Cars and Drivers
I Always Dreamed of Driving a Porsche, but These 10 Luxury Automakers Are Better

Published:
As someone who grew up with a Porsche 911 Turbo poster on his wall, there is every reason to believe this is the pinnacle of luxury vehicles. With its incredible speed, outstanding style, and high-end interior, this brand was made to give its owner an elevated driving experience.
Porsche has long been one of the most sought-after sports cars in the world.
The challenge is that Porsche’s edge against the competition is limited outside of speed.
Multiple luxury competitors offer more value and prestige over a Porsche.
4 million Americans are set to retire this year. If you want to join them, click here now to see if you’re behind, or ahead. It only takes a minute. (Sponsor)
However, Porsche is hardly the only luxury vehicle available today, and in many ways, it has been surpassed by many of them. Porsche still excels at speed, but as far as luxury touches in its vehicles are concerned, the brand has some catching up to do with other industry names.
There is no question that the Genesis and the Porsche feel like very different competitors. However, suppose you look at the Porsche SUV and sedan lineup. In that case, the Genesis offers a far better package overall with more standard features, equally strong performance, and a far better warranty, all for more than half the cost of a Porsche. Yes, you will lose the name cachet when driving a Genesis, but this is easy to overlook when you factor in the whole package.
For anyone who has written off Jaguar as a true luxury competitor as of late, it would be an absolute mistake. The F-Type is arguably the most competitive option in the lineup compared to a Porsche, but it’s in its last years of production. Instead, the XF-sedan is probably the next best thing with a heavy level of interior luxury, much more than Porsche delivers, while still focusing on providing a standout driving experience.
If you’re looking for a luxury vehicle that’s fun to drive and offers premium materials, including Ermenegildo Zegna silk upholstery, look no further than Maserati. These vehicles immediately stand out with their advanced driver assistance systems. However, where Maserati delivers compared to Porsche is that every time you see a Maserati driving down the street, you get a much stronger sense that it’s a luxury vehicle over a Porsche, which is a big advantage for potential buyers.
Compared to the Porsche Cayenne, the Lincoln Aviator might not offer the same level of 0-60 performance or handle turns as well. Still, you’ll feel much better after using the Aviator massage seats. For this reason, Lincoln deserves a look before plunking down any money on a Porsche. You’ll spend less, get more, and enjoy a refined luxury experience that feels like it costs twice as much.
If there is a car on this list that best matches Porsche as being fun to drive, it’s something Audi has manufactured. Audi is a terrific combination of luxury, speed, performance, and handling, and it cares about all of these things as much as Porsche does. However, Audi is a more attractive choice because of its deeper lineup of SUVs and sedans catering to everyone from soccer moms to CEOs. This is especially true for the A8 and Q8, which are sporty, fast, and offer plenty of luxury features.
When it comes to luxury SUVs, the Range Rover has long been the pinnacle of ownership. Between its infotainment experience, massage seats, executive class rear seating, and a smooth ride that even Porsche can’t match, there is something about driving in a Land Rover that makes you want to live in one of its vehicles. Where Porsche focuses on the driving experience before luxury, Range Rover is all about combining the two instead of just focusing on one over the other.
If it feels like driving a Porsche is more reserved for special moments, the opposite is true with Lexus, your new everyday driver. There is just something about how a Lexus drives that makes you feel like it’s a best-in-class experience. On top of that, every dealership gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling with its minimal negotiation practices, so you aren’t spending hours of your day haggling over a few hundred dollars.
While Volvo might not be as fast as Porsche or have cars that look like sports cars, there is something genuinely luxurious about Volvo. With its outstanding safety features and a reputation for quality that goes well beyond its price point, there is every reason to look at Volvo if you don’t want a vehicle like the Porsche Cayenne. The XC40 Recharge tops the smaller luxury EV class in many ways, while the upcoming EX90 will undoubtedly give many luxury vehicles a run for its money.
In the world of luxury vehicles, Mercedes-Benz is one of the absolute best alternatives compared to Porsche. With a full slate of luxury vehicles ranging from small sedans to full-size SUVs, Mercedes has gone to great lengths to keep up its pace of trendsetting luxury features. This includes MBUX, its unique voice assistant that can control many functions of a Mercedes vehicle, and the G63 “G Wagon,” a celebrity and athlete favorite.
Widely regarded as one of the most luxurious automakers in the world, BMW has been a staple of the luxury market for decades. With its steady lineup of SUVs, sedans, and electric vehicles, the German staple has taken its luxury features to another level. Whether it’s a 3-series with its updated interior and large infotainment display or the 7-series luxury sedan with its complete control center and automatic doors that open and close at your command. Plus, you get the rear executive lounge seating option and its 31-inch display.
Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding expert guidance—and SmartAsset’s simple quiz makes it easier than ever for you to connect with a vetted financial advisor.
Here’s how it works:
Why wait? Start building the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. Click here to get started today! (sponsor)
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.