The 10 best luxury saloons to lease

Date Posted 22nd July 2021
Read Time 9 min read

Traditionally the most luxurious car – the saloon – has always excelled in comfort and refinement. 

Technology has enhanced all that, and now, not only are they an incredibly plush place to be, they’re also safer, quieter, smarter and better than ever before.

Are you sitting comfortably? Here are the 10 best luxury saloons to lease out there right now. 

Jaguar XJ

The perfect combination of cutting-edge technology, sporting vehicle dynamics, and opulent luxury, the Jaguar XJ is in a class all of its own.

With an all-aluminium body and a choice of three supercharged petrol engines and one turbocharged diesel, the XJ is a strong performer and an agile drive. 

Its ambient-lit, luxurious cabin is graced with premium leather. Seats are electrically adjustable with massage and climate control functions. 

A high-definition 12.3-inch screen that displays virtual dials replaces physical instrument dials, while a large 10-inch centre touchscreen takes pride of place in the middle of the dashboard. 

As you’d expect, this is a comfortable, spacious car with plenty of room in the front and rear. It’s also incredibly quiet and cosy, thanks to its acoustic laminated windows and windscreen.

If you’re looking for real luxury, it’s all to be found with the Jaguar XJ. 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the height of modern, executive motoring. 

With a sleek silhouette, a combination of a dynamic front end with a powerful tail, it’s an eye-catching car. That doesn’t end with the exterior, though, as when you step inside, you’ll find luxurious materials, a fully digital cockpit featuring MBUX, restyled steering wheel with touch controls, multicolour ambient lighting, Burmester surround sound and a choice of high-end trim finishes. 

You also have the option to personalise the E-Class with paintwork, upholstery, roof liner, alloy wheels and interior trim. 

Choose from five model variants, starting at the entry-level Sport and ranging up to the AMG Line Night Premium Plus. 

This is truly a luxury saloon with a difference. 

Porsche Taycan

This luxury saloon car brings together everything that’s great about Porsche. The only difference is, it’s all-electric.

The Taycan is the saloon that really ticks all the boxes – it’s fast, practical, luxurious and jaw-droppingly stunning. 

The sleek, futuristic styling is only complemented by a wonderful interior quality; setting the benchmark for what a luxury electric saloon can be. 

Most will choose one of the two top variants – the Turbo or Turbo S. The Turbo S generates a stupendous 1,050Nm of pulling power and, if you activate Launch Control, 62mph can be reached in just 2.8s. 

Even the base Taycan 4S offers 435PS and can do the 0-62mph sprint in 4 seconds flat.

With rear doors, plenty of space and an accommodating boot, it’s also an incredibly practical choice. And given it’s zero-emissions, it makes the perfect company car. 

BMW 3 Series

This is a saloon that means business. The BMW 3 Series is superbly spacious, impressively good to drive, supremely comfortable and packed with technology. 

With three trim levels to choose from – SE, Sport and M Sport – there’s an option for everyone. 

The entry-level trim offers alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, three-zone climate control, heated front seats, parking sensors, and touchscreen infotainment – and that’s just some of the tech available.

And if that’s not enough, upgrade to the Sport model and you’ll get a larger fuel tank, leather sports seats, gesture control and much more. 

With a wide range of engine options from the 320i petrol and 318d diesel, to the 330e plug-in hybrid and M340i high-performance variant, this is the saloon that caters for every want and need. 

Volvo S90

The Volvo S90 executive saloon is a classy vehicle inside and out. With a super sleek exterior, the interior follows suit. And as you’d expect from a Scandinavian design house, everything is minimalist and comfortable.

This spacious vehicle has three trim variants – the Momentum, Inscription and R-Design. But even at entry-level, you’re spoiled with a vast amount of kit and a refined calm drive. 

With cruise control and drive mode settings including comfort, eco and dynamic, you can sit back, relax and unwind while the S90 does the hard work. 

All variants come with automatic gearboxes and there’s a choice of both petrol and diesel engines as well as a powerful electric/petrol hybrid engine that emits just 48g/km of CO2 – so it’s great as a company car. 

Fantastic quality and comfort meets modern-day tech. It’s a true unconventional masterpiece.

 

Tesla Model 3

For modern-day all-electric luxury, the Tesla Model 3 is leading the way in terms of design, practicality and performance. 

Crafted from aluminium and steel, the Model 3’s shell is as safe as anything else on the road, but still light enough to help you break 60mph from a standing start in just 3.1 seconds. 

That’s aided somewhat by Tesla’s excellent all-wheel-drive system, which helps you stick the road even in the trickiest of conditions. 

And then, of course, there’s the Model 3’s party piece; automation. It may seem scary at first, but before long you’ll be unwinding after a long, hard day, letting your Tesla take you home while you sit back and enjoy its refined, clutter-free cabin – which has little to show aside from an enormous 15-inch touchscreen centre console. 

Really, then, for overall drive, sophistication and technology, Tesla is leading the way. And add to that its impressive 360-mile battery range, and you’ve got the future of motoring at your fingertips. 

Audi A8

The A8 is an impressive achievement – even for Audi. Forward-thinking engineering meets sublime wealth to make this a stand-out in the luxury saloon category. 

This handsome car stands out above the rest thanks to its sleek design with sharp matrix LED headlights and rear lighting strip. 

As spacious and airy as you need a saloon to be, the interior is chockablock full of tech. 

With a dashboard dominated by three screens that you can tailor to suit your needs, Audi’s superior digital setup is intuitive and user-friendly.

Your passengers will be well taken care of, too, with a huge amount of head and legroom, plush adjustable seats, reclining systems and even an optional massaging footrest. 

Available in petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid, the A8 provides a drive like no other. 

Maserati Ghibli 

The exclusive Maserati Ghibli saloon is arguably one of the best looking cars in its class. Sharp, elegant and sleek, it’s as eye-catching as it is desirable.

The interior is also bedecked in luxury. There’s a touchscreen infotainment system alongside countless other helpful instruments; all laid out to be as user friendly as possible. 

Under the bonnet, there’s a choice of engines – an entry-level 3.0-litre V6 diesel, a 3.0-litre V6 petrol and the Ghibli S, which sports a 424bhp petrol powerhouse. 

All Ghiblis are automatic. They also come with three different driving modes – ICE (Increased Control and Efficiency), Normal and Sport. 

Probably the only complaints that will come with the Ghibli are from the rear-seated passengers, who may find the interior cramped for a saloon. 

For two, though, it’s ideal. And if you want something both luxurious and unique, this sleek Italian job has to be on your shortlist. 

Lexus LS

Nothing comes close to the Lexus LS saloon. Its impressive size, opulent luxury and quality reputation make it one of the top luxury saloons out there. 

This elite saloon comes in four variants – the LS500 h, Luxury, F-Sport and Premier. All four have 20-inch alloy wheels, 20-way power seat adjustment, climate control, sat-nav, LED lighting and a 12-speaker stereo. 

For true refinement, however, the Premier version comes with Shiatsu massage seats for both driver and passengers. 

The LS, with its smooth 3.5 litre V6 hybrid powertrain, can shift from 0-62mph in just 5.4 seconds. And while it’s not the most economical in the class, the LS returns a respectable 39.7mpg. 

The ultimate in luxury from the brand that does luxury so well. 

Audi A3

The Audi A3 saloon is a practical luxury vehicle that’s sharp to drive and stunning to look at. 

A sleek exterior gives way to a usable, tech-packed interior. There’s a driver-focussed edge with a 10.1-inch touchscreen as standard that’s slick to use as well as crystal clear.

In the front, no matter the spec, the driver has a virtual cockpit display with customisable dials, something you often how to pay more for in other vehicles of a similar price.

The A3 Saloon also comes with an extensive level of standard spec, including LED headlights and safety features, including Audi pre-sense front and lane departure warning. 

The Audi features a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, and both come with a new six-speed manual gearbox. Of course, there’s the option for an auto box if you’d prefer.

Available in four trims, ranging from Sport up to Vorsprung, the Audi A3 is a luxury saloon that’s approachable and accessible for all. 


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