Top 20 Luxury Car Brands in the World
Jun 09, 2025
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The best luxury car brands in the world come in many shapes and sizes and come from many different backgrounds. They all have created a unique formula for success that makes them stand out from other automakers. For this list, we’re going to focus on three key metrics — sales numbers, historical significance and popularity among car enthusiasts today.
Without further ado, here are the top 20 luxury car brands in the world in 2025.
1. BMW
It’s only right that our list begins with a German company. BMW — short for Bayerische Motoren Werke AG — sold 2.2 million vehicles in 2024, which was more than any luxury marques. Everything from the all-new 7 series to the classic 3 series continues to sell at a high rate, and several new electric vehicle (EV) offerings are generating more buzz around the brand.
2. Mercedes-Benz
The number two spot naturally goes to Mercedes-Benz, another historic German automaker. Its rivalry with BMW has shaped the luxury car scene for more than 50 years, staying ahead of the curve — like when they adopted the electronic stability control systems in the ‘90s before the rest of the industry did.
3. Audi
Audi’s commitment to speed and precision is truly unmatched. Pristine handling defines this legendary German marque’s ultrareliable wheels, making them suitable for any road conditions. This company continues to churn out ultra-reliable cars with pristine handling worthy of consideration among the top luxury vehicles.
4. Lexus
Lexus is arguably the most successful luxury car brand under the Toyota umbrella, and certainly the most popular in Japan and other parts of Asia. It outshines Honda’s Acura, the first Japanese luxury car manufacturer to enter the scene in 1986. It combines Toyota’s well-established reputation for reliability with the flair and finesse of Japanese automotive design. J.D. Power named Lexus the most dependable car brand in 2024 for the second year in a row, beating Porsche and BMW.
5. Porsche
Porsche’s provenance has been unclear in the minds of many gearheads. Some think it’s British, while others believe it’s Italian, but its roots in Central Europe say it’s German through and through. Its motto — “Choose Boldly” — perfectly describes this esteemed automaker’s reputation for high performance. Whether it’s the Cayman, the Boxster or the all-time great 911, this brand never fails to put the “luxury” in luxury vehicles. U.S. News & World Report gave Porsche an 8.94/10 rating for 2025, tied with Audi.
6. Land Rover
Land Rover is a British brand synonymous with capable off-road SUVs, such as the Defender — the greatest Jeep Wrangler Rubicon rival — the Range Rover and the Discovery. However, the Range Rover line of vehicles provides the same luxury and smooth driving experience as an SUV from BMW or Mercedes.
7. Ferrari
The first Italian luxury car manufacturer on our list has to go to Ferrari. It’s the most historically successful automaker from the land of the Romans, and the Prancing Horse recorded impressive 2024 sales figures, especially in the U.S., amid a global luxury car downturn. For such a rare and expensive brand, those numbers are exceptional. Ferrari just keeps getting the job done.
8. Lamborghini
It only makes sense to put Ferrari and Lamborghini right next to each other. Lambo sold 10,687 units worldwide in 2024, a sales record. Although Ferrari has a longer legacy, Lamborghini is slowly gaining ground in sales and overall popularity.
9. Jaguar
Jaguar is England’s most prestigious luxury car brand, going all the way back to 1922. It’s the parent company of Land Rover, but the SUVs have taken the spotlight over Jaguar’s traditional luxury sedans. It has become somewhat of an “old man’s car brand” in recent years, but this reputation is a testament to Jaguar’s commitment to classic design and old British charm.
10. Bugatti
Bugatti combines the elements of French, German and Italian automaking into one high-end luxury car brand. Most models are far too expensive for average car buyers, but everyone can still appreciate Bugatti’s design beauty. Perhaps the most impressive part of Bugatti’s lineup is the quad-turbo 8.0L W16 engine, which delivers elite racing performance to sedans and SUVs.
11. Alfa Romeo
The next Italian automaker on this list is Alfa Romeo, a brand making racing and sport-oriented vehicles since 1910. In fact, they utilize some of the same manufacturing processes as Jeep and Dodge, two brands known for performing well in any road conditions. Alfa plans to expand its vehicle lineup with new SUVs and electric cars by 2027.
12. Aston Martin
Aston Martin specializes in luxury vehicles and grand tourers, perfectly balancing high-speed and long-distance driving. It has an elite Formula 1 racing team yearly, and cutting-edge technology like the 1,139-horsepower V12 engine turns luxury SUVs into intimidating sports cars. This brand is truly one of a kind.
13. Bentley
Bentley gained global attention for winning Le Mans five times in the 1920s and has remained a mainstay in luxury car manufacturing ever since. It continues to specialize in hand-made automobiles rather than using automated assembly lines, which means every vehicle has a unique story. Whether you prefer speed or lavishness, Bentley has both in spades.
14. Rolls Royce
Rolls-Royce might be a subsidiary of BMW, but it still has a life of its own. This British automaker boasts many impressive luxury cars with equally impressive names, including the Phantom, Ghost, Wraith, Dawn and Silver Shadow. It’s justifiably one of the most expensive car brands, epitomizing the word “luxury” down to the last detail.
15. Maserati
Maserati is the final Italian car brand on the list, boasting the dramatic designs you would expect from such an emotionally intense country. Its trademark trident symbol is the perfect centerpiece for aggressive models such as the GranTurismo, Ghibli, 5000 GT and MC20. If you’re looking for more flair, Maserati certainly has it.
16. Cadillac
Cadillac is a household name among luxury auto brands because of its timeless design and more reasonable prices. In the first quarter of 2023, Cadillac placed third in the ranking of luxury car brands in terms of shopper consideration at 16%, tied with Audi and behind BMW and Lexus. SUVs like the Escalade and XT lineup are reliable family vehicles, while sedans like the V-series and CT5 can compete with almost any sports car on this list.
17. Genesis
Genesis is the newest luxury car brand on this list, but it earned a spot because it continues to earn high ratings across the board. U.S. News and World Report gave it an 8.5/10 rating for 2023, which came in second behind Porsche. SUVs like the G80 and GV80 are excellent and affordable daily drivers with the same luxurious feel as a Cadillac or Rolls Royce.
18. Volvo
A list of top car companies and their luxury brands wouldn’t be complete without at least one Swedish manufacturer. That spot belongs to Volvo, the pioneer of Scandinavian automotive design. Safety and minimalism are the top priorities, especially among its popular EX and XC SUVs. If you’re in the market for an electric car, be sure to look at some Volvos during your search.
19. Tesla
You might be surprised to see Tesla on this list given their reputation as of late, but it’s hard to argue with the numbers. Tesla was the top-selling luxury auto brand in the United States very recently and has a significant market share in the electric vehicle industry. In just 20 years, this cutting-edge automaker has gone from an overly ambitious afterthought to one of the most widely recognizable automobile brands. Its Model Y was the world’s bestselling car in the first quarter of 2023 — the first time an EV earned this distinction. However, in 2025, the brand is struggling to hold its position, and if its recent public trends continue, it’s doubtful we’ll see them here next year.
20. Lincoln
The final spot goes to Lincoln, one of the top luxury car brands in the U.S. along with Cadillac and Tesla. It specializes in mid-size luxury SUVs that are perfect for families, but sedans like the Continental and MKZ still look like proper sports cars. Best of all, Lincoln is much more affordable than most of the other brands on this list.
Only the Best Luxury Cars
These 20 luxury car brands make only the best sedans and SUVs. They might be more expensive than the average automaker, but that’s because their vehicles aren’t average. They’re faster, cooler and simply better. Keep these names in mind if you ever have the opportunity to buy your own luxury car.
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Author
With almost 10 years of experience writing about cars, gear, the outdoors and more, Oscar Collins has covered a broad spectrum of topics during his time as a blogger and freelancer. Oscar currently serves as the editor-in-chief of Modded, which he founded to spread his love of cars with an international audience. He's committed to providing high-quality content on a regular basis with readers across the world. You can find his work on Auto News, Gizmodo, Esquire and similar publications.
