2026 Acura Integra Photo by Acura

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Just because many car shoppers can go to the premium side, it doesn’t mean they want to empty the bank account to do so. We’ve rounded up the least-expensive 2026 luxury cars, in various size segments. All are gasoline-powered, with some hybrids, but no full electrics or plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) made the grade.

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We’re using the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), before delivery and other fees, and for the entry-level trim. If you see a different amount on the automaker’s website, that may be with some of those extra charges added in. Automakers tend to photograph their upper trims, so the picture may not exactly match our lowest-priced model. And if you are the type to prefer a luxury SUV to a car, we have a separate list of those for you to check out.

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2026 Audi A3

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Europeans are traditionally open to very-small and luxury-laden cars, but over here, many people tend to “buy by the pound” and want more size for their money, and subsequently our list of subcompacts is short. The Audi A3 uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which assists the gasoline engine but can’t drive on electricity alone. All-wheel drive (AWD), which Audi calls “Quattro,” is standard. If the A3’s 201 horsepower isn’t enough, the next steps up are the 328-hp S3; or the 394-hp RS 3 that starts at $78,250.

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Next in Line: While BMW’s 2 Series has traditionally been a two-door coupe, it’s also available as the four-door Gran Coupé (and don’t get us started on how many doors a coupe should have). Its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder makes 241 horsepower, and pricing starts at $49,900.

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2026 Acura Integra Photo by Acura

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Sharing its platform with the Honda Civic, the Integra gives you the A-Spec trim for that price. It and the next-step-up Elite A-Spec use a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder making 200 horsepower. The Integra Type S ramps that up to 320 hp with a turbo 2.0-litre, starting at $58,300. The A-Spec and Elite A-Spec use an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT), but a six-speed manual is optional in the Elite A-Spec and standard in the Type S. All Integra models are front-wheel drive (FWD).

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Next in Line: The Cadillac CT-4 comes next at $43,799, in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and with AWD available starting at $46,299. Next up is the Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan at $54,500, in RWD with AWD available, but it’s in this spot with a caveat. We said MSRP before delivery and we’re sticking to that, but Genesis sells its vehicles all-in with fees included. Its Genesis G70 is $56,000, and if you add Mercedes-Benz’s delivery and fees to the C300, it and the Genesis would switch price-places on our list.

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2026 Cadillac CT5

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The Cadillac CT5 comes in RWD, at our lowest-price listed; and in AWD, which takes it to $61,099, both with a 237-horsepower turbo-four. Trim levels are Premium Luxury or Sport, at the same price because they’re comparably equipped but with some features leaning more to luxury or a sportier feel. This sedan also comes as the CT5-V, with twin-turbo V6 making 360 horsepower; and the track-ready CT5-V Blackwing, with 668-hp turbocharged V8, and available with a six-speed manual starting at $111,599.

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Next in Line: The Lexus ES, in hybrid-only (and also as an all-electric), starts at $59,900. From there, it’s a sharp step up to the BMW 530i, at $73,900; the Genesis G80 with its all-in price of $74,500; and the Mercedes-Benz E350 at $75,550.

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2026 Audi A8

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Audi’s largest sedan, the A8, was redesigned into its fourth generation for 2019; and got a major refresh in 2022 that continues into this model year. Exactly what happens next is open to speculation, as it’s been discontinued in Germany; and while U.S. operations confirm one for the 2027 model year, it’s possible the new Audi Q9 may eventually take its place.

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In any case, our least-expensive full-size carries a turbocharged V6 engine making 335 horsepower, along with standard “Quattro” AWD. There’s also an S8 with turbocharged V8, good for 563 hp and a starting price of $156,900.

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Next in Line: With SUVs taking over the market, there aren’t a lot of full-size sedans still out there. The Genesis G90 is $118,000, all-in with delivery and fees. Next is the Mercedes-Benz S500 at $149,100; and the BMW 760i at $153,900.

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2026 BMW 230i xDrive Coupe

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We’re using “coupe” to define a car with two doors (as it should be), and since that’s a rare bird in our market, we’ve compared all of them on price, regardless of size, as we will with the convertibles, too. The BMW 230i seats four, although it’s really more of a 2+2; its turbo-four makes 255 horsepower, and the “xDrive” refers to AWD. It’s also available as the M240i xDrive Coupe, with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six good for 382 hp.

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2026 BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet Photo by BMW

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As with the coupes above, our only qualification here is that the roof goes down; and that it does on the BMW 430i xDrive Cabriolet, essentially a soft-roof version of the 430i four-seater coupe (the 2 Series doesn’t offer a convertible). It uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with mild-hybrid system and eight-speed automatic. Its higher-performing siblings are the 386-hp M440i xDrive Cabriolet; and the 523-hp M Competition Cabriolet, the latter starting at $116,500.

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Volvo V60 Cross Country Photo by Volvo

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The Volvo V60 Cross Country wins this two-horse race, which would have been three except the 2026 Volvo V90 was discontinued and down to whatever’s still in dealer inventories. The V60 Cross Country uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with self-charging mild-hybrid system, and with standard AWD. The wagon configuration provides 519 litres of cargo volume with the rear seats up.

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2026 Volvo V60 Cross Country

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