Then And Now: 11 Of The Top American Luxury Cars Ever Made

American luxury cars had a good run from relatively early in the 19th century until the 1970s, when the oil crisis hit and customers shifted away from heavy, gas-guzzling land yachts to more efficient options. European brands soon gained traction, and American luxury cars never quite hit the same highs. That doesn’t mean buyers haven’t had many opulent domestic products to choose from. Here, we’ll cover some of the most outstanding classic and modern American luxury cars to roll into showrooms.

Before we go any further, we have to ask this question: What makes a great American luxury car? A “luxury car” can come in many forms. In the post-war era, it was all about uncontained proportions, impactful design, massive power plants, and great lashings of chrome. For many traditionalists, a true luxury car can only take the form of a three-box sedan, but personal luxury cars – essentially luxury coupes – were also popular back then. Today, dramatically shifting tastes have given rise to luxury SUVs, while truly luxurious American sedans are exceedingly rare.

Our list covers all these interpretations of American luxury as it evolved over time. However, we’ve chosen models and/or trims that prioritize extravagant luxury and style, even at the expense of ultimate performance.

In chronological order (from the time the first model of each nameplate was released), here are some of the top American luxury cars ever.

1

Chrysler Imperial

With hopes of competing with Duesenberg, Cord, Cadillac, and Lincoln, the Chrysler brand needed a more esteemed car in its stable. That came in the form of the Chrysler Imperial, which first arrived in 1926. For many decades, this was the ultimate Chrysler luxury car, chosen by government officials, celebrities, and the like for its big six-cylinder engine and comfortable interior.

Over the years, the Imperial grew larger and more extravagant. Airtemp, an air-conditioning system that was far superior to anything else that had been attempted, was introduced in 1953. Wanting to further differentiate the Imperial from other Chrysler products, “Imperial” became a standalone brand in 1955, although this had mixed success, and many still referred to the car as Chrysler Imperial.

The second-gen Imperial arrived in 1956 with dramatically revised styling, including a body width of over 80 inches, giving it abundant shoulder room. It also featured exceptionally large fins at the back. Subsequent generations continued to offer opulent interiors with armchair-like seating until the Imperial downsized in the 1980s. Sadly, more modern Imperials also became uglier.

2

Duesenberg Model J

Duesenberg had even higher aspirations than Chrysler with its Imperial. Founded by two brothers in 1920, Duesenberg introduced the Model J in 1928. It was a car intended to rival those from Rolls-Royce and Hispano-Suiza. With its 7.0-liter straight-eight engine producing around 265 horsepower, its power and speed were unmatched. A finished Model J went for around $13,000, according to Hagerty, an extraordinary sum for the period.

The Model J was one of the early examples of intricate luxury car customization processes that we now take for granted with cars like the Bentley Continental and Rolls-Royce Ghost. With its power, grand finishes, and imposing styling, the Model J set a high benchmark for American luxury cars to live up to.

3

Buick Roadmaster

There were numerous lavishly specced and styled Buicks, and the Roadmaster was one of them. Built in the mid-1930s and resurrected in the 1990s, the original Roadmaster had the brand’s longest non-limousine wheelbase. It was also Buick’s flagship model between 1946 and 1957.

Initially, the Roadmaster was sold in several body styles, including a four-door sedan and two-door convertible, with straight-eight engines. In the early 1940s, the fourth generation debuted with a new vertical-bar grille, while later models introduced the characteristic “Sweepspear,” a prominent body side molding in chrome. At well over 200 inches in length and with plush interiors, these classic Roadmasters easily live up to the description of a “land yacht.”

The Roadmaster name disappeared for 33 years between the tail-end of the 1950s and the early 1990s, when it returned in more modern sedan and station wagon forms. Now firmly in an era of downsizing, the ‘90s Roadmaster’s old-school body-on-frame platform was at odds with the direction the industry was moving in. These Roadmasters, with their exterior wood paneling, overstuffed seats, thirsty V8s, and towering dimensions, are some of the last great old-school American cars.

4

Lincoln Continental

Founded only three years before Duesenberg, Lincoln prepared its own large luxury car in the Continental, which went into production in 1939. The Continental first appeared in two-door coupe and convertible configurations, helping to create the personal luxury car segment.

Production was paused during World War II, and that was followed by the 1956 launch of the second-gen model. At $10,000, it was the priciest car sold by an American automaker domestically. Although Lincoln dropped the price of the third-gen model, it continued to bleed cash for the automaker. The Continental peaked in its fourth generation, where the Secret Service used two examples for the Presidential state car. The majestic four-door convertible was the last car of its kind, but a sedan was also available. Power came from a trio of V8s, including a 7.6-liter version.

The Continental lost some of its luster in the 1980s and 1990s, although the most recent Continental full-size sedan (discontinued for the 2020 model year) was tasteful and comfortable, even if it wasn’t truly competitive against its European rivals.

5

Cadillac Eldorado

Produced from 1952, the Cadillac Eldorado was always close to the top of the Cadillac family tree, and sometimes, it was the outright flagship. Slotting into the personal luxury car segment, it arrived as a posh two-door convertible. It was powered by a 5.4-liter V8 and measured over 220 inches in length. A mere 532 examples of the first Eldorado were produced. The second-gen model dropped in price and sales increased as a result, while also introducing a two-door coupe.

In 1957, the ultra-luxury Eldorado Brougham was unveiled. Its cost exceeded that of rivals like the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, and it had such features as self-leveling air suspension and almost 50 leather and interior trim choices. The Biarritz name was used to distinguish the flamboyant drop-top, and later, it was a trim package.

With its outlandish tailfins, ample brightwork, big V8 engines, and sheer size, early Eldorados reeked of luxury. It helped that many of them delivered a wonderfully soft ride, while the seats were akin to sofas. Things changed with the debut of the smaller, less special 11th-gen model, but in all, the Eldorado spanned 12 generations across half a century.

6

Lincoln Town Car

Designed to compete with the largest sedans from Cadillac and Chrysler, the Lincoln Town Car emerged in 1980. It was primarily offered as a four-door sedan, but a two-door sedan was briefly available as well. The charming padded roof is a feature you won’t see on any modern sedan, while several modern interior functions included a keyless entry system with a keypad, six-way front power seats, and the first fitment of a CD player to any vehicle from the Ford stable.

The second-gen Town Car became the longest production sedan in the USA after the Cadillac Fleetwood was discontinued. A digital instrument panel became standard, and you could get it with a cell phone in the center armrest. There were multiple special editions, including the Regatta Edition with its White Oxford leather seats and Regatta Blue carpeting, and the Diamond Anniversary Edition that commemorated Lincoln’s 75th anniversary in 1996.

The third-gen model went on sale in 1997 and was completely revised. Its launch took place around the same time that Lincoln introduced the Navigator, its first SUV. However, the Town Car managed to retain popularity for longer than many other large American sedans. It was also a popular choice for limousine conversions, while a 1989 model served as the Presidential State Car.

7

Lincoln Navigator

The rise of luxury SUVs like the Navigator completely changed the American perception of luxury. Suddenly, these high-riding behemoths became associated with A-listers everywhere. Preceding the arrival of the Cadillac Escalade, the first Navigator was launched in 1997. Its load-leveling air suspension was tuned for superior ride comfort, while new features like power-adjustable pedals and heated/cooled front seats made it a proper luxury model.

Fast-forward to today, and the Navigator is a truly opulent vehicle. The range-topping Black Label L costs over $113,000 and includes features like heated and ventilated seats in the first two rows, 30-way adjustable front seats with massage, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system.

If modern American luxury is what you’re after, few do it better than the current Navigator.

8

Cadillac Escalade

GM rustled up the first-gen Escalade as quickly as it could in response to the Navigator – it wasn’t much more than a slightly fancier GMC Yukon Denali, and was sold only as a five-seat two-row SUV. The second-gen model was a better effort, but it’s the third-gen Escalade that really raised the bar for how excessive and luxurious a Caddy SUV could be. Even its Rodeo Drive launch event was a star-studded affair, with celebs like Paris Hilton in attendance.

The fourth-gen model, unveiled in 2013, was a refinement of the same recipe with its hand-crafted cabin and long roster of equipment. Today, the fifth-gen Escalade has exactly none of the grace of the classic Eldorado, but a lot more luxury. You can spend upwards of $120k on the ESV version. The cabin is expansive and a beautiful blend of high-tech displays and rich materials. Every possible creature comfort is within reach, and it feels unstoppable as it wafts along the highway.

2024 Cadillac Escalade

Base MSRP

$81,895

Engine

6.2L V8 Gas

Horsepower

420 hp

Torque

460 lb-ft

Transmission

10-Speed Automatic

9

Jeep Grand Wagoneer

The original Wagoneer is often considered the genesis of the sport utility vehicle. At that time, it showed the world that this type of vehicle could also be comfortable and luxurious. Jeep doubled down on that concept when it reintroduced the Wagoneer in 2021, but it’s the Grand Wagoneer that most exemplifies modern SUV luxury.

Starting at over $90k, you can spend over $120k on a Grand Wagoneer L in the Series III Obsidian specification with all the options. Inside, the top Wagoneer L has classy Palermo leather seats, 24-way power adjustment for the front seats, and an available 23-speaker McIntosh sound system. The turbocharged six-cylinder engine provides smooth, effortless power, while the Quadra-Lift air suspension provides a plush ride.

Despite its lavish equipment list, it’s still a decent off-roader. It gets the Quadra-Drive III four-wheel-drive system with hill descent control, although we expect that few Grand Wagoneers will be subjected to conditions that could risk damaging the shiny paintwork.

10

Lucid Air

Like the Celestiq (more on that in a moment), the Lucid Air demonstrates what a good fit an electric powertrain is for a luxury car. When we drove the Air Grand Touring last year, we commended the interior for its luxury feel, which was evidently better than in the Tesla Model S, and there is plenty of passenger space. It has a superbly absorbent ride and is as quick as any luxury sedan has a right to be; if you need even more power, you can splurge on the Air Sapphire. The Air’s class-leading range also makes it a good bet for an upper-crust clientele; after all, there’s nothing grand about needing to make frequent stops at random charging stations alongside Chevy Bolts.

Currently, no other American sedan can match the luxury appeal of the Air. Buick, Lincoln, and Chrysler no longer sell sedans, while the Cadillac CT5 is much smaller and more basic. The Air may not scale the heights of American luxury sedans from decades gone by, but it’s a mostly excellent EV.

11

Cadillac Celestiq

Once the purveyor of some of America’s most extravagant luxury cars, Cadillac seems to be returning to its roots and looking ahead simultaneously with the Celestiq. This dramatic electric luxury car recently went into production and will cost upwards of $300,000, making it a clear Rolls-Royce competitor.

The Celestiq will offer an extraordinary level of craftsmanship and customization, so each example is expected to be unique. Its 600-horsepower powertrain is silent, so is a perfect fit for an ultra-luxury car, while the adaptive air suspension and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 should keep occupants completely isolated from the outside world. The design is undeniably eye-catching, and the car’s length of way over 200 inches recalls classic Caddys from the 1960s and 1970s, even if that’s the only link to them.

Final judgment on the Celestiq will need to be reserved until it’s been reviewed, but it has all the makings of a car that will reestablish America as a key player in the ultra-luxury segment.

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