Luxury vehicles are a small yet indicative sales group, as the list of bestselling luxury cars of 2016 shows. When luxury car sales are strong, it typically indicates the automotive industry is doing well. And for 2016, it’s mostly an upswing.
It’s the premium brands that we speak of here. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Audi – even Acura. The members of this list take vehicle ownership beyond just transportation. They’re about getting there in style and enjoying the ride. Here are the top 10 bestselling luxury cars of 2016.
Big changes happened in the top 3, and the result is a new champion. The Lexus RX rose mightily to take the title from the BMW 3-Series in 2016. The sexy looks are the first draw to the Lexus RX but by no means the least. Ravishing performance come from the 3.5-liter V-6 and Active Torque Control AWD. Or, choose the stellar Lexus RX hybrid for quiet, ultra-efficient transportation.
Copious amounts of elegance are found inside along with technologies beyond expectation. Mark Levinson Audio, Heads-Up Display, and a wide-screen multimedia center are all draws to the Lexus RX. In fact, it drew in 109,435 purchasers in 2016, up 8.8 percent from 2015.
The more traditional approach to luxury cars is still in firm grasp by Mercedes-Benz. The C-Class sedan offers a whole range of luxury models, from entry level to AMG packages. And in their approach, you’ll find an economical hybrid to a 503-horsepower pavement killer.
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Perhaps the classiest automaker in the mainstream lineup, Mercedes equips the C-Class well even at the lower end. Available Heads-Up Display, 4MATIC all-wheel drive, and AIRMATIC air ride suspension can adorn your luxury sedan, enhancing your experience to new heights. 77,167 new C-Class cars were bought in 2016, down 10 percent from 2015, yet claiming second place from the tumbling 3-Series Bimmers.
For more than 40 years, the 3-Series has been a presence in the luxury segment. Yet, in 2016, it slid significantly in standings. That’s possibly because BMW hasn’t done much to hold their ground. The 3-Series is a fantastic car, to be sure, but why buy a 3-Series when you could have a C-Class or a Lexus?
Between the Sedan, Sport Wagon and Gran Turismo models, the 3-Series sold 70,458 units in 2016. It’s 25.5 percent fewer sales than the year before, a massive tumble.
A luxury sedan at a competitive price – that’s what you’ll find in the Lexus ES. Yet what never seems to be missing in the Lexus camp is performance, despite the price tag. The ES comes with either a 268-hp V-6, rushing to 60 miles per hour in 7.1 seconds, or a frighteningly efficient hybrid powertrain.
Toyota-inspired reliability with high-end finishing touches. Spectacular leather appointments and subtle changes in color palettes, an interior layout that soothes the eyes. The Lexus ES should be on your short list. In 2016, 58,299 people found it at the top of their list, down 10 percent from the previous year.
If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, you’ve found it. The Acura MDX has everything you’d want in a premium SUV – attitude, driving enjoyment, quiet ride, and all the bells and whistles you’d find in SUVs that cost tens of thousands more. 290 horsepower, a steadfast Super Handling All Wheel Drive system, AcuraWatch technology – more than you’d expect.
While it’s a great buy, Acura isn’t synonymous with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Lexus…yet. Fewer choices make a difference, like the lack of high-performance powertrains. Still, 55,495 Acura MDX SUVs hit the street in 2016, a solid fifth-place finish.
A remarkable entry in the crossover segment manages sixth place on the sales list for luxury vehicles. Once again, Lexus finds a spot with the Lexus NX. There’s no subtlety in the front appearance – it’s all Lexus. Sharp and domineering, the hourglass grille, and curves that go for miles.
Inside, you’ll find innovations that excite. The Remote Touchpad feels like your smartphone, and Lexus Enform is just one of the systems it controls. The accelerator pedal is also an interior feature, controlling the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that makes it so much fun to drive. 54,884 Lexus NX vehicles hit the road in 2016, edging ever so close to a top-five position.
Let’s call it the bargain SUV on the list. The Acura RDX is much like its big brother, the MDX, in equipment but in a smaller package. 279-horsepower in its sole V-6 engine option, is okay, but pairs well with SH-AWD. And while it’s still incredibly nice and refined inside, the RDX is a bit on the bland side.
The Acura RDX has several safety systems and driver assists like available Adaptive Cruise Control and Agile Handling Assist. The RDX appeals to the driving aficionado who likes a few extras, not the true luxury vehicle buyer. In 2016, Acura RDX sales were up 2.7 percent, finishing the year at 52,361.
When you need an SUV but don’t want to give up the classiness of the luxury segment, the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class should be where you turn. You’ll get a touch more sport than you expect, especially if you choose the AMG GLE SUV. The interior is sleek and straight-lined with wood-grain accents on the dash, steering wheel and console. It’s warm yet refined, from first glance to that moment you don’t want to leave the driver’s seat.
Choose the 302-horsepower GLE350, the 436-horsepower GLE55e hybrid, or the 577-horsepower AMG GLE63 S. You’ll be completely satisfied with it, as were the 51,791 others who bought them in 2016. That’s down a menial 2.7 percent from 2015.
Although very Mercedes-like, the E-Class is very different from the C-Class sedans. It interior is a touch more refined and warm, appealing to the loftier clientele. Curves are embraced more so than other Benz vehicles. And technologies – stand back, we’ve got this.
A panoramic 12.3-inch screen, steering wheel control pads, COMAND navigation, AIR BODY CONTROL and a slew of pre-collision systems. The E-Class is masterful in all aspects. 50,896 E-Class cars were sold in 2016, from the E350 through E63 AMG.
Despite the woes from parent company, VW, the Audi Q5 managed to maintain sales in 2016. It keeps its top-10 position based on merits it earns as a premium vehicle. It’s not the most powerful – just 272 hp in the available supercharged 3-liter, yet screams performance when you drop the hammer. It isn’t the most luxurious, but has features where it counts. Walnut accents grace its interior along with a Bang and Olufsen audio system. And it heats everything you want – your seat, your washer nozzles, and mirrors. It’s also one of the few to still use headlight washers. Cute.
For 2016, the Audi Q5 keeps itself on the top-10 list by selling 49,550 units, down 4.7 percent from 2015.
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