10 Most Reliable Luxury Cars

It may come as a surprise to some, but shopping for the most reliable luxury cars is just as tricky as shopping for the most dependable mainstream vehicles. After all, even though premium brands win many of the third-party reliability studies, other luxury names are often at the bottom of the list, too. Simply put, a high price doesn’t guarantee a dependable vehicle. With that in mind, Autobytel experts have checked in with reliability resources from around the Internet to develop today’s gallery, which showcases the 10 most reliable luxury cars. These are vehicles that are likely to last a long time for drivers. Of course, individual results will vary, and remember, routine maintenance can be the key to reliability with any vehicle.

One of most reliable luxury cars from the German manufacturers is the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. This midsize choice can offer many of the same premium comforts and incredible technologies found in the S-Class flagship, but it has nimbler dimensions and a notably lower MSRP. And for the 2018 model year, Mercedes is adding four new variants to the E-Class roster. Joining the sedan and station-wagon body styles are the E400 Coupe, with a standard 329-horsepower V6; an open-air E-Class Cabriolet that has a power-retractable soft top; a high-performance AMG E63 S sedan. The E63S comes complete with a new 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and a twin-turbo V8 engine that can unleash 603 hp; and a matching AMG E63 S wagon with a massive rear cargo space.

The Four-Rings brand also features some of the most reliable luxury cars in the country, and that includes the 2017 Audi A7. The sleek and streamlined A7 combines the cabin space of a full-size sedan with a coupe-like profile and, instead of a traditional trunk, a rear liftback. It’s a design that brings extra style and versatility to the segment, and the A7 builds on those benefits with typically Audi-style amenities. Also, a new “3.0T competition” trim debuted for the A7 this year, providing a more athletic driving experience for owners. Along with a bump in output for its supercharged V6 engine — now up to 340 hp — the A7 3.0T competition car also gets a retuned suspension and sportier cabin cues.

Backed by steadily improving reliability scores, the BMW brand now has a variety of credible choices if you’re looking for the most reliable luxury cars — including the 2018 BMW 4 Series. This sporty compact also happens to be as fun-to-drive as it is dependable, and that’s regardless of which body style you prefer: coupe, convertible, or four-door “Gran Coupe.” Further, the full 4-Series lineup has been refreshed for 2018. That means there are new design details, like standard bi-LED headlights and restyled LED taillights, plus performance upgrades that extend to a retuned suspension and a revised steering system. New technology highlights for the 2018 4 Series are a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless phone charging, and a reconfigurable instrument-panel display.

Another German brand focused on the most reliable luxury cars for enthusiasts is Porsche. For example, the all-new 2017 Porsche Panamera carries all the advantages that went into making its predecessor so dependable, but it takes advantage of years of additional research and development. Needless to say, all that R&D has led to major performance upgrades for the car as well, starting with its two brand-new twin-turbo engines. The V6 is good for 440 hp, the V8 raises the ante to 550 hp, and both are paired with a new 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Thanks to those goodies and more, drivers can then rely on the Panamera for 0-60 times as low as 3.4 seconds.

Lexus puts an exceptionally sharp emphasis on building the most reliable luxury cars, and that dedication is apparent throughout the lineup. Consider the 2017 Lexus LS: The brand’s full-size flagship sedan, the LS serves up sophisticated luxuries that include an available Climate Concierge. This advanced automatic climate system not only adjusts the cabin temperature to maintain a comfortable environment, but it also manages the temperature of the front seats and steering wheel. A proven V8 engine motivates all trims for the LS, which features a 12.3-inch multimedia screen, multiple driver-assistance technologies, and both long-wheelbase and F Sport variants. Moreover, with an all-new LS due in 2018, the models from the current generation have a multi-year history of reliability.

You can also find the 2017 Lexus RC on our list of the most reliable luxury cars, and for many of the same reasons as the Lexus LS. For instance, as is the case with the LS, this RC is a marketplace veteran with a strong track record of dependability. The Lexus sports coupe, however, also has a strong record on the track, since the RC F GT3 racer has seen impressive levels of success in its first year of competition. True, the production model isn’t quite as dynamic, but it is street legal and comes with a lot more in the way of Lexus luxuries — from heated and ventilated leather front seats to a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

If you prefer a greener approach to the most reliable luxury cars, the 2017 Lexus GS stands out with a dedicated hybrid model. In that trim, the GS 450h is configured with the latest Lexus hybrid Drive system, which unites a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a water-cooled, permanent-magnet electric motor for 338 hp. It’s enough output to push the GS hybrid from 0-60 in a brisk 5.6 seconds, yet the car earns EPA ratings of 29 mpg city/34 mpg highway/31 mpg combined. Naturally, drivers also enjoy their share of luxury with the GS 450h: Heated and ventilated seats up front, soft leather throughout, and plenty of infotainment and safety technologies are all in the mix.

Although the most reliable luxury cars can get pretty expensive, the 2017 Acura ILX manages to offer dependability, comfort, and affordability. Thus, the ILX opens at $27,990 and furnishes standard equipment such as an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, heated front sport seats with leatherette trim, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, GPS-linked Dual-zone automatic climate control, a multi-view rear camera, and LED daytime running lights. Acura’s compact sport sedan can be ordered with a comprehensive AcuraWatch safety bundle, too, packaging together adaptive cruise control, collision-mitigation braking, a blind-spot monitor, and more. To appeal to audiophiles, the ILX even offers an ELS Studio audio system developed with the help of Elliot Scheiner, a Grammy-winning recording engineer, and producer.

Meanwhile, Buick’s reputation for building the most reliable luxury cars is being well-served by the 2018 Buick LaCrosse. As the brand’s full-size flagship sedan, the LaCrosse sets the pace with the kind of durability that’s backed by hundreds of thousands of miles of pre-production testing. Nor is Buick resting on its laurels. Despite being completely redesigned for 2017, the LaCrosse will receive a significant powertrain bonus when the 2018 edition goes on sale in the fall. At that point, the car will be available with a light-electrification system for its new standard four-cylinder engine. Buick boasts that with this new tech on board, drivers can see a 19-percent spike in city fuel-efficiency (versus models with the optional V6).

The most reliable luxury cars from Germany are known for providing rear-wheel drive performance, but that’s also something you can get in the 2017 Infiniti Q70. Indeed, the Q70 is serious about its sport-sedan positioning, and it’s available with two robust engines to prove the point. The standard unit is a 3.7-liter V6 that makes 330 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque, and the V8 alternative, displacing 5.6 liters, can kick out 420 hp and 417 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel drive is optional for both. Next, the Q70 seals the deal with premium content such as semi-aniline full-grain leather seating, Infiniti’s “Fine Vision” electroluminescent gauges, real ash wood interior trim, and a Bose surround-sound audio system with 16 speakers.