To truly judge the greatest luxury cars ever created, one must first understand what defines automotive luxury. In the car world, luxury often intertwines with various concepts. For some, it’s comfort, the defining characteristic of Rolls-Royce. For others, it’s style, embodied by Bugatti. Perhaps it’s balance, as seen in Mercedes-Benz, or cutting-edge technology, like Tesla pioneers. And for some, luxury is simply the best of everything, a concept perfected by the Toyota Century V-12.
However, the most prevalent definition of luxury remains comfort, perfectly illustrated by the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. This hand-built marvel from 1957 was equipped with every imaginable luxury feature of its time. From cruise control and an automatic headlight dimmer to power windows, a transistor radio, and air conditioning, the Eldorado Brougham showcased innovations that would become standard in vehicles for decades to come.
Luxury, therefore, captures a specific moment in time. When ranking the greatest luxury cars, it’s essential to evaluate each vehicle based on how well it achieved its goals within its own era. Comparing a Duesenberg Model J to a Citroën DS or a Lexus LS 400, and even more so to a Tesla Model S, presents a challenge. Yet, each of these cars undeniably ranks among the Top Luxury Cars ever manufactured.
Our evaluation process involved judging cars based on innovation, sheer opulence, and overall significance. A panel of nine experts cast their votes, limiting the selection to four-door models to exclude grand tourers, convertibles, and other distinct categories. We made no distinctions between premium, luxury, or ultra-luxury classifications. True luxury is subjective and immediately recognizable.
The extensive list considered included 148 models spanning over a century. Within this list, the top 50 received multiple votes, with only the top three achieving unanimous selection. This process led to some surprising omissions, such as numerous Mercedes-Benz models, the first-generation Lincoln Town Car, and the Humber Super Snipe. Interestingly, debates were less heated compared to discussions about the greatest sports cars. Perhaps the most significant point of contention was determining which Rolls-Royce model would claim the top spot.
The pursuit of creating the ultimate luxury car has led some automakers to financial ruin. Conversely, it has also spurred growth and maturity in others, exemplified by Toyota’s launch of Lexus and BMW’s introduction of the 7 Series. Luxury cars represent the pinnacle of automakers’ capabilities. They may not always be the most practical choice for everyday driving, but they are undoubtedly the vehicles one aspires to own. And if fortune favors you, your luxury car will become a timeless classic.
Note: Car models are mentioned alongside their production years for historical context.
