The 2013 Lexus ES 350 (XV60) is the best used luxury car under $15,000: Kelley Blue Book owners rate the 6th-generation ES 4.9 out of 5 for reliability, the highest here, and KBB lists the ES 350 sedan at $12,900. The 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204) is #2 at $8,350 and the 2017 Lincoln MKZ (CD533) is #3 at $11,300. These are luxury sedans and coupes; for SUVs see our used luxury SUVs page.
At a glance
#
Pick
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026)
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $12,000 for the A4 Premium Sedan 4D (originally $38,925)
The Audi badge with a KBB.com rating of 4.5 from $12,000
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2013 Lexus ES 350 (XV60)
Lowest price
2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204)
Newest model year
2017 Lincoln MKZ (CD533)
Best KBB.com rating
2016 BMW 320i xDrive (F30)
Best crash test rating
2017 Acura TLX (UB1)
The ranking
1
2013 Lexus ES 350 (XV60)
Answrs VerdictThe reliability leader.
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $12,900 for the ES 350 Sedan 4D (originally $37,280)Range-topping trim (KBB, same model year): $13,450 for the ES 300h Sedan 4D (originally $44,224)Owner reliability (KBB, generation): 4.9 out of 5Generation (KBB): 6th-generation ES
KBB owners give the 6th-generation ES a 4.9 out of 5 reliability rating, the best on this list. KBB lists the 2013 ES 350 sedan at $12,900 (originally $37,280) and the ES 300h at $13,450.
Go ifThe highest owner reliability score here, 4.9, from $12,900
Skip ifYou want a newer model year than 2013
Why #1 over #2: Its 4.9 owner reliability score beats the C-Class’s 4.7.
2
2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204)
Photo: RL GNZLZ from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe low-price Mercedes.
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $8,350 for the C 250 Luxury Sedan 4D (originally $37,635)Range-topping trim (KBB, same model year): $22,200 for the C 63 AMG Edition 507 Sedan 4DOwner reliability (KBB, generation): 4.7 out of 5Generation (KBB): 3rd-generation C-Class
The 3rd-generation C-Class has a 4.7 owner reliability score on KBB. The 2014 C 250 Luxury sedan is listed at $8,350, but the C 63 AMG Edition 507 is $22,200, so only the entry trims fit the budget.
Go ifA 4.7 owner reliability score and the lowest starting price in the top three, $8,350
Skip ifYou want the AMG trim under $15,000
Why #2 over #3: Its $8,350 starting price sits well below the MKZ’s $11,300 at the same 4.7 score.
3
2017 Lincoln MKZ (CD533)
Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe newest-year Lincoln.
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $11,300 for the MKZ Premiere Sedan 4D (originally $36,095)Range-topping trim (KBB, same model year): $17,800 for the MKZ Black Label Sedan 4D (originally $52,755)Owner reliability (KBB, generation): 4.7 out of 5Generation (KBB): 2nd-generation MKZ
The 2nd-generation MKZ has a 4.7 owner reliability score. The 2017 MKZ Premiere sedan starts at $11,300 (originally $36,095), while the Black Label is listed at $17,800.
Go ifA 4.7 owner reliability score and a 2017 model year from $11,300
Skip ifYou want the Black Label trim under $15,000
Why #3 over #4: Its 4.7 owner reliability score beats the S60’s 4.6.
4
2016 Volvo S60
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Volvo value pick.
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $8,500 for the S60 T5 Sedan 4D (originally $37,115)Range-topping trim (KBB, same model year): $16,850 for the S60 T6 Polestar Sedan 4D (originally $60,640)Owner reliability (KBB, generation): 4.6 out of 5Generation (KBB): 3rd-generation S60
The 3rd-generation S60 has a 4.6 owner reliability score on KBB. The 2016 S60 T5 sedan starts at $8,500 (originally $37,115), and the T6 Polestar is $16,850.
Go ifA 4.6 owner reliability score from $8,500
Skip ifYou want the Polestar trim under $15,000
Why #4 over #5: Its 4.6 owner reliability score beats the Q50’s 4.5.
5
2016 Infiniti Q50 (V37)
Photo: Boulodonej / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Infiniti pick.
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $9,975 for the Q50 2.0t Sedan 4D (originally $35,855)Range-topping trim (KBB, same model year): $7,600 for the Q50 Red Sport 400 Sedan 4D (originally $51,535)Owner reliability (KBB, generation): 4.5 out of 5Generation (KBB): 1st-generation Q50Other KBB prices listed (2016): $7,600 for the Red Sport 400 Sedan 4D to $13,000 for the Sport Sedan 4D
The 1st-generation Q50 has a 4.5 owner reliability score. KBB lists the 2016 Q50 2.0t sedan at $9,975 (originally $35,855) and the Red Sport 400 at $7,600, with prices up to $13,000 for the Sport.
Go ifA 4.5 owner score, with the Red Sport 400 listed at $7,600
Skip ifYou want the lowest starting price
Why #5 over #6: Its $9,975 starting price is below the 3 Series’s $10,950 at the same 4.5 score.
6
2016 BMW 320i xDrive (F30)
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe BMW pick.
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $10,950 for the 3 Series 320i Sedan 4D (originally $34,495)Range-topping trim (KBB, same model year): $13,950 for the 3 Series 335i Gran Turismo xDrive Sedan 4D (originally $54,345)Owner reliability (KBB, generation): 4.5 out of 5Generation (KBB): 6th-generation 3 SeriesKBB.com rating (2016): 4.6 out of 5Highest KBB price listed (2016): $21,400 for the 340i xDrive Sedan 4D
The 6th-generation 3 Series has a 4.5 owner reliability score and a 4.6 KBB.com rating. The 2016 320i sedan starts at $10,950 (originally $34,495), the 335i Gran Turismo xDrive is $13,950, and the 340i xDrive is $21,400.
Go ifA 4.5 owner score and the highest KBB.com rating here, 4.6, from $10,950
Skip ifYou want the 340i xDrive, listed at $21,400
Why #6 over #7: Its $10,950 starting price is below the TLX’s $14,450 at the same 4.5 score.
7
2017 Acura TLX (UB1)
Photo: DestinationFearFan / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe newest Acura.
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $14,450 for the TLX 2.4 Sedan 4D (originally $32,965)Range-topping trim (KBB, same model year): $15,100 for the TLX 3.5 w/Advance Pkg Sedan 4D (originally $43,665)Owner reliability (KBB, generation): 4.5 out of 5Generation (KBB): 1st-generation TLXNHTSA crash test rating (KBB, 2017): 5.0 out of 5
The 1st-generation TLX has a 4.5 owner reliability score and a 5.0 NHTSA crash test rating on KBB. The 2017 TLX 2.4 sedan starts at $14,450 (originally $32,965), and the 3.5 with the Advance Package is $15,100.
Go ifA 4.5 owner score on a 2017 model year, with a 5.0 NHTSA crash test rating
Skip ifYou want a starting price under $14,000
Why #7 over #8: Its 4.5 owner reliability score beats the Regal’s 4.4.
8
2016 Buick Regal
Photo: MercurySable99 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe low-price Buick.
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $8,400 for the Regal 1SV Sedan 4D (originally $27,990)Range-topping trim (KBB, same model year): $12,200 for the Regal GS Sedan 4D (originally $35,990)Owner reliability (KBB, generation): 4.4 out of 5Generation (KBB): 4th-generation Regal
The 4th-generation Regal has a 4.4 owner reliability score. The 2016 Regal 1SV sedan starts at $8,400 (originally $27,990), and the GS is $12,200 (originally $35,990).
Go ifThe lowest starting price of the 4.4 trio, $8,400, with the GS at $12,200
Skip ifYou want an owner score above 4.4
Why #8 over #9: Its $8,400 starting price is below the ATS’s $10,650 at the same 4.4 score.
9
2016 Cadillac ATS
Photo: Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Cadillac pick.
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $10,650 for the ATS 2.5L Standard Sedan 4D (originally $35,785)Range-topping trim (KBB, same model year): $16,100 for the ATS 3.6L Premium Coupe 2D (originally $52,940)Owner reliability (KBB, generation): 4.4 out of 5Generation (KBB): 1st-generation ATS
The 1st-generation ATS has a 4.4 owner reliability score. The 2016 ATS 2.5L Standard sedan starts at $10,650 (originally $35,785), and the 3.6L Premium Coupe is $16,100.
Go ifA 4.4 owner score with both sedan and coupe bodies listed
Skip ifYou want the 3.6L Premium Coupe under $15,000
Why #9 over #10: Its $10,650 starting price is below the A4’s $12,000 at the same 4.4 score.
10
2016 Audi A4 (B8.5)
Photo: Thomas doerfer / CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Audi option.
Used price (KBB, model year shown, read in October 2026): Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $12,000 for the A4 Premium Sedan 4D (originally $38,925)Range-topping trim (KBB, same model year): $11,850 for the A4 Premium Plus Sedan 4D (originally $41,025)Owner reliability (KBB, generation): 4.4 out of 5Generation (KBB): 4th-generation A4KBB.com rating (2016): 4.5 out of 5
The 4th-generation A4 has a 4.4 owner reliability score and a 4.5 KBB.com rating. KBB lists the 2016 A4 Premium sedan at $12,000 (originally $38,925) and the Premium Plus at $11,850.
Go ifThe Audi badge with a KBB.com rating of 4.5 from $12,000
Skip ifYou want a higher owner reliability score
How we ranked these
We kept the luxury sedans and coupes from the old list that fit under $15,000 and read each model year on its Kelley Blue Book page in October 2026. The order is the KBB owner reliability rating for the generation first, then the lowest starting KBB Fair Purchase Price. The old list’s later Lexus ES model years and its Lexus IS started over $15,000 on KBB, so we moved the ES to its 2013 model year and swapped the IS for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. KBB prices are national averages that change weekly and vary with mileage, condition and location, and several higher trims cost more than $15,000 as marked. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best used luxury car under $15,000?
The 2013 Lexus ES 350: Kelley Blue Book owners rate the 6th-generation ES 4.9 out of 5 for reliability, the highest on this list, and KBB lists the ES 350 sedan at $12,900.
Which used luxury car here is cheapest?
KBB lists the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C 250 Luxury at $8,350, the 2016 Buick Regal 1SV at $8,400 and the 2016 Volvo S60 T5 at $8,500 as the lowest starting prices.
Which of these is the newest model year?
The 2017 Lincoln MKZ and the 2017 Acura TLX are the newest, with KBB prices starting at $11,300 and $14,450.
Are all trims of these cars under $15,000?
No. KBB lists the 2016 Volvo S60 T6 Polestar at $16,850, the 2017 Lincoln MKZ Black Label at $17,800 and the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Edition 507 at $22,200, so only the starting trims are under $15,000.
Starting Kelley Blue Book used price, model year shown (USD) at a glance
2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W204)$8,350
2016 Buick Regal$8,400
2016 Volvo S60$8,500
2016 Infiniti Q50 (V37)$9,975
2016 Cadillac ATS$10,650
2016 BMW 320i xDrive (F30)$10,950
2017 Lincoln MKZ (CD533)$11,300
2016 Audi A4 (B8.5)$12,000
2013 Lexus ES 350 (XV60)$12,900
2017 Acura TLX (UB1)$14,450
Starting Kelley Blue Book used price, model year shown (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
