample legroom and the 500-litre boot accommodates plenty of luggage.
| Used price range: | £2,125 – £23,060 |
| Fuel economy: | 19 – 34 mpg |
| Pick of the range: | 3.0 TDI Quattro SE 4d Tip Auto |
The Jaguar XJ is a very British luxo-barge, with plenty of lavish trim and power from a class-leading diesel V6. Boasting high-tech aluminium bodywork and adjustable suspension, the XJ is certainly more modern than the image would suggest.
Kit levels are good, and from 2007, you get heated and ventilated leather seats. With plenty of legroom, impressive sound insulation and liberal use of wood throughout, the rest of the cabin is spacious and well appointed.
Kit levels are good, and from 2007, you get heated and ventilated leather seats. With plenty of legroom, impressive sound insulation and liberal use of wood throughout, the rest of the cabin is spacious and well appointed.
| Used price range: | £2,275 – £16,625 |
| Fuel economy: | 23 – 35 mpg |
| Pick of the range: | 2.7 TDVi Sovereign |
While Porsche purists bemoan its existence, the Cayenne is a convincing luxury 4×4 with proper sports car pedigree. Behind the wheel, despite weighing in at 2.2-tonnes, the Cayenne’s handling is a revelation in the four-wheel drive market with remarkable grip and minimal body roll. It’s not one for hardcore off-roading though.
Choosing the smooth 3.2-litre diesel V6 will help keep running costs down and yet still has an urgency to its power delivery. Inside, the Cayenne displays the same level of exquisite quality and refinement we’ve come to expect of Porsche.
Choosing the smooth 3.2-litre diesel V6 will help keep running costs down and yet still has an urgency to its power delivery. Inside, the Cayenne displays the same level of exquisite quality and refinement we’ve come to expect of Porsche.
| Used price range: | £3,215 – £24,030 |
| Fuel economy: | 17 – 30 mpg |
| Pick of the range: | 3.2 V6 Tiptronic |
Lexus’s foray into the world of the exec limo with the LS is certainly one for gadget geeks. This is seriously high-tech metal, including an ‘infra-red climate concierge’ feature that analyses face temperature to alter the cabin atmosphere.
A 19-speaker sound system is also standard. With the LS wafting along in near silene, Lexus really has taken refinement to the extreme. Power comes in the form of a 4.6-litre petrol V8 producing 382bhp.
A 19-speaker sound system is also standard. With the LS wafting along in near silene, Lexus really has taken refinement to the extreme. Power comes in the form of a 4.6-litre petrol V8 producing 382bhp.
| Used price range: | £6,255 – £80,520 |
| Fuel economy: | 25 – 32 mpg |
| Pick of the range: | LS460 V8 |
Despite being a technically brilliant offering, the Phaeton never really took off thanks to its lacklustre image. The upsides are very affordable used prices. As a luxury car, it oozes VW quality throughout the cabin. Even entry-level cars get the last word in technology, including a 5-inch multi-function satnav screen.
The seats have an array of electronic functions too, keeping you warm or cool while cossetted in the near-silent cabin.
The seats have an array of electronic functions too, keeping you warm or cool while cossetted in the near-silent cabin.
| Used price range: | £1,760 – £25,975 |
| Fuel economy: | 19 – 33 mpg |
| Pick of the range: | 3.0 V6 TDI |
Available with just one engine, the Infiniti G Saloon is a luxury car that doesn’t compromise on performance. In fact, the G37 can compete with the BMW 3-Series in the corners.
This being a Japanese car, it offers a range of gizmos and kit that wouldn’t look out of place on a modern spec sheet. Touchscreen multimedia, rear view parking camera, Bose sound system, sat-nav, Bluetooth and heated seats are all standard on the mid-range GT Premium. The only downside is the engine is thirsty.
This being a Japanese car, it offers a range of gizmos and kit that wouldn’t look out of place on a modern spec sheet. Touchscreen multimedia, rear view parking camera, Bose sound system, sat-nav, Bluetooth and heated seats are all standard on the mid-range GT Premium. The only downside is the engine is thirsty.
| Used price range: | £4,865 – £13,320 |
| Fuel economy: | 25 – 26 mpg |
| Pick of the range: | 3.7 V6 GT Premium |
Taking aim at the German-dominated mid-size luxury saloon market, Volvo’s S80 is a refined, well-made Scandinavian package. On the whole, it is a more restrained car than its ostentatious rivals; the styling is anonymous, the cabin minimalist.
That said, the Volvo doesn’t lag behind in terms of quality; materials feel expensive and the cabin is a spacious, comfortable affair. In particular, at higher speeds the excellent seats cosset passengers well and there’s plenty of equipment as standard.
Safety tech is abundant, particularly on the revised 2013 model on. Drive comes from a range of 2.4-litre five cylinder diesels, with power output ranging from 113 to 212bhp. Low-power versions are very frugal but a mid-range 3D or 4D is in budget and offers the best compromise between affordable running costs and economy.
That said, the Volvo doesn’t lag behind in terms of quality; materials feel expensive and the cabin is a spacious, comfortable affair. In particular, at higher speeds the excellent seats cosset passengers well and there’s plenty of equipment as standard.
Safety tech is abundant, particularly on the revised 2013 model on. Drive comes from a range of 2.4-litre five cylinder diesels, with power output ranging from 113 to 212bhp. Low-power versions are very frugal but a mid-range 3D or 4D is in budget and offers the best compromise between affordable running costs and economy.
| Used price range: | £2,310 – £21,850 |
| Fuel economy: | 23 – 68 mpg |
| Pick of the range: | 2.4 D4 SE |
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*Prices correct at the time of publication and are all subject to change.
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