1996 Audi A3
Don’t be fooled by the premium badge. While the A3 has the Audi brand to back it, it’s nowhere near as expensive as many of its siblings. The cheaper price tag doesn’t make it any worse to drive, however, and it’s still an Audi any way you cut it, and that means you’ll look wealthy driving it.
2021 Mazda3
In production since 2003, the Mazda3 is one of Mazda’s most popular vehicles, a stylish four-door hatchback (that is also available as a sedan) with loads of features and plenty of upscale plush that will have you thinking you paid for a much more expensive car.
2021 Hyundai Elantra
Even older than the Mazda3 but no less enduring, the Elantra is one of Hyundai’s most acclaimed vehicles, mostly due to its sheer commitment to consistency and reliability. It also helps that every Elantra is pretty stylish, too, regardless of make or model year.
2022 Buick Envista
A newer model with the stately nature of a classic, the Envista is a subcompact crossover that replaced the Encore. It’s a smooth and refined daily driver that looks great and handles even better.
2013 Chevrolet Trax
Like the Envista, the Chevy Trax is a subcompact crossover, offering most of the utility and practicality of an SUV but in a smaller, easier-to-handle package. It’s extremely comfortable whether you’re a passenger or a driver, and has fantastic, classy appeal.
2019 Toyota Avalon
Taking a break from subcompacts for a moment, the Toyota Avalon has been in production since 1994. Its incredible longevity can probably be attributed to its excellent driving dynamics, not to mention its surprisingly classy aesthetics. For a Toyota, this one may as well be a BMW.
2024 Toyota Crown
Speaking of Toyota, the Crown is probably one of the longest running nameplates on this list, having been in use since 1955, over half a century ago. However, it’s the recent models that truly shine, with fantastic aesthetics that not only make you look wealthy, but feel it too.
2025 Lexus UX 300h
From one of the oldest nameplates to one of the most recent, the Lexus UX 300h is part of Toyota’s luxury division, but it’s still far cheaper than many other “premium” vehicles, without sacrificing on class and appeal.
2014 Buick Envision
Another Buick model, the Envision has been in production since 2014, though it’s a far less common sight than some other vehicles on this list due to its being primarily marketed in China. Still, it’s got plenty of style, and looks far more expensive than it actually is.
2019 Cadillac CT4
Like our previous entry, you shouldn’t let the Cadillac badge deter you from giving this stunning vehicle some consideration. It may cost a bit more than some of the others on this list, but it’s still mostly affordable, and if looking wealthy matters to you, the CT4 will meet your needs and then some.
2017 Volvo XC40
Say what you will about our Scandinavian friends over at Volvo, they really know how to make a good-looking vehicle. Like their sedans and other small cars, the Volvo XC40 features clean lines and a quality interior, all of which give it luxury appeal without requiring a luxury price tag.
2013 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Mercedes-Benz is pretty much synonymous with supreme luxury, but you’d be surprised at just how affordable the GLA actually is. It’s not the cheapest car, sure, but it is a very luxurious one that looks far more expensive than it really is (and will make you seem rich as a result).
2014 BMW 2 Series
Again, don’t be dissuaded or deterred by the brand name attached to this vehicle. The 2 Series is a much more affordable range of cars compared to the others in BMMW’s catalog, but still holds plenty of luxury appeal.
2024 Toyota Prius
Now for a really cheap car. The Prius name is a bit of a joke at this point due to how ubiquitous it is - after all, it’s the best-selling hybrid in the world. Recent models have also seen some major improvements in terms of style, making them seem far more expensive than they really are.
2012 Jaguar XJ
Hold the phone, we hear you say: aren’t Jaguars normally expensive? The answer is yes, but only if you’re buying them new. A used Jaguar XJ will still have its luxury appeal but at a vastly reduced price, making you seem far wealthier than you may actually be.
2002 Land Rover Range Rover L322
Similarly to Jag and some of the other bands featured here (it can’t only be the economy ones, you know), Land Rovers are typically fairly pricey, but older models - like the L322 - can normally be found for much cheaper while still maintaining their luxurious, wealthy status.
2020 Toyota Corolla
The Toyota brand is never going to achieve the prestige of names like Mercedes-Benz or BMW (even with their own luxury division), but that doesn’t mean their cars need to look cheap. In fact, many Corolla models post-2020 look incredibly upscale.
2022 Honda Civic
Like the Prius, the Civic name usually induces exasperated sighs - you can’t go anywhere without seeing at least one of these. Despite their prevalence, many recent Civic models look far more well-endowed than their humble origins could have ever predicted.
2020 Nissan Sentra
The eighth generation of one of Nissan’s most popular nameplates, the 2020 Sentra is a truly fabulous vehicle, easily one of the best looking ones on this list despite its “lack” of prestige. Then again, Nissan is known to push boundaries all the time, so it’s hardly surprising.
2020 Hyundai Sonata
The sixth-generation of the popular Sonata line came with a much-needed, universally embraced redesign that sharpened its aesthetics and made the brand seem much more prestigious as a result.
2020 Kia Forte GT-Line
The Forte was already a good-looking vehicle despite its very reasonable asking price, but the GT-Line took its aesthetic appeal even further, and made the nameplate something drivers could be truly proud of.
2019 Chevrolet Malibu
One of Chevy’s older nameplates experienced a terrific revival, with the 2019 Malibu being the model that we think deserves the most praise. It’s an incredibly good-looking car and very reasonably priced to boot.
2018 Ford Fusion
It’s honestly sacrilege to have made it this far into our list without mentioning a single Ford model. The Fusion may come with a very modest price-tag, but it offers incredible value for your money and still manages to look great on top of it.
2021 Toyota Camry
The Camry may not look like anything to really write home about by itself, but the SE trim turns it into a vehicle that will have people thinking you’re a much richer person than you may be.
2021 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line
The Jetta name isn’t exactly synonymous with luxury, so you’ll likely be surprised at just how luxurious the R-Line actually is. It’s a stylish, reliable, and fuel-efficient city car that somehow still manages to stand out amongst its more expensive peers.
2018 Mazda 6
Unfortunately, the Mazda 6 was discontinued in 2021, apparently due to low sales, which is a crying shame because it was arguably one of the best value cars money could buy at the time, with plenty of style and features that felt luxurious and upscale.
2019 Kia Soul GT-Line
Like the Forte, the Kia Soul has a GT-Line of its own, an upgraded trim level that really dials in the unique aesthetics of the car rather than enhancing its overall performance capabilities. This one’s a little quirkier than some of the other models listed here, but by no means is it less luxurious as a result.
2018 Chevrolet Cruze Premier
The Cruze is a great vehicle on its own, but it’s the Premier trim that really takes it to the next level, with plenty of new and updated features as well as a plush, comfy interior.
2016 Scion TC
A more niche pick for those who want something different, the Scion tC is a hatchback coupe with minimalist sensibilities that give it a clean, classy appearance. It’s not the fanciest one on this list, but it holds up well given its age.
2022 Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is, admittedly, a bit of an oddball due to its unique shape and appearance, but what it offers - a wealth of great features, luxurious interior, and plenty of space - goes a long way to making it seem more expensive than what it actually is.
2018 Ford Fiesta Titanium
The Fiesta may not seem like much to write home about, but the vehicle’s premium Titanium trim is where all the cool stuff is. This version features a better engine, better features, better interior quality, better everything, and looks much more expensive than it really is.
2019 Toyota Yaris
Older Yaris models definitely would not have made this list, but those manufactured after 2019 - with their Mazda-based design - absolutely make the cut for how clean they are, and how premium they feel.
2022 Suzuki Swift
A small hatchback with tons of utility and visual charm, the Suzuki Swift isn’t available everywhere, so it’s going to turn heads regardless.
2021 Peugeot 308
Currently in its third generation, the Peugeot 308 closes off our list in style with its sleek appearance and bevy of features (not to mention the comfort levels of its interior).
Intro
When you imagine what luxury driving must be like, names like Toyota and Mazda probably don’t come up. Still, you’ll be surprised at just how luxurious some cheaper brands can get.