10 Affordable Luxury Cars That Are Loaded With Tech Features


Looking for a taste of luxury without breaking the bank? These premium rides pack cutting-edge tech, sleek interiors, and upscale vibes—all for less than you’d expect.

In today’s market, you don’t have to spend six figures to enjoy high-end features like digital cockpits, semi-autonomous driving, or concert-quality audio. Automakers are bringing luxury-level tech to more affordable models, blending style, comfort, and innovation in surprisingly attainable ways.

Whether you’re navigating the daily commute or cruising on the open road, these cars elevate the experience with intuitive infotainment systems, refined materials, and smart driver-assistance tools. If you want the perks of a luxury car without the luxury price tag, you’re sure to find something to meet your needs on this list.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources. The models below have been ranked based on a balance of tech features, luxury feel, value, and overall appeal in the affordable luxury segment.

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10

2025 Cadillac CT5

Why It Stands Out: American Luxury With Modern Tech and Muscle

Front 3/4 shot of a red 2025 Cadillac CT5 with the sun setting in the background.
Cadillac

The Cadillac CT5 offers American luxury with bold styling, roomy interiors, and strong performance at an appealing price point. It has a unique presence among German and Japanese rivals.

CT5 Performance Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4

Transmission

10-speed automatic

Horsepower

237 hp

Torque

258 lb-ft

Driveline

RWD / AWD

0-60 MPH

6.6 seconds

Top Speed

141 mph

Starting MSRP

$47,595

(Data was collected from Cadillac)

Tech options include the advanced Super Cruise hands-free driving system, a 10-inch touchscreen, and a digital gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with a suite of safety features.

Tech Highlights

  • Super Cruise
  • Large touchscreen
  • Wireless smartphone integration

Reason For Ranking

Bold and roomy with some neat tech like Super Cruise (on higher trims), but overall cabin materials and infotainment lag slightly behind others here.

9

2025 Mercedes-Benz CLA

Why It Stands Out: Sleek Styling With Premium Tech Baked In

Front 3/4 shot of a white 2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA driving on a country road.
Mercedes-Benz

The CLA blends coupe-like styling with Mercedes luxury and a tech-heavy cabin, all in a compact package. It feels far more premium than its entry-level designation suggests.

CLA 250 Performance Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4

Transmission

7-speed automatic

Horsepower

221 hp

Torque

258 lb-ft

Driveline

FWD / AWD

0-60 MPH

6.2 seconds (AWD)

Top Speed

130 mph

Starting MSRP

$44,400

(Data was collected from Mercedes-Benz)

MBUX infotainment includes “Hey Mercedes” voice control, natural language navigation, and dual digital displays. Augmented reality directions and adaptive driver assist tech give it high-end flair.

Tech Highlights

  • MBUX infotainment with voice assistant
  • Augmented Reality (AR) navigation
  • Advanced driver assistance

Reason For Ranking

Premium feel and beautiful interface, but slightly less engaging to drive and more style-focused than feature-packed at this price point.

8

2025 Lexus ES Hybrid

Why It Stands Out: Sporty Dynamics With High-Tech Elegance

Front 3/4 action shot of a 2025 Lexus ES 300h
Lexus

Front 3/4 action shot of a 2025 Lexus ES 300h

The Lexus ES 300h is a smooth, serene hybrid luxury sedan that excels in comfort and efficiency. It’s a great long-distance cruiser with legendary Lexus reliability.

ES 300h Performance Specifications

Engine

2.5-liter 4-cylinder + electric motor

Transmission

CVT automatic

Horsepower

215 hp

Torque

163 lb-ft

Driveline

FWD

0-60 MPH

8.1 seconds

Top Speed

112 mph

Starting MSRP

$44,615

(Data was collected from Lexus)

Its spacious cabin includes a large touchscreen, available head-up display, and a high-end Mark Levinson sound system. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 comes standard, adding features like adaptive cruise and proactive driving assist.

Tech Highlights

  • 12.3-inch touchscreen
  • Mark Levinson audio
  • Head-up display
  • Full Lexus Safety System+

Reason For Ranking

Ultra-reliable and smooth, with high-end comfort and sound, but a bit more conservative on the cutting-edge tech front.

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7

2025 Audi A3

Why It Stands Out: Entry-Level Audi That Doesn’t Feel Entry-Level

Front 3/4 shot of a 2025 Audi A3 driving on a country road.
Audi

The A3 is Audi’s gateway to the luxury world, offering signature design, nimble handling, and a plush interior in a compact footprint. It feels more mature and upscale than its size suggests.

A3 Performance Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission

7-speed automatic

Horsepower

201 hp

Torque

236 lb-ft

Driveline

AWD

0-60 MPH

6.0 seconds

Top Speed

130 mph

Starting MSRP

$38,200

(Data was collected from Audi)

Tech highlights include the virtual cockpit digital gauge cluster, a user-friendly touchscreen interface, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Driver-assist tech like lane departure warning and adaptive cruise are also available.

Tech Highlights

  • Audi virtual cockpit
  • MMI touch display
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay
  • Advanced driver-assist features

Reason For Ranking

Slick, refined, and tech-forward in a compact package; offers a great gateway into the luxury scene without cutting corners.

6

2025 Acura TLX

Why It Stands Out: Sporty Handling With a Tech-Rich Cabin

Front 3/4 view of a 2023 Acura TLX Type S on a racetrack.
Acura

The TLX blends sharp driving dynamics with a bold exterior design, channeling Acura’s sporty heritage. Inside, you get a driver-focused cockpit that feels both luxurious and tech-savvy.

TLX Technology Performance Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission

10-speed automatic

Horsepower

272 hp

Torque

280 lb-ft

Driveline

FWD

0-60 MPH

6.0 seconds

Top Speed

130 mph

Starting MSRP

$45,400

(Data was collected from Acura)

It boasts a 10.2” HD display controlled via touchpad, plus the premium ELS Studio 3D audio system. AcuraWatch adds lane keeping, adaptive cruise, and collision mitigation as standard.

Tech Highlights

  • 10.2-inch infotainment
  • ELS Studio 3D audio
  • Adaptive dampers
  • AcuraWatch safety suite

Reason For Ranking

Tech-packed with strong driving character and great sound system, though the infotainment touchpad interface may be polarizing.

5

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6

Why It Stands Out: EV Luxury With Spaceship Vibes at a Not-So-Luxury Price

Front 3/4 action shot of a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6
Hyundai

Front 3/4 action shot of a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6

The Ioniq 6 is a sleek, futuristic electric sedan with a unique silhouette and impressive efficiency. It combines Hyundai’s EV expertise with a premium interior feel.

Ioniq 6 SEL Performance Specifications

Motor

Permanent-magnet synchronous motor + 77.4 kWh battery

Transmission

Single-speed automatic

Horsepower

225 hp

Torque

258 lb-ft

Driveline

RWD / AWD

Top Speed

126 mph

Range

291 miles

Charge Time

6 hours 55 minutes (AC level 2, standard 240V, up to 80%)

Starting MSRP

$45,600

(Data was collected from Hyundai)

Inside, dual 12.3-inch displays dominate the dash, while ambient lighting and high-end materials elevate the experience. Tech features include adaptive cruise, lane centering, and over-the-air updates for continual improvements.

Tech Highlights

  • Dual 12.3-inch displays
  • Ambient lighting
  • ADAS suite
  • Over-the-air updates

Reason For Ranking

A standout EV for the price, with futuristic tech and design, and one of the most advanced interiors in the segment.

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4

2025 Volvo S60

Why It Stands Out: Scandinavian Luxury + Cutting-Edge Safety + Google Tech

Front 3/4 shot of a 2019 Volvo S60 parked on tarmac next to a beach.
Volvo

The Volvo S60 stands out with Scandinavian design, plush materials, and an emphasis on safety and sustainability. It’s an elegant yet understated option in the luxury sedan world.

S60 B5 FWD Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission

8-speed automatic

Horsepower

247 hp

Torque

258 lb-ft

Driveline

FWD

0-60 MPH

6.4 seconds

Top Speed

114 mph

Starting MSRP

$43,795

(Data was collected from Volvo)

Built-in Google services (Maps, Assistant, Play Store) streamline infotainment, while Pilot Assist offers semi-autonomous driving. Volvo’s safety suite includes lane-keeping, blind spot monitoring, and cross-traffic alerts.

Tech Highlights

  • Google built-in (Maps, Assistant)
  • Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving
  • Harman Kardon audio

Reason For Ranking

Built-in Google services and Pilot Assist semi-autonomy make this a top-tier tech pick, wrapped in clean Scandinavian style.

3

2025 Genesis G70

Why It Stands Out: Stylish Design + Performance + Tech = Excellent Value

Front 3/4 shot of a blue 2025 Genesis G70 parked on gravel with a mountain in the background.
Genesis

The Genesis G70 delivers a refined, performance-oriented drive with a premium cabin and standout styling. It rivals European competitors while undercutting them on price, making it a strong value in the compact luxury space.

G70 2.5T RWD Performance Specifications

Engine

2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4

Transmission

8-speed automatic

Horsepower

300 hp

Torque

311 lb-ft

Driveline

RWD

0-60 MPH

5.9 seconds

Top Speed

155 mph

Starting MSRP

$42,500

(Data was collected from Genesis)

Tech-wise, it features a crisp 10.25-inch infotainment screen, an intuitive interface, and safety tech like adaptive cruise control and highway driving assist. The Lexicon audio system and available surround-view camera enhance the upscale experience.

Tech Highlights

  • 10.25-inch touchscreen
  • Lexicon premium audio
  • Wireless charging
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Highway driving assist

Reason For Ranking

Punches above its weight in luxury and performance, with impressive tech and high-end design at a lower price than competitors.

2

2025 BMW 330i

Why It Stands Out: Sporty Dynamics With High-Tech Elegance

Front 3/4 action shot of a 2025 BMW 330i
BMW

Front 3/4 action shot of a 2025 BMW 330i

The BMW 330i is the benchmark for sporty luxury sedans, offering precise handling and a balanced ride. It’s as fun to drive as it is comfortable.

330i Performance Specifications

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder

Transmission

8-speed automatic

Horsepower

255 hp

Torque

295 lb-ft

Driveline

RWD / AWD

0-60 MPH

5.6 seconds

Top Speed

130 mph

Starting MSRP

$45,950

(Data was collected from BMW)

BMW’s latest iDrive 8 system brings a sleek dual-screen setup, voice assistant, and wireless smartphone integration. Over-the-air updates and remote services keep it feeling modern.

Tech Highlights

  • iDrive 8
  • Curved dual-screen display
  • Digital assistant
  • Remote software upgrades

Reason For Ranking

Perfect mix of driving dynamics, interior tech, and refinement; iDrive 8 is one of the best infotainment systems in the game.

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1

2025 Tesla Model 3

Why It Stands Out: Futuristic Tech at a Relatively Low Price

Frotn 3/4 shot of a gray 2024 Tesla Model 3 driving on a wet country road.
Tesla

The Tesla Model 3 brings all-electric performance, minimalist design, and cutting-edge software to the luxury sedan world. It’s one of the most tech-forward vehicles on the road today.

Model 3 Long Range RWD Performance Specifications

Motor

Single electric motor + 78.1 kWh battery

Transmission

Single-speed automatic

Horsepower

315 hp (est.)

Torque

332 lb-ft (est.)

Driveline

RWD

0-60 MPH

4.9 seconds

Top Speed

125 mph

Range

363 miles

Charge Time

15 minutes (kW max., up to 195 miles)

Starting MSRP

$34,990 (after incentives)

(Data was collected from Tesla)

A massive center touchscreen controls nearly everything, from climate to navigation to media. With Autopilot, over-the-air software updates, and a robust EV range, it feels futuristic every time you drive it.

Tech Highlights

  • Massive 15.4-inch touchscreen
  • Autopilot
  • Over-the-air updates
  • Voice controls

Reason For Ranking

Leading-edge tech, minimalist design, regular software updates, and semi-autonomous features like Autopilot make it the most advanced overall.



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Recent Reviews


Summary

  • Sony & Hisense are pioneering RGB LED tech to rival OLED displays.
  • RGB LEDs improve color accuracy at wider angles and brightness without burn-in risk.
  • RGB LEDs reduce bloom and offer large panels at cheaper prices than OLEDs.

If you ask most AV enthusiasts what the best display technology is right now, they’d probably respond with some variant of OLED panel. However, one of the best TV makers in the world has decided that OLED is not the way forward, and instead brings us RGB LED technology.

In mid-March of 2025, Sony unveiled its RGB LED technology. It’s not the only company pushing this OLED alternative, with Hisense aiming to launch RGB mini- and micro-LED TVs in 2025. So why are these companies bucking the OLED trend?

Sony’s RGB Backlight Tech Explained

Just in case you need a refresher, the main difference between OLED and LCD panels is that OLEDs are emissive. In other words, each OLED pixel emits its own light. This means that it can switch itself off and offer perfect black levels, among a few other advantages. LCDs need a “backlight” and one of the primary ways LCDs have improved over the years has been about backlight innovations as much as improvements to the liquid crystals.

Early LCDs used a simple CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) backlight with an internal reflector to spread the light around. As you might imagine, this was awful, and I still remember the cold and hot spots on my first LCD monitor being so bad that I thought there was something wrong with it.

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Since then, LCDs have been upgraded with LED backlights, which were placed all around the edges of the screen, so that it was far more evenly lit. Then the backlights were also added directly behind the screen, which allowed for neat tricks like local dimming. Now miniLED screens put hundreds or thousands of LED lights behind the screen, allowing for very precise local dimming, which improved contrast and black levels immensely.

A diagram of a conventional LCD with a quantum dot layer.
SONY

However, so far all of these LED backlight solutions have used a white (or blue) LED source. RGB LEDs replace this white LED with an RGB LED that can be any color. This means that the LED behind a given set of pixels is being driven with the same color light as the pixel is meant to produce and removes the need for color filters.

A diagram of an RGB LED LCD.
SONY

If you take the LCD layer off completely, then an RGB miniLED backlight would look like a low-res version of the original image. With enough LEDs, the image is still recognizable!

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Better Color Accuracy at Wider Angles

The Sony display demoed by the company promises 99% of the DCI-P3 color spectrum, and 90% of the next-gen BT.2020 spectrum. Making these displays some of the most color-accurate screens money can buy. With fewer layers of stuff in the display stack, and much more pure color to boot, the image looks vibrant, accurate, and maintains its color purity from a wider set of angles.

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What Is Color Gamut?

Take this into account the next time you buy a monitor, TV, or printer.

More Brightness, No Burn In

The less stuff you have between the light source and the surface of the screen, the brighter the image can be. Hisense’s RGB LED TVs are slated for 2025 promise a peak brightness of 10,000 nits! That is way beyond the brightest OLED panels, even LG’s tandem OLED that was demonstrated in January 2025, which maxes out at 4,000 nits.

While LCDs can have image retention, they are far, far less prone to it than OLEDs, and the brighter you run an OLED, the greater the chances of permanent image retention or “burn-in”. So RGB LEDs will absolutely smoke OLEDs when it comes to brightness, with virtually none of the risk.

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Two OLEDs are better than one.

A Lack of Bloom To Rival OLEDs

One of the big issues with LED LCDs, even the latest miniLEDs, is “bloom”. This is when light from the backlight in the bright part of an image spills over into the dark parts. Even on LCDs with thousands of dimming zones, you can see this when there’s something very bright next to something very dark.

Blooming on LED TV
LG

For example, my iPad Pro has a mini-LED screen, and if the brightness is turned up you can see bloom around white text on a black background, such as with subtitles or the end-credits of a movie. In content, you’d see this with laser blasts in space, or a big spotlight in the night sky.

RGB LEDs significantly reduce bloom thanks to the precise control of the brightness and color of each RGB backlight element. So you get contrast levels closer to that of an OLED, but you still get the brightness and color purity advantages.

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Cheaper Large Panels

Perhaps the biggest deal of all is price. While I expect Sony’s Bravia 10s to have a price that will make your eyes water even more than the nits rating, the fact is that RGB LED tech will be cheaper than OLEDs, especially as you scale up to larger panel sizes. While the price of smaller OLEDs (e.g. 55-inches or smaller) has come down significantly, making bigger OLEDs is hard, and when you get to around 100-inches prices go practically vertical.

So don’t be surprised if TVs larger than 100 inches are dominated by RBG LED technology in the future, because getting 90% of what OLED offers at a much lower price will likely be too hard to resist.

OLED Still Has Tricks up Its Sleeve

Dell 32 PLus 4K QD-OLED monitor sitting on a table playing a video.
Justin Duino / How-To Geek

With all that said, it’s not like OLED technology will stand still or is in major trouble. OLED’s perfect black levels, lack of bloom, and contrast levels are still better and will likely always be better. So those who are absolute sticklers for those elements of image quality will still buy them. Manufacturers are working on the issue of burn in and making it less of a problem with each new generation of screen.

lg b4

LG B4 OLED

$1000 $1700 Save
$700

OLED still has faster pixel response rates too, and lower latency (under the right circumstances), so gamers are also another audience who’ll likely want OLED technology to stick around. QD-OLEDs are upping the game when it comes to color vibrancy and gamut as well.


Ultimately, having different display technologies duke it out for supremacy is good for you and me, because it means better TVs and monitors at lower prices.



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