Planning a road trip this summer? Despite high gas prices, millions will still hit the road. The real question: what will they be driving?
Some cars are much better suited for long-distance travel than others. A Mazda MX-5 offers endless fun on winding back roads or at the racetrack, but it’s far from ideal for a family journey from New York City to the Grand Canyon. For a cross-country drive, you want something with more space, comfort, and luxury.
For many, that means opting for an SUV. American roads are already crowded with them, but let’s take a different approach. Before the Ford Explorer convinced everyone that an SUV should be the default choice, most American families drove traditional cars—sedans, coupes, or wagons. So, let’s narrow our focus to cars. Not just any cars, though: luxury cars.
Now you might be thinking that a luxury car is financially out of reach. That is understandable, but we are not suggesting you run out and buy a brand-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Instead, consider that overlooked used luxury cars can offer significant value. There are thousands of these vehicles available for a fraction of their original price, yet they still provide many of the features and comforts of a new model.
And this isn’t for rusted-out beaters either. We are looking at solid used cars with plenty of life left in them, letting you enjoy luxury for less.
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2017-2019 Porsche Panamera
The ultimate highway jet hiding in plain sight
Everyone forgets about the Porsche Panamera. Even Porsche fans forget about the Panamera. The 911 is the iconic sports car, and the Macan and Cayenne are the popular SUVs. But the Panamera is a fantastic but forgotten luxury car. I should know, I own one.
I bought a 2017 Panamera 4S in December of 2024. The original sticker price of my car was just under $120,000. I paid $50,000 for it. It had just under 50,000 miles on it and was in great shape. It was certified pre-owned for two years (I added a third year for an extra fee). Now, the car is covered bumper-to-bumper until December 2027 with unlimited miles.
The Panamera 4S has 440 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and all the luxury you could want. It has a large trunk for all your gear and excellent range. In March, I drove it from my home in Pennsylvania to Florida to cover the Amelia Concours, 1,747 miles in total. At my final stop on the way home, the computer calculated that I had 714 miles of range before I needed to refuel. The Panamera is like a luxury jet for the highway.
Of course, this is a Porsche, so maintenance is going to be more than for a mainstream brand. In December of 2025, I had the 50,000-mile service done at my dealership, and it cost just over $600. But that is all I have spent on the car in 17 months (roughly $35 a month, if you do the math). All to drive a 440-horsepower Porsche.
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2018-2020 Cadillac CT6
The smart, attainable alternative to German luxury
Credit: Cadillac
If you don’t want to stretch the budget for a Porsche or would rather buy American, the Cadillac CT6 is another fantastic road-trip choice. When people think about modern Cadillacs, they think of the Escalade and not much else. But it’s easy to see why.
In 2020, Cadillac sold 3,117 CT6 sedans. They sold 24,547 Escalades that same year. The CT6 left production in 2020, and no one really thought of it since. But the CT6 is an elegant and comfortable sedan that is perfectly suited to road trip duty.
Nothing on the CT6 is world-class, but nothing is objectively bad either. Nice examples can be bought today for $30,000 to $40,000. And for that money, you get a handsome sedan with enough room for the family. You get a proven and reliable V6 engine. If you can find a Premium Luxury model, you will have adaptive dampers, rear-wheel steering, a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, four-zone climate control, and a rear-seat entertainment system. All the things you want to make a road trip enjoyable.
Display Type
OLED
Radar Band Detection
X, K, Ka
The Uniden R8 is a dual-antenna radar detector with directional arrows, known for its long-range detection and false alert filtering capabilities. Comes preloaded with red light and speed camera locations and supports firmware updates for ongoing performance enhancements.
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2018-2020 Lincoln Continental
400 horsepower and ultimate luxury for less than a new compact car
Credit: Lincoln
Lincoln doesn’t make any sedans anymore. Their 2026 lineup consists entirely of SUVs in various sizes. That is a real shame, but for those shopping used, it gives you the opportunity to swoop in and grab a deal on the forgotten Continental.
Nice 2018 to 2020 models can be found for $20,000 to $30,000. For such a modest sum, you should not expect a class-leading experience, but the Continental can be a great road-trip vehicle.
Lincoln’s stylish sedan offers a very comfortable cabin and a massive trunk, two big advantages for a road trip. You can get one with either front- or all-wheel drive. The top-of-the-line 3.0L turbo engine spits out an impressive 400 horsepower, which will get you to 60 mph in about five seconds flat. If you want the ultimate in comfort, look for an example fitted with the optional 30-way-adjustable Perfect Position seats.
Another key component of a road trip is safety. The Continental was awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award multiple times. Your family will be safe and comfortable. And your bank account will be as well. This is a lot of car for the money.
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2019-2020 Kia K900
Shockingly cheap twin-turbo luxury for drivers who care about comfort over badges
Raise your hand if you remember the Kia K900. If you didn’t raise your hand, that is OK. Nobody remembers the K900.
The best picks are the refreshed 2019 and 2020 models. Most of these can be found for about $25,000. That is shockingly cheap for a car that feels like a limousine from the back seat.
The K900 is powered by a 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 365 horsepower and 376 lb-ft. of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The luxury sedan delivers strong performance in all weather conditions and can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just five seconds.
The Kia K900 offers a comfortable, upscale interior, though its design lacks the wow factor of rivals from Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Both rows provide generous legroom, while the 20-way adjustable driver’s seat delivers impressive comfort. Available features such as power-adjustable rear seats and three-zone climate control enhance the luxury experience.
Trunk space measures 15.3 cubic feet, giving the K900 more cargo room than a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, though slightly less than the Lincoln Continental above. You almost never see a K900 on the road, and that is why it is the perfect forgotten luxury car pick for your next road trip.
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1998-2000 Lexus SC400
V8 power, legendary reliability, and the perfect escape for two
Our final car on our list is not only our oldest but also our only coupe. It’s also generally the least expensive.
These Lexus SC400s are also tough to find, so they may seem like silly road-trip cars, but hear me out. This is not a car for a large family. But for just two people on a weekend getaway, the SC400 is a wonderful car.
The 1998 and newer models feature an upgraded 290-horsepower V8 engine. This silky smooth engine delivers plenty of power and will last forever. Nobody would expect you to take a road trip in a Lexus SC400, and that is exactly why you should.
The ultimate road trip is waiting in the premium car you overlooked
Credit: Porsche
Road trips are supposed to create memories, not drain your bank account with a massive monthly payment on a brand-new SUV. That is what makes these forgotten luxury cars so appealing: they combine many of the comforts, features, and the prestige of a new luxury vehicle at used-car prices.
Whether you prefer the thunderous V8 smoothness of a Lexus SC400, the high-speed confidence of a Porsche Panamera, or the limousine comfort of a Kia K900, there is a forgotten luxury cruiser out there waiting for its next adventure. Sometimes the best road trip car is the one everyone else overlooked, delivering an experience far beyond what its price suggests.
