Any discussion about the greatest luxury cars of all time inevitably leads to the question: what truly defines luxury in the automotive world? For many, luxury is synonymous with unparalleled comfort, the very essence of brands like Rolls-Royce. For others, it’s about breathtaking style, epitomized by Bugatti. Perhaps luxury is found in a perfect balance of features, a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz. In the modern era, technology has become a key aspect of luxury, as seen with Tesla. And for some, luxury is simply having the best of everything, a concept embodied by the Toyota V-12 Century. However, when we think about what makes Good Luxury Cars truly stand out, it often comes back to that feeling of sublime comfort, much like experiencing a classic Cadillac Eldorado Brougham.
The Eldorado Brougham, meticulously hand-built in 1957, was a showcase of every imaginable luxury feature available at the time. It boasted innovations like cruise control, an automatic headlight dimmer, power windows, a transistor radio, and air conditioning – features that would later become commonplace in vehicles decades later. This car wasn’t just transportation; it was a statement of opulence and forward-thinking design.
Luxury, in this context, becomes a snapshot of a specific moment in time. When evaluating the greatest luxury cars, it’s crucial to consider how effectively each car achieved its goals within the context of its own era. Comparing a majestic Duesenberg Model J to a revolutionary Citroën DS or a groundbreaking Lexus LS 400, and even to a contemporary Tesla Model S, presents a challenge. Yet, each of these vehicles represents the pinnacle of luxury in its own right and is undeniably among the good luxury cars ever produced.
To create a definitive ranking, a panel of nine experts judged these cars based on innovation, sheer sumptuousness, and overall importance. The selection was intentionally limited to four-door cars to focus on the luxury sedan category, excluding grand tourers, convertibles, and other vehicle types. No distinctions were made between premium, luxury, or ultra-luxury categories; true luxury, as the saying goes, is subjective and immediately recognizable when experienced.
The extensive list considered encompassed 148 models spanning over a century of automotive history. Within this list, the top 50 received multiple votes, while only the top three achieved unanimous selection, highlighting the diverse opinions even among experts. Interestingly, this process led to some surprising omissions, including numerous Mercedes-Benz models, the iconic first-generation Lincoln Town Car, and the Humber Super Snipe. While debates were passionate, they were less contentious than discussions surrounding the greatest sports cars, perhaps because the primary point of contention was simply which Rolls-Royce model would ultimately claim the top spot.
The pursuit of creating the ultimate luxury car has been a challenging endeavor, with many automakers failing in their attempts. However, this pursuit has also spurred remarkable growth and innovation within the automotive industry. The emergence of brands like Lexus, launched by Toyota, and the introduction of the BMW 7 Series are prime examples of manufacturers rising to new heights in the luxury segment. Good luxury cars represent the best a car manufacturer can offer. They may not always be the most practical or affordable choices, but they are undoubtedly the vehicles that many aspire to own. For those fortunate enough to possess one, the hope is that their luxury car will become a timeless classic, appreciated for generations to come.
Note: Car models mentioned are listed with their production years for historical context.
