Consumer Reports’ experts chose these models because they deliver the reliability, comfort, and performance expected from a luxury sedan
Should car buyers consider the 2019 Audi A6 (top left) or skip it in favor of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class?
By Jon Linkov
Luxury car advertisements focus on style, status, and aesthetics. However, buying the wrong used luxury model can lead to a frustrating ownership experience due to issues such as an uncomfortable ride, maddening controls, a cramped interior, and a fortune spent on excessive out-of-warranty repairs.
To help you pick the luxury car that meets your expectations and won’t leave you fuming, the auto experts at Consumer Reports put all of the models listed below through more than 50 evaluations when they were new, so we know how they perform.
Plus, we collect data from CR members in our Annual Auto Surveys so that we can tell you how many problems a model has had compared with the average problem rate for all vehicles of the same model year. This data-driven approach identifies which used luxury cars are the most consistent performers.
This allows us to present models that are popular in their category but aren’t good choices to buy. Then we present two alternatives:
• A better choice: Another vehicle that’s widely available and reliable and has better owner satisfaction ratings.
• An under-the-radar alternative: A reliable and satisfying model that didn’t sell as well—if you aren’t concerned with following the crowd.
The better choices and under-the-radar alternatives are vehicles recommended by Consumer Reports, meaning they scored well in our road tests when new, have good reliability, performed well in crash tests, and were available with key active safety features such as forward collision warning (FCW), automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW).
If you’re a CR member, this article and the list below are already available to you. If you haven’t signed up, click below and become a member to access the list and all our exclusive ratings and reviews for each vehicle we buy and test. Joining also gives you full access to exclusive ratings for the other products our experts evaluate in several categories, including electronics and home appliances.
Popular Compact Luxury Car to Avoid
See our ratings of compact luxury cars.
There’s no doubt that the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a great car to drive or be driven in. It scored near the top of the compact sports sedan segment when we tested the C300, which uses a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. We got 26 mpg overall, yet the car also ran from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 6.8 seconds. It’s comfortable, quiet, and agile, with overall excellence. But the C-Class’s Achilles’ heel is its reliability, which is well below average, according to CR members who own this vintage C-Class.
The Better Choice
The current 3 Series stands out for its improved fuel economy and sharper handling compared with the previous generation. Our AWD 330i xDrive’s turbo four-cylinder delivered a class-leading 29 mpg (on premium fuel) in our tests yet also zipped the car from 0-60 mph in just 6.3 seconds. The 3 Series has a tied-down, composed attitude that makes it a joy to steer through bends. It felt even more agile and lively when driven with vigor around our track, living up to its sports sedan heritage, with a playful yet controllable character. Ride comfort is worse, with a jittery feel and some large impacts punching through to the passengers. The cabin has solid-feeling buttons and knobs, high-quality materials, and attractive matte-finish wood, and our cars’ sport seats were firm, comfortable, and supportive. FCW and AEB were standard, but BSW and RCTW were optional.
The Under-the-Radar Alternative
The TLX is a sleek sedan that’s larger than the competition, although it isn’t any roomier inside. The standard 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine is paired with a 10-speed automatic, and together they feel energetic. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional. The ride is quite comfortable and handling is nimble, but the driving experience is underwhelming. Road and engine noise undermine the premium pretense. Drivers interact with the infotainment display via a touchpad that we found very distracting and unintuitive to use. While FCW and AEB were standard, both BSW and RCTW came as part of the optional Technology package. Reliability is above average for 2022.
Popular Midsized Luxury Car to Avoid
See our ratings of midsized luxury cars.
While this generation of the A6 performed well in our tests, the 2019 model is a great example of why you shouldn’t buy the first year of a redesigned model. Its well-below-average reliability puts Audi’s midsized sedan on our “skip” list, thanks to significant problems in the powertrain, build quality, and in-car electronics trouble spots, according to CR members who reported on their A6s. Even owner satisfaction has dropped, with CR members giving it a below-average score, primarily because of a very low score in the value category. In fact, it’s one of the lowest-scoring midsized luxury cars for satisfaction.
The redesigned-for-2017 E-Class delivers nimbler handling and better fuel economy than the previous generation. On the other hand, it dials back on ride comfort, interior room, and user-friendliness. The E300’s 241-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is paired with a nine-speed automatic. This combination works well, but it won’t set your heart on fire. Then again, we got a commendable 24 mpg overall. The car is quiet and handles with newfound agility. Though the ride is comfortable, it has lost some plushness. Inside, the dash features high-resolution displays, but the controls have grown more complicated. Even adjusting the seat’s lumbar support is a multistep process done through the central controller and screen. Both FCW and AEB came standard, although BSW and RCTW were available only as part of an options package.
The 2017 MKZ is an excellent used car choice if you can find one. When we tested it, we said it was the most appealing and well-executed Lincoln in recent memory. While it was available with turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, the hybrid is the best choice, thanks to its 34 mpg overall fuel economy. Ride comfort is excellent, filtering out bumpy roads with ease. The cabin is quiet, hushing wind and road noise. The MKZ is plushly finished inside and has comfortable and supportive seats, but rear-seat room and access are limited. Easy-to-use controls are a plus, highlighted by the straightforward and comprehensive Sync 3 infotainment system. Look for an MKZ built with FCW, AEB, BSW, and RCTW, which were available only on the top trim levels. The 2017 model has above-average reliability and owner satisfaction.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2026, Consumer Reports, Inc.