Looking for a Luxury Car? Consumer Reports Says Skip the European Brands

If you’re in the market for a luxury car, Consumer Reports’ latest analysis suggests caution with many European brands. While names like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Land Rover carry prestige, their ownership costs especially repair and maintenance over time are significantly higher than many alternatives. Consumer Reports’ rankings show that many European luxury makes fall behind Asian and American brands in long-term reliability and ownership costs, leading experts to recommend considering other options that may be smarter financial choices in the long run.

Lexus

man, lexus is like that quiet kid who never brags but somehow always wins. i swear every time i sit in one, it smells like calm wealth. not showy, just expensive clean leather. they don’t break down much either, which is wild considering it’s all fancy tech now. you can get a new ES or RX around, what, $45k? still cheaper than those “oh it’s german, it must be great” cars that end up crying for repairs every few months.

Acura

i don’t know why more people don’t talk about acura. feels like everyone forgot they exist, but those interiors? nice. dependable too. had a buddy with a tlx, we road-tripped from texas to colorado, never had a warning light, nothing. car even smelled nice, like new sneakers or something. about $43k maybe for a decent one. and zero pretentiousness. it’s like a honda in a tuxedo, but one that actually fits.

Genesis

ok listen, genesis kind of blew my mind. hyundai really said, “we can do luxury too,” and actually pulled it off. the g80? dude, it’s gorgeous. has that solid thump when you close the door. even the logo feels confident now. you’ll need maybe $50k or so, but you won’t be begging a mechanic every six months. and the seats? like sitting on a cloud that pays taxes.

Infiniti

infiniti’s weird, not gonna lie. sometimes i love it, sometimes i forget it exists entirely. interior’s nice though, if you can ignore the dated screen stuff. but they drive smooth, really smooth. i once sat in one while the owner chain-smoked in the driver’s seat and somehow it still smelled kinda fancy inside. maybe $42k-ish for one. definitely feels like the “i want a BMW, but i also like peace of mind” choice.

Cadillac

yeah, i know, old-school vibes, right? but cadillac’s actually doing cool stuff lately. the ct5 feels kinda mean in the best way. american luxury’s always been… bigger, louder, occasionally ridiculous. but fun. interior’s hit or miss though. some bits squeak, not kidding. but for $47k or so, it’s legit comfortable. like, grown-man comfortable. also, that soft seat leather smell—unreal.

Lincoln

i think lincoln’s secretly having a glow-up. that aviator? wow. smooth, quiet, roomy makes you forget every pothole ever. feels like one of those cars meant for people who’ve seen too much noise in life. you sit there, radio low, sipping coffee, and just breathe. price-wise, mid-$50k, which sounds like a lot but try fixing a german suspension and tell me which hurts more.

Volvo

ok, so technically europe, yeah, but hear me out. volvos are like… europe without the drama. kind of Scandinavian minimalism meets “i have two rescue dogs.” safety vibes. the xc60 feels like therapy on wheels. it’s pricy though, like $55k-ish, but worth it if you get anxiety from car noises. i once sat in one that smelled like cedar and hand lotion. cozy as heck. i’ll include it cause it deserves love.

Buick

nobody under 40 talks about buick, which makes me sad cause the newer ones? not bad at all. they look normal again. interiors aren’t screaming grandma’s living room anymore. good price too like $38k can get you something that feels solid and quiet. the steering’s kinda numb but honestly who cares, you’re not trying to race in a buick. you’re just existing comfortably.

Tesla

yeah ok, hear me out. tesla’s technically “luxury,” but not in the way leather-and-wood luxury used to mean. it’s more like owning a fast iPhone with wheels. i’ve got mixed feelings, honestly. autopilot still freaks me out sometimes, but the instant torque thing never gets old. you can get a Model 3 for around $42k, and it’ll make every gas car feel like a fossil. but man, interior smell is cold, like hospital clean. kind of misses the warmth of real cars, you know?