10 Affordable Luxury Cars That Are Dependable

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Luxury cars stand out from other vehicles with their fancy interiors, advanced features, premium materials, and superior performance. Most times, buyers would have to shell out considerable sums to enjoy the plush leather seats, the mind-blowing sound system, and the roaring engine. However, some carmakers have successfully merged luxury, affordability, and reliability into one vehicle. Though cheap, according to buyers’ reviews, these 10 luxury cars are dependable.

1988 Toyota Cressida

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Although Cressida’s production ran from 1976 to 1992, it continued in North America until 1995. Buyers loved its reliability, durability, and luxurious interior. It had a dependable naturally aspirated 2.8-liter inline-6 engine that produced 156 HP and was available with a four-speed automatic transmission. Thanks to its considerable price point, Toyota allowed buyers to indulge in luxury motoring without breaking the bank.

1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit (1980–2000)

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The Silver Spirit was the first model in Rolls-Royce’s SZ series. Its long-wheelbase version, fondly called the Silver Spur, had the durable GM 4L80E automatic used by many drag racers. This vehicle carried over the basic design of the Silver Shadow, its 6.75 L V8 engine and, GM-sourced THM400 3-speed automatic gearbox, and unitary bodywork manufactured at Pressed Steel. One of its luxurious features was its retractable Spirit of Ecstasy ornament that sank into the radiator shell if removed from its position.

Mercedes-Benz SL (1989–2002)

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This grand tourer roadster was a fitting successor to the R107 SL-Class, especially with its range of engine options that later included a V12. This model had a sophisticated electro-hydraulic convertible top that could be raised or lowered quickly and easily at the touch of a button. It also had advanced safety features for the time, including projector lens HID headlamps, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and an automatic roll bar for safe and secure driving.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2005–2017)

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You’re looking at the first Aston Martin to directly compete with Porsche and Maserati as a high-performance sports car. The carmaker built coupe and roadster versions with different engines throughout its production run, including a hand-built 4.7-liter V8 that produced 380 HP and a 5.0-liter V8 with 490 HP. Aston Martin then paired all engines with six-speed or seven-speed automated manual transmission so owners could enjoy a supercar performance at a fraction of the usual high cost.

Audi A8

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While Audi A8 started producing this full-size luxury sedan in 1994, this model was the second generation (D3) released from 2003 to 2010. It was popular because of its powerful and refined engines, including a V6, V8, and even the W12 engine in the top-of-the-line A8L. Despite its price, Audi treated buyers to a luxurious interior crafted from the finest materials, such as leather, wood, and aluminum. Also, driving was much better with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system and sophisticated ZF 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class 

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With the recent vehicles released this day, it’s hard to find a luxurious car with the performance and competitive price of the W211 E-Class. As the third generation of Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class produced from 2002 to 2009, this model had top-tier luxury features. It is a favorite among those seeking a comfortable and safe sedan. It had the 4Matic all-wheel drive in some models with innovations like the electrohydraulic braking system or Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) that slightly helped reduce fuel consumption.

Jaguar XJ (1994–2003)

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When British manufacturer Jaguar wanted its American audience to enjoy the unusual combination of value, affordable price, and reliability in luxury sedans, they built the Jaguar XJ. This saloon car was the ideal successor to the XJ40, with a more rounded and modern design than its predecessor. Jaguar released the standard and long wheelbase (LWB) 5 inches higher than the former. Several different engines were available for the XJ, including the 3.2-liter inline-6 and the Supercharged 4.0-liter V8, which produced 358 HP.

Cadillac CTS (2008–2014)

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The Cadillac engineers that built this midsize luxury sport sedan fitted it with reliable engines, including a 3.0L V6, a 3.6L V6, and a high-performance 6.2L V8. This reliable stack was an excellent alternative to European luxury cars like the Audi A4 and BMW 3-Series. Unlike the rounded look of the first generation, this second-generation CTS had a sharp and edgy design with an aggressive front end and muscular body line. The interior also complemented its looks with high-quality materials, such as leather and suede.

Porsche 911

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The Porsche 911 (996) was the fifth generation of the iconic 911 sports car produced by German automaker Porsche from 1997 to 2006. This model shifted from its predecessors with the first all-new chassis since the original model and the water-cooled flat-six engine replacing the air-cooled 911s. Besides the base 3.4L flat-six producing 296 HP, Porsche offered more powerful variants, including the Carrera 4S with a 3.6L engine producing 320 HP and the top-of-the-line Turbo with a twin-turbocharged 3.6L engine delivering 414 HP.

1990 Lexus LS400

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The first vehicle from Lexus, Toyota’s new luxury brand, is worthy of this list. Since the carmaker wanted to impress the market and its critics, it developed a competitive strategy to position it as cheap, luxurious, and dependable. It also consistently ranked at the top of reliability surveys, and its reputation for trouble-free ownership was a significant selling point. Automotive journalist Matt Farah drove a Lexus LS400 over one million miles to advertise its durability and longevity.

Written by grayson