Best Luxury Cars
Luxe life
For buyers wanting a little more shine and pizzazz from their cars, these Drive Car of the Year categories look at the best the luxury world has to offer.
For many, a car is much more than a mode of transport. It can be a statement, a reward, even a goal.
For buyers looking at something more luxurious, there are four Drive Car of the Year 2024 categories for cars that seek to deliver just a little 'more' for buyers.
From an executive sedan, to technology-centric SUVs and an aspirational off-roader, these are the best luxury cars of 2024.
Drive Car Of The Year
| Model | Category | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2023 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C200 1.5L Sedan RWD Best Luxury Car under $100K | Best Luxury Car under $100K | View  View details | |
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| Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class GLC300 2.0L SUV 4WD Best Luxury SUV under $150K | Best Luxury SUV under $150K | View View details | |
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 | Land Rover Defender 2023 Land Rover Defender 110 D300 X-Dynamic SE 3.0L Diesel SUV 4XD Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150K | Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150K | View View details | |
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 | BMW iX 2023 BMW iX xDrive40 SUV 4WD Best Luxury Electric Vehicle under $150K | Best Luxury Electric Vehicle under $150K | View View details | |
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Best Luxury Car under $100K
In this category, judges focused on cars that delivered a premium approach to technology and features to enhance the driving experience for buyers.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
1 / 3Unsurprisingly, the reigning luxury car champion from 2023 has backed up that win with another triumph in 2024.
Against undeniably high quality, high-tech, fully electric competition, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class lays down a marker as the most competent luxury car under $100,000.
Read more about why the Mercedes-Benz C-Class won
Finalist: Polestar 2
2 / 3Polestar’s shift to EV-only has led to the release of quality cars that have found immediate favour with Australian buyers. Across the range, Polestar 2 delivers a strong blend of quality, standard features, cabin design and execution, driving response and comfort.
Read more about the Polestar 2
Finalist: Tesla Model 3
3 / 3There’s no doubt that the Tesla Model 3 is a standard-setting electric vehicle. The question facing the DCOTY judges this year though, in this category specifically, was whether it is not just an excellent electric vehicle, but whether it is a genuine luxury vehicle.
Read more about the Tesla Model 3
Explore our Best Luxury Cars under $100K in our new car showroom
Best Luxury SUV under $150K
Buyers wanting a mix of performance, practicality and prestige in a well-rounded package were where judges focussed their assessment in this category.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Mercedes-Benz GLC
1 / 4Our judges were blown away last year when we awarded the then-new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but the new GLC has won even more convincingly over its peers and takes out the Drive Car of the Year Best Luxury SUV Under $150,000.
The model was issued with a new generation mid-way through the year which brought new styling (and associated technologies), a multitude of technology updates, and more space in just about every dimension.
Read more about why the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class won
Finalist: Jaguar F-Pace
2 / 4The Jaguar F-Pace might have lost its coveted title for 2024 but in no way does that diminish the accomplished SUV’s charm. In fact, it remains remarkably relevant even in 2024 despite its age.
Read more about the Jaguar F-Pace
Finalist: Kia EV9
3 / 4Having a Kia vie for the Best Luxury SUV Under $150,000 was on no Drive judges’ bingo card at the start of 2023, but here we are – and the Kia EV9 competed convincingly too.
Read more about the Kia EV9
Finalist: Porsche Cayenne
4 / 4Ever since its introduction 20 years ago, Porsche’s Cayenne has represented the best of the Sports Utility Vehicle – particularly the first part of that acronym.
Read more about the Porsche Cayenne
Explore our Best Luxury SUVs under $150K in our new car showroom
Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150K
In this category, judges again prioritised adventurous Australian families looking for no-nonsense capability in their vehicles, but here, buyers are also looking for that little bit 'more'. More equipment, more refinement, more technology, and ultimately, more luxury.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Land Rover Defender
1 / 3If you’ve got any doubts about whether the Land Rover Defender is the real deal, back-to-back segment wins at Drive Car of the Year should put your fears to bed.
Since debuting as a brand new model in 2020, the Land Rover Defender is nothing short of a technological off-road powerhouse. Going utterly against the grain of its ancestor, the current Land Rover Defender uses computer-controlled air suspension, active differentials and a sophisticated aluminium platform.
Read more about why the Land Rover Defender won
Finalist: Nissan Patrol Warrior
2 / 3The Warrior variant has improved the Patrol Ti’s baseline offering nicely. The updates to the suspension, tyres and exhaust play directly into the strengths of the Patrol platform.
Read more about the Nissan Patrol
Finalist: Toyota LandCruiser 300
3 / 3It’s been a staple of Australian four-wheel drivers and families since the 1980s, and Toyota’s flagship four-wheel drive wagon is more popular than ever in the current generation.
Read more about the Toyota LandCruiser
Explore our Best Luxury Off-Road SUV under $150K
Best Luxury Electric Vehicle under $150K
For buyers wanting the best of what electrification can bring in both the technology and luxury worlds, judges focussed on refinement and capability to select the best in this category.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: BMW iX
1 / 3BMW took its time entering the luxury electric SUV fray but when it did, it arrived with an imposing and undeniably luxurious large SUV.
The BMW iX has all the hallmarks needed to crown it the 2024 DCOTY Best Luxury EV Under $150,000. From its sumptuous yet cutting-edge cabin design, to its healthy performance and supple and comfortable ride, the iX truly epitomises what the judges are looking for in a luxury electric car.
Read more about why the BMW iX won
Finalist: BMW i4
2 / 3There’s plenty to like about the BMW i4, the German brand’s electric sedan that shares much of its DNA with BMW’s 4 Series Gran Coupe.
Read more about the BMW i4
Finalist: Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
3 / 3The Mercedes-Benz EQE range of electric vehicles has something for everyone. The EQE sedan mirrors the three-pointed star’s E-Class range of petrol-powered sedans while the EQE SUV is essentially an electric take on the brand’s GLE Class line-up of SUVs.
Read more about the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Explore our Best Luxury Electric Vehicles under $150K
