Life may not be all rainbows and unicorns, but the world's most luxurious cars, on the other hand, are as cozy as they are rare and impermanent.
There's no shortage of luxury cars we'd jump at the chance to drive. But while some are more expensive than others, and others are flat-out impossible to find, this luxury car list only considers one thing.
Here are 13 luxury cars we have to drive before we die, based solely on how fun, comfortable, and exciting driving one would be
Rolls-Royce Boat Tail
If we got a chance to drive the highly-customized Rolls-Royce Boat Tail before we die, we can't think of much that'd stop us. The Boat Tail begins with the legendary RR Phantom chassis, inspired by the 20s and 30s classic luxury-car aesthetic.
The Boat Tail is customized to order, including its finish and upholstery. The car buyer works together with Rolls-Royce's engineering and design team to craft a personalized luxury car–RR has only made a handful. Even if it wasn't designed for us, driving a one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce Boat Tail isn't an opportunity we'd pass up.
Audi A8
The Audi A8 is neither the rarest nor most expensive item on this list, but it's high on the inventory of cars to stop everything and drive when the opportunity knocks. This luxurious Audi is sleek and elegant while also being long and curvy in all the ways luxury manifests in a vehicle.
The A8 is as pleasing to drive as it looks. With a comfort-focused air suspension and automatic dynamic driving adjustment feature that adapts to most conditions, the Audi A8 is a must-drive luxury car.
Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended
The Rolls-Royce Phantom is the quintessential luxury car, resting in the sweet spot between spacious coziness and iconic design.
A twin-turbocharged V-12 capable of 563hp spins its fly 22″ polished rims; the Phantom drops jaws as it floats through the crowd. It also has an illuminated grill and a gold-plated Rolls-Royce emblem.
Mercedes-Benz BRABUS 900 Maybach S650
The Mercedes-Benz BRABUS 900 Maybach S650 is a luxury supercar based on the Mercedes-Maybach S650. As the name implies, the BRABUS 900 features enhancements designed by the legendary BRABUS engineer and design team.
The BRABUS 900 Maybach S650 stocks a BRABUS ROCKET 900 6.3 V12 twin-turbo capable of a max brake horsepower of 888. But don't worry — the top speed is electronically limited to 217hp.
Maserati Quattroporte
Maserati designed the Quattroporte as a luxury race car, and their mission was accomplished in 1963. The modern Quattroporte balances a sleek, refined aesthetic with aerodynamic engineering and modern technological amenities.
The Quattroporte features a minimalist interior that prizes quality materials over flashy color schemes. But with a 10+-inch touchscreen, advanced driving assistance modes, and an available V8 Trofeo motor, don't pass up the chance to command this luxurious experience.
BMW M5
The BMW M5 is the mid-sized luxury sedan that defines the category. BMW designed this sport-luxury combo to strike the perfect balance between comfort and competition.
BMW achieves this effect with a 4.4-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V-8 and an integrated 8-speed M Sport Transmission with a three-stage Drivelogic shifting system. The M5 packs 617hp, 553 lb-ft of torque, and a 0–60 of 3.2 seconds.
Bentley Mulsanne
As one of the flagship models in the Bentley range, the Bentley Mulsanne is another bold and successful attempt at fusing performance with elegance. While the base model or extended-wheelbase models are both cars we'd never pass up the chance to drive, the Mulsanne Speed package is a luxury car we have to drive before we die.
The Mulsanne Speed stocks an enhanced edition of Bentley's signature 6-.75-liter twin-turbo v8, offering drivers a more dynamic experience. Plus, its rifled tailpipes, 21″ wheels, and diamond-quilted interior turn heads, whether they're inside or outside the vehicle.
Jaguar XJ Collection Special Edition
The Jaguar XJ is the quintessential luxury Jaguar, and 2019's special edition model is our top pick for luxury Jags we're dying to drive. The XJ Collection Special Edition had a limited production run of 300 units and was only available in the US.
The XJ Special boasts an extra-long wheelbase and a supercharged 5-liter V8 engine capable of 470hp. Its limited-edition wood-and-leather-everything interior elevates the Jaguar's already nuanced style to a whole new level of luxury.
Ferrari GTC4 Lusso
The Ferrari GTC4 Lusso is unlike anything else, which is precisely why we're itching to rip roads with it before we slip gently into that good night. The GTC4 packs a sophisticated 12-cylinder Ferrari engine that packs hard and heavy sports specs into a light and elegant package.
The Lusso's motor makes it one of the most powerful luxury cars on the road, hence the GT tag in its name. While its torque maxes out at 5,750 RPMs, 80% of this power is available at just 1,750 RPMs. This gives the GT4Lusso a class-leading acceleration response starting in the low-rev range.
Aston Martin Rapide
The Aston Martin Rapide is a versatile luxury racer that blends comfort, style, power, and dynamics in a way that has to be experienced to be believed. And with an aesthetic that pays homage to the glory days of Aston Martin racing, the Rapide looks the part.
That said, the Rapide is still a sports car in its soul. A 6.0-liter V12 motor pushes 0–60 in 4.2 seconds. Multi-spoked wheels and high-performance sports tires keep the driver comfortable, even when letting the Rapide rip.
Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG
As a high-performance elucidation of the S-Class luxury car series, the S65 AMG is the quintessential Mercedes-Benz model. All S-Class models feature handbuilt engines, but the S65 stocks a powerhouse of a V12 pushing 621 horsepower.
True to the luxury category, the S65 also boasts an advanced infotainment system with a 12.3-inch display and multiple driving modes. An interior constructed from high-grade materials keeps the driver cozy while they squeeze 738 lb-ft of torque from the S65's engine.
Audi RS 7
The Audi RS 7 is an elegant little ripper high on the list of luxury cars we aim to drive before we die. First off, a virtual co*ckpit controlled by a 12.3-inch fully customizable HD display enhances its exquisite interior. But that's not all.
The RS 7's motor is the re-tuned 4-liter V8 that produces 627 lb-ft of torque. With a max horsepower of 631, it's no wonder the RS 7 can go from 0 to 60 in 3.3 seconds.
Cadillac CTS-V Blackwing
While any old Cadillac CTS-V will do, the Blackwing is the luxury caddy on our bucket list. The Blackwing's handbuilt 6.2-liter supercharged V8 is twice as big and twice as powerful as the base model engine.
The Blackwing cranks out 668 horsepower and 659 lb-ft of torque. We're talking about a mid-sized luxury sedan that can go from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds and clear 200mph on the racetrack. And since life is short — you only live once — the Cadillac CTS-V Blackwing is a luxury vehicle any car geek should drive if they get the chance.
