Although accounting for less than 10 percent of all vehicles sold globally, the luxury cars market is evidently in a steady expansion which is projected to reach a compound annual growth rate of 11.3% and $178 billion by the year 2023. The U.S. market is still the most important part of that large global puzzle, but both the European and especially the Chinese luxury car markets are in full-on expansion mode.
With model year 2020 being pinpointed as the pivotal year for many important segments (especially crossovers and EVs), it doesn’t come as a surprise that luxury car brands are looking to take advantage of the newfound situation. With the global recession but a distant and unpleasant memory, the German, Japanese, and domestic luxury automakers alike will have one potential headache less to worry about in the upcoming years. Here are some of the most anticipated and best 2020 luxury cars they’ll have to offer.
08. 2020 Cadillac XT6
After introducing the intermediate XT5 in 2017 and compact XT4 in 2018, the luxury GM brand has now switched its focus to the all-new XT6 crossover/SUV which slots right between the mentioned XT5 and the brand’s flagship model Escalade. The all-new XT6 three-row model completes their crossover/SUV lineup for the time being and gives the most luxurious American brand a model to fight the likes of the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS Class.
The newest addition to the Cadillac lineup features all of the contemporary tech and amenity features found in other range-topping Cadillacs. One of them is the company’s newly-developed Super Cruise hands-free driving system which was previously only available with the CTS. The Super Cruise won’t be available from the get-go, though.
When it finally arrives, Cadillac’s answer to Tesla’s Autopilot will come at a price, however. Not only will it command a $2,500 premium, but it’ll also be exclusively offered with the range-topping Platinum trim and upper mid-range Premium Luxury trim with the optional $3,100 driver assist package included.
Although starting from around $52,500, the fully loaded XT6 commands a high price tag of around $80,000.
The 2020 Cadillac XT6 is initially offered with a 3.6L V6 worthy of 310 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque paired with GM’s new 9-speed automatic transmission which should help it offer a smooth and carefree ride.
Further into its life cycle, the XT6 might benefit from a 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 unit that’s capable of delivering around 400 horses and a similar amount of torque, while the Chinese market models rely on a smaller 2.0L turbo four. Needless to say, all-wheel drive is available across the board, although the XT6 is front-wheel driven by default.
07. 2020 Aston Martin DBX
The well-established British automaker simply couldn’t afford not to offer a crossover now that we’ve reached the end of the 21st century’s second decade, hence they decided to finally do something about it. After presenting the coupe-crossover DBX concept back in 2015, they’ve recently opened a new assembly plant in the U.K. These two events are considered cornerstones leading to the ultimate production of the British company’s first-ever crossover/SUV.
The newest addition to their lineup might end up being called Varekai, although that’s yet to be confirmed. Unlike the DBX concept, the production-ready model sports a more traditional crossover styling, albeit with Aston Martin’s hallmark cues. Expect it to be pitted against the likes of Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga, and Maserati Levante with prices reflecting that idea. It should start from £158,000 in its home market which could easily translate to around $200,000, as mentioned.
The DBX’s full powertrain lineup still hasn’t been disclosed, but a few ideas have already been debated regardless. For starters, the Aston Martin SUV will never be offered with a diesel engine – not even in Europe, whereas a plug-in hybrid and all-electric technologies have been reserved for the upcoming Lagonda sedan due to arrive in 2021 or 2022.
This leaves the 2020 Aston Martin DBX with only a petrol engine as a possibility – at least initially. That petrol engine has already been selected as DBX is on its way to share the Mercedes-Benz’s 4.0L twin-turbo V8 alongside the Aston Martin Vantage and DB11. Good enough for 542 horsepower, the M177 is paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox.
06. 2020 Buick Enspire
The tri-shield brand is enjoying its newfound love on the Chinese market so much that GM has decided to let it spearhead the company’s electrification process. Presented, naturally, in China during the 2018 Beijing auto show, the Buick Enspire concept represents an almost production-ready-looking compact EV crossover.
It’s the first of many to arrive, but unlike future GM electric vehicles which will be underpinned by a dedicated new platform, the Buick Enspire actually borrowed one that’s already in use. That of the Chevrolet Bolt EV, no less. The production model, however, will likely share its platform with the Cadillac XT4.
Considering its size, the Enspire might be introduced as a replacement for the compact Envision, or as its all-electric counterpart. The production model could adopt many of the Enspire’s cues, but it’ll certainly be much more traditional in the way of available amenities and technology features.
The Buick Enspire concept boasts a total range of up to 370 miles thanks to company’s eMotion powertrain. The eMotion setup consists of two electric motors – one at each axle – and a large battery pack that supports fast charging. In fact, GM states 80 percent of its capacity can be recharged in as little as 40 minutes. Moreover, boasting as much as 550 horsepower, the eMotion should help the Enspire accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds flat.
The initial production models will likely solely rely on 2.0L turbo fours, however, given the fact the electric technology probably won’t be ready prior to the arrival of the next generation of Buick vehicles.
The concept car also features 5G connectivity and Cadillac’s Super Cruise system which would help propel the production model to be among the best 2020 luxury vehicles in an instant. Again, given the Enspire’s smaller size, this probably won’t be the case. Despite that, the Buick Enspire remains one of the most interesting upcoming luxury crossovers we can’t wait to hear more about.
05. 2020 Cadillac Escalade
The Escalade has long been the first choice for large families looking for an upmarket SUV capable of hauling everything coming to their mind. Sadly, the current-generation models only come with a single, gas-guzzling 6.2L V8 powertrain, but this might not remain the case for long.
This is one of the reasons GM is working on the next-gen Escalade. Another one is the fact the current models are already outdated by industry standards, considering they first came out back in 2014.
The new car will retain the current generation’s regular and extended-wheelbase (ESV) setups, together with the overall boxy shape. The next-gen models, however, won’t retain the current model’s suspension. One of the main reasons the fifth-generation Escalade isn’t on the roads already is company’s decision to depart from the solid rear axle setup in favor of independent suspension. And that, apparently, takes time.
Another thing the new generation of Escalades won’t retain is their predecessors’ sole engine option strategy. The 2020 Cadillac Escalade will, apparently, offer a choice of no less than a trio of very different powertrains.
The 6.2L EcoTec3 L86 V8 with 420 horsepower will continue serving as the Escalade’s base option, while a more fuel-conserving duo of engines should bolster the body-on-frame SUV’s options list.
A 550-horsepower 4.2L twin-turbo LTA V8 from the Cadillac CT6 could be the first one, while the last spot might be reserved for a plug-in setup also taken from the CT6. There, a 2.0L turbo four and a duo of electric motors makes a total of 335 ponies but that’ll hardly be enough for a vehicle weighing close to 6,000 pounds. More will probably be revealed at one of the upcoming major auto shows.
04. 2020 Jaguar F-Type
The F-Type is anything but new having made its debut back in 2013. However, the British automaker is ready to give it a major overhaul that’ll not only update the luxury sports car’s design, but shake its very foundations from the ground up – albeit, not straight from the get-go.
Yet, the second-generation F-Type will remain recognizable. It has the British company’s unique styling to thank for that. Very little is known at this point, but JLR is already investing heavily into electrification so that all 2020-year models and beyond can offer some sort of an electric powertrain.
Whether it’s a plug-in hybrid or a full-on EV, the next-gen F-Type will also reap the benefits of this particular strategy. This doesn’t come as a surprise considering the Range Rover lineup has already made the switch recently.
As far as the plug-in hybrid F-Type goes, the 2-door sports car will likely share its fuel-conserving powertrain with one of the other in-house models. The Land Rover is already using a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 114-horsepower electric motor combo in its Range Rover P400e SUV. The setup is good enough for 398 horsepower which is around 100 horses more than what the lowest-output F-Type is making at this particular moment.
Moreover, the 2020 Jaguar F-Type should get an all-new in-house 3.0L straight-six engine with forced induction – likely supercharged. Also, the range-topping models will apparently borrow the new 560-horsepower 4.4L twin-turbo V8 from the BMW.
Whatever else it does for the brand, a new batch of advanced powertrains will surely raise the already steep price tag of the entry-level F-Type which starts from under $61,000 at the moment. Then again, there aren’t too many sports cars that offer the same level of refinement, style, and performance as the Jag.
03. 2020 Porsche Taycan
Five years after the Mission E concept saw the light of day at the 2015 Frankfurt show, the Germans have finally revealed a production-ready form of their first EV ever. The final product is, however, called the Taycan instead, which translates to a “lively young horse” from Eurasian dialect. Although the new name leaves a lot to be desired, it also makes perfect sense considering it depicts the German automaker’s crest in the best possible way.
The upcoming Porsche Taycan EV has instantly become one of the best 2020 luxury cars regardless of what the opposition thinks of that. This electric sports car with its graceful Porsche styling, extreme performance, and exquisite driving dynamics simply can’t be depicted any differently.
Similar to the Panamera in many ways, the 4-door sedan, however, rides on a platform of its own – distancing it from the oddball Porsche executive car. Its prices too are slightly higher as the entry-level Porsche Taycan 4S starts from $104,000. What’s more, the most powerful Taycan Turbo S can’t be obtained for anything less than $187,000. And that’s prior to extras.
The highly-advanced powertrain consisting of two electric motors from the three-times Le Mans-winning 919 LMP1 hybrid and a large battery pack that enables the most powerful of Taycans to hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 2.6 seconds.
Buyers get to choose, however, from three different power outputs. The 2020 Porsche Taycan is available in 522 hp, 563 hp, and 616 hp forms. It also offers two different battery pack capacities – one with 79.2-kWh and another with 93.4-kWh.
Finally, the Germans have also developed their own ultra-fast 800-volt charging network which should be able to provide as much as 250 miles of range within 15 minutes. Of course, most people will have to settle for 400-volt superchargers or household units that are much slower but also cheaper and more widespread.
02. 2020 Polestar 1
The Polestar brand has finally become a division of its own after being fully acquired by Volvo in 2015. Unlike its parent company, which mostly emphasizes on pragmatic luxury and safety, the Polestar will offer a little bit of everything. However, all of their future models will be either hybrids or full-electric vehicles.
Their first model, aptly named Polestar 1, is a highly luxurious plug-in hybrid 2-door sports coupe which is unlike anything Volvo has ever done before. The Polestar 1 does draw inspiration from the Volvo Concept Coupe from 2013, though. It’s sleek, stylish, and exquisitely refined, though pragmatically so. In other words, it’s as contemporary of a Volvo as a contemporary Volvo can get, but with a few perks on the side.
One of these perks hasn’t been accepted with open arms, though, as the Polestar 1 had a starting price of a whopping $155,000. I say had because the entire first batch of 200 U.S.-bound models has already been spoken for.
The 2020 Polestar 1 uses the proven Volvo 2.0L turbocharged and supercharged 4-cylinder engine as its centerpiece. Coupled with a duo of electric motors driving the rear wheels, the Polestar 1 develops a whopping 591 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of twist. Being a plug-in hybrid and having a 34 kWh battery pack on the side, it’s also capable of providing a hefty 90 miles of electric range – albeit according to the lax European measurements.
The remainder of the Polestar 1 perks consist of a predominant carbon-fiber body, special Öhlins Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension, Akebono 15.7-inch discs with 6-piston calipers, and Bowers & Wilkins high-end sound system on the inside, for instance.
Despite its high price tag, the Polestar 1 is arguably one of the best 2020 luxury cars we can expect on our roads in the near future.
01. 2020 Toyota Century
Neither one of us will likely be able to see it in person, let alone buy one, but I simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to present one of the most obscured, yet best luxury cars ever made. The Japanese domestic market exclusive has been in production since 1967, but remarkably, it’s only in 2020 that the full-size limo enters its third generation. A full redesign comes after no less than 21 years which means that a cassette player has given way to a contemporary infotainment system with an accompanying 20-speaker premium audio system.
Being a chauffeur’s car, it’s the rear seat where the real magic happens in the Century (if you know what we mean). With a lowered floor, raised ceiling, massage seats, a large 11.6-inch screen, and all the controls at hand, the Century’s rear seat lounge is one of the most lavish seating arrangements in the automotive world at present. Not to mention all the leather, wood, and fenghuang (similar to phoenix) badges hand-engraved by a master craftsman. All this comes at a price, of course, which stands at 19.6 million yen or around $180,000.
The third-generation Toyota Century ditches the venerable 5.0L V12 (305 cu in) in favor of a more practical 5.0L V8 (303 cu in) with the Toyota Hybrid System II. The V8 alone makes 375 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque, but electric motors add another 220 hp and 221 lb-ft for a combined output that peaks at 425 ponies – much more than the outgoing model had made given it peaked at 276 horsepower. Better gas mileage and more power in a smaller package? Sign us up!
The 2020 Toyota Century is already available through the Japanese automaker’s specialized domestic dealerships as of 2018, but we won’t get to enjoy its splendor anytime soon. At least not in the next 25 years. Speaking of which, you can always import older models under the 25-year rule, but who’d want to be bothered with a steering wheel on the wrong side of the car, anyway? Despite that fatal flaw, the Toyota Century remains one of the best 2020 luxury cars money can buy.
