If you have about $20,000 to spend, many impressive used luxury cars are available. $20,000 is no insignificant amount of money, so we have built a list of only the best used luxury cars under $20,000. For the sake of variety, we have included makes and models from nearly all major luxury brands. Some models emphasize comfort and convenience; others prioritize performance and handling. We are sticking to sedans and coupes this time around, so you won’t find any SUVs on this list.
If you are curious to see which models made the cut, stick around as we break down the best used luxury cars under $20,000. Although some models have average prices above $20,000, we independently verified that examples exist for under $20,000. We emphasize that the associated prices are only averages and may not be a full representation of what is available in your local market. These are some of the best used luxury cars to buy.
2018 Volvo S60
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $13,500
The 2018 Volvo S60 is a small luxury sedan that offers solid performance, top-level safety, and great overall comfort. One of the safest luxury cars for sale. The standard 240-horsepower T5 model provides more than enough oomph for most, while the AWD 302-horsepower R-Design model is even quicker and can still be found under our price point.
The top-trim 362-horsepower Volvo S60 T6 Polestar model is an all-out sports car wearing a Swedish suit, but it is very rare and impossible to find for under $20,000. For the price, the 2018 Volvo S60 is a well-equipped and well-balanced luxury car that can easily meet the high expectations of luxury shoppers.
2018 Acura TLX
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $16,050
The 2018 Acura TLX is a luxury sedan that provides impressive comfort and style with a nice sporty edge. Even in its base 2.4-liter inline-four trim, the 2018 Acura TLX is lively thanks to the engine’s rev-happy character.
Stepping up to the more powerful, but more expensive, 3.5-liter J35 V-6 engine is still achievable within our price point. With 290 horsepower, the smooth V-6-powered 2018 Acura TLX feels like a luxury sedan worthy of rivaling its German counterparts. With good looks, a great driving experience, and two solid and reliable powertrains, it’s hard to go wrong with the 2018 Acura TLX.
2019 Genesis G70
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $18,400
If you want a Genesis but want to keep it as small and sporty as possible, your best option is the 2019 Genesis G70. This Korean luxury car has both the looks and performance to match any of its European counterparts, whether you opt for the base engine or the performance engine.
The 252-horsepower base engine provides more than enough grunt for the majority of drivers, while the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V-6 in the upper trims turns the Genesis G70 into a full-fledged sports sedan. In either configuration, the 2019 Genesis G70 provides an impressive blend of responsiveness and road compliance that is sure to please most luxury car shoppers.
2019 BMW 330i Sedan
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $19,400
The 2019 BMW 330i Sedan is the quintessential luxury sports sedan that combines strong performance with solid comfort. The BMW 3-Series has always been on the sportier side compared to most rivals in its segment, and this fact remains true with the 2019 BMW 330i.
You might think you need the BMW 340i‘s extra power, but those trims are much harder to find under $20,000. We think the 2019 BMW 330i Sedan feels plenty powerful as is, and a little tuning can go a long way for those who want a little more adventure without sacrificing any road comfort.
2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 4MATIC
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $19,950
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 4MATIC is a good-looking and versatile luxury car available in sedan, coupe, cabriolet, and wagon body styles. The sedan variant is the most affordable and practical of the bunch, with the rare wagon variant being the most exclusive and desirable, and as a result, the most expensive.
No matter which body style you may select from the 2018 E 400, you’ll appreciate the twin-turbo V-6‘s raw performance in this trim. The E 300 turbo-four is certainly adequate, but the twin-turbo V-6 in the E 400 feels more befitting of a vehicle of this quality. The 2018 Mercedes E 400 4MATIC is built for high-speed cruising in comfort and style, and few other luxury sedans do it better at this price point.
2018 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $21,500
The 2018 Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 is a smooth-sailing luxury car with the heart of a full-fledged sports car. Not only is the Red Sport 400 the hottest Infiniti Q50, but it’s also among the fastest luxury sedans available.
Though certainly athletic, the Red Sport 400 is by no means a canyon carver. Rather, the Red Sport 400 is built for comfort with high-quality, supple seats and an ergonomic arrangement that provides a real sense of luxury. For the price, it would be difficult to find a luxury sedan that offers the same amount of performance and luxury as the Red Sport 400.
2018 BMW 440i
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $21,500
The 2018 BMW 440i is one of BMW’s most versatile luxury cars, offered in coupe, Gran Coupe (four-door), and convertible body styles. If you have rear-seat passengers regularly, the Gran Coupe is the way to go. Across all body styles, the BMW 4-Series provides that long, swooping roofline that gives a stylish and sleek look.
Combining this seductive aesthetic with the best performance inline-six engine on the market makes the 2018 BMW 440i a truly special luxury car. For the real die-hard enthusiasts, the 2018 BMW 440i is one of the last performance luxury cars to offer a manual transmission. The idea of a BMW M4 sounds cool, but the BMW 440i will provide 90 percent of the real-world performance the M4 will offer you for a fraction of the price.
2022 Audi A4 Sedan
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $22,300
The 2022 Audi A4 Sedan provides a driving experience that feels smooth as butter, while offering excellent comfort within the cabin for all its passengers. Opting for the slightly more expensive 45 TFSI powertrain is 100-percent worth it because 261 horsepower in this compact and nimble body feels so good.
The interior looks and feels high-quality from the moment you step inside the cabin, despite its relatively understated design. With great standard features across the board, a rewarding driving experience, and solid ride quality, the 2022 Audi A4 Sedan is as good as it gets within the luxury car segment. If you spend your weekends off the beaten path more often than not, then the 2022 Audi A4 allroad may serve as the perfect compromise between commuting and trail-hunting.
2021 Lexus ES 300h
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $27,500
If your priorities for a luxury car are fuel efficiency and comfort, you won’t find a more suitable candidate than the 2021 Lexus ES 300h. As if the overall package couldn’t get any better, the Lexus ES Hybrid is also the most reliable luxury car of the last decade, and it’s not even close.
If you love the raw experience of driving fast, this is not the luxury car for you. What the 2021 Lexus ES 300h excels at is long road trips and effortlessly racking up endless highway mileage. The 2021 Lexus ES 300h boasts its impressive build quality by being dead quiet at highway speeds while offering exceptional MPG figures. If you want a low-maintenance and practical luxury sedan, the Lexus ES Hybrid is the undisputed dominant force in this category.
2020 Lexus GS 350 F Sport
KBB Fair Purchase Price: $30,400
If you still want top-tier reliability and practicality with just a little more sportiness out of your luxury car experience, the 2020 Lexus GS 350 F Sport is an underrated pick. The 3.5-liter V-6 may not be as thrilling as some other engines in this segment. However, its smooth character and adequate power still provide a worthwhile experience.
When equipped with the F Sport package, the Lexus GS 350 feels much more athletic than it looks from its stylish yet restrained exterior. The cabin is a joy to experience, built with high-end materials and ride quality that rivals any purely comfort-focused luxury car in its segment. As far as the overall package, the 2020 Lexus GS 350 F Sport feels like one of the most complete luxury cars at any price point with stellar reliability standards that will pay dividends over longer-term ownership periods.
Sources: OEMs, Kelley Blue Book, Facebook Marketplace
