Used luxury sedans with price figures that don’t reach $40,000 provide value for money, at least if you know where to look. Don’t do your homework on the subject and you could wind up spending more than you thought on a clunker. But if you know what you’re getting yourself into, used versions of models like the 2018 Infiniti Q70, 2018 Mercedes E-Class, and 2018 Audi A7 can be yours at prices that suit your budget and financial well-being. There are nine cars on this list, each offering qualities that make them good choices. Some models have posh interiors; some have massive cargo spaces. Then there are those that have power and those that have edge-of-your-seat driving dynamics. All that matters is you know what you want, and you’re prepared to spend on it.

2018 Cadillac XTS

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2018 Cadillac XTS

$28,000

20

17

26


The 2018 Cadillac XTS is a solid choice for a used luxury sedan under $40,000. It has a spacious interior, large cargo space, and a powerful engine lineup. The sedan has 18 cubic-feet of cargo space, and that space doesn’t shrink just because it's used. You also won’t be lacking in power with the XTS; it has a V-6 engine that produces 304 horsepower. The XTS has an average fuel economy rating of 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, but it’s also one of the few luxury sedans that don’t require premium gas. and the difference in price between a brand new model and a used model ($28,000) is significant enough that buying the latter is almost a bargain by comparison.

Read our full review on the 2018 Cadillac XTS.

2018 Infiniti Q70

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2018 Infiniti Q70

$29,000

21

18

25


The 2018 Infiniti Q70 is a fun car to drive. It has a 3.6-liter V-6 engine that produces a punchy 330 horsepower. Handling is smooth provided you know what you’re doing behind the wheel. It also has a spacious interior and 14.9 cubic-feet of cargo space that sits just above segment standards. That’s a good checklist to have for a used car, but the 2018 Q70 also has a few things going against it. Tech features, for instance, are outdated. Fuel economy rating is average at 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, a notch down compared to the Genesis G70 and the Lexus IS.

Read our full driven review on the 2018 Infiniti Q70.

2017 Genesis G80

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2017 Genesis G80

$30,000

22

18

28


The 2018 Genesis G80 is one of the newest models on this list. The luxury sedan debuted in 2016 as a 2017 model so, unlike some of the cars on this list, it still has that new car smell going for it. The G80 isn’t just a new car by stature, though. It also has one of the most luxurious interiors in its segment. Leather upholstery and heated front seats, for example, come standard on the G80. Cargo capacity — 15.3 cubic-feet — is above average for its size, though the rear seats don’t fold, making it more difficult to carry long items. The G80’s power output starts at 311 horsepower, which is down compared to the Infiniti Q70. The Genesis does have a slight advantage in fuel economy — 18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway — but not by much. But if you’re looking for a used, albeit fresh luxury sedan, you can do a lot worse than the Genesis G80.

Read our full review on the 2017 Genesis G80.

2018 Lexus IS

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2018 Lexus IS

$33,000

26

22

32


If you’re looking for a used compact luxury sedan with dashing good looks, the 2018 Lexus IS is one of the best ones you’ll find. The sedan’s eye-catching appearance is complemented by its energetic handling. The numbers aren’t going to wow you. The base IS 300 only produces 241 horsepower from a four-cylinder engine. It also has just 10.8 cubic-feet of cargo space, which is one of the lowest in its segment. Fuel ratings are above average at 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway, but more luxury sedans offer higher returns. Numbers paint a good picture of a car’s capabilities, but they don’t make up the whole puzzle. For all of the shortcomings of the Lexus IS, it’s still one of the most engaging cars to drive, and its ride quality is up there with the best sedans in its segment.

Read our full review on the 2018 Lexus IS.

2016 Maserati Ghibli

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2016 Maserati Ghibli

$35,000

19

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24


In a segment dominated by Japanese and German automakers, the Maserati Ghibli is one of the few Italian stalwarts in its class. As expected with all things that come from Italy, the Ghibli’s style and flair are two of its most prominent features. Outside of the Lexus IS, the Ghibli has one of the most striking designs among luxury sedans in its class. It also has a potent 3.0-liter V-6 base engine that produces 345 horsepower. The Ghibli also provides a composed ride. You’ll find the S and S Q4 versions to be more dynamic, but you’ll have to pay more for them, too. As intriguing as the Ghibli is, it also has a few shortcomings. The interior, for example, doesn’t do justice to its Italian roots. You can opt for exterior packages, but when you’re a buying a used model, you take what you can get. With a used car price amounting to $35,000, you’re going to need to really want the Ghibli to buy it.

Read our full review on the 2016 Maserati Ghibli.

2016 Jaguar XJ

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2016 Jaguar XJ

$37,000

21

18

27


Living up to its name, the 2016 Jaguar XJ is a nimble cat. The sedan’s base 340-horsepower, supercharged, V-6 engine and athletic suspension combine to give you one of the best rides you’ll find in its segment. The XJ’s interior is also top-shelf, a byproduct of Jag’s improving ability to come up with luxurious cabins. Interior space is a different story, though. As big as the XJ looks, it doesn’t have as spacious as a cabin as some similarly sized sedans in its class. It also has just 15.2 cubic-feet of cargo space. It’s decent for its size, but you’re going to want to look elsewhere if you’re looking for more. The sedan’s fuel economy rating of 18 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway also falls short compared to other sedans, specifically the German trio we’re about to talk about. At an average price of $37,000, it’s may be too steep for some, especially when you consider that it’s a two-year-old model.

Read our full review on the 2016 Jaguar XJ.

2018 Mercedes E-Class

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2018 Mercedes E-Class

$39,000

25

22

30


The 2018 Mercedes E-Class is one of the highest-rated luxury sedans in the business. Its combination of defined looks, refined interior, and impressive power and performance capabilities makes it an easy choice if you’re in the market for a used luxury sedan. Cabin space isn’t an issue for the E-Class. The front seats are spectacular as far as comfort goes, and the rear seats have enough room for most adult passengers. The base E-Class only returns 241 horsepower from a four-cylinder, but the variety of engine options available to the Mercedes means that you have more options to choose from. With all of the things it has to offer, arguably the most important element of the 2018 E-Class is the number of features and technologies it comes with. The E-Class returns 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Those numbers are actually impressive for its segment, but it falls short compared to the two rivals that really matter: the BMW 5 Series and the Audi S7.

Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes E-Class.

2017 BMW 5 Series

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2017 BMW 5 Series

$39,500

27

24

34


Run down a list of the things you want from a luxury sedan, and there’s a good chance that the BMW 5 Series checks them all off. The 5 Series has been in our lives since 1972, and it continues to remain one of BMW’s most popular models. That’s not an accident. The 5 Series is one of the most rounded models in the business, regardless of class or segment. The 2017 model is a good example of that. It has a diverse engine lineup, versatile and agile handling, a comfortable ride, a large trunk, and lots of available high-tech features. The base 530i comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 248 horsepower. It’s not much compared to other models on this list, but if it’s more power you’re looking for, the 540i has a turbocharged six-cylinder with 335 horsepower on tap. Regardless of the engine size, there’s very little that goes wrong inside the 2017 5 Series. Space isn’t an issue as the 5er has enough room to fit five adult people. It also has 18.7 cubic-feet of trunk space, which happens to be one of the largest in its class. Fuel economy? Not a problem. The 5 Series returns 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, better than the Mercedes E-Class and right on par with the Audi A6. A used 5 Series can set you back close to $40,000, which is right around the price of brand new 2019 models from other automakers.

Read our full review on the 2017 BMW 5 Series

2016 Audi A7

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2016 Audi A7

$36,000

30

25

38


The 2016 Audi A7 is a lot like its Mercedes-Benz and BMW counterparts. The sedan’s trademark Audi styling exudes class and confidence. The interior is a cocoon of luxury, and with 24.5 cubic-feet of cargo space, the A7 has one of the largest cargo areas in its segment. It even beats the E-Class and 5 Series in the base engine department, thanks in large part to a 3.0-liter, supercharged, V-6 that produces 333 horsepower. The A7 also has one of the best fuel economy ratings in its class, returning 25 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. But the A7’s best quality is, without question, its ride. It’s light on the wheel, and it can show off its aggressive side the moment you sink your feet on the pedals. You’re not going to get it wrong if you’re going to pick the Audi A7 as your used car purchase in this segment. Just prepare to spend on it because as tremendous as the A7 is on multiple levels, it also comes with a steep price tag — $36,000 — for a used car.

Read our full review on the 2016 Audi A7.

Which Used Luxury Sedan is Best for You?

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2018 Cadillac XTS

$28,000

20

17

26


|2018 Infiniti Q70|$29,000|21|18|25|

|2017 Genesis G80|$30,000|22|18|28|

|2018 Lexus IS|$33,000|26|22|32|

|2016 Maserati Ghibli|$35,000|19|17|24|

|2016 Jaguar XJ|$37,000|21|18|27|

|2018 Mercedes E-Class|$39,000|25|22|30|

|2017 BMW 5 Series|$39,500|27|24|34|

|2016 Audi A7|$36,000|30|25|38|

You can’t go wrong with any of the choices above. Sometimes, it really just boils down to preference. But if you want a used luxury sedan that hits all the right spots and doesn’t cost a fortune to buy, your best bet is the Audi A7. It doesn’t come without its faults, sure, but if you want to maximize your spending money on an attention-grabbing luxury sedan with features galore and performance capabilities that can simultaneously make you relax and jump out of your seats in excitement, there’s no better sedan on this list than the A7.