You don’t need to be super rich to enjoy a fancy car. You can actually discover great deals on luxurious cars like Tesla or Lexus without breaking the bank. Most of these fancy cars are made really well, so even though they lose value quickly, they don’t cost a lot to keep running. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the cheapest luxury cars to maintain so that you have an idea of what car offers great value, or are just money pits on wheels.
Top 8 Low Maintenance Luxury Cars
If you’re interested in luxury cars but hate the added costs that come with it, below are some luxury cars with cheap maintenance costs that will surprise you!
Acura MDX
The Acura MDX stands out as one of Acura’s top SUVs. While it might not be as fancy as some of its rivals, it boasts a cabin filled with advanced technology, a sleek and stylish appearance, and a surprisingly nimble chassis, which means it handles well.
What’s even better is that owning an Acura MDX won’t break the bank when it comes to luxury cars with low maintenance cost. In fact, it’s more affordable to maintain than most other luxury SUVs during the first ten years of ownership, costing around $9,820.
When it comes to reliability, the MDX earns a solid 4.0 out of 5.0 rating, making it the second-best choice among 14 premium midsize SUVs on Repairpal. Thanks to Honda’s strong foundation in engineering, major issues are rare, and when they do occur, they tend to be minor and fall within the typical maintenance schedule.
2022 Cadillac CT4
The 2022 Cadillac CT4 is a small and fancy car that took the place of the retired ATS. It’s not as big as the CT5, which is another Cadillac. The CT4 comes in three different versions, and the least expensive one, called the base luxury trim, starts at $34,395.
Most CT4s have a 2.7-liter turbocharged engine with four cylinders in a line. It’s a bit more powerful in the CT4-V Blackwing, which has a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V6 engine.
If you own a Cadillac CT4, you’ll spend around $9,161 on taking care of it and fixing it during the first ten years you have it. It’s one of the cheapest costs for luxury cars to maintain than what most fancy cars need, and it’s more than $3,000 less than what other Cadillacs usually cost to keep up. Plus, the CT4 is really good at handling curves and looks sharp, which helps it compete with cars from Europe that are in the same class.
Lexus RX 450h
The RX 450h is a newer version of the RX 400h, which was Lexus’ first fancy hybrid car back in 2006. They’ve made lots of improvements in this new model. It’s got plenty of space inside for passengers, delivers power really smoothly, and doesn’t use much gas, so it’s kind to your wallet. Even though there are now more hybrid cars to choose from, the RX 450h is still the best pick.
When it comes to reliability, this car gets a strong 4.0 out of 5 rating, making it the top choice among fancy midsize SUVs on RepairPal’s list. Over ten years, you’ll save a whopping $7,826 in maintenance costs, only having to spend $7,634 in total. That’s way less than what you’d normally pay to keep a fancy SUV running. Plus, it’s 19% less likely to need big repairs compared to other cars in its class.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is kind of like the Model 3, but it’s been transformed into a crossover by making it a little taller. This means you get all the good things from the Model 3, but with more room inside. This is great for Tesla because now they can attract more types of buyers. The car performs really well, and it can go a long way on a single battery charge, which is perfect if you’re new to electric cars.
Even though the Model Y has a high initial price, it’s actually really affordable to take care of. It’s expected to cost around $217 a year for maintenance, and over ten years, that adds up to about $4,732. This is way cheaper, about $10,728 less, than what you’d typically spend on keeping a luxury SUV running. The reason for this is that electric cars have fewer moving parts that can break, so they’re easier and cheaper to maintain.
Acura ILX
The Acura ILX is part of a group of fancy cars that are known for being affordable to take care of. It’s a small luxury car that starts at a low price of $28,395, which is less expensive than most other fancy cars from big brands.
When experts look at luxury compact cars, they rate the Acura ILX as the second-best out of 17. This might change how you think about the idea that cheap things are usually costly to fix. In fact, if you own an Acura ILX for ten years, the total cost of maintaining it will be around $7,104. That’s $4,600 less than what most other fancy sedans usually cost to keep up.
Tesla Model S
Tesla introduced the Model S in 2013, and since then, they’ve had plenty of time to make it better and better. Some people say that the Model S is what really made Tesla famous and important. Without it, we might not have as many electric cars as we do now. The Model S you can buy today is still a great electric car. It can go a long way on a single charge, up to 412 miles. Plus, they even have a super-fast version called the Tesla Model S Plaid with a crazy 1,020 horsepower.
Now, the starting price for a Model S is pretty high, but when you look at the costs over time, it’s actually not so bad. Over ten years, you’ll spend about $4,566 on maintaining it, which is way less than what most fancy sedans need. Plus, there’s a really low chance, only 8.64 percent, that it will need a major repair. Even the regular Long-Range version of the Model S is impressive when it comes to how efficient it is in the city, with a rating of 121 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe).
Lexus ES 350
Lexus, which is Toyota’s fancy brand, makes really great cars that work really well and last a long time. One of the cool things about Lexus cars is that they’re not too hard or expensive to fix. You can find the parts easily, and the mechanics don’t charge too much.
The 2023 Lexus ES 350 is a good example. It’s ranked 5th out of 10 in a list of fancy midsize cars by U.S. News & World Report, which means it’s considered reliable. According to Car Edge, taking care of this car for 10 years should cost you around $5,488.
When a company called J.D. Power checks how likely a car is to need repairs, they gave the Lexus ES 350 a score of 84. It means you won’t have to visit the mechanic too often. This is kind of like a tradition for Lexus cars, as they are known for being well-made and reliable.
Lexus IS 350
The 2023 Lexus IS 350 is a compact luxury sedan that stands out because it looks really cool and fancy inside. It’s a strong competitor in its class. This newer model is even better at handling, and it rides smoothly and comfortably, even on rough roads. Plus, you get more cool stuff for your money compared to similar cars from Germany. But what’s really impressive is that this car is very reliable, which means it’s a good deal.
J.D. Power, which rates cars, gives the Lexus IS 350 an overall rating of 86 percent, and that’s quite good. It means the car is solid and dependable. When it comes to maintaining this car over the first ten years you own it, it’ll cost you around $5,680, so it’s no surprise it’s one of the cheapest luxury cars to maintain. It’s way less than what most other fancy sedans need.
Which of the Luxury Cars with Low Maintenance Cost Do You Prefer?
If you’re dreaming of owning a luxury car without breaking the bank, these top eight cheapest luxury cars to maintain. These are your ticket to affordable elegance and worry-free driving! In addition, these vehicles offer the perfect blend of performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Don’t miss out on the chance to enjoy the luxury experience without the luxury price tag. Explore these options, make an informed choice, and start your journey towards affordable luxury on the road today!