10 Most Economical Luxury Cars

2014 Mercedes Benz E250 ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

The phrase “economical luxury cars” may sound like an oxymoron, but today’s advanced technology delivers levels of efficiency that go beyond simple fuel economy. You need to look at the total picture. It only starts with the sticker price, the monthly payment, and the amount you drop at the pump each week. Do your math up front. If you lease your luxury car, the cost of depreciation will be reflected in your monthly payment. If you buy your vehicle, you’re wagering that an unexpected drop in resale price won’t bite you when it’s time to sell. Maintenance costs, too, can weigh heavily. Comprehensive warranties and free-maintenance programs save a considerable sum while keeping your new ride in top running order. Now, we present Autobytel's 10 most economical luxury cars. 

1) 2016 Lexus ES300h

The 2016 Lexus ES300h hybrid sedan is plush and practical, with a serene cabin and an economical EPA rating of 40 MPG city/39 MPG highway. If you’re looking for something sporty, look elsewhere. The ES300h is all about comfort, reliability, and a silky smooth ride. Interior materials are splendid, featuring perforated leathers in four hues and three types of wood trim. The parchment perforated leather with matte-honey bamboo trim is particularly appealing, although you may prefer the linear dark mocha or Espresso Bird’s-Eye Maple trim. The Lexus ES300h is the least expensive hybrid sedan in the Lexus lineup, with an MSRP of $41,020. The mid-range Lexus GS hybrid starts at $63,080, while the big daddy LS hybrid tops the charts at $120,440.

Photo by Lexus

2) 2016 BMW 328d xDrive Sport Wagon

The luxurious turbodiesel-powered 2016 BMW 328d xDrive Sports Wagon and Sedan are the most fuel efficient all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicles sold in America. With tight handling, a gorgeous interior, and an EPA rating of 30 MPG city/40 MPG highway, the BMW 328d xDrive Sports Wagon is a splendid alternative to a gas-hungry SUV. The rear-wheel-drive 328d Sedan is even more efficient, with an EPA rating of 32/42. Coaching screens and advanced transmission technology help conscientious 328d drivers exceed the official MPG ratings, while the BMW Maintenance program covers all factory-recommended maintenance for the first four years or 50,000 miles (whichever comes first). Other economical entries in the BMW lineup include the turbodiesel 535d sedan and the X3 xDrive28d crossover.

Photo by BMW

3) 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

The redesigned 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid luxury sedan shows the stunning new face of Lincoln, with a bold single grille replacing the dual waterfall design. The MKZ hybrid’s official EPA fuel economy rating of 41 MPG city/38 MPG highway represents a huge bump in efficiency over the conventionally powered MKZ, which is rated at 21/31 city. Best of all, it’s offered at the same price as the non-hybrid, with an attractive starting MSRP of $35,010. The MKZ is based on the Ford Fusion platform. If you crave Ford technology over Lincoln style, you might opt for the more economical Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid to gain 20-oddmiles of pure electric range. Lincoln does not offer an MKZ plug-in.

Photo by Lincoln

4) 2016 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron

The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron is a stylish compact 5-door plug-in hybrid hatchback with a refined interior and responsive hybrid drivetrain. The 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and electric motor produce a total of 204 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, happily squeaking out a factory stated 0–60 MPH time of 7.6 seconds. Quattro all-wheel drive is not available. The Audi A4 Sportback e-tron is rated at 83 MPGe combined in electric mode, and 35 MPG combined when the gas engine is running. A full charge provides somewhere south of 20 miles of EV range and takes "as little as 2 hours and 15 minutes" on a Level II 240-volt charger. Charging on house current (110v) takes approximately eight hours.

Photo by Audi

5) 2016 Cadillac ELR

The Cadillac ELR Coupe is one of the rarest and most efficient Cadillacs of all time. It is underpinned by the first-generation Chevy Volt platform and was produced in limited numbers. Buyers never warmed to the ELR, despite the crisp exterior lines and gorgeous interior. Blame it on that Super Bowl commercial … Extended-range electric technology provides approximately 40 miles of pure EV driving, with the onboard gasoline-powered generator delivering electricity to drive the wheels. The ELR has an official EPA fuel economy rating of 85 MPGe combined in its electric mode, and 32 MPG combined when the gas engine is running. Whether you refer to it as an extended-range EV or a plug-in hybrid, the Cadillac ELR is one of a kind.

Photo by General Motors

6) 2016 Lexus RX450h

The Lexus RX hybrid was first introduced in 2005 and remains the most popular luxury hybrid SUV in America. It was redesigned for the 2016 model year, incorporating the trademark Lexus spindle grill and crisp exterior design, along with a revamped interior and more power under the hood. While the 2016 RX450h’s official EPA fuel economy rating of 31 MPG city/30 MPG highway/30 MPG combined is impressive, the smaller and more sporty Lexus NX300h hybrid SUV eclipses those numbers with its figures of 35/31/33 rating. The addition of the NX300h is most welcome, as a more economical choice for younger buyers. As with the majority of Lexus vehicles, the RX450h enjoys higher than average reliability and resale value, when compared to most luxury suvs.

Photo by Lexus

7) 2016 BMW 330e

The 2016 BMW 330e plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the luxury sedan that Elon Musk wishes you didn’t know about. With a turbocharged engine mated to an electric motor, this lithium-ion fueled beast delivers a bit under 20 miles of pure electric range. If you’re considering an electric vehicle, a 3 Series PHEV is a great way to dip your toes in the water.

The 330e looks and feels far more conventional than BMW’s more radical i3. Its official EPA fuel economy rating is 72 MPGe combined. Once the battery's charge is depleted, the 330e switches over to conventional hybrid mode, delivering 31 MPG combined (on just gasoline). Factory-specified maintenance is included for four years/50,000 miles.

Photo by Rex Torres

8) 2017 Lexus CT 200h

The 2016 CT 200h Hybrid represents the entry-level in the Lexus lineup. While this luxurious 5-door hatchback competes with the Audi A3 e-tron Sportback in dimensions and form, it falls short of the Audi in performance. Nevertheless, Lexus resale values and reliability, along with EPA ratings of 43 MPG city/40 MPG highway make the CT 200h a compelling choice. Although some folks might not think of hatchbacks as luxury vehicles, the CT 200h pampers its occupants, and it boasts economical and functional benefits as well. When you combine great fuel economy with sufficient cargo capacity, you can leave the SUV at home, whether you’re headed to the big box store to buy in bulk or to an antique shop in the country.

Photo by Lexus

9) Audi A7 TDI quattro

The 2016 Audi A7 TDI is a sleek, powerful, and surprisingly efficient luxury sedan. If you need all-wheel drive and plenty of space to haul your gear but don’t care for SUVs, the A7 is a marvelous alternative. The 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine pumps out 240 horsepower and 428 lb.-ft. of torque, which is goof for a 0–60 MPH time of 5.6 seconds. Given that level of performance, the official EPA fuel economy rating of 25 MPG city/38 MPG highway is quite remarkable. The A7 TDI’s long sweeping fastback roof allows for a generous 24.5 cubic feet of storage in the trunk. For a more conventional appearance, consider the Audi A6 TDI quattro sedan.

Photo by Audi

10) 2016 Mercedes-Benz E250 Bluetec 4matic

The turbodiesel-powered 2016 Mercedes-Benz E250 Bluetec 4matic one of the most economical luxury sedans on the market, and it’s all-wheel drive to boot. With an official EPA fuel economy rating of 27 MPG city/38 MPG highway, the E250 Bluetec 4matic slips in just behind the BMW 328d xDrive. Oddly, there's no current mention of the 2016 E250 Bluetec on the Mercedes-Benz consumer website, although it's listed on FuelEconomy.gov. Has it become a victim of the Volkswagen diesel emissions scandal? Or is it just waiting in the wings for 2017? In either case, you can always look for a previously owned E250 Bluetec and beat the first year depreciation blues. Even better if it’s certified pre-owned.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz