Gone are the days of seeing your retired neighbor carefully maneuvering their gently-driven Ford Crown Victoria, Buick Park Avenue or Chevrolet Caprice down your street. And unless you live in a Sun Belt retirement community, you won’t have to contend with the pervasiveness of golf carts lining the roads anytime soon.
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No, today’s wealthy retirees often seek out budget-friendly cars that still offer a touch of luxury and comfort. They also look for cars with a reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs to ensure a worry-free ownership experience in their golden years.
While the gas guzzlers of yesteryear made back seat space as much a priority as the front cabin, manufacturers are making luxury cars with features that appeal to today’s seniors: plush leather seating, advanced safety features such as lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control and modern tech touches like infotainment systems and smartphone integration.
Wealthy retirees often have the means to afford luxury vehicles, but many prefer budget-friendly options that deliver a smooth ride quality, easy handling and good fuel efficiency for value. Here are nine economical options for wealthy retirees.
9. Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Aside from a lavish set of standard features, the 2024 CLA comes with some exterior design tweaks: a mesh grille up front and a diffuser out back. “Inside, the CLA delivers the features, tech and classy feel that buyers expect from Mercedes,” says Edmunds.
8. Lexus ES
Now in its seventh generation, the ES provides everything a retiree wants at an affordable sticker price. This sensible and reliable Lexus model has won Kelley blue Book’s Best Buy Award in the midsize luxury class for five years running.
7. Alfa Romeo Giulia
There’s no denying that the Guilia has plenty of turbocharged performance and smart styling, but retirees won’t notice that until the love at first sight feelings wear off. As always, Alfa Romeo has made a beautiful looking sedan, but one that impresses less on the inside, according to Car and Driver.
6. Genesis G70
Although MotorTrend is less than enthused about the G70’s trunk space and gas mileage, those are minor complaints when compared to its pluses, which will excite even the most disenchanted of drivers. The G70 is heavy on power and style and every bit the equal to the more prestigious brand name models in its class.
5. Lexus IS
Those looking for an alternative to the Audi A4, Merc C-Class or a BMW 3 Series model, the truly stylish Lexus IS might be right up your alley. The 5-seater vehicle comes in 7 trim levels and offers buyers a choice between a four-cylinder, V6 or V8 engine.
4. BMW 2 Series
Offered in two different body styles, the traditional but sporty 2 Series coupe and the more practical four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe are both available with the choice of two engines and all-wheel drive. As TrueCar points out, with most cars getting bigger over the years, the 2 Series is a nice compact car “that enthusiasts desire.”
3. Audi A3
The A3 is the most affordable car in Audi’s lineup and an attractive, fuel-efficient executive subcompact, or small family sedan. It’s price is right, but the A3 neither provides as much cargo space as its closest competitors — the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe — nor does it come fitted with sought-after standard driver assist features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring, per MotorTrend.
2. Cadillac CT4
Cadillacs have been favorites of wealthy retirees since the company was making DeVilles and Fleetwoods. With high quality craftsmanship, incredible performance, and suite of advanced features, the CT4 is a powerhouse for the budget-conscious.
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1. Acura Integra
Acura’s most affordable car is also the cheapest on this list. Budget-friendly is nice, but there’s nothing that really sets it apart from it competitors (and many complain about its similarities to the much cheaper Honda Civic). However, as an everyday reliable and fun drive, the Integra is a great pick for the retiree who likes a bit of luxury while out on the road.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 9 Budget-Friendly Cars Wealthy Retirees Love To Drive
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