2026 Luxury Sedans That Deserve A Second Look

The luxury car landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by the introduction of electric vehicle technology and the extensive trickle-down of luxury features that were once confined to elite models. From entry-level to midsize and full-sized luxury vehicles, the platter is now vast and vibrant. In this rush, there are a bunch of luxury sedans that get pushed out of the limelight for various reasons, including superior trim levels, more affordable options, or even pure bad luck.

Digging deeper, we understand how impressive these less popular luxury sedans actually are. There’s even a luxury sedan here, packing an engine that is both supercharged and turbocharged. From the popular nameplates of BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, to the less-discussed likes of Genesis, Alfa Romeo, and even Cadillac, this list consists of a vibrant line-up of well-rounded, robust, cool-looking, and most importantly, luxurious sedans that are worthy of a second look.

This list is organized in descending order of price, from the most expensive to the most affordable luxury sedans that deserve a second look.

BMW 7 Series 760i xDrive

Starting Price: $124,700

The BMW 7 Series is a well-known and well-regarded name in the luxury car market. However, there is a sporty side to this luxury land yacht that often goes unnoticed. The 760i xDrive delivers the most power with a grin-worthy 536 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds. This is courtesy of an energetic twin-turbo V-8 with mild-hybrid assist. Furthermore, its all-wheel-drive system and adaptive air suspension balance sportiness and comfort of the highest order.

BMW has left no stone unturned to offer the best of luxury, comfort, and technology on the 760i xDrive. It gets soft-close doors, heated and ventilated leather-wrapped seats, and a multi-functional rear seat, to name a few. The cool technology suite includes a touchscreen infotainment system running on iDrive 9 and an optional 31-inch Theater Screen for rear-seat entertainment.

Lexus LS 500

Starting Price: $99,280

While it might not be the most popular in its segment today, the LS 500 is an essential car for Lexus, as it was the car that kickstarted the luxury arm of Toyota. Sadly, it has reached the end of its run: Lexus is discontinuing the LS, with a final Heritage Edition for 2026. There’s only a single fully loaded trim level for 2026, featuring a distinctive paint job, bespoke interior trim, and a wide range of standard technology and safety features.

This LS is special, as it gets a lot of earlier optional features as standard. The luxury appeal is strong, with features such as heated rear seats, a power rear sunshade, dual-zone climate control, and wood trim with leather upholstery on the seats. The last Lexus LS is powered by a refined V6 that delivers 416 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque.

Genesis G90

Starting Price: $92,700

The only downside of Genesis as a brand is that it is a young automaker. This robs it of an established status that almost all its arch-rivals from Germany and Japan enjoy. However, the 2026 G90 is an underrated luxury sedan that impresses in all respects. Its luxury appeal is sophisticated and exquisite, featuring plush leather, aluminum trim, and seamlessly integrated technology. But Genesis goes further to set the “mood” right. A notable example of this is the Mood Curator, which seamlessly blends music, lighting, fragrance, and massage settings of the seats into four modes (Vitality, Delight, Care, and Comfort).

To put it simply, the driving experience in the G90 is sublime. There are a lot of physical controls, and I love the way the door closes when you touch the brake to start the car. It’s a nice touch, and luxury is all about reducing effort.

– Chase Bierenkoven for TopSpeed

Furthermore, the Genesis G90 cabin is well insulated and features extensive sound damping, including double-layered laminated glass and Active Noise Control technology. Powering this Genesis sedan is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that produces 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. There’s also a more powerful mild-hybrid version of the same, packing 409 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque.

Audi A7

Starting Price: $73,295

Coming in as the arch-rival to the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7-Series, the Audi A7 ticks all the right boxes of being a top-spec luxury sedan. However, it is often overlooked for several reasons, including its sporty yet practical Sportback design, higher price compared to the comparable Audi A6, and potential reliability and maintenance concerns. Despite these setbacks, the Audi A7 remains a solid top-of-the-line luxury sedan.

The infusion of luxury and sporty, edgy design components is very organic here, including the interior. It includes a vertically stacked dual MMI touchscreen for infotainment and other vehicle controls, a 30-color ambient lighting system, dual-pane acoustic glass, four-zone climate control, and ventilated front seats, among other features. Powering this sporty luxury sedan is a 3.0-liter turbo V6 that produces 335 horsepower and sends power to a standard AWD system via a seven-speed S tronic gearbox.

BMW 540i xDrive

Starting Price: $67,100

This Beamer is a solid luxury sedan, but it is overshadowed by the more accessible 3 Series on one end and the top-spec 6 Series on the other. However, the 5 Series offers a balanced midsize luxury sedan experience for those willing to take the plunge. It packs a 375-horsepower hybrid 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine that sends power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The result is a luxurious, spacious sedan that accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The luxury, comfort, and technology features are well stacked here. It features heated, ventilated, multi-contour seats; premium Harman Kardon audio; a curved display housing a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment screen; and AirConsole Gaming technology. This 5 Series also has a wholesome suite of assistive technology features.

Mercedes-Benz EQE Sedan

Starting Price: $64,950

While the Mercedes-Benz E-Class continues to showcase the brand’s mid-sized luxury appeal, we often overlook the bold, futuristic EQE Sedan, which is paving the way for future Mercedes-Benz models. The EQE blends Mercedes’s undisputed luxury features with a futuristic design and all-electric powertrain. The base EQE 320+ is the perfect blend of performance and practicality, as its 96 kWh battery and rear-axle-mounted electric motor deliver 315 horsepower and 416 pound-feet of torque.

Its luxury appeal is heavily dependent on its notable technology features. It gets an Energizing Comfort/Comfort Plus mode that programs the interior lighting, climate control, and even music settings for relaxation or energy. Cabin air quality is prioritized through ionization and HEPA filters. Other features focused on a luxurious experience include soft-close doors and available massaging and cooling seats.

Volvo S90

Starting Price: $59,495

Unfortunately, Volvo is discontinuing the S90 after 2025, despite its solid performance as a competitor of the Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8. The S90 is a looker with its iconic Thor’s Hammer and chiseled body lines. Under its sporty and elongated body sits a 2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine producing 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels.

Luxury features of the Volvo S90 include Nappa leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated front seats, four-zone climate control, and wood inlays. The cabin flaunts a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment screen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system includes a built-in Google experience with native Google Maps, Assistant, and Play Store. This is a well-rounded, full-sized luxury sedan that should be on your radar.

Cadillac CT5

Starting Price: $48,600

The Cadillac CT5 is an American luxury car that is also high on sporty appeal. In fact, this sedan offers one of the most spirited sides to luxury cars here, while also being a bang-for-buck package. It is powered by a peppy 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces 335 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque. Because of the sportier CT5-V Blackwing, the standard 2026 CT5 is mostly overlooked. But for someone looking for a luxury sedan with a sportier edge, this is a great choice.

What I appreciated about the CT5 was how Cadillac managed to engineer a sports sedan that looks, drives, and feels like a genuinely American product, and not something that tries to mimic what the Germans are selling.

-William Clavey for TopSpeed

Plush upholstery and available heated, ventilated, and massaging seats enhance its luxury appeal. But Cadillac goes further with a wholesome suite of technology features. Notable features include a massive 33-inch curved LED display, wireless connectivity, an available AKG studio sound system, and Super Cruise hands-free driving tech.

Acura TLX

Starting Price: $45,400

The standard Acura TLX doesn’t get the attention it deserves because of the sportier Type S trim stealing the thunder. The Type S surely appeals to those craving a sportier luxury sedan, but it also commands a higher starting price. This is where the standard, less-popular TLX shines forth with its impressive value-for-money proposition. It is powered by a peppy and refined 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mill that produces 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque.

Power is sent to the front wheels only via a 10-speed automatic gearbox with sequential paddle shifters. The cabin is equipped with cozy and luxurious features such as heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, and dual-zone climate control. Technology features are comprehensive, with notable items including two 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment and instrument cluster, Wi-Fi Hotspot, and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the Acura Navigation system with 3D view.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Starting Price: $43,995

Want Italian drama and luxury along with surprising levels of affordability and reliability? The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the perfect choice. While we and even the brand try to focus a bit too much on the Giulia’s sporty side with the Quadrifoglio, the standard model’s balanced layout of sportiness and luxury appeal for well under $45,000 gets gravely overlooked. This Alfa is often misunderstood regarding its reliability ratings, which are actually quite impressive at 81/100, according to JD Power.

The base 2026 Giulia is not shy about its performance, with Alfa Romeo claiming best-in-class figures: 280 horsepower, 306 pound-feet of torque, and a 0-60 mph time of 5.5 seconds for the RWD models. It has a nearly 50:50 weight distribution, enhancing handling and agility. The interior is plush and poetic, featuring heated leather seats and a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, Tricolore flag headrest inserts on the sports seats, an 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital display, and an available 14-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.

Sources: JD Power, The EPA