30 Cars Worth Splurging On
See some of the best luxury sedans and more entry-level buys.
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From athletes and actors to lawyers and bankers, it seems that as soon as people make big bucks, one of the first things they do is go out and buy an awesome car. There’s a reason for that — awesome cars are, well, awesome. Above-average cars require above-average means, but anyone who has some cash to burn will find no shortage of options when seeking automotive greatness.
Some people splurge on high-end rides because they’re fast, others because they’re luxurious, others because they’re powerful, others because they’re high-tech, others because they’re status symbols — or all of the above.
GOBankingRates created a list of 30 pricey cars that are worth the cash for anyone who has the means. The list was compiled by looking at roundups of the best 2020 and 2021 car models from trusted car experts like Motor Trend. To be considered a splurge, the MSRP had to be above the average price for a new car as determined by Kelly Blue Book in May 2020, which is $38,940. GOBankingRates then found the mpg for all cars fitting that criterion and ranked them in ascending order from the lowest MSRP to the highest.
Only one costs less than $40,000 and only four start at under $50,000. Not only do these cars cost a lot to buy — they’re also expensive to drive. Every single gas-burning vehicle on the list has a fuel economy lower than 28 mpg.
These costly gas guzzlers aren’t scored because there’s such a broad range of vehicles, one can’t really be compared to another. They’re all, however, among the coolest, fastest, best-looking, and most luxurious cars on the road.
1. 2020 Lexus ES
- Starting MSRP: $39,900
- City mpg: 22
- Highway mpg: 33
- Combined mpg: 27.5
2. Audi A5
- Starting MSRP: $42,900
- City mpg: 24
- Highway mpg: 32
- Combined mpg: 28
3. Lincoln Continental
- Starting MSRP: $46,305
- City mpg: 17
- Highway mpg: 26
- Combined mpg: 21.5
4. Genesis G80
- Starting MSRP: $47,700
- City mpg: 18
- Highway mpg: 26
- Combined mpg: 22
Also See: The Rarest Supercars in the World
5. Lexus GS 350
- Starting MSRP: $51,065
- City mpg: 20
- Highway mpg: 28
- Combined mpg: 24
6. Volvo S90
- Starting MSRP: $51,195
- City mpg: 21
- Highway mpg: 31
- Combined mpg: 26
7. BMW 5-Series
- Starting MSRP: $53,900
- City mpg: 25
- Highway mpg: 33
- Combined mpg: 29
8. Mercedes-Benz E 350
- Starting MSRP: $54,050
- City mpg: 20
- Highway mpg: 28
- Combined mpg: 24
Read: 2021 Cars and Trucks That Are Worth Saving Up for Next Year
9. Acura RLX
- Starting MSRP: $54,900
- City mpg: 20
- Highway mpg: 29
- Combined mpg: 24.5
10. Audi A6
- Starting MSRP: $54,900
- City mpg: 22
- Highway mpg: 29
- Combined mpg: 25.5
11. Chevrolet Corvette
- Starting MSRP: $58,900
- City mpg: 16
- Highway mpg: 25
- Combined mpg: 20.5
Check Out: 30 Surprising Cars That Lose Value Fast
12. Porsche 718 Boxster
- Starting MSRP: $59,600
- City mpg: 16
- Highway mpg: 23
- Combined mpg: 19.5
13. Kia K900
- Starting MSRP: $59,900
- City mpg: 18
- Highway mpg: 25
- Combined mpg: 21.5
14. Audi A7
- Starting MSRP: $69,000
- City mpg: 22
- Highway mpg: 29
- Combined mpg: 25.5
15. BMW M4
- Starting MSRP: $69,150
- City mpg: 17
- Highway mpg: 25
- Combined mpg: 21
16. Tesla Model S
- Starting MSRP: $69,490
- City mpg equivalent: 101
- Highway mpg equivalent: 102
- Combined mpg equivalent: 101.5
Don’t Miss: 35 American Cars To Buy When the Auto Industry Is Back
17. Jaguar I-Pace
- Starting MSRP: $69,850
- City mpg equivalent: 80
- Highway mpg equivalent: 72
- Combined mpg equivalent: 76
18. Mercedes-Benz CLS 450
- Starting MSRP: $69,950
- City mpg: 24
- Highway mpg: 31
- Combined mpg: 27.5
19. Lexus LS 500
- Starting MSRP: $75,450
- City mpg: 19
- Highway mpg: 30
- Combined mpg: 24.5
See: 25 Ways the Coronavirus Has Upended the Auto Industry Across the Globe
20. Audi A8
- Starting MSRP: $85,200
- City mpg: 17
- Highway mpg: 26
- Combined mpg: 21.5
21. BMW 7-Series
- Starting MSRP: $86,800
- City mpg: 22
- Highway mpg: 29
- Combined mpg: 25.5
22. Porsche Panamera
- Starting MSRP: $87,200
- City mpg: 19
- Highway mpg: 27
- Combined mpg: 23
23. BMW 8-Series
- Starting MSRP: $87,900
- City mpg: 18
- Highway mpg: 25
- Combined mpg: 21.5
24. Lexus LC
- Starting MSRP: $92,950
- City mpg: 16
- Highway mpg: 25
- Combined mpg: 20.5
25. Mercedes-Benz S 450
- Starting MSRP: $94,250
- City mpg: 19
- Highway mpg: 28
- Combined mpg: 23.5
26. Porsche 911 Carrera
- Starting MSRP: $99,200
- City mpg: 18
- Highway mpg: 24
- Combined mpg: 21
Beware: Don’t Get Suckered Into Paying For These 25 Useless Things at Car Dealerships
27. Porsche Taycan 4S
- Starting MSRP: $103,800
- City mpg: N/A
- Highway mpg: N/A
- Combined mpg equivalent: 225-mile range
28. Maserati Quattroporte
- Starting MSRP: $104,199
- City mpg: 17
- Highway mpg: 24
- Combined mpg: 20.5
29. Audi R8
- Starting MSRP: $169,900
- City mpg: 13
- Highway mpg: 20
- Combined mpg: 16.5
30. Mercedes-Benz AMG S63
- Starting MSRP: $171,400
- City mpg: 17
- Highway mpg: 27
- Combined mpg: 22
More From GOBankingRates
- 18 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Your Credit Cards More
- Here’s How Much Cash You Need Stashed If an Emergency Happens
- 31 Hidden Ways You’re Bleeding Money Every Month
- 21 Smartest Ways To Invest Your Money Right Now
Methodology: To find the cars that are worth splurging on, GOBankingRates referenced U.S. News and World Report’s “Future Cars: The Best New Cars Arriving by 2021” and “Best Car Rankings for 2020,” as well as Motor Trend’s “Future Cars: 2021 and Beyond” roundups. Then, GOBankingRates used individual manufacturer websites for each model to provide their predicted starting MSRP. GOBankingRates used U.S. News & World Report and Edmunds.com to collect fuel efficiency data for each model. To be considered a “splurge” the starting MSRP had to come in above the Kelley Blue Book May 2020 average for a new car purchase. All data were collected on and up to date as of June 23, 2020.
About the Author
Andrew Lisa
Andrew Lisa has been writing professionally since 2001. An award-winning writer, Andrew was formerly one of the youngest nationally distributed columnists for the largest newspaper syndicate in the country, the Gannett News Service. He worked as the business section editor for amNewYork, the most widely distributed newspaper in Manhattan, and worked as a copy editor for TheStreet.com, a financial publication in the heart of Wall Street’s investment community in New York City.
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From athletes and actors to lawyers and bankers, it seems that as soon as people make big bucks, one of the first things they do is go out and buy an awesome car. There’s a reason for that — awesome cars are, well, awesome. Above-average cars require above-average means, but anyone who has some cash to burn will find no shortage of options when seeking automotive greatness.
Some people splurge on high-end rides because they’re fast, others because they’re luxurious, others because they’re powerful, others because they’re high-tech, others because they’re status symbols — or all of the above.
GOBankingRates created a list of 30 pricey cars that are worth the cash for anyone who has the means. The list was compiled by looking at roundups of the best 2020 and 2021 car models from trusted car experts like Motor Trend. To be considered a splurge, the MSRP had to be above the average price for a new car as determined by Kelly Blue Book in May 2020, which is $38,940. GOBankingRates then found the mpg for all cars fitting that criterion and ranked them in ascending order from the lowest MSRP to the highest.
Only one costs less than $40,000 and only four start at under $50,000. Not only do these cars cost a lot to buy — they’re also expensive to drive. Every single gas-burning vehicle on the list has a fuel economy lower than 28 mpg.
These costly gas guzzlers aren’t scored because there’s such a broad range of vehicles, one can’t really be compared to another. They’re all, however, among the coolest, fastest, best-looking, and most luxurious cars on the road.
1. 2020 Lexus ES
- Starting MSRP: $39,900
- City mpg: 22
- Highway mpg: 33
- Combined mpg: 27.5
2. Audi A5
- Starting MSRP: $42,900
- City mpg: 24
- Highway mpg: 32
- Combined mpg: 28
3. Lincoln Continental
- Starting MSRP: $46,305
- City mpg: 17
- Highway mpg: 26
- Combined mpg: 21.5
4. Genesis G80
- Starting MSRP: $47,700
- City mpg: 18
- Highway mpg: 26
- Combined mpg: 22
Also See: The Rarest Supercars in the World
5. Lexus GS 350
- Starting MSRP: $51,065
- City mpg: 20
- Highway mpg: 28
- Combined mpg: 24
6. Volvo S90
- Starting MSRP: $51,195
- City mpg: 21
- Highway mpg: 31
- Combined mpg: 26
7. BMW 5-Series
- Starting MSRP: $53,900
- City mpg: 25
- Highway mpg: 33
- Combined mpg: 29
8. Mercedes-Benz E 350
- Starting MSRP: $54,050
- City mpg: 20
- Highway mpg: 28
- Combined mpg: 24
Read: 2021 Cars and Trucks That Are Worth Saving Up for Next Year
9. Acura RLX
- Starting MSRP: $54,900
- City mpg: 20
- Highway mpg: 29
- Combined mpg: 24.5
10. Audi A6
- Starting MSRP: $54,900
- City mpg: 22
- Highway mpg: 29
- Combined mpg: 25.5
11. Chevrolet Corvette
- Starting MSRP: $58,900
- City mpg: 16
- Highway mpg: 25
- Combined mpg: 20.5
Check Out: 30 Surprising Cars That Lose Value Fast
12. Porsche 718 Boxster
- Starting MSRP: $59,600
- City mpg: 16
- Highway mpg: 23
- Combined mpg: 19.5
13. Kia K900
- Starting MSRP: $59,900
- City mpg: 18
- Highway mpg: 25
- Combined mpg: 21.5
14. Audi A7
- Starting MSRP: $69,000
- City mpg: 22
- Highway mpg: 29
- Combined mpg: 25.5
15. BMW M4
- Starting MSRP: $69,150
- City mpg: 17
- Highway mpg: 25
- Combined mpg: 21
16. Tesla Model S
- Starting MSRP: $69,490
- City mpg equivalent: 101
- Highway mpg equivalent: 102
- Combined mpg equivalent: 101.5
Don’t Miss: 35 American Cars To Buy When the Auto Industry Is Back
17. Jaguar I-Pace
- Starting MSRP: $69,850
- City mpg equivalent: 80
- Highway mpg equivalent: 72
- Combined mpg equivalent: 76
18. Mercedes-Benz CLS 450
- Starting MSRP: $69,950
- City mpg: 24
- Highway mpg: 31
- Combined mpg: 27.5
19. Lexus LS 500
- Starting MSRP: $75,450
- City mpg: 19
- Highway mpg: 30
- Combined mpg: 24.5
See: 25 Ways the Coronavirus Has Upended the Auto Industry Across the Globe
20. Audi A8
- Starting MSRP: $85,200
- City mpg: 17
- Highway mpg: 26
- Combined mpg: 21.5
21. BMW 7-Series
- Starting MSRP: $86,800
- City mpg: 22
- Highway mpg: 29
- Combined mpg: 25.5
22. Porsche Panamera
- Starting MSRP: $87,200
- City mpg: 19
- Highway mpg: 27
- Combined mpg: 23
23. BMW 8-Series
- Starting MSRP: $87,900
- City mpg: 18
- Highway mpg: 25
- Combined mpg: 21.5
24. Lexus LC
- Starting MSRP: $92,950
- City mpg: 16
- Highway mpg: 25
- Combined mpg: 20.5
25. Mercedes-Benz S 450
- Starting MSRP: $94,250
- City mpg: 19
- Highway mpg: 28
- Combined mpg: 23.5
26. Porsche 911 Carrera
- Starting MSRP: $99,200
- City mpg: 18
- Highway mpg: 24
- Combined mpg: 21
Beware: Don’t Get Suckered Into Paying For These 25 Useless Things at Car Dealerships
27. Porsche Taycan 4S
- Starting MSRP: $103,800
- City mpg: N/A
- Highway mpg: N/A
- Combined mpg equivalent: 225-mile range
28. Maserati Quattroporte
- Starting MSRP: $104,199
- City mpg: 17
- Highway mpg: 24
- Combined mpg: 20.5
29. Audi R8
- Starting MSRP: $169,900
- City mpg: 13
- Highway mpg: 20
- Combined mpg: 16.5
30. Mercedes-Benz AMG S63
- Starting MSRP: $171,400
- City mpg: 17
- Highway mpg: 27
- Combined mpg: 22
More From GOBankingRates
- 18 Reasons Why You Should Be Using Your Credit Cards More
- Here’s How Much Cash You Need Stashed If an Emergency Happens
- 31 Hidden Ways You’re Bleeding Money Every Month
- 21 Smartest Ways To Invest Your Money Right Now
Methodology: To find the cars that are worth splurging on, GOBankingRates referenced U.S. News and World Report’s “Future Cars: The Best New Cars Arriving by 2021” and “Best Car Rankings for 2020,” as well as Motor Trend’s “Future Cars: 2021 and Beyond” roundups. Then, GOBankingRates used individual manufacturer websites for each model to provide their predicted starting MSRP. GOBankingRates used U.S. News & World Report and Edmunds.com to collect fuel efficiency data for each model. To be considered a “splurge” the starting MSRP had to come in above the Kelley Blue Book May 2020 average for a new car purchase. All data were collected on and up to date as of June 23, 2020.
About the Author
Andrew Lisa
Andrew Lisa has been writing professionally since 2001. An award-winning writer, Andrew was formerly one of the youngest nationally distributed columnists for the largest newspaper syndicate in the country, the Gannett News Service. He worked as the business section editor for amNewYork, the most widely distributed newspaper in Manhattan, and worked as a copy editor for TheStreet.com, a financial publication in the heart of Wall Street’s investment community in New York City.
