Ready for your first luxury car? These entry-level picks offer refined design, intuitive tech, and premium performance, without overwhelming cost or complexity.
Stepping into the world of premium cars is an exciting milestone. If you’re considering leasing or buying your first luxury car, congratulations — you’re investing in more than just transportation. You’re choosing comfort, safety, technology, and a refined driving experience that reflects your success and lifestyle.
But with so many luxurious models out there, where do you start? At Ed Hicks Imports, we specialize in helping first-time luxury buyers find the perfect balance between value and prestige. Whether you’re drawn to sporty compact luxury sedans or comfortable midsize luxury SUVs, here’s our list of the best first luxury cars — models that deliver elegance without overwhelming complexity or cost.
If you like the idea of compact luxury sedans, like the Audi A4 or BMW 2 series, but are an admirer of the three-pointed star (who isn’t?), the Mercedes-Benz CLA is the perfect way to enter the brand. As one of the more approachable vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, this luxury, front-wheel drive, four-door coupe delivers high-end style and performance in a slim, affordable, city-friendly package.
Don’t let its entry-level label or $44,400 starting MSRP fool you — the 2025 CLA is packed with intuitive technology and advanced safety features that align with its luxury designation. Drivetrain-wise, the CLA features a turbocharged, 221-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission, which makes every drive feel indulgent. And if fuel economy is your priority, the CLA is the best on this list, obtaining 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway.
Ultimately, the CLA is a luxury vehicle at a not-so-luxury price point. With its peppy drivetrain, athletic styling, and renowned brand reputation, the CLA makes a powerful first impression.
Another contender with Daimler Motor car heritage, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact luxury sedan. While the C-Class shares the same size designation as the CLA, it boasts a longer body and a more spacious interior, offering more headroom and legroom for passengers, as well as additional cargo space. Like the CLA, the C-Class provides an ideal blend of sophistication and sportiness, featuring clean lines, rich interior finishes, and a range of tech-forward features.
Despite its larger size, the C-Class knows how to move. With rear-wheel drive, a 255-horsepower, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine, and a nine-speed automatic transmission, the C-Class is capable of going 0–60 in six seconds flat, easily keeping up with premium cars like the Audi A3, Cadillac CT5, and Acura Integra.
But safety is equally as important as power, so how does the C-Class stack up in terms of safety ratings? Really, really, well. The 2025 C-Class garnered a Top Safety Pick + rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Despite all of the performance, luxury, and safety the C-Class has to offer, Mercedes has listed its starting MSRP as $48,450, making it an ideal choice for first-time luxury buyers who want to jump in with both feet.
If you’re looking for something with a bit more room than a sedan, but don’t want a full-size luxury SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLA, and its 50.5 cubic feet of cargo space may be for you. With turbocharged performance, responsive handling, and available 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the GLA 250 is ideal for drivers who want the flexibility of an SUV without sacrificing the sporty feel of a sedan.
Inside, you’ll find similar features to our previous Mercedes picks, like the voice-assisted Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX), premium materials, customizable ambient lighting, and thoughtful design touches that make every drive feel like a luxury. The best part? For all of its versatility, the 2025 GLA has a starting MSRP of only $43,000.
Larger than the GLA, but still part of the compact SUV category, the Mercedes-Benz GLB seats up to seven people (with optional third-row seating) and offers up to 62 cubic feet of cargo space. With a boxier shape and more upright stance than the GLA, the GLB boasts a more rugged appeal while still maintaining signature Mercedes-Benz elegance and the same premium interior features as the GLA.
While it features the same drivetrain as the GLA (a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission), the GLB doesn’t suffer from its larger size. It still maintains an efficient 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, ensuring that it’s ready for both luxury cruises and longer, more adventurous road trips.
With an incredibly reasonable starting MSRP of $45,800, the GLB is a top pick for first-time luxury car buyers who want extra space for passengers and cargo without committing to a larger vehicle.
With a starting MSRP of $50,200, the INFINITI QX60 is the most expensive vehicle on our list. However, as a midsize luxury SUV, that price is justified with massive amounts of extra space gained in comparison to a compact SUV. Behind the first row, the QX60 offers a whopping 75.4 cubic feet of cargo space, making it an excellent choice for adventure or travel-minded drivers.
With seating for up to seven passengers and a serene, upscale cabin, it’s a strong choice for growing families or anyone who values generous space with refined comfort. From quilted leather seats to climate control for each row, every detail feels expertly crafted. Technologically, the QX60 offers an intuitive driver-assist suite that enhances safety and peace of mind, as well as user-friendly infotainment features, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™, and more.
Under the hood, you’ll find a 2-liter variable compression, turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine capable of making up to 268 horsepower. Despite its larger size, the QX60 still gets a reasonable 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, thanks to its intelligent all-wheel drive, 9-speed automatic transmission, and variable compression engine, which can shorten or elongate the stroke of its pistons to perfectly match power demand.
If you’re ready to make the leap into luxury, Ed Hicks Imports has options that offer the perfect balance of value and refinement. From compact crossovers to sleek sedans, our vehicles deliver the premium experience you deserve without going overboard. Come test drive your first luxury car and see how easy it is to elevate your drive.
