The car brands on this list make luxury cars that are powerful, performance-oriented, and stylish! Check out the best luxury vehicle brands of the year. 

Porsch

One of the best luxury auto brands right now, Porsche’s offering spell opulence. They’re also thoughtfully designed and offer extreme performance. 

Tesla

Tesla’s cars are the perfect luxury buy for anyone who is looking for an electric car. The very capable all-electric powertrains offer incredible acceleration, and the interiors of these cars are like nothing you’ve ever seen before. 

Audi

Offering over a dozen different models in the U.S., Audi cars excel in terms of performance. Most Audi models are equipped with the legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Mercedes-Benz

One of the oldest luxury car manufacturers in the world, Mercedes offers cars in almost every segment, except SUVs and pickups, and the brand’s cars are known to offer world-class craftsmanship, performance, and high-tech features. 

Bmw

Known for setting performance benchmarks in the luxury car industry, bmw cars can be touted as the ultimate luxury dream machine. They currently offer sedans, su vs, and crossover. 

Jaguar

Automaker Jaguar has built its reputation with luxury sedans and exciting sports cars. They’ve also recently added an electric vehicle and SUV to their lineup. Our favorite Jaguar vehicle is the Jaguar F-Pace, which is a luxury compact SUV. 

Lincoln

From 2021, Lincoln is an all SUV and crossover brand, which is good news for SUV buyers because Lincoln vehicles have above-average predicted reliability ratings, good safety scores, and great build quality. 

Volvo

Volvo has built a reputation for making vehicles that are elegant, minimalistic, sophisticated, and safe. Currently, the automaker offers two wagons, a pair of sedans, and three SUVs. 

Lexus

Lexus has a reputation for building vehicles with luxurious cabins, excellent predicted reliability ratings, and world-class quality. And, that’s exactly why we love Lexus’ offerings. 

Cadillac

One of the top luxury car brands in the U.S., Cadillac’s crossovers and SUVs exude luxury. Our favorite is the Cadillac XT5, which is one of the best sellers in the Cadillac family in the U.S.

Acura

Acura cars are designed with top-notch materials and have a well-put-together appearance. The only downside is that the infotainment system can be a little hard to use. 

Infiniti

Infiniti offers a range of vehicles including coupes, sedans, and SUVs. The best part about this car maker’s offerings is that the vehicles are priced a lot lower than the competition, which means you can get your hands on a luxury vehicle, without spending a whole lot. 

Land Rover

Land Rover vehicles are renowned for their refined luxury, off-road prowess, and technology. But, they don’t have the best predicted reliability ratings. 

There are dozens of new SUVs in the market that range in scope, space, and performance. But, if you’re not too sure about what features and spec you want in your vehicle, picking the right SUV can be challenging. That’s why we’ve reviewed multiple SUV brands, so you know which vehicle makers offer the best-quality SUVs. Read on. 

Hyundai

When it comes to SUVs, there’s no beating Hyundai. The company’s offerings have low prices combined with strong reliability and safety scores, a long list of standard and available features, and an excellent powertrain warranty. 

Buick

Off late, Buick has turned its focus to midsize and small crossovers, and the Encore GX is a crowd favorite. Although they’re not particularly sporty, Buick’s models are spacious and stylish. 

Subaru

While Subaru’s SUV lineup may not be as broad as that of competitors, its offerings – the Crosstrek, Crosstrek Hybrid, Ascent, and Forester – hit all the important points. They’re equipped with the best in class safety features and all-wheel drive, while also delivering a comfortable ride quality. 

Toyota

Toyota has a diverse and broad lineup of SUVs and crossovers, including the very capable 4Runner, which is a favorite among the off-road crowd. We also like the midsize Highlander and the RAV4, which have a more well-rounded appeal. 

Mitsubish

Mitsubishi’s SUV line up includes the Outlander, Outlander Sport, and the Eclipse Cross. While the brand’s SUVs may not have the most interesting looks, they have a low base price and a pretty great warranty. If you are looking for an SUV at a bargain, it’s likely you’ll find Mitsubishi’s SUVs a good choice. 

Dodge

Dodge offers two midsize SUVs – the Durango and the Journey. Between the two, we prefer the Durango – it has a spacious interior, lots of family-friendly features, and an excellent powertrain. 

Jeep

Jeep pretty much only sells SUVs, except for the Gladiator pickup truck. All of its SUVs, including the affordable Renegade, are built off-road-ready, making them the perfect choice for hardcore adventure seekers. 

GMC

GMC offers three SUVs – the Yukon, Acadia, and Terrain. What we like about GMC’s SUVs is that they tend to be loaded with useful features and have user-friendly infotainment systems. 

Unsure of which brand of vehicle to purchase because all the options in the market seem so good? Unless you know what spec and features to look for, shopping for a new vehicle can get difficult, especially given that some brands are better than others. Here’s a list of the top vehicle brands this year. 

Fiat

Fiat’s current lineup includes the 500L wagon which is based on a discontinued subcompact hatchback and the 124 Spider roadster, a sports car. The 124 Spider offers impressive performance, while the wagon has a stylish look. 

Nissan

Nissan offers a range of cars that include affordable and high-end options, meaning there’s something for everyone. 

Subaru

Subaru has a great lineup of cars, and the best among these is the Outback wagon, which has been fully redesigned for this year. If you want comfort, practicality, and the best safety features in a car, check out Subaru’s offerings. 

Mini

The Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper Clubman, two of Mini’s offerings, are extremely fun and stylish cars. If you like the look of these cars, you should certainly consider getting yourself a Mini. 

Dodge

Dodge offers two cars – the Charger and Challenger. Both have excellent driving dynamics and offer brilliant performance. 

Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s lineup of cars is made up of the GTI hatchback, Golf Hatchback, Jetta sedan, and the midsize Passant. Most VW cars offer great acceleration, user-friendly tech, and upscale looks. 

Toyota

Toyota has more vehicles in its lineup than any other auto manufacturer right now. This means there’s a good chance you’ll find a car that suits your needs with Toyota. 

Kia

Kia does well in pretty much any car segment it enters, so you can’t really go wrong with a Kia car. Well known for producing cars that are value-packed and performance-oriented, it’s a good idea to check out Kia’s offerings. 

Ford

Ford, today, offers mostly only SUVs. The only cars that are part of its lineup are the Fusion sedan and the Mustang muscle car. While the sedan does okay, what we’re really impressed with is the Mustang, 

Honda

Honda’s cars are at the top of the ranking in almost every segment they enter, and for good reason. The car manufacturer offers some standout models that make this brand worth a try. 

Mazda

Mazda may have a small lineup of cars, but make no mistake, they offer the best performance and great value. 

Ram

If you’re looking to buy a pickup truck or van, Ram’s vehicles may be the perfect choice for you. 

Chrysler

This auto manufacturer only has three cars on sale, but the brand is well-appreciated thanks to its classic designs, refined interiors, and comfort features.

For a while, SUVs have been the go-to choice for most car buyers. After all, they offer more cargo room, an elevated seating position, and look great. However, if you primarily drive within the city, a sedan may be a more practical option. Here, we look at how the two types of vehicles compare.

Performance

Sedans, being a lot lighter and more aerodynamic, can help you weave in and out through traffic on city streets. They’re also easier to park, compared to SUVs. Many new sedans also come with all-wheel drive, making them easier to drive in inclement weather as well.

Many SUVs, today, have a car-like foundation, making them easier to handle compared to models from a few years back. That said, they have a higher center of gravity which could make handling a little tricky for new drivers.

Cargo Room

Sedans have a trunk, and this is especially useful if you want to keep your valuables in your car safely locked away. Some sedans like the Ford Fusion and Chevy Malibu offer more trunk space.

However, you really can’t beat an SUV when it comes to cargo room. Also, many models also come with foldable or removable rear seats, which can help increase the amount of cargo storage space. What’s more, SUVs can also tow large loads.

Safety

Sedans are a lot easier to maneuver, compared to SUVs, thus, helping you swerve quickly to avoid an accident.

But, the sheer size of an SUV helps it come out of an accident in better condition. Also, the elevated seating position can help you avoid accidents since it gives you a better view of the road and the other vehicles around you.

Price

The smaller the car, the cheaper it is to build. Given this, sedans are offered at a much more affordable price point. They’re also cheaper to insure.

In comparison, SUVs are a lot more expensive to buy and insure. And, although they have become more fuel-efficient over the years, they still can’t match the gas mileage of sedans.

Comfort

Sedans are comfortable. However, if you have many co-passengers, the drive can start to feel a little cramped.

SUVs, in comparison, offer a lot more legroom, making it a more comfortable option. Most SUVs can also comfortably fit four or more co-passengers easily.

While both cars have their pros and cons, you’ll need to assess your requirements and budget and make a decision accordingly.

If you aren’t too sure of the type of car you should buy, you should begin by asking yourself certain basic questions. The objective of doing this is to find a car that will suit your needs the most.

How Many People Do You Travel With?

Most sedans and hatchbacks can hold 5 people. However, the center-rear position is quite uncomfortable to sit in for long periods of time – so, this is something you’ll want to consider and, maybe, even try out during the test drive. If you usually have more than 5 co-passengers, you could get a three-row SUV or a minivan. Some SUVs give you the option of folding or removing the rear seat to increase the cargo space, so you may want to consider this option as well.

Do You Want To Drive A Manual Or Automatic Car?

Car manufacturers have increasingly started to manufacture new cars with only manual transmissions. However, many automatic cars also come with a manual-shift mode, which essentially works like manual transmission (without the clutch). If you drive in hilly areas and rough terrains often, the manual-shift mode will come in handy since it will give you more control.

What Do You Primarily Need Your Car For?

Taking a look at what exactly you need your car for will help you choose the right type of vehicle. For instance, say you need a practical car to commute to work. In such a case, you may want to buy yourself a compact hatchback. If you are a driving enthusiast who enjoys driving, you’ll want to get a car that offers great handling. If you want a sporty car that’s perfect for off-roading adventures, buy an SUV.

Fuel Economy Or Power?

Most cars are available with different transmission and engine combinations. The more powerful a car is, the less fuel-efficient it is likely to be and vice versa. Smaller cars are usually fitted with four-cylinder engines that are fuel-efficient but lack the smoothness and power of a V6. Hybrids and diesels are also good options if you are looking for fuel-efficient cars.

In addition to the factors mentioned above, make sure to also take your budget into account. Don’t spend more than what you can afford on a car – remember that a car is not an investment. It will only depreciate in value over time.

While you may not be able to avoid taking out an auto loan to buy a car, there’s no reason for you to pay a high rate of interest. Here, we share some tips that can help you cut the cost of your loan, which can, in turn, help you save money.

Get Your Credit Score Up

Most lenders base the terms of your loan on your credit score. If you have an excellent credit score, it’s quite easy to get an extremely competitive interest rate. However, if you have poor credit, your lender will likely raise the interest rate to offset the risk they will be taking on. So, make sure to check your credit score and credit reports and work on improving your score. The easiest way to do this is by looking for errors on your credit reports and disputing these errors.

Research Your Options

Although your dealership may provide you a quote, it’s best to check if you can get an auto loan for cheaper from elsewhere. To get the best deal, check the terms and interest rates of loans offered by traditional brick-and-mortar banks, credit unions, and online banks. It’s likely that you’ll be able to find a loan at a good rate by shopping around.

Buy A More Affordable Car

If the loan payments are still coming up to a lot, the best thing you can do is get a more affordable car. The fact is that you don’t want to buy a car that you can barely afford to pay off. Just in case there is a change in your financial situation in the future, you still want to be able to afford your car payments. So, if you were only looking at luxury cars, you may want to consider buying a mid-range car instead.

Refinance

If you already have an auto loan and your financial situation has improved considerably over time, you could refinance to a loan with better terms. If you do this, ensure that you pick a loan that not only has a lower interest rate but also a lower lifetime interest charge. In addition to helping you save money on interest, you can also pay off your loan faster when you refinance your loan.

Don’t Borrow A Small Amount

If your loan amount is rather small, consider just saving up for the car rather than taking out a loan. Since banks charge higher interest rates for small loans, you’ll end up saving a lot of money by just paying for it upfront.

If you’ve never owned a car before but plan on getting one soon, you may be wondering whether you need auto insurance at the time of buying the car. In most states across the U.S., car buyers are mandatorily required to have at least a minimum amount of coverage to be able to drive the newly-purchased vehicle off the dealership’s lot. But how do you apply for insurance if you don’t have a car yet? Read on to know!

When Is Auto Insurance Required To Buy A Car?

You need auto insurance to be able to drive your car back to your home after buying it. Regardless of whether the car is bought on loan or with cash, you are still required to have auto insurance.

How To Buy Insurance Without A Car

Even before you buy a car, you can get quotes from insurance providers. All you’ll need to do is provide some basic information about the vehicle that you wish to purchase. If you’ve already selected the vehicle that you intend to purchase, you can ask the dealership for the VIN, after which you can purchase your auto insurance policy. Make sure that the date on which the policy coverage starts coincides with the date on which you intend to bring the car home.

Is It Legal To Drive A New Car Without Insurance?

Most states require you to have insurance before you drive a new car. Keep in mind you could get into a lot of trouble for driving without insurance even if you get into an accident right outside the dealership. Even if your state does not require you to have auto insurance, you will still be held financially responsible for the accident if it was your fault.

Not buying insurance will also create a gap in your insurance history, which could make auto insurance companies consider you a more significant risk. This, in turn, will cause your premium to rise.

How To Buy Auto Insurance

If you are looking to buy an auto insurance policy, follow the steps mentioned below:

• Gather details of your vehicle
• Assess how much coverage you require
• Research companies that offer auto insurance policies
• Compare the coverage benefits, pricing, and reviews of these companies
• Contact at least 3 companies for their auto insurance quotes
• Proceed with the company that offers the best coverage at a competitive rate

Buying auto insurance is a relatively easy procedure. It’s researching different policies and comparing rates that take time. So, assess your coverage needs and buy a suitable policy before you get your car.

Buying a pre-owned car can help you save a lot of money. However, unless you do your research, you could end up regretting your purchase. While getting the right used car can sometimes seem like a gamble, here’s a checklist of things that you can go over to ensure you buy the right car. 

• Research Your Options: Before you start contacting car owners or visiting dealerships, it’s important to do a little groundwork. You can start doing this by understanding what type of car you need. For instance, if you need a car to commute to work on a daily basis, you may want to consider buying a hatchback, which is compact and perfect for city driving conditions. On the other hand, if you go off-roading quite often, you may want to buy an SUV instead. Also, make sure to check the basic maintenance costs, features and options, aging price points, and the type of problems that are likely to occur in the type of car you intend to purchase, 
• Inspect the Car: Once you’ve done your research, you can contact dealerships or private car owners, and then go check out the car. When you go to see the vehicle, check the exterior for dents, uneven panels, condition of the tire tread, light function, etc. The interior should also not have any offensive smells, moisture damage, overly worn upholstery, etc. You should also check whether all the switches and controls inside the car are working properly. Check under the hood for any leakages too. 
• Take the Car on a Test Drive: This is the most important aspect of your inspection. Your test drive should ideally last at least 20 minutes, if not more, so you get a feel of the car’s handling. Look out for any unusual sounds, check if the car accelerates smoothly, and make sure the brakes are performing well. Doing this will give you a good idea of how the car has been used and maintained by the previous owner. 

After the test drive, it’s best to get the car inspected by a professional mechanic. Also, get the vehicle history report. It’s also best that you check whether the seller has the registration and title of the vehicle in hand.