Best New Luxury Cars Under $60,000 for 2016

This is the sweet spot for the luxury segment. In most cases, it encompasses the mid-sized and mid-priced models for each luxury manufacturer represented. More than anything else, this list of the best new luxury cars under $60,000 demonstrates how good a given luxury manufacturer can be when price is a consideration. While budget is also an issue for their flagship models, the commensurately higher prices charged for them mean more room to elaborate. Meanwhile, at the $60,000 and under price point, if a builder is going to make its car stand out, the company really has to innovate.

Acura RLX

When it comes to content, the Acura flagship is the best bargain on this list. The 2016 Acura RLX is bristling with the latest in driver-assisted technologies. It’s one of the few cars on this list with a lane keeping assist system so sophisticated the RLX tracks beautifully down the highway with next to no input from the driver—even around curves. For 2016, the RLX gets chassis and suspension upgrades, as well a few new safety features including road departure mitigation, rear cross traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system. Pricing starts at $54,950.

Audi A4/A5

The Audi A4 has long been a mainstay of the Audi marque, and is arguably the car responsible for returning Audi to popularity among car buyers in the U.S. Quiet, smooth, and comfortable, with just enough of a sporting edge to make it interesting. Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel-drive system serves the A4 and A5 quite well in this regard. The 2016 Audi A4 (and its coupe counterpart, the 2016 Audi A5), is a paragon of style and relatively affordable prestige. A4 pricing starts at $35,900, A5 starts at $40,500. It should be noted the higher performing S4 and S5 can also be had for less than $60,000.

Audi A6

Absolutely one of the best new luxury cars under $60,000 for 2016, the Audi A6 woos buyers with outstanding dynamics over the road, an extraordinary interior treatment, a wide variety of engines—including a diesel offering—and a dazzling tech quotient. Further, the A6 is remarkably spacious. In other words, this is one very well rounded car. Upgrades for the 2016 model year include a mild styling refresh, more power for its gasoline-fired engines, and an updated multimedia interface featuring a faster processor, 3D animated graphics, and 4G WiFi capability. Pricing starts at $46,200.

BMW 3 Series/4 Series

Long the benchmark in the luxury performance small sedan category, the BMW 3 Series remains the moving target every other manufacturer in this segment is trying to hit. A few years ago, BMW split the 3 Series coupe off as the 4 Series. Underneath, though, both cars share important bits. This means they both go down the road with extraordinary athleticism while also delivering preternatural smoothness. For the 2016 models, BMW has updated the styling and reworked the suspension and steering systems to improve handling. Pricing starts at $33,150 for the 3 Series and $41,650 for the 4 Series.

Photo by BMW

BMW 5 Series

Just as its 3 Series cars rule the roost in the luxury performance sedan category, BMW’s 5 Series cars are the envy of the industry in the mid-size luxury performance sedan category. Going into the 2015 model year, BMW product planners made the decision to soften the 5 Series a bit to provide even more comfort. The 2016 BMW 5 Series sedans offer exceptionally sophisticated engines and an interior treatment free of superfluous details. Changes for 2016 include enhanced USB and Bluetooth functionalities and a power trunk lid for the 550i. Pricing starts at $50,200.

Chrysler 300

Among the best 2016 luxury cars under $60,000, the Chrysler 300—though getting somewhat long in the tooth—is an outstanding value. The quintessentially American rear-drive luxury sedan delivers all-day comfort on the Interstate, slices and dices winding two-lanes, and shows well in any urban center you can name. Further, the 2016 Chrysler 300 is roomy, comfortable, and nicely appointed. New infotainment and driver’s aid features for 2016 keep the Chrysler in the hunt against its competition. An absolutely amazing bargain, 2016 Chrysler 300 pricing starts at $31,895.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Cadillac ATS

The contemporary small Cadillac sedan and coupe are easily the best vehicles the marque has ever fielded in this category. Further, they are fully capable of running wheel to wheel with any of their European counterparts in any area you can name—including ultra high performance. For the 2016 model year, Cadillac has added Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, giving the ATS the capability of mirroring the functions of smartphones running those operating systems on the touchscreen in its center stack. A host of new active safety features have been added, along with a new, more powerful V6 engine. 2016 Cadillac ATS pricing starts at $33,215.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

Cadillac CTS

The first of the new breed of Cadillac models to emerge at the onset of the marque’s product renaissance back in 2002, today’s Cadillac CTS remains one of the most highly desirable cars in the mid-size luxury category. And yes, it is absolutely one of the best 2016 luxury cars under $60,000. New features for the 2016 model year include a 360-degree camera system, an upgraded multimedia solution with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a new eight-speed automatic transmission, and the addition of stop/start functionality to help improve fuel economy. Pricing starts at $45,560.

Hyundai Genesis

If you’re well familiar with luxury cars, have never looked at the Hyundai Genesis, and like surprises, go check one out. Just make sure you’re ready for the jaw drop you’ll experience when you see how much car you actually get for the money. Oh, and spoiler alert—when you drive it, your jaw will drop again. Yes, it’s that good. Fresh off a complete redesign for the 2015 model year, the Hyundai’s Genesis is now a luxury sport sedan of the first order, and most definitely one of the best 2016 luxury cars under $60,000. Pricing starts at $38,000.

Jaguar XF

An all-new fully redesigned second generation Jaguar XF has been introduced for the 2016 model year. It rides upon an all-new chassis with an abundance of aluminum bits to add lightness. Ditto the body. The all-new interior treatment offers a 10.2-inch touchscreen display, more legroom than the outgoing model, and bolder, much more dynamic styling. Naturally, all the latest driver assistance features are included—among them traffic sign recognition capable of adjusting the active cruise control system to ensure the car stays within the posted limit. Pricing stats at $51,900.