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In the near future, we will see a rise in the number of new luxury cars entering the market. This is especially true for those who are looking to buy an entry-level luxury car. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of the top 5 near-luxury and entry-level luxury cars for 2022.
1. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a luxury sedan with elegant looks. For the category of entry-level luxury, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a perfect candidate. It offers an outstanding interior except for the back seat, which is on the smaller side, but it’s not an issue as it is almost the same as any car in this category.
The engine options available to you are a four-cylinder turbocharged engine with a horsepower of 255 and a twin-turbo V8 engine with a maximum horsepower of 503.
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class does not have a high price as compared to other cars in its class but is still considered above average as it’s not affordable for everyone. The base C 300 sedan starts at $41,600. The C in the name of this car stands for coupe or cabriolet body style.
The 2021 model of the C class is available in the body styles of sedan, coupe, and convertible. The trim levels you can choose from are AMG C 63 S, AMG C 63, C 300, C 300 4Matic, and AMG C 43.
The maintenance of the C-class will cost you above the industry average for luxury sedans. According to a rough estimate, you have to spend almost $10,000 on maintenance and repairs yearly. The C-class also doesn’t disappoint you in terms of comfort. It has a quiet interior and a smooth driving experience. In short, it’s the perfect entry-level luxury car you can get for yourself.
2. Jaguar XE
The Jaguar XE is also an entry-level luxury sedan with an upscale interior and attractive looks. You can enjoy sporty driving characteristics while driving a Jaguar. Everything in this car is on point except the infotainment system. It has some missing features desired by users, but it’s good enough to make your ride memorable.
You have the option of a four-cylinder turbocharged engine with the ability to make 247 horsepower, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 296 horsepower, or a supercharged V6 engine with 380 horsepower.
3. Mercedes-Benz A-Class
The Mercedes A-Class is a high-tech entry-level luxury car with stylish looks and sporty features. Its athletic design makes it stand out among other cars in this category. You can get yourself a luxury A-Class car for less than $35,000 It’s a perfect car for those who don’t want to spend all of their savings just to get a feel for a luxury car.
Despite having a small size, it has all the features a normal luxury car should have. Its infotainment system is also on point and is designed in a way to be there for you on long and hectic rides. It has comfortable seats and accelerates smoothly.
This compact entry-level luxury sedan has only one trim level, which is the 220. It has a powerful 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine that has 188 horsepower and can produce 221 lb-ft of torque.
The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is also a good car in terms of reliability. It has secured the 23rd position out of 75 in the Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. On the other hand, if you see Mercedes as a brand, it has the 13th position out of 29. The A220 trim level was made by the Canadian company Bombardier. Their plant is situated in Mirabel, Quebec.
If you are a fan of finer things in your life, Mercedes-Benz is the perfect car for you. Led mood lighting, a sleek design, unique entertainment and information options, and polished wood trim make it the best entry-level luxury car you can have.
4. Tesla Model 3
This list is incomplete without mentioning the Tesla Model 3, which is enjoying a top position on the sales chart nowadays. There is nothing wrong with saying that this car has made its place in the entry-level luxury car market like a pro and is now almost at the top.
The Tesla Model 3 has either one or two electric motors that contribute to its smooth acceleration. Its most basic version has a horsepower of 283, the next version can produce a horsepower of 345, and the last version, which is called the “tog-dog model,” can produce up to 450 horsepower.
The ability this car has to handle itself on the track is on another level. With its wonderful grip, you can feel full control of your car while traveling. According to one of the tweets by Elon Musk, the batteries of Tesla are made in such a way that they can last for 300,000 to 500,000 miles.
which, for an average car driver, is about 22 to 37 years old. An average driver drives 13,500 miles per year, according to the Department of Transportation. Tesla cars are usually expensive to insure because of their high repair costs. The insurance package you’ll get will depend on your location, Tesla model, trim level you choose, and driving history. So you can lower your yearly insurance cost if you choose your Tesla car wisely.
As it’s an electric car, it will be unfair not to talk about the charging cost. It would be very helpful for you to make a budget if you already know the charging costs. If you decide on buying a Model 3, you can keep an amount of $7 for the full charge of a battery. To completely charge the batteries of performance and long-range trims, it will cost you about $12 to fully charge your car’s battery.
By the way, if you are not sure about which Tesla to buy, you can visit our Best Tesla Cars to Buy Guide.
5. Audi A4
Several cars from Audi deserve to be on this list, but the Audi A4 is surprisingly the perfect one. It’s because if you go for A3, you’ll find that it’s too small, and if you plan to buy A5, it can be too expensive for you. With these drawbacks, the best possible solution for you is to go for an Audi A4.
The A4 offers a perfect interior and an upscale design. Its aesthetics can easily make everyone fall in love with it. If you look under the hood of the A4, you will find a powerful four-cylinder turbocharged engine with the ability to produce up to 248 horsepower. Or you can also go for a V6 turbocharged engine with 349 horsepower.
The car also offers smooth steering, which helps you pass twisty roads easily. Some of the safety features of the Audi A4 include brake assist, electronic stability control, daytime running lights, traction control, blind spot monitoring, auto-leveling headlights, driver airbag, passenger airbag, front head airbag, lane departure warning, and cross-traffic alert.
Its safety ratings are also pretty convincing. It can be the best car you can have in the category of entry-level luxury.
Conclusion
There is no doubt everyone wants to have a luxury car, but it’s a bitter truth that luxury cars are not affordable for everyone. The recent pandemic has affected the price of almost everything, including cars. Even if someone somehow arranges the cash to buy a luxury car, it may be difficult to handle the insurance and repair costs. Luxury cars usually have higher repair costs and, ultimately, higher insurance rates.
That’s why luxury cars are suitable for wealthy people. However, the entry-level luxury car market is a blessing for car enthusiasts. You get almost the same looks and features at almost half the price. Of course, it’s not a perfect alternative, but it’s a very good option to go with. We have collected the list of the 5 best entry-level luxury cars for your ease.
By reading them, you can easily choose the one that is perfect for you. Don’t rush while buying a car. Do proper research before proceeding with a buying decision. Any mistake can result in the loss of a lot of savings. Best of luck!
