The results are in! We've ranked this year's most surprisingly affordable luxury vehicles for older drivers by these categories: sedans, midsize sedans, CUVs, SUVs and compacts. Numerous features make luxury vehicles better suited for senior drivers -- we considered the presence of high-tech safety features such as rear back-up cameras, blind spot detection systems, and convex mirrors added to regular side mirrors. We also considered quiet cabins, ride quality, performance, and, perhaps most of all, comfort -- accentuated by features such as soft-touch leather upholstery -- while driving. Reliability is also vital, because the last thing older drivers want is to deal with costly repairs. Below we'll reveal our winners for each category of luxury vehicles along with the runners-up. Ready to see the best, most surprisingly affordable luxury vehicles for older drivers? The results are in, and the winners are...
Our favorite BMW in this price range is the new 2018 5 Series sedan, which is priced just a hair over at $52,650. You can find low-mileage pre-owned 2018 5 Series sedans for under $50k, so don't panic if you can't spend more than that. The stylish 5 Series gets 248 horsepower from its base-level 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. It's roomy and comfortable, but what most people love about the 5 Series lineup is its unmistakably European styling combined with breathtaking performance.
Just behind the Kia Stinger is the 2018 Audi A5, which older drivers will love for its classic styling, solid performance and amazingly comfortable front seats. Plus, the Audi A5 starts for a modest $42,600! Third is the BMW 2-Series, which features plenty of cargo room and a smooth ride along with excellent reliability. The BMW 2-Series is even more affordable with prices starting at just $34,950!
The 2018 Audi S4 earned second place in our rankings for the best sedans for seniors, followed by the new Genesis G80. Both sedans earned high marks for their performance, interior, and standard features, with the S4 winning the edge for its more spacious trunk and cabin. The S4 starts at $51,400 at its base, while the Genesis -- one of the market's most popular luxury sedans -- is a surprising $41,750!
The 2018 BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class are ranked on the heels of the Audi. The BMW stands out for its smooth, quiet ride along with its trademark comfort and convenience features, and its base price of $52,650 is affordable in this range. The Mercedes boasts an even better interior, but it's not quite as much fun to drive as the 5-Series although its pricing is similar at just $52,950.
We will release an updated version of the best luxury sedans for seniors later in 2018, allowing us to account for mid-year refreshes and the release of 2019 model-year vehicles.
The 2018 Audi Q7 ranked second to the SQ5 in our rankings for ample comfort and room combined with excellent agility and performance -- and it's priced just below $50,000, which is a great price for this caliber of vehicle! Third in the rankings is the Porsche Cayenne with a great mix of luxury combined with fun-to-drive performance and handling.
Have you seen the 2018 Kia Stinger sport compact? If not, it's time to pay attention, because the Stinger just earned our top spot in this category. The Stinger is a joy to drive, featuring a base turbocharged engine and a simple (but fun) infotainment system. It has a surprising amount of passenger and cargo room, despite being a luxury compact. Also, prices for this luxurious compact start at just $31,900! Seniors will also feel at peace with the vehicle's outstanding warranty, which is a halmark of the Kia brand.
Our pick for the best midsize sedan is the 2018 Audi A6. This spry sedan with classic European styling features a comfortable interior, wallet-friendly gas mileage, simple technology features and smooth handling. New for 2018 is a standard navigation system that can help seniors reach their destinations easier. It's available in all-wheel drive, too. Surprisingly, it's priced at just $49,700, making this German masterpiece a tough one to beat.
The 2018 Audi SQ5 crossover was ranked the best overall vehicle for senior drivers due to its plush, roomy interior, quiet ride, exceptional safety ratings and large array of driver-assistive technology. Prices for the SQ5 start at just $54,300, which is a tremendous value for a luxury crossover.
Our pick for the best luxury sedan is the full-size 2018 Volvo S90, which features a smooth ride, 23 mpg and a fantastic interior. The S90 is packed with safety features such as forward-collision and cross-traffic alerts as well as rear collision alerts. It also features electronic parking assistance, and it's priced at an affordable $48,100.
The 2018 Mercedes GLS-class SUV ranked second to the LX 570 in our rankings for high-end detail throughout, along with impressive power and a sleek, luxury interior. The GLS-class is followed by the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, which received a complete redesign for 2018 and offers respectable fuel economy, tons of cargo space, third-row seating and a plush, ultra-comfortable ride. The Navigator is the more expensive of the two, but at $72,555 it's still cheaper than rivals like the Cadillac Escalade!
The 2018 Lexus LX 570 SUV is our top pick for senior drivers. This two-row SUV features a "smart stop" accident-prevention system, rear parking sensors, four-wheel drive, an easily read digital analog display and more. Its 5.7-liter V8 engine produces 383 horsepower, and the SUV boasts a smooth, relatively quiet ride for an SUV of its size. For this one, you'll pay top dollar, but you won't find many SUVs with this blend of features, comfort and sheer performance.