The Best Luxury Cars Under $10,000

Finding a quality ride doesn’t have to break the bank. We identify some of the best used luxury cars out there for under $10,000.

High Luxury, Low Prices

For some, buying a used car means a certain amount of compromise. Your typical new vehicle wish list gets inevitably trimmed back to the basic must-haves. But when shopping used luxury cars, you can find loads of swanky options and features already equipped. Add cozy interiors and alternately sporty or supple rides and you’ve got a lot of car for little money. For this list, we sought out the best used luxury cars for less than $10,000. In an admittedly crazy used car market, it is still possible to find islands of automotive sanity on the used lot.

2010 Lexus ES 350

For affordable used luxury cars, there are few, if any, better options than a Lexus. The 2010 Lexus ES was well reviewed when it first debuted and has since proven to be just as good as a used buy. The Lexus ES’s suspension is tuned for comfort and perfectly complements the cushy leather seats and quiet ride. A 272 horsepower V6 is likewise smooth and unobtrusive. The interior includes wood trim, a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, and Bluetooth connectivity. Look for options like the Mark Levinson premium stereo and adaptive cruise control.

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

There’s a saying that goes, the fake rich buy an S-Class while the real rich buy an E-Class. If that holds true, then buying a used Mercedes-Benz E-Class makes you real … smart. That’s because the E-Class does indeed represent the best aspects of the Mercedes brand, opulent luxury, high tech features, and powertrain options to suit your needs and desires. The E-Class was redesigned for 2010 and offers lots of standard luxury features that include 14-way power adjustable front seats, a seven-inch infotainment screen, and leatherette upholstery. Advanced safety options include items like blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and driver attention monitoring. The E-Class offers a spacious and well-appointed interior and starts with a 3.5L V6 under the hood.

2010 Cadillac CTS

For the Cadillac of used Cadillacs, there’s the Cadillac CTS. The CTS, of course, has a stellar interior replete with hand-stitched leather, dual-zone climate control, and high-quality materials. More surprising are the additional options of all-wheel drive and a manual transmission accompanying the 3.0L V6 engine. Greater balance and control lend the CTS sportier handling characteristics than similar luxury sedans. An optional Performance package further tightened the suspension. Other options include navigation and a power sunroof. Impressive safety scores round out this excellent luxury option for under $10,000.

2009 Acura TL

Another enjoyable driver is the Acura TL. Unlike other entrants on this list, you can find either the standard 3.5L V6 (280 horsepower) or the more powerful 3.7L V6 (305 horsepower) for under $10,000. The latter comes with all-wheel drive, a sport-tuned suspension, bucket front seats, and the option of a manual transmission. Seating in the TL is great in either configuration, coming with leather upholstery as standard. The TL’s interior is spacious, comfortable, and logically laid out. A Technology package adds navigation and a high-end ELS stereo. If a balance of sporty driving and luxury touches are what you’re looking for, the Acura TL is the ticket.

2011 BMW 5 Series

For even more driving excitement, there’s the Ultimate Driving Machine, the BMW 5 Series. A proper sports sedan, the 5 Series offers three engine options, a 3.0L inline-six (528i), a turbocharged version of that 3.0L (535i), and a 4.4L V8 (550i), the last of which falls above our $10,000 price cap. Thankfully, the 3.0L turbo is plenty powerful at 300 horses and turbo lag is virtually nonexistent. A firm chassis and powerful brakes build on this foundation. The 5 Series also offers a high-quality interior, updated for the 2011 model year, its only detraction is a smaller than average rear seat. Options for the 5 Series include genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, all-wheel drive, blind spot monitoring, and Night Vision with pedestrian detection. Best of all, the 2011 5 Series looks like a proper sports sedan, dating back to before BMW design went weird.

2010 Hyundai Genesis

Speaking of back-in-the-day, Hyundai’s Genesis line has been making impressive cars long before they spun them off into their own luxury line. Jump back to the 2010 Genesis and you’ll find the same degree of sophistication you see in today’s Genesis products. The Hyundai Genesis executes that sport sedan balancing act of drivability and comfort with ease. The RWD Genesis offers two powertrains, a 3.8L V6 making 290 horsepower and a punchier 4.6L V8 with 375 horsepower. While the former is more common at our price point, you can find the rarer V8 and for those seeking excitement in their luxury car purchase, it may be worth it to hunt one down. The Genesis’ interior is very well done, and fit and finish are on par with anything from the European marks. The 17-speaker Lexicon Audio system is a real highlight (only other carmaker to offer it at the time was Rolls-Royce).

2010 Audi A3

Our last entry breaks out of the classic luxury sedan mold. The Audi A3 is instead a small-ish luxury hatchback that adds both uniqueness and practicality into the mix. As you’d expect, the A3 offers your choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive with the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder. The alternative 2.0L turbodiesel comes in front-wheel drive only, and while it doesn’t add much to horsepower, it does make significant contributions to both torque (236 lb ft) and fuel economy at 30 city and 42 highway mpg. A cozy interior is gussied up with high-end materials and offers up to 19.5 cu ft of cargo space thanks to the hatchback design. An optional Cold Weather package adds features like heated seats and heated mirrors. Distinctive, posh, and utilitarian, the Audi A3 deserves consideration when shopping used luxury cars.